The Technomancer

The Technomancer, a 2016 Action RPG, presents an interesting case study in CPU and GPU scaling when paired with the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER. The measured data reveals a configuration that is heavily reliant on the graphics card for performance, with the processor providing a stable foundation. This analysis breaks down the benchmark results, focusing on how the system handles the game's demands across different resolutions and settings.

Resolution Scaling

The performance trajectory from 1080p to 4K clearly identifies the GPU as the primary bottleneck in this pairing. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the system achieves an average of 142 FPS, which is a high framerate that suggests the CPU is capable of feeding the graphics card with enough data. However, as resolution increases, the rendering load on the GPU grows exponentially, causing average framerates to drop significantly.

Moving from 1080p to 1440p at High settings, the average FPS falls from 93 to 61, a reduction of about 34%. This substantial drop indicates that the RTX 2060 SUPER is working much harder to fill the additional pixels. The trend continues when scaling to 4K, where the High preset yields an average of just 34 FPS. This 4K result is below the 60 FPS target that most users consider the baseline for smooth gameplay, highlighting that this resolution is not viable for a consistently fluid experience on this hardware at high graphical fidelity.

The scaling pattern across all settings underscores this GPU-bound nature. At 1080p Low, the system produces 142 FPS, but at 4K Low, it manages only 51 FPS. This is a drop of roughly 64%, which is a classic signature of a system where the graphics card's fill rate and memory bandwidth are the limiting factors. The CPU's role becomes less influential as resolution rises, meaning the framerate is dictated almost entirely by the GPU's rendering capabilities. The data suggests that 1440p is the sweet spot for this combination, offering a balance between visual fidelity and performance, while 4K is only playable at the lowest settings, and even then, it may not provide a perfectly smooth experience for all users.

FAQ

Q: What is the average framerate at 1080p with Ultra settings?

A: The benchmark data shows an average of 73 FPS at 1920x1080 with the Ultra preset. This suggests that the game is quite playable at maximum settings on this resolution, though not with a massive margin of headroom.

Q: Is 4K gaming viable with this CPU and GPU combo?

A: According to the measured results, 4K gaming is challenging. The High preset averages only 34 FPS, and the Ultra preset drops to 26 FPS. Even at Low settings, the average is just 51 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS standard. Therefore, 4K is not a recommended target for a consistently smooth experience.

Q: How does the RTX 2060 SUPER compare to its nearest rival in synthetic benchmarks?

A: In the average benchmark score, the RTX 2060 SUPER is nearly identical to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile, with a deltaPct of -0.4%. This places them in the same performance tier, albeit one being a mobile part and the other a desktop card.

Q: What is the role of the CPU's core count in this game's performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 has 10 cores and 10 threads. Given the GPU-bound scaling, the CPU's core count is likely sufficient to prevent it from being a bottleneck. The data suggests that the GPU is the limiting factor, so the 10-core processor provides a solid base without becoming a constraint on performance.

Q: What is the best resolution to use for a high-refresh-rate monitor?

A: For framerates above 100 FPS, the 1920x1080 resolution is the only option. The Low preset averages 142 FPS, and the Medium preset averages 109 FPS, which would be suitable for a 144Hz monitor. The High preset at 93 FPS is also viable for a 100Hz display.

Q: How much of a performance difference is there between the Low and Ultra presets at 1440p?

A: The difference is substantial. At 2560x1440, the Low preset averages 93 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 48 FPS. This is a performance drop of nearly half, indicating that the graphical settings have a massive impact on the load placed on the GPU.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225, with its 10 cores and 10 threads, serves as the computational anchor for this system. Its base clock of 3.30 GHz and boost clock of 4.90 GHz provide the necessary single-thread and multi-thread performance to manage game logic and physics. In synthetic benchmarks, the CPU scores 25,891 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 3,655 in single-core, which places it in the 85th percentile of all CPUs. This indicates a strong processor, but its performance in The Technomancer is largely secondary to the GPU.

The benchmark results show that the CPU is not the limiting factor at any resolution. For instance, at 1080p Low, the system produces 142 FPS. If the CPU were a bottleneck, we would expect to see framerates plateau or decline at lower resolutions as the GPU becomes less stressed. Instead, the framerate scales directly with resolution, which is a clear indicator of a GPU bottleneck. The CPU's 20 MB of shared L3 cache and support for DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s ensure that data can be fed to the GPU without causing stalls.

Comparing the CPU to its nearest rivals, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F shows a deltaPct of 0%, meaning they have essentially identical average benchmark scores. This places the Core Ultra 5 225 in a competitive position for gaming. However, in this specific title, the game's engine appears to be more dependent on the graphics card. The 10-core processor provides ample headroom, and its performance is more than adequate to support the RTX 2060 SUPER. The data suggests that users with this CPU would see similar performance in this game with a more powerful GPU, as the processor is not holding the system back.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER achieves a rank of 2001 out of 2825 tested combos for The Technomancer. This places it in the lower-middle tier of all possible configurations, which is a direct reflection of the GPU's age and performance class. The RTX 2060 SUPER, while a capable card in its time, is now considered a mid-range or entry-level option for modern gaming, and this ranking reflects that.

The rank is heavily influenced by the GPU's synthetic performance, which sits in the 62nd percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals, such as the AMD Radeon Pro 5700, show a deltaPct of -0.5%, indicating a near-identical average score. This means the GPU is performing as expected for its class. The CPU, on the other hand, is a much newer and more powerful component, ranking in the 85th percentile of all CPUs. However, in this game, the CPU's strength cannot compensate for the GPU's limitations.

The data shows that this combo is not designed for maximum performance in demanding titles. It is a balanced pairing where the CPU has significant headroom, but the GPU is the limiting factor. For users looking to play The Technomancer, this rank suggests that while the game is playable at lower resolutions and settings, it will not compete with systems using higher-end graphics cards. The rank is a useful metric for understanding the overall capability of this specific hardware pairing, indicating that it is a competent but not top-tier solution for this game.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a detailed picture of performance across all resolution and settings combinations. At 1920x1080, the system performs admirably. With Low settings, the average FPS is 142, which is excellent for high-refresh-rate monitors. The Medium preset averages 109 FPS, with a minimum of 93 and a maximum of 126, showing a stable range. High settings drop the average to 93 FPS, and Ultra settings bring it down to 73 FPS. These numbers indicate that 1080p is the most comfortable resolution for this hardware, offering playable framerates even at maximum quality.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance impact is clear. The Low preset averages 93 FPS, which is still smooth, but Medium drops to 71 FPS (with a min/max of 61/82). High settings average 61 FPS, which is right at the edge of the 60 FPS target. The Ultra preset, however, falls to 48 FPS, which may not be ideal for all players. This resolution offers a good balance between visual quality and performance, but it requires users to be selective with their settings to maintain a consistent 60 FPS.

At 3840x2160, the GPU is clearly overwhelmed. The Low preset averages 51 FPS, which is playable but not smooth. Medium settings drop to 39 FPS (min/max of 33/45), and High settings fall to 34 FPS. The Ultra preset averages a mere 26 FPS, which is not a viable experience for most users. The data shows a clear trend: 1080p is the resolution for high framerates, 1440p is the resolution for a balance of quality and speed, and 4K is only for those who prioritize resolution over smoothness and are willing to use the lowest settings.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS, the most balanced experience is achieved at 2560x1440 with the High preset, which averages 61 FPS. This provides a good level of visual fidelity while maintaining a framerate that is close to the standard 60 FPS target. For users with a monitor that supports refresh rates above 60Hz, the Medium preset at 1080p, which averages 109 FPS, is a better choice for a competitive or fast-paced experience.

If the goal is to maximize visual quality on a 1080p display, the Ultra preset at 73 FPS is the best option. This allows the user to see the game at its highest settings without suffering from severe performance drops. However, for those who prefer higher framerates over maximum detail, the Low preset at 1080p, with its 142 FPS average, is the most responsive option, though it will compromise on visual effects.

For 4K displays, the data suggests that it is best to stick with the Low preset, which averages 51 FPS. While this is the only playable option at that resolution, it still falls short of a locked 60 FPS. In general, the recommendation is to prioritize 1440p as the primary resolution, as it offers a significant visual upgrade over 1080p while remaining playable. The High preset at 1440p offers the best overall experience, balancing the game's artistic detail with the need for smooth gameplay.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER is the definitive performance driver in this configuration. With 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, it provides a bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s, which is crucial for handling the textures and assets in The Technomancer at higher resolutions. Its base clock of 1470 MHz and boost clock of 1650 MHz, along with 2176 shading units, dictate its raw processing power. The synthetic benchmark scores, such as a Passmark G3D score of 16,462, place it in the 62nd percentile of all GPUs.

The GPU's role is clearly demonstrated by the scaling of framerates with resolution. As the resolution increases, the demand on the GPU's pixel fill rate and memory bandwidth increases, causing the observed framerate drops. The GPU's 8 GB of VRAM is sufficient for this game, as the data does not show any signs of texture thrashing or memory-related stutters, even at 4K. However, the card's overall compute power is the limiting factor, preventing high framerates at higher resolutions.

In comparison to its nearest rivals, the RTX 2060 SUPER is nearly identical in performance to the RTX 3060 Mobile, with a deltaPct of -0.4%. This shows that it is a competent mid-range card. However, for a game like The Technomancer, which can be demanding, the GPU's age is apparent. It is best suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming, where it can provide good performance. The data indicates that the GPU is the component users would need to upgrade to significantly improve performance in this title, as the CPU has ample headroom. Its 7.181 TFLOPS of FP32 performance is the core metric that limits its ability to render the game at higher settings and resolutions.