The Technomancer

The Technomancer, a 2016 Action RPG, presents an interesting test for modern hardware due to its age and engine characteristics. The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 135H and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Mobile yields a dataset that reveals clear performance scaling and bottleneck behaviors across different resolutions and settings. This analysis examines the measured FPS results to understand the role of each component and determine optimal configurations for this specific pairing.

CPU Role — cores, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The Intel Core Ultra 5 135H is a 14-core, 18-thread mobile processor based on the Meteor Lake architecture, built on a 7 nm process. Its base clock of 3.60 GHz can boost up to 4.60 GHz. The processor features a substantial cache hierarchy, including 18 MB of shared L3 cache, which is critical for gaming workloads that require rapid data access. The CPU's 28 W TDP classifies it as a power-efficient part, which is a common trait for mobile processors designed to balance performance with thermal constraints.

In the context of The Technomancer, the CPU's performance is sufficient to avoid becoming a primary bottleneck, especially at lower resolutions. The processor's single-thread performance, as indicated by a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1700, is adequate for the game's logic and physics. The multi-threaded capabilities, demonstrated by a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 11875.5, ensure that background tasks and the game's AI systems do not cause frame hitches. The data shows that at 1080p, the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU enough data to achieve high frame rates, with the Low preset hitting 229 FPS. This suggests that the CPU is not the limiting factor at this resolution, as the frame rate is likely capped by the GPU's rendering capabilities or the game's engine limits.

The processor's benchmark scores place it in the 81st percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 29093. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X, which scores 29123, a mere 0.1% difference, and the Intel Core i5-13500HX, which scores 29270, a -0.6% delta. This indicates that the Core Ultra 5 135H is a highly competitive mobile processor, offering performance that is nearly identical to some notable desktop and high-end mobile parts. However, in this gaming-specific scenario, the CPU's role is more about maintaining a stable frame delivery rather than pushing peak FPS, a task it handles with ease given the high frame rates observed at 1080p.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Mobile is the dominant force in this combination. It is a high-end mobile GPU based on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture, featuring 7680 shading units and a 256-bit memory bus. The GPU is equipped with 16 GB of GDDR7 memory, which provides a massive 896.0 GB/s of bandwidth. This is a crucial specification for The Technomancer, as the game's textures and effects at higher settings can consume significant memory bandwidth. The GPU's boost clock of 1500 MHz is relatively modest, but the sheer number of cores and the high memory bandwidth compensate for the clock speed.

The GPU's role becomes increasingly apparent as resolution and settings increase. At 4K Ultra, the frame rate drops to 42 FPS, indicating that the GPU is heavily stressed. The data suggests that the RTX 5080 Mobile is the limiting component at this resolution and setting, as the CPU alone cannot be responsible for such a dramatic performance drop from 1440p. The GPU's performance is also reflected in its benchmark scores, with a Passmark G3D score of 27711 and a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 4952. These scores place the RTX 5080 Mobile in the 81st percentile of all GPUs.

Interestingly, the GPU's nearest rival according to the average benchmark score is the NVIDIA GeForce MX570, which has a deltaPct of 0.1%, and the GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile, which has a deltaPct of 0.6%. This comparison is based on the average benchmark score of 38349, which includes a mix of gaming and compute tests. In the specific context of The Technomancer, the RTX 5080 Mobile's performance is more relevant than its overall average, as the game's engine may favor certain architectural strengths. The 16 GB of VRAM ensures that there is no memory capacity limitation at any of the tested settings, allowing the GPU to focus purely on rendering performance.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The resolution scaling data provides a clear picture of how the system behaves under increasing load. At the High preset, the frame rate drops from 150 FPS at 1080p to 98 FPS at 1440p, a 34.7% decrease, and then to 54 FPS at 4K, a 44.9% decrease from 1440p. This significant drop indicates that the GPU is the primary bottleneck at higher resolutions, as the pixel count increases exponentially and the GPU must work much harder to fill those pixels.

A similar pattern is observed at the Ultra preset, where the frame rate drops from 117 FPS at 1080p to 77 FPS at 1440p (a 34.2% decrease) and then to 42 FPS at 4K (a 45.5% decrease). The consistent percentage drops across different presets suggest that the scaling is primarily driven by the GPU's rendering capabilities. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect the frame rate to plateau or drop less significantly at lower resolutions, but the data shows a linear degradation that is characteristic of GPU-bound scenarios.

At the Low preset, the frame rate drops from 229 FPS at 1080p to 150 FPS at 1440p (a 34.5% decrease) and then to 82 FPS at 4K (a 45.3% decrease). Even at Low settings, the 4K resolution still demands significant GPU resources, confirming that the RTX 5080 Mobile is the limiting component. The CPU, with its high single-thread scores, is able to keep up with the GPU's demands even at 1080p Low, where the frame rate is exceptionally high. This analysis indicates that for users seeking higher frame rates, lowering the resolution is the most effective strategy, as the GPU's workload is directly tied to the pixel count.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive look at the system's performance. At 1080p, the Low preset achieves an average of 229 FPS, which is the highest recorded frame rate. The Medium preset achieves 176 FPS, with a minimum of 150 FPS and a maximum of 202 FPS. The High preset achieves 150 FPS, and the Ultra preset achieves 117 FPS. This scaling shows that at 1080p, the system is capable of delivering extremely high frame rates, even at the highest settings, making it ideal for high-refresh-rate displays.

Moving to 1440p, the frame rates remain high but are noticeably lower. The Low preset achieves 150 FPS, which is a 34.5% decrease from 1080p. The Medium preset achieves 115 FPS, with a minimum of 98 FPS and a maximum of 132 FPS. The High preset achieves 98 FPS, and the Ultra preset achieves 77 FPS. These numbers indicate that 1440p is a sweet spot for this combination, offering a balance between visual fidelity and performance, with the High preset still providing a smooth experience above 60 FPS.

At 4K, the frame rates drop significantly. The Low preset achieves 82 FPS, which is still playable, but the Medium preset drops to 63 FPS, with a minimum of 54 FPS and a maximum of 73 FPS. The High preset achieves 54 FPS, and the Ultra preset drops to 42 FPS. The data shows that 4K is demanding for this GPU, with only the Low preset maintaining a frame rate above 60 FPS. The Medium preset is borderline, with an average of 63 FPS but a minimum of 54 FPS, which could cause noticeable stutters in demanding scenes. The High and Ultra presets are not recommended for 4K gaming if a smooth experience is desired.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

In the grand scheme of tested hardware combinations, this specific pairing of the Intel Core Ultra 5 135H and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Mobile ranks 992nd out of 3696 combos. This places the combination in the top 26.8% of all tested systems, indicating that it is a high-performance pairing, but not at the absolute top tier. The rank reflects the overall performance across all tested games and settings, and for The Technomancer specifically, the system performs admirably, as evidenced by the high frame rates at 1080p and 1440p.

The rank of 992 out of 3696 is influenced by the CPU's performance, which is in the 81st percentile, and the GPU's performance, which is also in the 81st percentile. However, the combination's rank suggests that there are many other systems with more powerful CPUs or GPUs that can achieve higher frame rates in more demanding games. In the context of The Technomancer, this rank is somewhat misleading, as the game is not particularly demanding by modern standards. The data shows that this combination can handle the game at high settings and resolutions, making it a solid choice for this title, even if it doesn't top the charts in other, more intensive games.

The rank also indicates that the system is well-balanced, as neither component is severely underpowered relative to the other. This is evident from the resolution scaling analysis, which shows that the GPU becomes the bottleneck at higher resolutions, but the CPU is not holding back performance at lower resolutions. This balance is a positive attribute, as it means the system can adapt to different gaming scenarios without a significant performance deficit.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend heavily on the target resolution. For 1080p, the Ultra preset is the best choice, as it achieves an average of 117 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay. The High preset at 150 FPS is also excellent, but the Ultra preset offers the best visual experience without sacrificing playability. For users with high-refresh-rate monitors (144Hz or higher), the High preset at 150 FPS or even the Medium preset at 176 FPS would be preferable to maximize frame rates.

At 1440p, the High preset is the recommended choice, achieving an average of 98 FPS. This provides a smooth and visually appealing experience. The Medium preset at 115 FPS is also a viable option for those who prioritize frame rate over visual fidelity, while the Ultra preset at 77 FPS is still playable but may not be ideal for fast-paced action. The Low preset at 150 FPS is excessive for most displays and would not provide a noticeable benefit over the High preset.

At 4K, the Low preset is the only setting that provides a consistently smooth experience, with an average of 82 FPS. The Medium preset, with an average of 63 FPS and a minimum of 54 FPS, is borderline and may cause occasional stutters. The High preset at 54 FPS is below the 60 FPS threshold and is not recommended for a smooth experience. The Ultra preset at 42 FPS is not recommended for 4K gaming. Therefore, for 4K, the Low preset is the best option, or users should consider lowering the resolution to 1440p to enjoy higher settings.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average FPS achievable with this hardware at 1080p?

A: The highest average FPS is 229, which is achieved with the Low preset at 1920x1080 resolution.

Q: Does the RTX 5080 Mobile have enough VRAM for The Technomancer at 4K?

A: Yes, the GPU has 16 GB of GDDR7 memory, which is more than sufficient for the game's requirements at all tested settings, including 4K Ultra.

Q: Is the Intel Core Ultra 5 135H a bottleneck at 1440p High settings?

A: No, the CPU is not the bottleneck. At 2560x1440 High, the system achieves 98 FPS, and the resolution scaling data shows that the GPU is the limiting factor at higher resolutions.

Q: What is the average FPS at 4K Medium settings?

A: The average FPS at 3840x2160 with Medium settings is 63, with a minimum of 54 and a maximum of 73.

Q: How does this CPU compare to its nearest rival in terms of average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 135H has an average benchmark score of 29093, which is 0.1% lower than the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X, which scores 29123.

Q: At which resolution does the Ultra preset still maintain an average FPS above 100?

A: The Ultra preset maintains an average FPS above 100 only at 1920x1080, where it achieves 117 FPS. At 2560x1440, it drops to 77 FPS.