Thief

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 and Intel Arc B370 combination delivers a very specific performance profile in Thief, one that is heavily constrained by the graphics processor. The recorded data shows this system is only capable of maintaining a playable frame rate, defined as 60 FPS or higher, at a single settings configuration. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the average frame rate reaches 78 FPS, which is the only measured scenario that clears the playable threshold. Every other setting and resolution combination falls short of that mark, making this a system with a narrow but functional window for this particular title.

Best Settings per Resolution

The most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS at each resolution is determined by the recorded measurements. Based on the data, the following presets represent the highest playable settings for each resolution.

3840x2160: No settings preset achieves 60 FPS. The highest recorded average is 31 FPS at Low settings, followed by 24 FPS at Medium, 18 FPS at High, and 17 FPS at Ultra. None of these approach the playable threshold.

2560x1440: No settings preset achieves 60 FPS. The best recorded result is 53 FPS at Low settings, which is just 7 FPS short of the playable mark. Medium settings produce 41 FPS, High produces 31 FPS, and Ultra produces 29 FPS.

1920x1080: Low settings is the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS, with an average of 78 FPS. Medium settings drops to 59 FPS, which is just below the threshold. High settings yield 45 FPS, and Ultra yields 43 FPS.

The data indicates that players targeting a smooth 60 FPS experience must run the game at 1920x1080 with Low settings. At 2560x1440, even the lowest preset misses the mark by a small margin, and at 4K, the system is far from playable performance.

Similar Performance Alternatives

Looking at the nearest rivals in the database provides context for how this specific CPU and GPU combination behaves. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 sits among a group of processors with very similar average benchmark scores. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 430 scores 19,617, which is 0.1% higher than the Ryzen 5 5500's 19,593. The Intel Core i5-12500 scores 19,668, 0.4% higher. The Intel Core i7-10700F scores 19,499, which is 0.5% lower. The Intel Core i5-11600KF scores 19,723, 0.7% higher. These deltas are all within 1% of one another, meaning any of these processors would deliver nearly identical frame rates in Thief when paired with the same GPU.

For the graphics side, the Intel Arc B370 has an average benchmark score of 1,184, which places it in the 5th percentile among all GPUs. Its nearest rivals are all older or lower-end parts. The ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 scores 1,186, 0.2% higher. The ATI Radeon HD 5770 scores 1,190, 0.5% higher. The AMD Radeon HD 7650M scores 1,192, 0.7% higher. The AMD FirePro M2000 scores 1,168, which is 1.4% lower. The performance deltas here are small, but the absolute scores are very low, which explains why this GPU struggles with Thief at higher settings.

A system built with any of the rival CPUs listed above and the Intel Arc B370 would produce nearly identical results in Thief. Similarly, swapping the Arc B370 for any of its nearest GPU rivals would yield frame rates within a couple of percent of the recorded numbers. The practical takeaway is that this performance tier is consistent across the board; there is no hidden gem among these alternatives that would unlock significantly better results.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The recorded measurements cover three resolutions and four settings presets each. The following is the complete breakdown of average frame rates, with minimum and maximum values where available.

3840x2160 (4K):

• Low: 31 FPS average
• Medium: 24 FPS average, 20 FPS minimum, 27 FPS maximum
• High: 18 FPS average
• Ultra: 17 FPS average

At 4K, the system is clearly beyond its limits. The difference between Low and Ultra is only 14 FPS, suggesting that the GPU is saturated at every preset. The minimum frame rate at Medium, 20 FPS, indicates noticeable dips below the already low average. This resolution is not viable for any playable experience.

2560x1440 (1440p):

• Low: 53 FPS average
• Medium: 41 FPS average, 35 FPS minimum, 47 FPS maximum
• High: 31 FPS average
• Ultra: 29 FPS average

At 1440p, Low settings nearly reach the playable threshold but fall short by 7 FPS. The frame rate scaling from Low to Medium is a drop of 12 FPS, which is a significant penalty for moving up one preset tier. The minimum frame rate at Medium, 35 FPS, would be noticeable as stutter during gameplay. High and Ultra are both below 31 FPS, which is not suitable for a stealth game that requires precise timing.

1920x1080 (1080p):

• Low: 78 FPS average
• Medium: 59 FPS average, 50 FPS minimum, 68 FPS maximum
• High: 45 FPS average
• Ultra: 43 FPS average

At 1080p, Low settings provide a comfortable margin above the 60 FPS threshold. The jump from Low to Medium is a 19 FPS drop, bringing the average to 59 FPS, just one frame shy of playable. The minimum frame rate at Medium, 50 FPS, confirms that the experience would not be consistently smooth. High and Ultra both sit in the low 40s, which is a playable but not ideal range for a game that benefits from stable frame times.

The Verdict

The verdict by resolution is clear from the recorded data. This PC can run Thief at 1920x1080 with Low settings, achieving an average of 78 FPS. That is the only configuration that clears the 60 FPS threshold. At 2560x1440, no preset reaches 60 FPS, with the best result being 53 FPS at Low settings. At 3840x2160, the system is not playable at any preset, with the highest average being 31 FPS at Low settings.

For players who prioritize frame rate over visual fidelity, the 1080p Low setting is the recommended configuration. It provides a 78 FPS average, which leaves headroom for demanding scenes and ensures a responsive experience. The 59 FPS average at 1080p Medium is tantalizingly close, but the 50 FPS minimum suggests that frame pacing issues would arise during gameplay.

The data shows a system that is GPU-limited in almost every scenario. The Ryzen 5 5500 has a 73rd percentile ranking among all CPUs, indicating that it has ample processing power for this game. The Intel Arc B370, however, sits in the 5th percentile among GPUs, which is the primary bottleneck. Upgrading the GPU would yield far greater performance gains than upgrading the CPU.

FAQ

Q: Can this PC run Thief at 60 FPS?

A: Yes, but only at 1920x1080 with Low settings, where the average frame rate is 78 FPS. At 2560x1440, the best result is 53 FPS at Low settings, and at 3840x2160, the best result is 31 FPS at Low settings.

Q: What is the best settings preset at 1920x1080?

A: Low settings is the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS, with an average of 78 FPS. Medium settings averages 59 FPS, which is just below the playable threshold.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B370 compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Intel Arc B370 has an average benchmark score of 1,184. The ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 scores 0.2% higher, the ATI Radeon HD 5770 scores 0.5% higher, the AMD Radeon HD 7650M scores 0.7% higher, and the AMD FirePro M2000 scores 1.4% lower. All of these GPUs perform within a narrow range of each other.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor in Thief?

A: The GPU is the limiting factor. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a 73rd percentile ranking among all CPUs, while the Intel Arc B370 has a 5th percentile ranking among all GPUs. The frame rates scale with GPU load, indicating that the graphics processor is the bottleneck.

Q: What frame rates can I expect at 2560x1440?

A: At 2560x1440, Low settings averages 53 FPS, Medium averages 41 FPS with a minimum of 35 FPS, High averages 31 FPS, and Ultra averages 29 FPS. None of these reach the 60 FPS playable threshold.

Q: How does this combination rank among all tested combos in Thief?

A: This combination ranks 3,433 out of 3,720 tested combos, placing it in the lower portion of the database. The rank reflects the GPU's limited performance relative to other graphics cards.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 and Intel Arc B370 ranks 3,433 out of 3,720 tested combos in Thief. This places it in the bottom 8% of all recorded systems, which is consistent with the GPU's low benchmark standing. The Intel Arc B370 is in the 5th percentile among all GPUs, and its average benchmark score of 1,184 is far below what modern titles typically require for high-refresh-rate gameplay.

The CPU ranking tells a different story. The Ryzen 5 5500 is in the 73rd percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 19,593. Its nearest rivals, such as the Intel Core i5-12500 and Intel Core i7-10700F, all score within 0.7% of it. This indicates that the processor is more than capable of feeding the GPU in Thief, but the GPU simply cannot keep up with the demands of higher resolutions and settings.

The rank of 3,433 out of 3,720 is a direct reflection of the GPU's limitations. In a game like Thief, which was released in 2014, the CPU has no trouble maintaining frame rates. The recorded data shows that at 1080p Low, the system achieves 78 FPS, which is a solid result for a low-end GPU. However, the steep drop-off at Medium settings, losing 19 FPS, highlights the GPU's lack of raw throughput.

For anyone considering this combination, the ranking serves as a clear warning. This is a system built for 1080p gaming at the lowest settings in most modern titles, and Thief is no exception. The 3,433rd place rank out of 3,720 puts it in the company of much older and less capable hardware, which is exactly where the Intel Arc B370's benchmark scores place it. The Ryzen 5 5500 is not the issue; it is the graphics processor that holds this combo back.