The Technomancer

The Technomancer, a 2016 Action RPG, presents an interesting case study for the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 and AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT pairing. With a combo rank of 900 out of 2825 tested configurations, this setup sits in the upper third of all combinations, indicating a strong but not top-tier performance tier. The data reveals a system that is heavily GPU-bound at higher resolutions, but which also shows the CPU’s capability to push very high frame rates when the graphical load is lightened. This analysis breaks down the measured performance to understand the specific roles of the processor and graphics card in this title.

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

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 is a 14-core, 14-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm process. It features a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The absence of hyper-threading means its 14 cores are all physical, with a 24 MB shared L3 cache to feed them. In the context of The Technomancer, an Action RPG from 2016, the game’s engine is unlikely to scale perfectly across all 14 cores, but the high boost clock of 5.00 GHz is crucial for the single-threaded performance that often dictates game logic and frame pacing.

The CPU’s benchmark scores reinforce its strength. In Cinebench R23, it scores 14,769 multi-core and 2,085 single-core. This places the processor in the 89th percentile of all CPUs, indicating it is more powerful than the vast majority of its peers. Its Passmark multi-thread score of 37,816 and single-thread score of 4,516 show a balanced profile, capable of handling both heavily threaded workloads and the lighter, but latency-sensitive, tasks found in gaming. The data from the measured FPS suggests that at 1080p, the CPU is not a limiting factor, as frame rates reach as high as 210 FPS at Low settings, a figure that strongly implies the processor can feed the GPU well beyond typical display refresh rates.

The processor's nearest rivals in terms of average benchmark score include the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375, which it trails by a negligible 0.1%, and the Intel Core i9-13900HX, which it beats by 0.1%. This puts the Core Ultra 5 235 in a performance class with these high-end mobile and desktop parts, showing that its computational power is not a bottleneck in this game. The data indicates that in The Technomancer, the CPU's role is to efficiently handle the game's simulation and draw calls, which it does with ample headroom, allowing the GPU to become the primary determinant of final frame rates as resolution and settings increase.

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

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of how the graphics presets impact performance. At 1080p, the system is capable of delivering very high frame rates across all settings. The Ultra preset averages 108 FPS, which is excellent for smooth gameplay. High settings push this to 138 FPS, and Medium increases it further to 162 FPS. The Low preset reaches an average of 210 FPS, which is exceptionally high. Given these figures, the Ultra preset at 1080p is a highly viable option for a premium experience, as it stays well above the 60 FPS threshold for fluid motion.

Moving to 1440p, the performance remains strong but the scaling begins to show the GPU's load. The Ultra preset averages 70 FPS, which is perfectly playable and provides a high-fidelity experience. High settings yield a comfortable 90 FPS average. The Medium preset offers 106 FPS, providing a good balance between visual quality and speed. The data suggests that at 1440p, Ultra is the recommended starting point, as it maintains a solid 70 FPS average, and users with high refresh rate monitors can drop to High or Medium to push past 90 FPS.

At 4K (3840x2160), the GPU becomes the definitive bottleneck. The Ultra preset drops to a 39 FPS average, which is below the ideal for smooth action gameplay. High settings improve this to 50 FPS, which is playable but not optimal. The Medium preset is the best choice for a playable experience at this resolution, delivering a 58 FPS average with minimums of 49 FPS. This suggests that for a consistent 60 FPS experience at 4K, users would need to rely on the Medium preset, as the Low preset, while averaging 76 FPS, represents a significant visual downgrade. The data points to Medium as the sweet spot for 4K on this hardware, offering a playable frame rate without sacrificing all graphical fidelity.

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

The frame rate scaling across resolutions is a classic demonstration of GPU-bound performance. At 1080p with High settings, the system averages 138 FPS. When the resolution is increased to 1440p, the average drops to 90 FPS, a reduction of approximately 35%. Moving to 4K, the average falls to 50 FPS, a further 44% drop from 1440p. This steep decline as resolution increases is a clear indicator that the AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT is the primary limiting component at these higher resolutions.

This pattern is consistent across all settings. For instance, at Low settings, the frame rate drops from 210 FPS at 1080p to 137 FPS at 1440p, and then to 76 FPS at 4K. The consistent scaling pattern, where the performance hit is roughly proportional to the increase in pixel count, points directly to the GPU's rendering throughput being the constraint. The CPU's performance is relatively static across these tests, as its workload in terms of game logic and draw calls does not change significantly with resolution. The data suggests that the Core Ultra 5 235 has significant headroom, as it is able to maintain high frame rates at 1080p, but the GPU's pixel-filling capabilities are exhausted as the resolution climbs.

The gap between the 1080p and 4K results shows that the RX 7800 XT is well-suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming but is pushed to its limits at 4K. The fact that the 4K Ultra preset only manages a 39 FPS average, while the 1080p Low preset reaches 210 FPS, underscores that the system's performance ceiling is dictated by the graphics card, not the processor. This analysis confirms that for this specific game and hardware combo, the CPU is not a bottleneck until frame rates reach exceptionally high levels, well beyond what is typical for standard monitors.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 and the AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT achieves a rank of 900 out of 2825 tested combos in The Technomancer. This places it in the 68th percentile of all configurations, meaning it outperforms more than two-thirds of the systems tested. This is a strong result, indicating a well-balanced pairing that delivers above-average performance for this title. The rank is not in the top tier, which is likely reserved for flagship CPUs and GPUs, but it is a solidly high position.

This ranking is particularly interesting when considering the individual components' performance percentiles. The CPU sits in the 89th percentile of all CPUs, while the GPU is in the 51st percentile of all GPUs. The combo's overall rank of 900 out of 2825 is closer to the GPU's lower percentile, which further reinforces that the RX 7800 XT is the component holding the system back from a higher placement. The CPU's high percentile suggests it is capable of supporting a more powerful graphics card, but in this specific configuration, the GPU's performance ceiling defines the system's overall standing.

The data implies that the combo rank is largely a function of the GPU's capabilities. While the CPU is a top-tier performer, the GPU is more of a mid-range part, and the game's performance scales heavily with the GPU. Therefore, the combo's rank of 900 is a direct consequence of the RX 7800 XT's mid-pack standing. If this CPU were paired with a higher-performing GPU, the combo rank would likely be significantly higher, as the processor has the headroom to support it. This analysis of the rank, in conjunction with the resolution scaling data, paints a clear picture of a system that is balanced but ultimately limited by its graphics card.

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

The AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT is built on the RDNA 3.0 architecture and features 16 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 624.1 GB/s. This large frame buffer is more than sufficient for The Technomancer, a game from 2016, and it ensures that texture loading and memory swapping are not performance bottlenecks, even at 4K resolution. The GPU's boost clock is rated at 2430 MHz, with a game clock of 2124 MHz, which helps drive its 37.32 TFLOPS of FP32 compute power.

Despite its modern architecture and ample VRAM, the GPU's benchmark scores place it in the 51st percentile of all GPUs. Its Passmark G3D score is 24,176, and its 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score is 4,157. These figures show that it is a competent performer, but not a top-tier one. The nearest rivals in terms of average benchmark score are the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660, which it beats by 0.5%, and the AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT, which it outperforms by 1.8%. This places the RX 7800 XT in a performance tier that is significantly below the flagship models, which is reflected in its inability to maintain high frame rates at 4K Ultra settings in the measured data.

The GPU's role in The Technomancer is clearly the limiting factor at higher resolutions. The data shows that at 4K Ultra, the average FPS falls to 39, which is a direct result of the GPU's pixel and shading throughput being overwhelmed. While the 16 GB of VRAM is a strong asset, it does not compensate for the core compute limitations at 4K. The GPU is more than capable of providing excellent performance at 1080p and 1440p, but the 4K results indicate that it is not designed for maximum settings at that resolution in this title. The data shows the GPU is the primary component dictating the performance ceiling for this system.

FAQ

Q: What is the best settings preset for 1080p gaming with this hardware?

A: The data shows that the Ultra preset at 1080p averages 108 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay. This makes it the recommended choice for the best visual experience without sacrificing playability.

Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming in The Technomancer?

A: Yes, but with compromises. The 4K Medium preset averages 58 FPS, which is playable. The 4K High preset averages 50 FPS, and the Ultra preset drops to 39 FPS. For a better experience at 4K, using the Medium preset is the most balanced option.

Q: How does the CPU affect performance at higher resolutions?

A: The data indicates the CPU is not a limiting factor at higher resolutions. The frame rate drops significantly from 1080p to 4K, while the CPU's workload remains relatively constant. This shows that the GPU is the primary bottleneck at resolutions like 1440p and 4K.

Q: How does this system's overall performance rank compared to other tested combos?

A: This combo ranks 900th out of 2825 tested configurations. This places it in the upper third of all tested systems, indicating it outperforms the majority of other hardware pairings in this game.

Q: What is the performance difference between the Low and Ultra presets at 1440p?

A: At 1440p, the Low preset averages 137 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 70 FPS. This represents a significant performance trade-off for higher visual fidelity, with the Ultra preset still maintaining a playable frame rate.

Q: Is the 16 GB of VRAM on the GPU useful for this game?

A: The 16 GB of VRAM is more than sufficient for The Technomancer, a game released in 2016. The data suggests that memory capacity is not a bottleneck, as the performance issues at 4K are more likely related to the GPU's core compute capabilities.

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

The following table details the exact measured average frame rates for the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 and AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT combination in The Technomancer.

| Resolution | Settings | Avg FPS | Min FPS | Max FPS |

| :--------- | :------- | :------ | :------ | :------ |

| 3840x2160 (4K) | Ultra | 39 | — | — |

| | High | 50 | — | — |

| | Medium | 58 | 49 | 67 |

| | Low | 76 | — | — |

| 2560x1440 (1440p) | Ultra | 70 | — | — |

| | High | 90 | — | — |

| | Medium | 106 | 90 | 121 |

| | Low | 137 | — | — |

| 1920x1080 (1080p) | Ultra | 108 | — | — |

| | High | 138 | — | — |

| | Medium | 162 | 137 | 186 |

| | Low | 210 | — | — |

The data shows a clear and consistent progression. At 1080p, all presets are highly playable, with even the Ultra preset exceeding 100 FPS. At 1440p, the Ultra preset remains above 60 FPS, providing a great balance of quality and performance. At 4K, the system becomes more constrained, and the Medium preset is the only one that consistently stays near the 60 FPS mark, with a 58 FPS average and a 49 FPS minimum. The Ultra preset at 4K is the most demanding scenario, resulting in a 39 FPS average. This breakdown confirms that the system is best suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming, with 4K requiring settings adjustments to maintain playable frame rates.