Thief

The Intel Core i5-12600KF paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 delivers a strong performance profile for Thief, a 2014 stealth title. The CPU, scoring in the 79th percentile among all tested processors, and the GPU, in the 61st percentile, combine to produce frame rates that range from highly responsive at 1080p to playable but limited at 4K. With an average benchmark score of 27,799 for the processor and 17,639 for the graphics card, this combo ranks 1,847th out of 3,720 tested combinations in this specific game, placing it in the upper half of tested systems. The data indicates that this configuration is well-suited for high-refresh-rate 1080p and 1440p gaming, while 4K requires a reduction in graphical settings to maintain smooth gameplay.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The CPU and GPU each have close competitors based on their average benchmark scores, indicating that systems built around these alternatives would deliver very similar gameplay performance in Thief.

Processor Rivals: The Intel Core i5-12600KF has an average score of 27,799. Its closest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE, which scores 27,712, a negligible 0.3% difference. The Intel Core i9-10900K (27,872) and the AMD Ryzen 7 6800U (27,887) are each 0.3% faster, while the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D (27,896) is also 0.3% ahead. These sub-one-percent deltas mean that in practical terms, any of these CPUs would yield nearly identical frame rates in Thief, with the game’s performance being dictated more by the GPU at higher resolutions.

Graphics Card Rivals: The RTX 4060’s average score of 17,639 is similarly closely matched. The AMD Radeon HD 7790 is 0.2% faster with a score of 17,666, while the AMD Radeon 780M (17,588) is 0.3% slower. The AMD Radeon Pro 560 (17,551) and Pro 460 (17,509) are 0.5% and 0.7% slower, respectively. These rival cards would produce nearly indistinguishable performance in Thief, meaning the choice between them would not meaningfully alter the FPS numbers presented in this analysis.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested CPU and GPU combinations for Thief, this specific pairing holds a rank of 1,847 out of 3,720 total combos. This places it within the top half of all tested systems, indicating a solid, above-average configuration for this game. While it does not reach the top tier of performance, the 50.3 percentile standing reflects a system that is substantially more capable than the median setup, making it a reliable choice for high-settings gameplay at mainstream resolutions. The ranking also suggests that many higher-end or more recent components will outperform it, but it comfortably outpaces a large portion of the tested hardware pool.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured average frame rates for this combo show a clear scaling pattern across resolutions and quality presets. The data provides a comprehensive view of how the system handles the game’s graphical load.

1920x1080: At 1080p, the system demonstrates excellent headroom. The Low preset delivers an average of 186 FPS, which is more than three times the playable threshold. The Medium preset sees a significant drop to 137.9 FPS, still very high. High settings produce 107.8 FPS, and the Ultra preset, the most demanding, still maintains an average of 99.7 FPS. All presets at this resolution are far above the 60 FPS target, indicating that the RTX 4060 is the limiting factor only at the highest settings, and even then, the performance is exceptional.

2560x1440: Moving to 1440p, the frame rates remain robust. The Low preset yields 128.4 FPS, ensuring a fluid experience. Medium settings drop to 98 FPS, and High produces 74.1 FPS. The Ultra preset maintains an average of 72.6 FPS, which is comfortably above the 60 FPS playability threshold. This resolution represents the sweet spot for this combo, as it allows for the highest quality settings while keeping performance well within the playable range.

3840x2160: At 4K, the demands on the GPU increase substantially. The Low preset averages 73.2 FPS, which is the only playable option at this resolution. Medium settings fall to 55.2 FPS, dipping below the 60 FPS threshold. High and Ultra presets are more demanding, producing 41.5 FPS and 39.1 FPS respectively. The data shows that 4K gaming requires significant compromises, with only the Low preset delivering a smooth experience.

FAQ

Q: Can this PC run Thief at 60 FPS on Ultra settings?

A: Yes, at both 1920x1080 and 2560x1440 resolutions. The benchmark data shows an average of 99.7 FPS at 1080p Ultra and 72.6 FPS at 1440p Ultra. At 3840x2160, the Ultra preset only achieves 39.1 FPS, so it is not playable at that resolution.

Q: What is the highest resolution for a fully playable experience at maximum quality?

A: The data indicates that 2560x1440 is the highest resolution where the Ultra preset remains playable, with an average of 72.6 FPS. This is above the 60 FPS playable threshold.

Q: How does the combo perform at 4K resolution?

A: At 3840x2160, the only playable preset is Low, which averages 73.2 FPS. All other presets fall below the 60 FPS threshold, with Medium at 55.2 FPS, High at 41.5 FPS, and Ultra at 39.1 FPS.

Q: Is there a significant performance difference between 1080p and 1440p?

A: Yes, there is a noticeable drop. For example, the Ultra preset averages 99.7 FPS at 1080p but only 72.6 FPS at 1440p, a 27.1 FPS reduction. Similarly, the Low preset drops from 186 FPS to 128.4 FPS.

Q: Which component is more important for this game at 1080p?

A: The data suggests the GPU is the primary driver of performance at 1080p. The frame rates scale dramatically with graphical settings, from 186 FPS at Low to 99.7 FPS at Ultra, while the CPU is likely not a bottleneck given its high benchmark scores.

Q: What is the best setting for a 60Hz monitor at 1440p?

A: The Ultra preset, which averages 72.6 FPS, is the best choice. It provides the highest visual quality while still maintaining an average frame rate above the 60 FPS threshold, offering a margin of safety for demanding scenes.

CPU and GPU Roles

The benchmark data reveals a clear shift in system bottleneck depending on resolution and settings. At 1920x1080, the game’s performance is heavily influenced by the GPU, as evidenced by the wide range of frame rates across presets: 186 FPS at Low versus 99.7 FPS at Ultra. This 86.3 FPS spread indicates that the graphics card is the limiting factor, and the CPU, with its high single-thread score of 3,302 in Cinebench R23 and 3,925 in Passmark, is capable of feeding the GPU at all times. The processor’s 10-core, 16-thread configuration is more than sufficient for this title.

At 2560x1440, the GPU’s load increases, but the CPU continues to provide adequate throughput. The scaling from Low (128.4 FPS) to Ultra (72.6 FPS) is still substantial, but the absolute frame rates are lower, confirming the GPU’s growing role. The transition to 3840x2160 makes the GPU definitively the dominant component. The frame rate range from 73.2 FPS at Low to 39.1 FPS at Ultra shows that the RTX 4060’s compute and memory bandwidth are the primary constraints. The CPU’s performance becomes nearly irrelevant at this resolution, as the game’s graphical demands outpace the GPU’s capabilities.

Best Settings per Resolution

To maximize visual quality while maintaining an average frame rate at or above 60 FPS, the data recommends the following settings for each resolution:

1920x1080: The Ultra preset is the most demanding option that stays above the threshold, delivering an average of 99.7 FPS. This provides the best visual experience with a significant performance margin.

2560x1440: The Ultra preset remains viable, with an average of 72.6 FPS. This is the recommended choice, as it offers the highest quality while staying comfortably above the 60 FPS target.

3840x2160: At this resolution, only the Low preset achieves playable performance, with an average of 73.2 FPS. All higher presets fall below 60 FPS, so Low is the only recommended setting for a smooth experience.

The Verdict

The data confirms that this PC can run Thief effectively. At 1920x1080, every preset, from Low at 186 FPS to Ultra at 99.7 FPS, clears the 60 FPS playability threshold with room to spare. At 2560x1440, the system also handles all presets at playable levels, with the Ultra setting achieving 72.6 FPS. The system is fully capable of delivering a high-refresh-rate experience at these resolutions. The only scenario requiring compromise is 3840x2160, where the Low preset averages 73.2 FPS, but Medium (55.2 FPS), High (41.5 FPS), and Ultra (39.1 FPS) all fall short of the 60 FPS target. For 4K gaming, users must lower settings to Low to maintain smooth gameplay, making this combo best suited for 1080p and 1440p play at maximum quality.