The Technomancer

The Technomancer, a 2016 Action RPG, presents an interesting test for modern hardware. With the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, the data shows a system that delivers exceptionally high frame rates, firmly placing this combo in the 92nd percentile of all tested configurations for this game. The benchmark results indicate that this pairing is heavily GPU-bound at higher resolutions, while at 1080p, the CPU's capabilities are pushed to their limit to feed the powerful GPU.

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. It operates with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, which are key factors in its performance. This processor sits in the 89th percentile of all CPUs, and its average benchmark score of 46062 places it in a tight cluster with rivals like the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 and Intel Core i9-13900HX, from which it is virtually inseparable, with deltaPct values of just 0.1% and -0.1%, respectively.

In the context of The Technomancer, the processor's single-thread performance is critical. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2085 indicates strong per-core capability, which is essential for a game engine from this era that often relies on a few heavily loaded threads. At 1080p resolution, this CPU strength becomes the primary driver of the high frame rates observed. The data shows a 1080p Low average of 280 FPS, which is a massive 52% higher than the 4K Low average of 101 FPS. This massive gap suggests that at lower resolutions, the CPU is capable of processing frames far faster than the GPU can render them, creating a bottleneck where the CPU’s speed sets the ceiling.

However, the processor's multi-core performance, while robust, is less of a factor in this specific title. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 14769 shows it can handle heavy loads, but the game's engine does not appear to scale perfectly with the 14 threads available. The processor’s 24 MB of shared L3 cache and support for DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s provide a solid foundation for feeding data to the GPU, ensuring that the rest of the system does not hold back the graphics card at higher resolutions. The data implies that in this game, the Core Ultra 5 235 is a high-frequency, high-IPC engine that excels in the lightly-threaded scenarios that dominate at 1080p and 1440p.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti is a powerhouse built on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture. It features 16 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a substantial 896.0 GB/s of bandwidth. Its boost clock of 2452 MHz and 8960 shading units deliver immense raw compute power, with an FP32 throughput of 43.94 TFLOPS. The GPU’s average benchmark score of 49957 puts it in the 86th percentile of all GPUs, and it is surprisingly closely matched with the AMD Radeon RX Vega 64, which scores 50001, a deltaPct of only -0.1%. It is also 2% behind the AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT.

In The Technomancer, the GPU's role becomes increasingly dominant as resolution increases. The data shows a clear GPU-bound scenario at 4K, where the frame rate is determined by the rendering load. At 4K Ultra, the average FPS drops to 52, indicating a demanding graphical load that strains even a high-end card like the RTX 5070 Ti. The 16 GB VRAM capacity is more than sufficient for this title, ensuring that texture memory is not a limiting factor at any setting. The high memory bandwidth is also crucial for feeding the GPU at 4K, where data throughput becomes critical.

The GPU’s performance scaling from 1080p to 4K is steep. For example, at High settings, the average FPS drops from 184 at 1080p to 120 at 1440p and finally to 66 at 4K. This 64% reduction in frame rate from 1080p to 4K illustrates the massive increase in pixel count and shader workload. The RTX 5070 Ti is clearly the primary determinant of performance at 1440p and 4K, as its rendering capabilities are the bottleneck. The card is powerful enough to provide a smooth 120 FPS experience at 1440p High, but the game's engine and the GPU's limits are reached at 4K Ultra, where the average dips below the 60 FPS threshold.

FAQ

Q: Is the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 a bottleneck for the RTX 5070 Ti in this game?

A: At 1080p, yes. The 1080p Low average of 280 FPS versus the 4K Low average of 101 FPS suggests the CPU is the limiting factor at low resolutions and settings, as it can process more frames than the GPU can render. At 1440p and 4K, the GPU becomes the clear bottleneck.

Q: How does the RTX 5070 Ti compare to its nearest rivals in average benchmark scores?

A: The GPU's average score of 49957 is nearly identical to the AMD Radeon RX Vega 64, which scores 50001 (a 0.1% difference). It is 2% behind the AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT and 3.1% ahead of the AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT.

Q: What is the best resolution to play at for a 144 Hz monitor?

A: The data shows that 1440p High yields an average of 120 FPS, which is below 144 FPS. However, 1440p Medium provides an average of 141 FPS, which is close to the 144 Hz target. At 1080p, High settings deliver 184 FPS, easily exceeding 144 Hz.

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

A: Yes, but not at the highest settings. At 4K High, the system averages 66 FPS, which is playable. At 4K Ultra, the average drops to 52 FPS. 4K Medium provides a comfortable 77 FPS average.

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

A: The difference is substantial. The 1440p Low setting averages 183 FPS, while 1440p Ultra averages 94 FPS. This represents a 48.6% reduction in frame rate when moving from Low to Ultra at 1440p.

Q: Does the 16 GB of VRAM on the RTX 5070 Ti ever become a limiting factor in this game?

A: The benchmark data does not indicate any VRAM-related performance issues. The frame rates scale consistently with resolution and settings, suggesting that the 16 GB capacity is ample for The Technomancer, even at 4K Ultra.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured frame rates for this combination show a clear hierarchy based on resolution and settings. At 1920x1080, the system delivers exceptional performance. With Low settings, the average FPS is 280. Moving to Medium, the average is 215 FPS, with a minimum of 183 and a maximum of 248. High settings yield an average of 184 FPS, while Ultra settings bring the average down to 144 FPS. These numbers indicate that at 1080p, even Ultra settings provide a very smooth experience.

At 2560x1440, the performance remains high but shows the expected scaling. The Low setting average is 183 FPS. Medium settings deliver 141 FPS on average, with a low of 120 and a high of 162. High settings produce 120 FPS, and Ultra settings average 94 FPS. This resolution is the sweet spot for high refresh rate gaming, as even High settings clear the 120 FPS mark.

At 3840x2160, the GPU's workload becomes the defining factor. Low settings average 101 FPS. Medium settings drop to 77 FPS, with a minimum of 66 and a maximum of 89. High settings average 66 FPS, and Ultra settings are the most demanding, with an average of 52 FPS. The data shows that 4K gaming is viable, but users will need to adjust settings to achieve their desired frame rate targets. The 4K Medium result of 77 FPS is a balanced point, while 4K High offers a playable 66 FPS average.

Resolution Scaling

The performance scaling from 1080p to 4K reveals the fundamental bottleneck of this system. At Low settings, the average FPS drops from 280 at 1080p to 183 at 1440p and then to 101 at 4K. This represents a 35% drop from 1080p to 1440p and a further 45% drop from 1440p to 4K. This steep decline indicates that the game becomes increasingly GPU-bound as resolution increases, as the RTX 5070 Ti has to render far more pixels.

At High settings, the pattern is similar but with lower absolute numbers. The average FPS is 184 at 1080p, 120 at 1440p, and 66 at 4K. The percentage drops are 35% and 45%, respectively, mirroring the Low setting scaling. This consistency suggests that the GPU is the limiting component at these resolutions, and the CPU’s performance is sufficient to keep up with the GPU's rendering output.

The scaling from 1440p to 4K is particularly telling. At all settings, the frame rate nearly halves. For instance, at Medium settings, the average drops from 141 FPS at 1440p to 77 FPS at 4K, a 45% reduction. This is a direct result of the 2.25x increase in pixel count, demonstrating that the RTX 5070 Ti's raw rasterization power is the primary constraint. The data strongly suggests that for 4K gaming, users should expect to use lower settings to maintain high frame rates, while 1440p offers a much more forgiving performance envelope.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured data, the optimal settings depend on the user's display and performance targets. For 1080p users with high refresh rate monitors, Ultra settings are the best choice, as they still deliver an average of 144 FPS. This provides the highest visual fidelity without sacrificing the smoothness that high-refresh displays require. The 280 FPS at Low is excessive for most displays, and the jump to Ultra only reduces the average to a still-excellent 144 FPS.

For 1440p, High settings are the recommended starting point, yielding a 120 FPS average. This provides a great balance of visual quality and performance. Users seeking to maximize frame rates for competitive play can drop to Medium, which averages 141 FPS, but the visual difference between Medium and High is often noticeable. Ultra settings at 1440p are viable at 94 FPS, but the performance cost is significant compared to High.

For 4K, High settings provide a playable 66 FPS average, which is acceptable for a single-player Action RPG. However, for a more consistent experience, Medium settings are the best choice, with an average of 77 FPS and a minimum of 66 FPS. This ensures that the frame rate rarely dips below 60 FPS, providing a smoother experience than High. Ultra settings at 4K, with a 52 FPS average, are not recommended for a consistently smooth experience, as the lower frame rate is likely to be noticeable. The data indicates that Medium is the sweet spot for 4K, offering a 48% improvement in frame rate over Ultra with a modest reduction in visual detail.