The Technomancer

The Technomancer, a 2016 Action RPG, presents a demanding workload that clearly separates CPU and GPU responsibilities. This analysis examines the measured performance of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265K paired with the Intel Arc B570 across three resolutions and four quality presets. The data reveals a system where the graphics card is the primary bottleneck at higher resolutions, while the processor’s capabilities become more relevant at 1080p.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data shows a dramatic and consistent drop as resolution increases from 1920x1080 to 3840x2160. At High settings, the average frame rate falls from 80 FPS at 1080p to 52 FPS at 1440p, and finally to 29 FPS at 4K. This progression represents a 35% decrease from 1080p to 1440p and a further 44% decrease from 1440p to 4K. The scaling pattern is steep, indicating that the Intel Arc B570’s rendering throughput is the limiting factor.

This behavior is characteristic of a GPU-bound scenario. When moving from 1080p to 4K, the number of pixels quadruples, placing a proportionally higher load on the pixel fill rate and memory bandwidth. The Arc B570, with its 10 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 160-bit bus, provides 380.0 GB/s of bandwidth. At 4K Ultra settings, the average FPS plummets to 22, a figure that suggests the GPU is saturated.

The scaling from Low to Ultra settings at each resolution reinforces this conclusion. At 1080p, the gap between Low (121 FPS) and Ultra (62 FPS) is substantial. At 4K, the same settings gap yields only a 22 FPS difference (44 FPS on Low vs. 22 FPS on Ultra). This compression of performance at higher resolutions is a classic sign that the GPU is working at maximum capacity, and reducing graphical settings has diminishing returns.

The data shows that 1440p is a pivotal point for this combo. At High settings, the system achieves a playable 52 FPS, but the drop to 4K High (29 FPS) is severe. Benchmark results indicate that the Intel Core Ultra 7 265K is not the primary constraint in this scaling, as the performance delta between resolutions is far larger than what a CPU limitation would typically produce. The limiting component is unequivocally the graphics card.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K is a 20-core, 20-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture. It features a base clock of 3.90 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. In synthetic benchmarks, this CPU scores 35,850 points in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 2,020 points in single-core. These scores place it in the 94th percentile of all CPUs, indicating strong overall processing power.

In The Technomancer, the CPU’s role is to feed the GPU with draw calls and game logic. The measured FPS at 1080p Low (121 FPS) suggests that the processor is capable of providing high frame rates when the GPU is not overloaded. However, the game’s engine, released in 2016, may not be able to fully utilize the 20 cores of this modern processor. The single-core performance is often more critical for older titles.

The nearestRivals data for the CPU shows it performing within a tight band of comparable processors. It is 1.0% faster than the Intel Core i7-14700KF and 1.3% faster than the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F in aggregate benchmark scores. This indicates that while the 265K is a top-tier processor, its performance in this specific game will not deviate wildly from other high-end CPUs.

Given that the FPS drops are so pronounced when increasing resolution, the CPU is likely not the bottleneck at 4K. At 1080p Ultra (62 FPS), the CPU may be more involved, but the GPU is still being tasked heavily. The data suggests that the Core Ultra 7 265K provides ample headroom, and any performance ceiling in this title is imposed by the Arc B570’s rendering capabilities.

FAQ

Q: What is the average FPS at 1440p with High settings?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K and Intel Arc B570 combination delivers an average of 52 FPS at 2560x1440 with High settings.

Q: How does the performance at 1080p Low compare to 4K Ultra?

A: The average FPS at 1080p Low is 121, while at 4K Ultra it is 22. This represents a massive 99 FPS difference, highlighting the extreme load placed on the GPU at 4K.

Q: Is the Intel Arc B570 a bottleneck at 4K resolution?

A: Yes, the data strongly indicates a GPU bottleneck at 3840x2160. Even at Low settings, the average FPS is only 44, which is below the 60 FPS target, while at Ultra it drops to 22 FPS.

Q: What is the highest average FPS recorded for this combo?

A: The highest recorded average FPS is 121, achieved at 1920x1080 with Low settings.

Q: How does the Intel Core Ultra 7 265K compare to the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F in general benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K has an average benchmark score that is 1.3% higher than the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded at 1440p Medium settings?

A: At 2560x1440 with Medium settings, the minimum FPS is 52, with an average of 61 and a maximum of 70.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265K and the Intel Arc B570 ranks 2256 out of 2825 tested combos in The Technomancer. This places it in the bottom 20% of all configurations tested, which is a significant finding given the individual components' specifications.

This ranking is primarily due to the graphics card’s performance tier. The Intel Arc B570 sits in the 65th percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 20,556. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Arc A750 (0.1% faster) and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (0.1% slower). While the GPU is a mid-range part, the CPU is a high-end part in the 94th percentile.

The low combo rank suggests that the game is heavily dependent on the GPU, and the Arc B570’s performance is not sufficient to place this system in the upper echelons. The 20-core processor’s power is largely untapped in this scenario. The rank of 2256 indicates that many other combinations, likely with more powerful GPUs, achieve higher frame rates. This is not a reflection of the CPU’s quality, but rather a consequence of the GPU being the limiting factor in this specific game.

Settings Recommendations

For a smooth gameplay experience, the data suggests that 1080p is the most viable resolution for this hardware configuration. At 1080p High, the system achieves an average of 80 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold for most players. This setting offers a good balance between visual quality and performance.

If targeting 1440p, the Medium preset provides the most stable experience. The average FPS is 61, with a minimum of 52 and a maximum of 70. This is a playable frame rate, although it may not be consistently smooth in demanding scenes. The High preset at 1440p drops to an average of 52 FPS, which is still acceptable for a slower-paced Action RPG but might feel less fluid.

At 4K, the system struggles to maintain acceptable frame rates. The Medium preset yields an average of 33 FPS, which is below the standard for comfortable play. Low settings at 4K provide 44 FPS, but the visual compromises are substantial. Given the measured data, 4K is not recommended for this pairing.

The best experience per the measured rows is at 1080p with High settings. It provides a high average FPS of 80, nearly double the frame rate of the 1440p High setting (52 FPS) and significantly better than the 4K options. For players prioritizing frame rate, 1080p Low (121 FPS) is an option, but the visual difference between Low and High is typically significant, making High the better compromise.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following table details the exact average FPS measurements for each resolution and settings combination.

• 1920x1080 (1080p)
• Low: Average FPS 121
• Medium: Average FPS 93 (Min 79, Max 107)
• High: Average FPS 80
• Ultra: Average FPS 62

• 2560x1440 (1440p)
• Low: Average FPS 79
• Medium: Average FPS 61 (Min 52, Max 70)
• High: Average FPS 52
• Ultra: Average FPS 41

• 3840x2160 (4K)
• Low: Average FPS 44
• Medium: Average FPS 33 (Min 28, Max 39)
• High: Average FPS 29
• Ultra: Average FPS 22

The data shows a clear and consistent hierarchy. Across all resolutions, the Low preset yields the highest FPS, followed by Medium, High, and finally Ultra. The difference between Medium and High is consistent, typically a reduction of around 12-13 FPS at 1080p and 1440p. The jump from High to Ultra is also significant, costing roughly 18 FPS at 1080p and 11 FPS at 1440p.

At 4K, the margins between settings shrink. The gap between Low and Ultra is only 22 FPS, compared to 59 FPS at 1080p. This compression is a definitive sign of GPU saturation, where the card is unable to maintain higher frame rates even when the workload is reduced.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B570 is the decisive component in this system’s performance in The Technomancer. Based on the Xe2-HPG architecture (Battlemage), it features 2,304 shading units, 144 TMUs, and 80 ROPs. It operates at a consistent clock speed of 2500 MHz for both base and boost. The GPU has a 10 GB GDDR6 memory pool with a 160-bit bus, providing 380.0 GB/s of bandwidth.

The GPU’s compute capabilities are rated at 11.52 TFLOPS for FP32 operations. In synthetic benchmarks, it scores 14,195 in Passmark G3D and 2,649 in 3DMark Steel Nomad. These scores place it in the 65th percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 20,556. Its nearest rival, the Intel Arc A750, is a mere 0.1% faster, indicating the B570 is a solid mid-range performer.

In The Technomancer, the GPU’s role is dominant. The benchmark results show that the frame rate is highly sensitive to resolution, which directly impacts the GPU’s pixel throughput requirements. The 10 GB of VRAM is likely sufficient for this 2016 title, even at 4K, but the raw processing power is not enough to maintain high frame rates at that resolution.

The GPU’s memory bandwidth of 380.0 GB/s is a key specification. At 4K, the demand for texture data increases, and the 160-bit bus can become a limiting factor. The measured FPS at 4K, ranging from 22 to 44 FPS depending on settings, reflects this constraint. The GPU is the clear bottleneck, and its mid-range standing (65th percentile) explains the overall combo rank of 2256 out of 2825. Upgrading the GPU would yield far more significant performance gains in this game than upgrading the CPU.