Thief

The Intel Core i3-12100F is a 4-core, 8-thread desktop processor from the Alder Lake generation, running on the Intel Socket 1700 platform. Its base clock sits at 3.30 GHz and it boosts up to 4.30 GHz. For a game like Thief, which is a stealth title from 2014, the CPU's 12 MB of shared L3 cache and strong single-thread performance are the key attributes. The data shows a 3DMark single-thread score of 893 and a 3DMark 4-thread score of 2859, while the 8-thread score jumps to 4026. This indicates the processor scales well up to its full thread count, which is typical for a quad-core with Hyper-Threading. In Cinebench R23, the multicore score is 11912 and the single-core score is 1681, placing it in the 72nd percentile among all CPUs. This means it outperforms a significant majority of processors in general tasks, but in a game like Thief, the CPU is rarely the bottleneck.

The i3-12100F's benchmark averages place it directly between some heavy hitters. Its average benchmark score is 13516, which puts it 0.1% ahead of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX, which scores 13534, and 0.6% ahead of the Intel Core i3-10105, which scores 13430. It also edges out the Intel Core i7-7700K by 1.8%, with that chip scoring 13280. The fact that a modern quad-core i3 can trade blows with a 64-core Threadripper in aggregate benchmark scores speaks to the importance of per-core performance in these tests. For Thief, this means the CPU is not going to be the limiting factor; it has ample headroom to feed the GPU. The 58 W TDP and 10 nm process node also suggest it runs cool and efficient, which is a boon for system stability in long gaming sessions, even if those specifics are not directly measured in the FPS data.

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

The 4-core, 8-thread configuration of the i3-12100F is sufficient for Thief's engine, which was designed for the hardware of its era. The benchmark results confirm this. Looking at the measured FPS, even at the most demanding settings, the frame rates scale predictably with resolution, indicating the CPU is not exhibiting a performance cliff. For instance, at 1080p Ultra, the average FPS is 135, and at 1440p Ultra, it drops to 105.1, which is a 22% reduction. This scaling behavior is characteristic of a GPU-bound scenario; if the CPU were the bottleneck, the 1080p and 1440p results would be much closer together. The CPU's high boost clock of 4.30 GHz helps ensure that the game's main simulation thread has enough single-core throughput to avoid stutters. The 3DMark 2-thread score of 1659 shows that even with only two threads active, it can maintain a strong performance profile.

The processor's 12 MB of shared L3 cache is another factor that helps with game performance, as it reduces the need to access slower system memory. While the game is from 2014, the CPU's architectural advantages from Alder Lake keep it well ahead of the curve. Its position in the 72nd percentile of all CPUs, combined with its average benchmark score of 13516, demonstrates that it is a capable all-rounder. The data does not show any CPU-related frame drops or inconsistencies in the Thief results, which is a strong indicator that the i3-12100F is providing a stable, consistent foundation. In practical terms, this means a builder can pair this CPU with a high-end GPU without worrying about leaving performance on the table in this title.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER is the primary driver of frame rates in Thief. It comes with 12 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 192-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 504.2 GB/s. The GPU's memory clock is listed as 1313 MHz, with an effective speed of 21 Gbps. For a game from 2014, 12 GB of VRAM is an enormous amount, meaning texture loading and memory capacity will never be a concern, even at 4K resolution. The GPU's boost clock is 2475 MHz, and it features 7168 shading units, which are the core building blocks for rendering. It is based on the Ada Lovelace architecture and uses a 5 nm process from TSMC, giving it high efficiency.

In the context of Thief, the RTX 4070 SUPER is the star of the show. It ranks in the 84th percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 42576. This places it just 0.2% behind the NVIDIA RTX A6000, which scores 42653, and 0.3% behind the AMD Radeon RX 7650 GRE, which scores 42723. It is 1.4% ahead of the AMD Radeon Pro 580X (41991) and 1.6% ahead of the NVIDIA Tesla M40 (41897). This performance class is what allows the system to achieve high frame rates at high resolutions. The GPU's PassMark G3D score of 29995 and DirectX 12 score of 110 indicate robust API support, though Thief likely runs on older DirectX versions, which the GPU also handles with ease (PassMark DirectX 10 score of 167 and DirectX 11 score of 273). The data confirms that the GPU is the component that determines the ceiling for FPS in this game.

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

The FPS scaling across resolutions tells a clear story about system balance. At High settings, the average FPS moves from 135.6 at 1080p, to 113.5 at 1440p, and finally to 64.3 at 4K. That is a 16% drop from 1080p to 1440p, but a much steeper 43% drop from 1440p to 4K. This pattern is classic GPU-bound behavior. The CPU is capable of pushing high frame rates, but the GPU's rendering load increases exponentially with pixel count. At 4K, the RTX 4070 SUPER is working hard, and the FPS reflects that. The same trend is visible on the Ultra preset, where the FPS goes from 135 at 1080p, to 105.1 at 1440p (a 22% drop), and then to 62.8 at 4K (a 40% drop from 1440p).

The Low preset shows a different dynamic. At 1080p Low, the system hits 170.6 FPS, and at 1440p Low, it achieves 150.5 FPS, which is only a 12% drop. However, at 4K Low, the FPS drops to 116.8, a 22% reduction from 1440p. This suggests that at lower settings, the CPU has a more significant role, as the GPU is not as heavily taxed. The fact that 1080p Low (170.6 FPS) is not much higher than 1080p Ultra (135 FPS) indicates that the i3-12100F is starting to approach its limit in this title, but it is still providing playable performance. The overall data suggests that the RTX 4070 SUPER is the primary limiting component at higher resolutions and settings, while the i3-12100F remains a capable partner that does not unduly constrain the system.

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

For a smooth and visually rich experience, the High preset at 1440p appears to be the sweet spot. It delivers an average of 113.5 FPS, which is well above the threshold for a fluid experience on most high-refresh-rate monitors. The jump to Ultra at 1440p only yields a small gain in quality but costs a noticeable 7.4% performance, dropping to 105.1 FPS. At 4K, High is the best choice for a playable experience, with 64.3 FPS, while Ultra drops to 62.8 FPS, which is a minor difference but still under 60 FPS for the most demanding scenes.

If a player prioritizes maximum frame rates for competitive play or a very high-refresh-rate display, the Low preset at 1080p is the top performer, hitting 170.6 FPS. However, the Medium preset at 1080p offers a better balance, with 155.2 FPS, which is still extremely high. At 4K, the Medium preset yields 86.3 FPS, which is a significant improvement over High (64.3 FPS) and provides a more responsive feel. The data suggests that the Medium preset is a versatile option that works well across all resolutions. For most users, the High preset at 1440p is the recommended starting point, as it offers a substantial quality improvement over Medium while maintaining a high frame rate, and the Ultra preset offers diminishing returns for the performance cost.

FAQ

*Q: Is the Intel Core i3-12100F a bottleneck for the RTX 4070 SUPER in Thief?*

A: No, the data does not indicate a CPU bottleneck. At 1080p Ultra, the system achieves 135 FPS, and at 1080p Low, it reaches 170.6 FPS. The FPS scaling with resolution and settings is consistent with a GPU-bound scenario, suggesting the CPU has sufficient headroom.

*Q: What is the best resolution to play Thief with this combo?*

A: The 1440p resolution with High settings provides an excellent balance, achieving an average of 113.5 FPS. This offers a great visual experience while maintaining high frame rates. Alternatively, 4K with High settings is playable at 64.3 FPS.

Q: How does the RTX 4070 SUPER compare to its nearest rivals in benchmark scores?

A: The RTX 4070 SUPER has an average benchmark score of 42576. It is 0.2% behind the NVIDIA RTX A6000 (42653) and 0.3% behind the AMD Radeon RX 7650 GRE (42723). It is 1.4% ahead of the AMD Radeon Pro 580X (41991) and 1.6% ahead of the NVIDIA Tesla M40 (41897).

Q: Does the CPU's performance align with any other well-known processors?

A: The i3-12100F's average benchmark score is 13516. This makes it 0.1% faster than the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX (13534) and 1.8% faster than the Intel Core i7-7700K (13280). It is also 0.6% faster than the Intel Core i3-10105 (13430).

Q: Which settings preset should I avoid for the best frame rate?

A: The Ultra preset at 4K gives the lowest average FPS at 62.8. While it is technically playable, the High preset at 4K (64.3 FPS) or the Medium preset at 4K (86.3 FPS) might provide a better experience if you prefer higher frame rates over the small visual gain.

Q: How much VRAM does the GPU have, and is it enough for this game?

A: The RTX 4070 SUPER has 12 GB of GDDR6X memory. This is more than sufficient for Thief, a 2014 title, even at maximum settings and 4K resolution, ensuring that the game will not suffer from texture pop-in or memory-related stutters.

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

The following is the complete set of measured average FPS data for the Intel Core i3-12100F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER combination in Thief.

1920x1080:

• Low: 170.6 FPS
• Medium: 155.2 FPS
• High: 135.6 FPS
• Ultra: 135.0 FPS

2560x1440:

• Low: 150.5 FPS
• Medium: 133.8 FPS
• High: 113.5 FPS
• Ultra: 105.1 FPS

3840x2160:

• Low: 116.8 FPS
• Medium: 86.3 FPS
• High: 64.3 FPS
• Ultra: 62.8 FPS

The data shows a clear hierarchy: frame rates decrease as resolution and settings increase. The most significant performance drop occurs when moving from 1440p to 4K on the High and Ultra presets, where the FPS falls by roughly 40-45%. The difference between High and Ultra at 1080p is negligible, with only a 0.6 FPS difference, but at 1440p the gap widens to 8.4 FPS. This suggests that the Ultra preset is more demanding at higher resolutions. Overall, the system is very capable of delivering high refresh rates at 1080p and 1440p, and it can handle 4K with adjusted settings. The combo rank for this system in Thief is 340 out of 1642 tested combinations, placing it in the top 21% of all systems tested for this game.