Thief

The Intel Core i7-13700K paired with the Intel Arc B580 presents a compelling case study for how a modern CPU and a new-generation GPU handle a 2014 stealth classic. The data reveals a system that is heavily GPU-limited at higher resolutions, yet surprisingly capable at 1080p, where it can max out the game’s settings. Benchmark results indicate a clear performance hierarchy across the three tested resolutions, with the combination’s overall rank in our database sitting at 2830 out of 3720 tested combos, placing it in the 76th percentile. This suggests a capable mid-to-high-tier pairing, but with distinct limitations at 4K that are worth investigating.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest settings preset that achieves a playable frame rate at 1920x1080?

A: The Ultra preset is fully playable at 1080p, delivering an average of 82.2 FPS. This is the most demanding preset tested and it clears the 60 FPS threshold with a comfortable margin.

Q: Can this PC run Thief at 2560x1440 with the Ultra preset?

A: No, the Ultra preset at 2560x1440 yields an average of 53.4 FPS, which falls below the 60 FPS playable threshold. The best playable settings at this resolution are on the High preset, which achieves an average of 60.7 FPS.

Q: Is 4K gaming possible with this CPU and GPU combination?

A: At 3840x2160, no settings preset reaches the 60 FPS playable threshold. Even the Low preset only manages an average of 57.6 FPS. The data indicates 4K is not a viable option for a smooth experience with this pairing.

Q: How much of a performance difference is there between the Low and Ultra presets at 1080p?

A: The scaling is substantial. The Low preset achieves an average of 148.1 FPS, while the Ultra preset drops to 82.2 FPS. This represents a performance reduction of about 44.5% when moving from the lowest to the highest quality settings at 1920x1080.

Q: Where does the Intel Arc B580 rank compared to other GPUs?

A: The Intel Arc B580 holds a percentile rank of 68 among all GPUs in our database. Its average benchmark score of 23021 puts it in close competition with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080, which scores 22895, a difference of only 0.6%.

Q: According to the benchmark data, what is the performance relationship between the CPU and its closest rival?

A: The Intel Core i7-13700K has an average benchmark score of 46881. Its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900, scores 46971, which is a negligible 0.2% difference. This indicates they are effectively tied in overall processing power.

CPU and GPU Roles

The division of labor between the Intel Core i7-13700K and the Intel Arc B580 shifts dramatically depending on the resolution. At 1920x1080, the CPU's 16 cores and 24 threads have ample headroom, allowing the GPU to become the primary driver of frame rates. The scaling from Low to Ultra at this resolution shows a drop from 148.1 FPS to 82.2 FPS, a clear indication that the graphics card's workload is the limiting factor as visual complexity increases. The CPU is not the bottleneck here, as the massive frame rates on Low suggest it can feed the GPU far more data than it can process.

Moving to 2560x1440, the balance begins to tip. The GPU's workload increases, and the average frame rates across all presets drop significantly compared to 1080p. The Low preset falls from 148.1 to 103.1 FPS, and the Ultra preset drops from 82.2 to 53.4 FPS. This scaling shows the GPU is now working much harder, but the CPU is still able to keep pace. The playable High preset at 60.7 FPS indicates that the system is still well-balanced at this resolution, with neither component completely dominating the performance profile.

At 3840x2160, the GPU becomes the unequivocal bottleneck. The demands of rendering at 4K are so high that the Arc B580 cannot maintain 60 FPS on any preset. The average frame rates across the board are low, ranging from 33.5 FPS on Ultra to 57.6 FPS on Low. The CPU's potential is largely untapped at this resolution, as the GPU is saturated with pixel-pushing work. The data suggests that the Core i7-13700K is more than sufficient for this game, and the overall experience is dictated almost entirely by the Arc B580’s capabilities at 4K.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a precise look at performance across all tested configurations. At 1920x1080, the system excels. The Low preset averages a very high 148.1 FPS, indicating a massive performance ceiling. The Medium preset still offers a very smooth experience at 113.8 FPS. The High preset maintains strong playability with an average of 87.9 FPS. Finally, the Ultra preset, the most demanding, still delivers an average of 82.2 FPS, confirming that this resolution is where the combo is most comfortable.

At 2560x1440, performance scales down noticeably. The Low preset drops to an average of 103.1 FPS, which is still exceptionally smooth. The Medium preset provides a good experience at 76.6 FPS. The High preset barely clears the playable threshold with an average of 60.7 FPS, making it the best setting that remains fluid. The Ultra preset, however, falls short of the target, with an average of 53.4 FPS, which would be noticeable as stutter during gameplay.

At 3840x2160, the system is unable to provide a playable experience on any setting. The Low preset comes closest, with an average of 57.6 FPS, just missing the 60 FPS mark. The Medium preset averages 44.7 FPS, while the High preset drops to 33.8 FPS. The Ultra preset is the most demanding, yielding an average of 33.5 FPS. The data clearly shows that 4K resolution is beyond the capabilities of this particular CPU and GPU combination for this title.

The Verdict

The benchmark results offer a clear verdict on whether this PC can run Thief. At 1920x1080, the answer is a definitive yes. The system not only clears the 60 FPS playable threshold on every settings preset but does so with a significant margin. The Ultra preset, at 82.2 FPS, is the best choice for a fully maxed-out visual experience, while the High and Medium presets offer even higher frame rates for those who prefer a competitive edge or smoother motion.

At 2560x1440, the system remains playable, but with caveats. The High preset is the most demanding option that stays at or above 60 FPS, with an average of 60.7 FPS. The Low and Medium presets also provide excellent performance. However, the Ultra preset is not recommended for a smooth experience, as its average of 53.4 FPS falls short of the target. Therefore, 1440p gaming is viable, but requires a step down from the highest quality settings.

At 3840x2160, the verdict is that this PC cannot run the game at a playable frame rate. No settings preset achieves the 60 FPS threshold. The best result is on the Low preset, which averages 57.6 FPS. This is a marginal miss, but it means the experience will be marred by noticeable frame pacing issues. For a smooth 4K experience, a more powerful GPU would be required.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The nearestRivals data for both components provides context for what other hardware would behave similarly. For the CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900 is a near-identical performer, with a deltaPct of only -0.2%. This means a system with a Ryzen 9 5900 would likely produce nearly the same frame rates in Thief. The AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX, with a deltaPct of 0.5%, would also be a very close match, as would the Intel Xeon w3-2535. These CPUs are all within a fraction of a percent of the Core i7-13700K's average benchmark score, indicating that swapping to any of them would not meaningfully change the gaming experience.

For the GPU, the most direct comparison is the AMD Radeon RX 580 2048SP, which has a deltaPct of -0.2% from the Arc B580’s average score. This suggests a comparable performance level in this game. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 is also a close rival, with a deltaPct of 0.6%, meaning it is slightly faster on average. Interestingly, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080, a much higher-tier card in the broader market, is listed as a rival with a deltaPct of -0.7%. This indicates that in the benchmark suite used, the Arc B580 performs on par with the RTX 3080, which is a notable result. A user with an RTX 3080 would likely see very similar frame rates in Thief.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i7-13700K and Intel Arc B580 combination holds a rank of 2830 out of 3720 tested combos in our database for Thief. This places it in the 76th percentile of all tested systems. This is a strong showing, indicating that the combo performs better than roughly three-quarters of all other CPU and GPU pairings we have measured. The rank is a holistic measure that considers the entire performance envelope, including the strong 1080p results and the weaker 4K results. The high ranking is likely driven by the exceptional CPU performance and the GPU's solid showing at mainstream resolutions, despite its limitations at the extreme high end.

Best Settings per Resolution

Based on the measured FPS and the 60 FPS playable threshold, the optimal settings for each resolution are as follows:

• 1920x1080: The Ultra preset is the best choice, delivering an average of 82.2 FPS. This provides the highest visual quality while maintaining a smooth and fully playable frame rate.
• 2560x1440: The High preset is the most demanding option that remains playable, with an average of 60.7 FPS. This is the recommended setting for balancing visual fidelity with performance at this resolution.
• 3840x2160: No settings preset is playable at this resolution. The Low preset comes closest with an average of 57.6 FPS, but it still misses the 60 FPS target. Therefore, no settings are recommended for 4K.