Thief

The Intel Core i3-12100F pairs a 4-core, 8-thread Alder Lake architecture with a 3.30 GHz base clock and a 4.30 GHz boost clock. The 12 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel memory support position this CPU as an entry-level desktop part, yet its 3DMark scores reveal a capable single-threaded core. A 3dmark single-thread score of 893 and a 4-thread score of 2859 indicate that the processor can handle lightly-threaded workloads without severe bottlenecks. In Thief, a 2014 stealth title, the game engine’s primary thread often dictates performance, and the i3-12100F’s boost behavior becomes the key variable. The data shows a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1674, which is strong for a quad-core part, suggesting that the CPU’s logical cores can keep up with the game’s request for rapid, sequential instructions. However, the 3dmark 16-thread score of 4051 is nearly identical to the 8-thread score of 4026, implying that the processor’s physical core count is the limiting factor in heavily threaded scenarios. Thief is not a modern multi-threaded showcase, so the CPU’s 4 cores are likely sufficient to feed the GPU, but the lack of additional cores could surface in crowded scenes with many AI-driven NPCs. The Cinebench R20 multicore score of 4981 reinforces this: the CPU’s aggregate throughput is modest, yet its per-core efficiency is high, which matters more for a game from 2014. The benchmark results indicate that the i3-12100F’s role here is to provide a stable, high-frequency foundation without introducing stutter, and the 68th percentile ranking versus all CPUs suggests it sits above average for general processing tasks. Relative to its nearest rivals, the Intel Core 3 N355 matches its avgScore of 13492 with a 0% deltaPct, while the Intel Core i5-9500 trails by 0.3%, and the Intel Core 5 120UL leads by 0.7%. This tight clustering implies that the i3-12100F’s performance envelope is well-known, and in Thief, the CPU’s clock speed will be more decisive than its core count.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 brings a substantial amount of graphics horsepower to this pairing, with 16 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 256-bit bus providing 716.8 GB/s of bandwidth. The GPU’s Ada Lovelace architecture, built on a 5 nm process, runs at a base clock of 2205 MHz and a boost clock of 2505 MHz, which are high frequencies that translate into raw pixel throughput. The 3dmark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 6567 and a Passmark G3D score of 34457 place this GPU in the 86th percentile of all graphics cards, indicating it is a top-tier part for its generation. In Thief, the GPU’s role is to render the game’s detailed environments and lighting effects, and the 16 GB frame buffer ensures that even at 4K resolution, texture data resides locally without spilling to slower system memory. The RTX 4080’s 9728 shading units and 112 ROPs are ample for a game that was released in 2014, but the GPU’s high FP32 performance of 48.74 TFLOPS suggests it can overshoot the game’s requirements. The benchmark results show that the GPU is rarely the limiting component at lower resolutions, as the measured FPS values remain high. However, the data implies that the RTX 4080’s raw power is somewhat wasted at 1080p, where the CPU’s frame pacing becomes the bottleneck. The GPU’s nearest rival, the RTX 4080 SUPER, scores 54209 with a deltaPct of 0.1%, which is nearly identical, while the AMD Radeon Pro W5700X leads by 1.1% and the Radeon RX 6750 GRE 12 GB leads by 2.6%. This indicates that the RTX 4080’s performance is consistent with its class, but in Thief, the GPU’s high clock speeds and memory bandwidth are more than sufficient to handle the game’s DirectX 11 workload, leaving headroom for future titles.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear pattern of resolution-dependent scaling that highlights where the bottleneck shifts between CPU and GPU. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves 169 FPS, which drops to 149 FPS at 1440p and 125 FPS at 4K. This 26% reduction from 1080p to 4K at Low settings suggests that the GPU is beginning to take on more work, but the CPU is still able to feed frames at a high rate. Moving to High settings, the FPS at 1080p is 138, at 1440p it is 122, and at 4K it is 76, representing a 45% drop from 1080p to 4K. This larger decline indicates that at higher settings, the GPU’s rendering load increases significantly, and the RTX 4080’s capabilities are being stretched. The data shows that at 1080p, the CPU is the primary limiter, as the FPS differences between Low and Ultra settings are relatively small: 169 FPS at Low versus 136 FPS at Ultra, a 20% gap. At 4K, the same comparison shows 125 FPS at Low versus 72 FPS at Ultra, a 42% gap, which demonstrates that the GPU becomes the dominant constraint at higher resolutions. This scaling behavior is typical for a powerful GPU paired with a mid-range CPU: the CPU’s maximum frame output is around 169 FPS at 1080p, and the GPU can only push beyond that when the resolution is low enough to reduce its workload. The 4K Medium setting yields 100 FPS with a minimum of 85 FPS and a maximum of 114 FPS, while the 4K Ultra setting drops to 72 FPS, suggesting that the GPU’s memory bandwidth and shading units are fully engaged. The resolution scaling indicates that for this combo, 1440p is the sweet spot where both components contribute more equally, as the FPS drops from High to Ultra are just 2 FPS (122 to 120), implying that the CPU is still keeping pace.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of performance across three resolutions and four settings levels. At 1920x1080, the Low preset delivers an average of 169 FPS, which is the highest recorded value in the entire dataset, and this number likely represents the CPU’s frame ceiling. The Medium preset at 1080p averages 153 FPS with a minimum of 130 FPS and a maximum of 175 FPS, showing that the GPU can sustain smooth frame times while the CPU manages the game logic. High settings at 1080p yield 138 FPS, while Ultra settings drop slightly to 136 FPS, indicating that the GPU’s performance headroom is sufficient to handle the extra effects without a major penalty. Moving to 2560x1440, the Low preset averages 149 FPS, which is 20 FPS lower than at 1080p, and this reduction is primarily due to the increased pixel count. Medium at 1440p averages 135 FPS with a minimum of 114 FPS and a maximum of 155 FPS, and High settings at 1440p produce 122 FPS. Ultra at 1440p averages 120 FPS, which is only 2 FPS lower than High, suggesting that the GPU is still not fully saturated at this resolution. At 3840x2160, the Low preset averages 125 FPS, which is a significant drop from the 1440p Low result, and this indicates that the GPU is now the limiting factor. Medium at 4K averages 100 FPS with a minimum of 85 FPS and a maximum of 114 FPS, and High settings at 4K drop to 76 FPS. Ultra at 4K averages 72 FPS, which is the lowest recorded value but still above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay. The data shows that the combo can maintain playable frame rates even at 4K Ultra, but the jump from 1440p to 4K at High settings results in a 38% FPS loss, highlighting the GPU’s workload. The minimum FPS values for Medium settings suggest that frame time consistency is good, with the 4K Medium minimum of 85 FPS providing a stable experience.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average FPS this combo achieves in Thief?

A: The highest average FPS is 169, achieved at 1920x1080 with Low settings, which represents the CPU’s frame limit.

Q: How does the RTX 4080 compare to its closest rival in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The RTX 4080 scores 54247 on average, while the RTX 4080 SUPER scores 54209 with a deltaPct of 0.1%, meaning the SUPER is essentially identical in performance.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the bottleneck at 4K Ultra settings?

A: At 4K Ultra, the GPU is the bottleneck, as the average FPS drops to 72, while the CPU’s frame ceiling is around 169 FPS at 1080p Low.

Q: What is the FPS difference between 1080p and 4K at High settings?

A: The average FPS drops from 138 at 1080p to 76 at 4K, a 45% reduction, indicating the GPU becomes increasingly stressed at higher resolutions.

Q: Does the i3-12100F’s single-thread performance affect Thief’s frame rates?

A: The CPU’s 3dmark single-thread score of 893 and Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1674 suggest strong per-core performance, which likely helps maintain high frame rates at lower resolutions where the CPU is more active.

Q: What is the combo’s rank among all tested configurations for Thief?

A: The combo ranks 576 out of 3720 tested combos, placing it in the top 15% of all configurations evaluated for this game.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend on the target resolution and the user’s frame rate preference. For 1080p, the High preset at 138 FPS is a balanced choice, as the Ultra preset only delivers 136 FPS, a negligible 2 FPS difference that does not justify the extra visual demands. The Medium preset at 153 FPS offers a more substantial frame rate boost, but the jump from Medium to High is only 15 FPS, so High provides the best visual quality per frame. At 1440p, the High preset at 122 FPS is the recommended starting point, as the Ultra preset at 120 FPS is nearly identical, and the Medium preset at 135 FPS sacrifices some effects for a 13 FPS gain. The data suggests that 1440p High is the sweet spot for this combo, as it maintains a high frame rate while keeping the GPU’s workload balanced with the CPU. For 4K, the High preset at 76 FPS is playable, but the Low preset at 125 FPS offers a much smoother experience if the user prioritizes frame rate over visual fidelity. The Medium preset at 4K, with an average of 100 FPS and a minimum of 85 FPS, is the best compromise, as it delivers a consistent frame time while still providing moderate visual enhancements. The Ultra preset at 4K, at 72 FPS, is the minimum for a playable experience, but the 28 FPS difference between Low and Ultra suggests that the GPU is already taxed at this resolution. The measured FPS values indicate that the combo is best utilized at 1440p with High settings, where the CPU’s frame limit of 169 FPS is not reached, and the GPU’s performance is fully utilized without causing excessive drops. For users with high refresh rate monitors, the 1080p Medium preset at 153 FPS is a viable option, but the visual improvements from High settings are worth the small frame rate cost.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo of the Intel Core i3-12100F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 ranks 576 out of 3720 tested configurations for Thief, placing it in the top 15% of all combos evaluated. This rank is notable because the CPU is a budget-oriented quad-core part, while the GPU is a high-end model, and the resulting performance in Thief is still competitive. The data shows that the combo’s rank is driven primarily by the GPU’s capabilities, as the CPU’s 68th percentile ranking is lower than the GPU’s 86th percentile ranking. The benchmark results indicate that the i3-12100F does not hold back the RTX 4080 to a significant degree in this game, thanks to Thief’s older engine and lighter CPU demands. Compared to other combos in the database, this pairing offers a unique balance: the GPU provides the raw rendering power to push high resolutions, while the CPU’s high single-thread speed ensures that frame rates do not collapse at lower resolutions. The rank of 576 suggests that many other combos with stronger CPUs achieve higher FPS, but the gap is not massive, as evidenced by the CPU’s nearest rivals having similar average scores. The RTX 4080’s nearest rivals, such as the RTX 4080 SUPER, would likely produce similar results in Thief, meaning that the combo’s rank is more dependent on the CPU’s ability to keep up. The data implies that this combo is best suited for users who prioritize GPU-intensive tasks, as the CPU’s limitations become apparent only in CPU-bound scenarios, which Thief at 4K does not heavily stress. The overall rank reflects that this is a capable gaming setup for a 2014 title, and the measured FPS values confirm that it can handle the game’s demands with ease.