The Technomancer

The Technomancer, a 2016 Action RPG, presents a demanding workload that stresses both processor and graphics card. This analysis examines the measured performance of the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti across a range of resolutions and settings. The data reveals a configurable experience, from high-refresh-rate 1080p play to a more challenging 4K Ultra setting that pushes the system to its limits. The benchmark results provide a clear picture of where this combination excels and where it requires compromises.

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. This configuration places it in the 89th percentile against all CPUs, indicating strong overall processing capability. Its synthetic benchmark scores, such as a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 14769 and a single-core score of 2085, suggest a robust performer for both threaded and lightly-threaded tasks.

In the context of The Technomancer, the CPU's role is to feed the GPU with data and process game logic. The game, being from 2016, is unlikely to utilize 14 cores fully, but the high single-core performance, evidenced by the PassMark single-thread score of 4516, is critical for maintaining stable frame pacing. The data shows that at 1080p with Low settings, the system achieves 175 FPS, a figure that is unlikely to be bottlenecked by the CPU. The Core Ultra 5 235's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 and the Intel Core i9-13900HX, with average scores within 0.1% of each other, indicating that this CPU is in a performance tier where minor differences are negligible.

The CPU's memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s and support for DDR5 memory are relevant for a game that may stream assets. However, the measured FPS deltas between resolution and settings suggest that the GPU is the primary limiting factor in this combination. The CPU's high boost clock of 5.00 GHz ensures that even if the game engine is single-threaded, the Core Ultra 5 235 can provide the necessary responsiveness to avoid stuttering. The 14 cores and 14 threads are a modern feature, but for this older title, the raw single-thread speed is the more significant asset.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is the graphics workhorse in this combo. It is built on the Ampere architecture and features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s. Its GPU has a base clock of 1410 MHz and a boost clock of 1665 MHz. With 4864 shading units, the card is capable of significant parallel processing. It holds a 59th percentile ranking among all GPUs and its average benchmark score of 16129 places it near the AMD Radeon RX 9060, which has a deltaPct of 0.7%, and the AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT, which is 1.4% behind.

For The Technomancer, the GPU's role is to render the game's environments, characters, and effects. The 8 GB VRAM capacity is a key factor. At 4K with Ultra settings, the game averages only 32 FPS, which suggests that the combination of high resolution and maximum detail is exceeding what the 3060 Ti can handle comfortably. The drop from High to Ultra at 4K is steep, from 41 FPS to 32 FPS, indicating that the Ultra preset introduces effects that are particularly taxing on the GPU's compute and memory subsystems. The card's 16.20 TFLOPS of FP32 performance is the raw power available for these tasks.

The RTX 3060 Ti supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, which is beneficial for modern rendering techniques. However, The Technomancer's age means it may not fully utilize these features. The data shows the GPU is the clear bottleneck in this system. At 1080p Low, the framerate reaches 175 FPS, but as resolution and settings increase, the FPS drops significantly. This is a classic sign of a GPU-bound scenario. The card's 8 GB of VRAM is sufficient for 1080p and 1440p, but at 4K, the memory capacity and bandwidth are likely contributors to the performance collapse seen at Ultra settings.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data shows a clear scaling trend from 1080p to 4K. At High settings, the average FPS drops from 115 at 1920x1080, to 75 at 2560x1440, and finally to 41 at 3840x2160. This represents a 35% decrease in performance when moving from 1080p to 1440p, and a further 45% decrease when moving from 1440p to 4K. This pattern is a strong indicator that the system is heavily GPU-limited. The number of pixels being rendered quadruples from 1080p to 4K, and the RTX 3060 Ti's compute and memory resources are progressively overwhelmed.

Examining the Low settings row reveals a similar trend. The FPS values are 175 at 1080p, 115 at 1440p, and 63 at 4K. While the absolute numbers are higher, the percentage drops are consistent with a GPU-limited scenario. The scaling from 1440p to 4K at Low settings shows a 45% reduction, which is nearly identical to the reduction seen at High settings. This consistency suggests that the resolution is the primary driver of the performance cost, rather than the specific visual features toggled by the settings presets.

The 4K Medium and 4K High results, 48 FPS and 41 FPS respectively, are close, but the jump to 4K Ultra at 32 FPS is a significant step down. This indicates that the Ultra preset at 4K introduces a specific load that the GPU cannot handle, likely related to shadow quality or post-processing effects. The data suggests that for a smooth 60 FPS experience, 1080p is the target resolution for this combo, while 1440p is viable for High settings, and 4K is only playable at Low settings.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The benchmark provides a complete matrix of average FPS for all resolution and settings combinations. At 1920x1080, the system performs admirably. The Low preset yields an average of 175 FPS, making it suitable for high-refresh-rate monitors. The Medium preset averages 135 FPS, with minimums of 114 and maximums of 155 FPS, showing good consistency. High settings drop to an average of 115 FPS, which is still excellent for a smooth experience. The Ultra preset is the most demanding, but it still manages an average of 90 FPS, ensuring playability even at maximum detail.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance remains solid. Low settings average 115 FPS, which is perfectly playable. Medium settings average 88 FPS, with a minimum of 75 FPS, which is on the edge of the 60 FPS threshold. High settings average 75 FPS, which is a good experience for most users. The Ultra preset at 1440p averages 59 FPS, just shy of the 60 FPS target for a perfectly smooth experience, but still very playable.

At 3840x2160, the performance becomes more constrained. Low settings are the only preset that maintains an average above 60 FPS, hitting 63 FPS. Medium settings drop to an average of 48 FPS, with a minimum of 41 FPS and a maximum of 56 FPS. High settings average 41 FPS, and the Ultra preset brings the system to its knees with an average of only 32 FPS. This data clearly shows that 4K is only viable at Low settings for this hardware combination.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti combination ranks 1375 out of 2825 tested combos in The Technomancer. This places it in the 48th percentile of all combinations tested, indicating it is a mid-tier performer for this specific game. The rank suggests that while it is not a top-tier setup, it is far from the bottom. This position is likely influenced by the GPU's mid-range standing, as the CPU is a high-percentile component.

The combo's rank is a relative measure. A rank of 1375 out of 2825 means that 1450 other combinations of CPUs and GPUs performed better, while 1374 performed worse. This puts the system in the middle of the pack. The high-performing CPU is likely not the limiting factor in the ranking; the RTX 3060 Ti's performance is what anchors this combo in the middle. The GPU's 59th percentile ranking among all GPUs aligns well with this overall combo rank, suggesting that the graphics card is the primary determinant of this system's position in the game's benchmark hierarchy.

The data shows that this is a balanced pairing in the sense that the CPU is not severely bottlenecking the GPU, and vice versa. The combination's rank is a direct result of the RTX 3060 Ti's capabilities. For a game like The Technomancer, which is not extremely modern, this mid-pack ranking is a reasonable outcome, offering a playable experience at 1080p and 1440p, but struggling to maintain high frame rates at 4K.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend entirely on the target resolution and desired frame rate. For a 1080p display, the Ultra preset is the best choice, as it provides an average of 90 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay. This allows the user to experience the game with all visual features enabled without sacrificing performance. If a user has a 144Hz monitor, the High preset at 115 FPS or even the Medium preset at 135 FPS would be better options to maximize refresh rate.

For 1440p users, the High preset offers a good balance of visual fidelity and performance, averaging 75 FPS. This is a solid experience for most titles. The Ultra preset, at 59 FPS, is also viable, though users sensitive to frame drops might prefer High to ensure a stable 60 FPS. The Medium preset at 88 FPS is another strong option for those who prefer a higher frame rate over maximum detail.

At 4K, the choices are limited. The Low preset is the only option that provides a comfortable frame rate, averaging 63 FPS. This is the recommended setting for 4K gameplay, as the Medium preset at 48 FPS and High preset at 41 FPS are below the 60 FPS target and may feel less responsive. The Ultra preset at 32 FPS is not recommended for a playable experience. The data suggests that for a consistent 60 FPS experience, the user should target 1440p High or 1080p Ultra.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo to achieve 60 FPS?

A: The data shows that 1080p Ultra achieves 90 FPS and 1440p High achieves 75 FPS, both comfortably above 60 FPS. At 4K, only the Low preset (63 FPS) reaches the 60 FPS target.

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

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 has an average benchmark score of 46062. Its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375, scores 46030, which is a deltaPct of 0.1%. The Intel Core i9-13900HX scores 46098, a deltaPct of -0.1%.

Q: How does the GPU's performance compare to its closest rivals?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti has an average benchmark score of 16129. The AMD Radeon RX 9060 is 0.7% ahead with a score of 16014, while the AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT is 1.4% behind with a score of 16361.

Q: What is the frame rate difference between 1080p and 4K at High settings?

A: At High settings, the average FPS drops from 115 at 1920x1080 to 41 at 3840x2160. This is a significant 64% reduction in performance when moving from 1080p to 4K.

Q: Does the system maintain a consistent frame rate at 1440p Medium settings?

A: The data shows an average of 88 FPS at 2560x1440 with Medium settings, with a minimum of 75 FPS and a maximum of 101 FPS. The minimum frame rate indicates some fluctuation, but it stays above 60 FPS for the most part.

Q: Is the 4K Ultra preset playable with this hardware?

A: No. The 4K Ultra preset yields an average of only 32 FPS, which is well below the 60 FPS target for smooth gameplay. This setting is not recommended for a satisfactory experience.