The Technomancer

The Technomancer, a 2016 Action RPG, presents an interesting case study for modern hardware. This analysis examines the performance of the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 paired with the AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT, using measured benchmark data. The results show a configuration that is well-suited for high-refresh-rate 1080p gaming and capable of delivering a smooth 1440p experience, though 4K gaming requires significant settings compromises. The data reveals a system where the GPU is clearly the primary driver of performance, with the CPU providing ample headroom across all tested resolutions.

FAQ

Q: What is the overall performance ranking of this CPU and GPU combination in The Technomancer?

A: The combo ranks 1464th out of 2825 tested combinations, placing it in the 48th percentile. This suggests it is a mid-pack performer, not a top-tier enthusiast setup, but far from a low-end configuration.

Q: How does the CPU's multi-core performance compare to its closest rivals?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 is statistically tied with its nearest competitors. Its average benchmark score is 46062, which is within 0.1% of the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 (46030) and within 0.2% of the AMD EPYC 4364P (45970). It is also only 0.1% behind the Intel Core i9-13900HX (46098).

Q: What is the highest average frame rate achievable at 1080p with this setup?

A: The highest average frame rate is 171 FPS, which is achieved at the Low settings preset at 1920x1080 resolution.

Q: At which settings and resolution does the system first fail to maintain a 60 FPS average?

A: At 4K resolution (3840x2160), the High settings preset drops to a 40 FPS average. Even the Medium preset at 4K only manages 47 FPS. To achieve a 60+ FPS average at 4K, you must use the Low preset, which yields 61 FPS.

Q: How much VRAM does the GPU have, and what is its memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT is equipped with 12 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 384.0 GB/s.

Q: What is the performance delta between the GPU and its nearest rival, the RTX 4070 Mobile?

A: The RX 6700 XT's average benchmark score is 27425, while the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Mobile scores 27435. The performance difference is a negligible 0.0%, meaning they are effectively equal in overall synthetic benchmarks.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 is a 14-core, 14-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture. It has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, which are the key figures for gaming performance. The processor's 24 MB of shared L3 cache is another important factor in game performance. In The Technomancer, the CPU's role is to feed the GPU with draw calls and handle game logic. The data suggests it does this without becoming a bottleneck.

This CPU sits in the 89th percentile of all CPUs, and its average benchmark score of 46062 is virtually identical to its nearest rivals. For instance, it is 0.1% faster than the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 and 0.1% slower than the Intel Core i9-13900HX. This indicates that for this game, the CPU is providing a consistent, high-level of performance that is not a limiting factor. The high boost clock of 5.00 GHz ensures strong single-threaded performance, which is often critical for game logic and frame pacing.

The benchmark scores reinforce this. A Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 14769 and a single-core score of 2085 show a balanced processor. More telling are the PassMark scores: a multithread score of 37816 and a single-thread score of 4516. These numbers indicate that the CPU has significant headroom when dealing with a title like The Technomancer, which is from 2016 and is unlikely to utilize all 14 cores effectively. The performance difference between the Low and Ultra settings at 1080p (171 FPS vs 87 FPS) is almost entirely due to the GPU workload, not CPU limitations, as the CPU can easily handle the frame rate demands at the lower settings. The data implies the Core Ultra 5 235 is a very capable partner for the RX 6700 XT in this game, providing a stable platform for the GPU to operate at its full potential.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT is the workhorse of this configuration. It features 12 GB of GDDR6 memory and a 192-bit memory bus, delivering a bandwidth of 384.0 GB/s. This memory capacity is substantial and should be more than enough for The Technomancer's textures and assets. The GPU has a base clock of 2321 MHz and a boost clock of 2581 MHz, which are quite high for its generation. This clock speed is a major reason for its performance, as it helps the GPU process the game's rendering tasks quickly.

The RX 6700 XT is in the 72nd percentile of all GPUs. Its average benchmark score of 27425 makes it a direct peer of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090, which scores 27565 and is only 0.5% faster. It is also 1.1% faster than the NVIDIA RTX PRO 4000 Blackwell. This is a significant finding, as it places a mid-range card from its generation on par with a former flagship. The GPU's DirectX 12 Ultimate support and Vulkan 1.4 API compatibility ensure it can run the game with modern rendering features.

In The Technomancer, the GPU is clearly the dominant component. The frame rates scale in a predictable pattern with resolution and settings, which is the classic behavior of a GPU-bound scenario. For example, at 1440p High, the average FPS is 73, but at 4K High, it drops to 40. This sharp drop is a direct consequence of the increased pixel count, which puts more stress on the GPU's shading units and memory bandwidth. The 12 GB of VRAM is also a crucial asset, as it likely prevents texture swapping or stuttering at higher resolutions and settings. The GPU's performance is the primary factor determining the playable settings for this system.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data for this combination reveals a clear performance hierarchy across resolutions and settings.

At 1920x1080, the system is exceptionally capable. The Low preset delivers an average of 171 FPS, making it ideal for high-refresh-rate monitors. The Medium preset offers a very playable 131 FPS average, with a minimum of 111 FPS and a maximum of 151 FPS. The High preset still provides an excellent 112 FPS average. Even the demanding Ultra preset manages a solid 87 FPS, ensuring a smooth experience at the highest quality settings.

Moving to 2560x1440, the system remains strong. The Low preset yields a very high 111 FPS average. The Medium preset is a great choice for a balanced experience, with an 86 FPS average and a minimum of 73 FPS. The High preset is also capable of delivering a smooth 73 FPS average. However, the Ultra preset at 1440p brings the average down to 57 FPS, which is just below the 60 FPS mark but still playable for many.

At 3840x2160, the system struggles to maintain high frame rates. The Low preset is the only option that provides a 60+ FPS average, hitting 61 FPS. The Medium preset drops to a 47 FPS average, with a minimum of 40 FPS and a maximum of 54 FPS. The High preset is significantly lower at 40 FPS, and the Ultra preset falls to a less-than-ideal 31 FPS average. The data shows a steep performance cliff at 4K, indicating that the GPU is heavily taxed at this resolution.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 and the AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT ranks 1464th out of 2825 tested combos in The Technomancer. This places it in the 48th percentile, which is a mid-table result. This ranking is reflective of the GPU's 72nd percentile position and the CPU's 89th percentile position. The lower percentile of the GPU is the limiting factor for the combo's overall rank.

The fact that the CPU is a high-performer (89th percentile) and the GPU is a solid mid-to-high performer (72nd percentile) means the system's overall rank is dragged down by the GPU. This is a common occurrence in gaming systems, where the graphics card is the primary determinant of game performance. The relative parity of the RX 6700 XT with the RTX 3090 (0.5% slower) and RTX 4070 Mobile (0.0% difference) in synthetic benchmarks suggests that this combo's rank is not due to a poor GPU, but rather the presence of many other combos with more powerful graphics cards. The data implies that the CPU is not holding the system back, and the ranking is a fair representation of the GPU's capabilities in this specific game.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend on the target resolution and desired frame rate.

For 1920x1080, the Ultra preset is the clear recommendation. The 87 FPS average provides a fully smooth experience, and the high frame rate ensures excellent responsiveness. The High preset is also excellent at 112 FPS, but the Ultra preset offers the full visual experience without a significant performance penalty.

For 2560x1440, the High preset is the best balance of visual quality and performance. The 73 FPS average is above the 60 FPS target and provides a great gaming experience. The Medium preset is also a strong option at 86 FPS, but dropping to High retains more visual fidelity. The Ultra preset is not recommended here, as the 57 FPS average dips below the standard 60 FPS target.

For 3840x2160, the Low preset is the only way to achieve a 60+ FPS average, hitting 61 FPS. While this requires significant visual compromises, it is the only playable option for those who prioritize frame rate. The Medium preset at 47 FPS is a borderline experience, and the High and Ultra presets are not recommended due to their low frame rates. The data indicates that this combo is not intended for high-quality 4K gaming.

Resolution Scaling

The frame rate scaling from 1080p to 4K is a critical indicator of system balance. At High settings, the average FPS drops from 112 at 1080p to 73 at 1440p, and then to 40 at 4K. This is a 35% drop from 1080p to 1440p, and a further 45% drop from 1440p to 4K. This steep decline in performance as resolution increases is the definitive sign of a GPU-bound system.

The CPU's performance is constant across these resolutions, so it is not the cause of the frame rate drop. The increasing pixel count at 1440p and 4K requires the GPU to perform exponentially more work. The RX 6700 XT, while capable, simply does not have the raw pixel-pushing power to maintain high frame rates at 4K. The fact that the Low preset at 4K (61 FPS) performs worse than the Ultra preset at 1080p (87 FPS) further confirms that the GPU is the bottleneck. This scaling behavior suggests that to improve 4K performance, a more powerful GPU would be necessary, as the CPU has shown it can comfortably support higher frame rates. The system is well-balanced for 1080p and 1440p, but the GPU becomes the clear limiting factor at 4K.