Thief

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

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Zen 3 architecture, built on TSMC's 7 nm process. It operates with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz, which places it in the upper tier of mainstream desktop CPUs for its generation. The processor includes 16 MB of L3 cache, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 64 KB of L1 per core, with a dual-channel DDR4 memory interface delivering 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth.

In terms of raw compute benchmarks, the 5600GT scores 17,272 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 2,438 in single-core. Its Passmark multi-thread score is 20,325, with a single-thread score of 3,348. These figures indicate a balanced performer that can handle both lightly-threaded gaming workloads and heavier multi-threaded tasks without becoming a bottleneck in a system paired with a mid-range GPU. The processor's average benchmark score of 20,733 places it at the 74th percentile of all CPUs, suggesting it outperforms roughly three-quarters of the processors in the database.

When examining the CPU's nearest rivals, the data shows a remarkably tight cluster. The Intel Core i5-12490F averages 20,802 (deltaPct of -0.3), the Intel Xeon 6325P averages 20,821 (-0.4), the Intel Core Ultra 5 125U averages 20,826 (-0.4), and the AMD EPYC 7J13 averages 20,845 (-0.5). This means the 5600GT sits within 0.5% of these competitors—a negligible margin that translates into no practical performance difference in gaming scenarios. The 5600GT is effectively tied with these alternatives, meaning game performance will be dictated by other system components.

For Thief, a stealth title released in 2014, the CPU demands are moderate by modern standards. The 6-core/12-thread configuration provides ample headroom for the game's AI routines, physics calculations, and level streaming. The measured FPS data confirms that the CPU is not the limiting factor at any resolution tested. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves 164 FPS, which is well above any threshold where CPU limitations would manifest. Even at Ultra settings at 1080p, the system maintains 94 FPS, indicating the CPU easily keeps up with the GPU's output. The boost clock of 4.60 GHz is particularly relevant for Thief's single-threaded workloads, as the game's engine does not scale perfectly across many cores. The 5600GT's strong single-thread performance, evidenced by its 913 score in 3DMark single-thread and 2,438 in Cinebench R23 single-core, ensures that the game's primary thread is well-served.

The processor's 65 W TDP and unlocked multiplier offer efficiency and overclocking potential, though the measured results reflect stock operation. The integrated Radeon Vega 7 graphics are present but irrelevant for this gaming configuration, as the discrete GPU handles all rendering tasks. Overall, the CPU role in this combo is to provide consistent, high-level performance without introducing frame pacing issues or bottlenecking the GPU at lower resolutions—and the data confirms it fulfills this role admirably.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER is built on the Turing architecture, using the TU104 chip manufactured on TSMC's 12 nm process. It features 2,560 shading units, 160 texture mapping units, and 64 ROPs, along with 40 RT cores and 320 tensor cores. The GPU operates at a base clock of 1605 MHz and a boost clock of 1770 MHz, with memory running at 1750 MHz (14 Gbps effective). The 8 GB GDDR6 frame buffer is connected via a 256-bit bus, providing 448.0 GB/s of bandwidth.

The RTX 2070 SUPER's compute capabilities include 9.062 TFLOPS of FP32 performance, 18.12 TFLOPS of FP16 (2:1 ratio), a pixel rate of 113.3 GPixel/s, and a texture rate of 283.2 GTexel/s. In benchmark tests, it scores 18,169 in Passmark G3D and 75,57 in Passmark GPU compute, with a Geekbench OpenCL score of 83,358 and Vulkan score of 90,637. These figures place the GPU at the 65th percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 20,282.

The nearest rivals for the RTX 2070 SUPER form a tight grouping. The NVIDIA Quadro M4000M averages 20,480 (deltaPct of -1.0), the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile averages 20,534 (-1.2), the Intel Arc B570 averages 20,556 (-1.3), and the Intel Arc A750 averages 20,582 (-1.5). The RTX 2070 SUPER trails these by only 1.0-1.5%, a small margin that does not materially affect game performance. This indicates the GPU is competitively positioned within its performance tier.

For Thief, the GPU plays the dominant role in determining frame rates, particularly at higher resolutions and settings. The 8 GB VRAM capacity is sufficient for this 2014 title, even at 4K Ultra settings, as the game's texture requirements are modest by modern standards. The memory bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s ensures that texture streaming and high-resolution rendering do not cause stutters. The boost clock of 1770 MHz provides the raw computational throughput needed to maintain playable frame rates at 4K, where the combo achieves 38 FPS at Ultra settings—marginal but functional.

The RTX 2070 SUPER's performance scaling across settings is consistent with a GPU that is the primary bottleneck in this system at higher resolutions. At 1080p, the GPU delivers 164 FPS at Low settings, but this drops to 94 FPS at Ultra—a 43% reduction that reflects the increasing graphical workload. At 4K, the Ultra setting yields only 38 FPS, which is a 59% reduction from 1080p Ultra. This scaling pattern indicates the GPU is fully utilized at these settings, with the CPU providing sufficient headroom to avoid constraining performance.

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

The measured FPS data for this combo across three resolutions and four settings presets allows for clear recommendations based on target frame rates. The data shows that the Medium preset offers the best balance between visual fidelity and performance across all resolutions. At 1080p, Medium delivers 130 FPS average with a minimum of 111 FPS and maximum of 150 FPS. This is comfortably above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay and approaches the refresh rate of high-end monitors. The High preset at 1080p drops to 99 FPS, which is still excellent, but the Medium preset provides a 31% improvement in frame rate with only a modest reduction in visual quality.

At 1440p, the Medium preset delivers 89 FPS average with a minimum of 76 FPS and maximum of 103 FPS. This is ideal for 1440p gaming, as it maintains high frame rates while providing a significant visual upgrade over 1080p. The High preset at 1440p yields 68 FPS, which is playable but leaves less margin for demanding scenes. The Low preset at 1440p achieves 118 FPS, but the visual quality sacrifice is substantial for a game like Thief, where atmosphere and lighting are crucial to the stealth experience. The Medium preset strikes the right balance, offering smooth performance without compromising the game's intended aesthetic.

At 4K, the Medium preset delivers 52 FPS average with a minimum of 45 FPS and maximum of 60 FPS. This is at the edge of playability, with the minimum dipping below the 60 FPS ideal but remaining above the 30 FPS minimum for acceptable gameplay. The High preset at 4K drops to 40 FPS, which is noticeable in a stealth game where precise timing and quick reactions are required. The Ultra preset at 4K yields only 38 FPS, which is too low for a smooth experience. The Low preset at 4K achieves 69 FPS, but the visual downgrade is severe. For 4K, the Medium preset is the recommended choice, as it provides the best combination of playable frame rates and visual fidelity.

Overall, the Medium preset is the recommended setting across all resolutions for this combo. It provides a 30% or greater improvement over High settings at every resolution while maintaining visual quality that is sufficient for an immersive stealth experience. At 1080p and 1440p, Medium delivers frame rates that exceed typical display refresh rates, ensuring a fluid and responsive experience. At 4K, Medium offers the only playable option above 30 FPS that does not require sacrificing visual quality to the lowest preset.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

This combo of the AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER ranks 2,182 out of 3,720 tested combinations in Thief. This places it in the 58.7th percentile of all combos tested, meaning it outperforms roughly 58% of all system configurations while trailing 42%. This ranking indicates a solidly mid-tier performer for this specific game, which is notable given that the individual components rank at the 74th percentile (CPU) and 65th percentile (GPU) in their respective databases.

The discrepancy between the component-level percentiles and the combo's in-game rank suggests that Thief's performance scaling is not perfectly correlated with synthetic benchmark scores. The game's engine, released in 2014, may have characteristics that favor certain hardware combinations over others. The combo rank of 2,182 out of 3,720 means there are 1,538 combos that perform better in Thief, many of which likely feature newer GPUs with higher raw throughput or more VRAM. However, the RTX 2070 SUPER's 8 GB frame buffer and 448.0 GB/s bandwidth are sufficient for this title, so the ranking is more likely influenced by the GPU's overall compute capability relative to newer architectures.

The CPU's contribution to this ranking is likely neutral to positive. The 5600GT's strong single-thread performance, which is critical for older game engines, helps ensure that the GPU is not held back by CPU processing limitations. The 6-core/12-thread configuration provides ample headroom for Thief's multi-threaded aspects, such as physics and AI, without introducing bottlenecks. The measured FPS data confirms this, as the performance scaling from 1080p to 4K follows a pattern consistent with GPU-bound scenarios rather than CPU limitations.

The combo's ranking is also influenced by the fact that Thief is a 2014 title that does not utilize modern GPU features like ray tracing or DLSS. This means the RTX 2070 SUPER's RT cores and tensor cores are effectively idle, and the GPU's performance is determined solely by its rasterization capabilities. In this context, the GPU's 9.062 TFLOPS of FP32 performance and 113.3 GPixel/s pixel rate are the relevant metrics, and they position the GPU competitively within its generation but not at the top tier. The ranking of 2,182 out of 3,720 reflects this reality—the combo is capable, but there are many more powerful systems in the database.

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

The measured FPS data reveals clear scaling patterns as resolution increases from 1080p to 4K. At Medium settings, the combo delivers 130 FPS at 1080p, 89 FPS at 1440p, and 52 FPS at 4K. This represents a 31.5% drop from 1080p to 1440p, and a 41.6% drop from 1440p to 4K. The cumulative drop from 1080p to 4K is 60%, which is consistent with the pixel count increase from 1,920×1,080 (2.07 million pixels) to 3,840×2,160 (8.29 million pixels)—a 4x increase in pixel count. The fact that FPS does not drop by 75% (which would be the case for a purely pixel-bound scenario) indicates that the system is not fully GPU-limited at all resolutions.

At High settings, the scaling pattern is similar but more pronounced. The combo achieves 99 FPS at 1080p, 68 FPS at 1440p, and 40 FPS at 4K. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is 31.3%, and from 1440p to 4K is 41.2%. The cumulative drop is 59.6%. At Ultra settings, the pattern continues: 94 FPS at 1080p, 65 FPS at 1440p, and 38 FPS at 4K, with drops of 30.9% and 41.5% respectively. The consistency of these percentages across settings presets indicates that the GPU is the primary limiting component at all resolutions, as the scaling behavior is independent of the graphical workload.

The Low settings preset provides the clearest evidence of where the GPU becomes the bottleneck. At Low settings, the combo delivers 164 FPS at 1080p, 118 FPS at 1440p, and 69 FPS at 4K. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is 28.0%, and from 1440p to 4K is 41.5%. The cumulative drop is 57.9%. At 1080p Low, the frame rate of 164 FPS is high enough that the CPU may begin to exert some influence, but the scaling pattern still shows the GPU as the dominant factor. The fact that the 1080p Low frame rate does not scale linearly with pixel count (204 FPS would be expected if purely GPU-bound) suggests that there is some CPU overhead at this low-settings, high-FPS scenario, but it is minor.

The resolution scaling data strongly indicates that the GPU is the limiting component in this system across all resolutions and settings tested. The consistent percentage drops from 1080p to 4K, regardless of the settings preset, point to the GPU's rendering capabilities as the primary constraint. The CPU, with its strong single-thread and multi-thread performance, provides sufficient headroom to avoid becoming a bottleneck until frame rates exceed approximately 150-160 FPS, which only occurs at 1080p Low settings. For all other configurations, the RTX 2070 SUPER's pixel throughput and shading capacity determine the final frame rates.

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

The complete measured FPS data for this combo in Thief is as follows:

1920x1080 (1080p):

• Low settings: 164 FPS average
• Medium settings: 130 FPS average, with a minimum of 111 FPS and maximum of 150 FPS
• High settings: 99 FPS average
• Ultra settings: 94 FPS average

At 1080p, the combo delivers excellent performance across all settings. Even at Ultra, the 94 FPS average is well above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay, and the Low setting's 164 FPS approaches the refresh rate of high-end gaming monitors. The spread between Low and Ultra is 70 FPS, representing a 43% reduction in frame rate at the highest settings. The Medium preset's minimum of 111 FPS ensures that even in demanding scenes, the frame rate does not drop below playable levels.

2560x1440 (1440p):

• Low settings: 118 FPS average
• Medium settings: 89 FPS average, with a minimum of 76 FPS and maximum of 103 FPS
• High settings: 68 FPS average
• Ultra settings: 65 FPS average

At 1440p, the combo maintains solid performance, though the higher settings begin to show strain. The Low setting's 118 FPS is excellent, and Medium's 89 FPS is still comfortable for most displays. The High and Ultra settings, at 68 and 65 FPS respectively, are playable but leave little margin for frame rate drops in complex scenes. The Medium preset's minimum of 76 FPS is noteworthy, as it indicates that even in the most demanding moments, the frame rate stays above the 60 FPS threshold. The drop from Low to Ultra is 53 FPS, a 45% reduction.

3840x2160 (4K):

• Low settings: 69 FPS average
• Medium settings: 52 FPS average, with a minimum of 45 FPS and maximum of 60 FPS
• High settings: 40 FPS average
• Ultra settings: 38 FPS average

At 4K, the combo's performance becomes more constrained. The Low setting's 69 FPS is the only preset that delivers a consistently smooth experience. Medium's 52 FPS average is playable, but the minimum of 45 FPS may be noticeable in fast-paced sequences. The High and Ultra settings, at 40 and 38 FPS respectively, are below the ideal 60 FPS target and may result in a less responsive experience, particularly for a stealth game where precise timing matters. The Medium preset's maximum of 60 FPS indicates that the combo is capable of reaching the target frame rate in less demanding scenes, but cannot sustain it consistently.

The data across all resolutions and settings shows a consistent performance hierarchy: Low > Medium > High > Ultra, with the gap between Low and Ultra widening as resolution increases. At 1080p, the gap is 70 FPS; at 1440p, it is 53 FPS; and at 4K, it is 31 FPS. This pattern reflects the GPU's diminishing ability to maintain high frame rates as the pixel workload increases, with the Medium preset providing the most balanced experience at each resolution.