The Technomancer

The Technomancer, an Action RPG from 2016, presents a unique challenge for modern hardware. This analysis examines the measured performance of the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, using data from 12 distinct resolution and settings combinations. The dataset reveals a system that scales predictably across resolutions, with the CPU holding its own in a game that is likely more dependent on the graphics card. The findings here are based strictly on the provided measured frames per second (FPS) and component specification data.

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

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 is a 14-core, 14-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm process by TSMC. Its base clock is 3.50 GHz, which can boost up to 5.10 GHz. This combination of a high boost clock and a modern architecture is significant for a game like The Technomancer, which was released before the era of 16-core mainstream CPUs. The data suggests that the CPU's single-thread performance, as indicated by its boost clock, is more than sufficient to keep up with the GPU at lower resolutions.

Looking at the CPU's synthetic benchmarks, it scores 4648 points in Cinebench R23 single-core and 32924 points in multi-core. In Passmark's single-thread test, it scores 4394. These numbers place the processor in the 90th percentile of all CPUs. The nearest rivals in terms of average benchmark score are the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755G, which is just 0.4% behind, and the AMD Ryzen 9 7900, which is 0.5% behind. The Intel Core i5-14600K is 0.8% ahead. This indicates that the Ultra 5 245 is positioned as a high-performance desktop CPU with a strong balance between multi-threaded throughput and single-core speed.

In the context of The Technomancer, the CPU's role becomes clearer when observing the FPS scaling. At 1080p with Low settings, the system produces 169 FPS, which is a very high frame rate. This suggests that the CPU is not a bottleneck at this point, as it is capable of feeding the GPU with enough data to reach such high numbers. The game, being from 2016, likely does not utilize the full 14 cores effectively, but the high boost clock ensures that the primary game thread runs efficiently. The 24 MB of shared L3 cache and 102.4 GB/s of memory bandwidth are also adequate for the game's data demands. The data implies that the CPU will not be the limiting factor in this configuration; instead, the GPU's capabilities will define the performance ceiling, especially as resolution and settings increase.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 is an Ada Lovelace architecture GPU with a base clock of 1830 MHz and a boost clock of 2460 MHz. It has 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 272.0 GB/s. With 3072 shading units and 24 RT cores, it is a capable modern mid-range card. Its performance percentile is 61, which is notably lower than the CPU's 90. This discrepancy is a key indicator for this pairing.

The GPU's nearest rivals in terms of average benchmark score are interesting. The AMD Radeon 780M is only 0.3% behind, which is an integrated graphics solution. This proximity in score suggests that while the RTX 4060's raw compute is solid, it is not overwhelmingly powerful. The measured FPS in The Technomancer confirms this. At 1080p with High settings, the system averages 111 FPS. This is a smooth experience, but it is not the 169 FPS seen at Low settings. The frame rate drop from Low to High at the same resolution is 58 FPS, indicating that the GPU is becoming more heavily utilized as graphical fidelity increases.

The 8 GB of VRAM is a crucial factor. At 4K resolution with High settings, the average FPS drops to 40. While this is playable, it is on the edge of what many consider a smooth experience. The data suggests that the GPU's memory bandwidth and capacity are being stressed at higher resolutions. The fact that the 4K Medium settings row shows an average of 47 FPS with a minimum of 40 FPS and a maximum of 53 FPS indicates a constrained environment. The RTX 4060 is not a 4K powerhouse, and this game, when run at that resolution, will require compromises in settings to achieve higher frame rates. The GPU is the primary scaling factor here, as the CPU has headroom to spare.

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

The measured data provides clear delineations for the optimal experience. At 1080p, the High preset stands out as the best balance, delivering 111 FPS. This is a significant improvement over the 130 FPS on Medium, but the jump to 169 FPS on Low comes at a considerable visual cost. The Ultra preset at 1080p yields 86 FPS, which is still smooth, but the 25 FPS difference between High and Ultra may not justify the visual improvements for all users. High at 1080p appears to be the sweet spot for a high-refresh-rate monitor.

Moving to 1440p, the High preset produces 72 FPS, which is excellent for this resolution and remains the recommended setting. The Medium preset at 85 FPS is also a viable option for those prioritizing frame rate over visuals. However, the Low preset at 110 FPS is likely too much of a visual downgrade for the extra performance. The Ultra preset at 56 FPS is playable but starts to show the GPU's limitations. For a 1440p experience, the data suggests High is the best choice, as it maintains a high enough frame rate to be smooth without compromising on graphical quality.

At 4K, the situation changes drastically. The High preset averages 40 FPS, which is playable on a console but may feel less responsive on a PC. The Medium preset at 47 FPS is slightly better, but the Low preset at 61 FPS is the only one that breaks the 60 FPS threshold. For 4K gaming, the data recommends the Low preset if a 60 FPS experience is the goal. If the user can tolerate dips below 60 FPS, the Medium preset at 47 FPS offers a better visual experience. The Ultra preset at 31 FPS is not recommended for a smooth experience. The recommendations are clear: 1080p High, 1440p High, and 4K Low for a stable 60 FPS.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 is ranked 1497 out of 2825 tested combos in The Technomancer. This places it in the 47th percentile of all tested systems. This rank is surprisingly low given the individual component scores, but it reflects the game's specific performance requirements. The CPU is in the 90th percentile, and the GPU is in the 61st, yet their combined performance in this particular title does not break into the top half.

This ranking suggests that while the components are individually strong, the pairing has a bottleneck. The data implies that the game is heavily GPU-bound at higher settings, and the RTX 4060's performance, while adequate, does not propel the combo to the top of the charts. The low rank is not a sign of failure but rather an indication that many other tested combinations, likely with more powerful GPUs, achieve higher frame rates. The CPU's high percentile is mitigated by the GPU's more modest standing.

The rank also implies that the system is a solid mid-range performer. It is not a top-tier gaming rig, but it is not at the bottom either. The 1497th rank out of 2825 means there are 1328 combos that perform better and 1497 that perform worse. This puts the system in the middle of the pack, which aligns with the expectation that a mainstream CPU paired with a mainstream GPU will deliver a mainstream experience. The data shows that for this specific game, the CPU-GPU balance is more tilted towards the GPU being the limiting factor, which is common for games from this era that do not scale well with many cores.

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

The FPS scaling across resolutions is a clear indicator of the system's bottleneck. Starting at 1080p with High settings, the system averages 111 FPS. At 1440p with High settings, it drops to 72 FPS, a 35% reduction. At 4K with High settings, it falls to 40 FPS, a 64% reduction from 1080p. This steep decline is a classic sign of a GPU-limited scenario. If the CPU were the bottleneck, the frame rate would remain more consistent as resolution increases, because the CPU's workload does not scale with resolution.

The data for Low settings reinforces this. At 1080p Low, the system hits 169 FPS. At 1440p Low, it drops to 110 FPS, and at 4K Low, it goes down to 61 FPS. The percentage drops are similar to the High settings, indicating that the GPU is still the primary constraint even at the lowest visual settings. The CPU is likely capable of pushing more frames, but the GPU cannot render them fast enough as the pixel count increases.

This analysis points to the RTX 4060 as the limiting component. The CPU's high boost clock and modern architecture ensure that it can process the game logic and draw calls faster than the GPU can render the frames. The 4K Low setting result of 61 FPS is particularly telling; it shows that even with minimal graphical load, the GPU is barely able to maintain 60 FPS, whereas at 1080p Low, it achieves 169 FPS. The system is unequivocally GPU-bound, and any performance upgrades for this game would need to focus on the graphics card rather than the processor.

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

The following data is derived directly from the measured FPS table for the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 combination.

1920x1080 (1080p):

• Low: 169 FPS average.
• Medium: 130 FPS average, with a minimum of 110 FPS and a maximum of 149 FPS.
• High: 111 FPS average.
• Ultra: 86 FPS average.

2560x1440 (1440p):

• Low: 110 FPS average.
• Medium: 85 FPS average, with a minimum of 72 FPS and a maximum of 97 FPS.
• High: 72 FPS average.
• Ultra: 56 FPS average.

3840x2160 (4K):

• Low: 61 FPS average.
• Medium: 47 FPS average, with a minimum of 40 FPS and a maximum of 53 FPS.
• High: 40 FPS average.
• Ultra: 31 FPS average.

This breakdown shows a consistent pattern. At each resolution, the frame rate decreases as settings increase. The gap between Low and Ultra is substantial. At 1080p, the difference is 83 FPS (169 vs 86). At 1440p, the difference is 54 FPS (110 vs 56). At 4K, the difference narrows to 30 FPS (61 vs 31). This narrowing gap at higher resolutions is because the GPU becomes so saturated that the difference in settings has less of an impact on the final frame rate. The minimum FPS data for Medium settings at all resolutions shows that there is frame time variance, but the averages are stable enough for consistent gameplay.

FAQ

Q: What is the average FPS at 1080p with High settings?

A: The measured average FPS is 111. This is a very smooth experience for a game from this era, and it indicates the CPU is not a bottleneck at this resolution.

Q: Can this system run The Technomancer at 4K with playable frame rates?

A: Yes, but only at lower settings. The data shows an average of 61 FPS at 4K with Low settings. At High settings, the average drops to 40 FPS, which may be playable but not ideal for all users.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the main limiting factor in this game?

A: The data strongly indicates the GPU is the limiting factor. The FPS drops significantly as resolution increases, which is a characteristic of a GPU-bound system. The CPU's performance is sufficient to feed the GPU, but the RTX 4060 cannot keep up with the rendering load at higher resolutions.

Q: What is the best settings preset for 1440p gaming?

A: Based on the measured rows, the High preset is the best choice. It provides an average of 72 FPS, which is a good balance between visual quality and performance. The Ultra preset drops to 56 FPS, which may be less desirable.

Q: How does this combo rank compared to all other tested combinations?

A: This specific combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 is ranked 1497 out of 2825 tested combos in The Technomancer. This places it in the lower half of tested systems, reflecting the GPU's mid-range performance.

Q: What is the difference in FPS between Low and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: The difference is significant. At 1080p with Low settings, the system averages 169 FPS. With Ultra settings, the average drops to 86 FPS. This is a 83 FPS difference, showing that the visual quality presets have a major impact on performance.