Thief

The Intel Core i5-9400 and AMD Radeon RX 7700 pairing in Thief presents a fascinating study in system balance. The CPU, a 6-core, 6-thread Coffee Lake part with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, is a solid mid-range processor from its era. Its benchmark profile, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 6629 and a single-core score of 935, places it in the 47th percentile of all CPUs. This is not a top-tier part, but its performance is closely matched by rivals like the Intel Core i7-10710U, which scores a mere 0.3% higher in average benchmark score. The data suggests the CPU has enough grunt to feed the GPU in most scenarios, but the question of whether it becomes the limiting factor at lower resolutions is key to understanding the results.

The GPU, on the other hand, is a modern powerhouse. The AMD Radeon RX 7700, built on the RDNA 3.0 architecture with a Navi 32 chip, boasts a game clock of 2041 MHz and a boost clock of 2459 MHz. It sits in the 58th percentile of all GPUs, with a Passmark G3D score of 20974 that puts it just 1.7% behind the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti. This is a clear generational leap over the CPU, creating an interesting dynamic. The measured FPS data in Thief will expose whether this CPU-GPU combination is balanced, or if one component is holding the other back.

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

The Intel Core i5-9400 provides six physical cores and six threads, a configuration that was standard for mainstream gaming in its time. With a 9 MB shared L3 cache and a dual-channel DDR4 memory interface offering 42.7 GB/s of bandwidth, it is a competent but not extraordinary foundation. The CPU's performance relative to its peers is tightly clustered; its average benchmark score of 2254 is nearly identical to the Intel Core i7-1068NG7, which is only 0.2% faster, and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500, which is 0.4% faster. This indicates that the i5-9400 is a known quantity, and its performance in Thief should be predictable.

The game Thief was released in early 2014, a time when quad-core processors were the norm. The i5-9400's six cores provide a modest advantage for modern titles, but for a game from that era, the CPU's architecture and clock speeds are more than adequate. The boost clock of 4.10 GHz is the key asset here, as it ensures strong single-threaded performance, which is often critical for game logic and draw calls. The Cinebench R20 single-core score of 392 reinforces this, showing the CPU can handle the sequential tasks that games often throw at it.

However, the benchmark results imply that the CPU is not a high-end part. Its 47th percentile ranking means half of all CPUs are faster, and the data suggests that in CPU-intensive scenes, the i5-9400 could be a bottleneck. The FPS data for Thief shows a relatively small gap between 1080p Low (119 FPS) and 1080p Ultra (96 FPS), which is a 19.3% drop. This smaller-than-expected delta suggests that the CPU is indeed limiting performance at 1080p, preventing the GPU from fully stretching its legs even when settings are lowered. The CPU's six threads might also be a limiting factor in specific scenarios, as the game engine may not be able to fully utilize the available cores, but the data does not suggest a catastrophic bottleneck.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combination of the Intel Core i5-9400 and the AMD Radeon RX 7700 achieves a rank of 1686 out of 2851 tested combos in Thief. This places it in the 59.1st percentile of all system configurations, which is a solidly mid-pack result. This rank is interesting because it is lower than what the GPU alone might suggest, given its 58th percentile standing. The implication is that the CPU is dragging the overall combo down slightly. The GPU's performance is likely being hampered by the CPU in certain scenarios, preventing the system from climbing higher in the rankings.

This rank of 1686 indicates that while the system is capable of running the game well, it is not an optimal pairing. Many other combos, likely those with newer or higher-tier CPUs, achieve better overall performance. The data suggests that the CPU is the weaker link in this duo. The GPU's Passmark G3D score of 20974 is strong, but the CPU's average benchmark score of 2254 is only in the 47th percentile. This mismatch is reflected in the combo's overall rank. The 0.3% delta to the Intel Core i7-10710U and 0.4% delta to the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 show that the CPU is performing exactly as expected, but that expected performance is simply not enough to push this combo into the top tier.

The rank also suggests that the system is better suited for high-resolution gaming where the GPU is the primary bottleneck. At 4K, the CPU has more headroom to keep up with the GPU's workload, which is why the system's rank might improve at higher resolutions. The data shows that the 1080p to 4K scaling is not linear, and the CPU's role becomes less critical as resolution increases. This combo is a capable 1080p and 1440p machine, but it is not a top-tier performer in the overall database.

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

The measured FPS data reveals a clear pattern of resolution scaling that highlights the GPU as the primary limiting factor at higher resolutions. At 1080p with High settings, the combo achieves 97 FPS. Moving to 1440p High, the FPS drops to 77, a 20.6% decrease. At 4K High, the FPS falls to 46, which is a 40.3% drop from 1440p and a 52.6% drop from 1080p. This steep decline at 4K is a classic sign that the GPU is being pushed to its limits, as the number of pixels to render quadruples from 1080p to 4K.

The data for Low settings tells a similar story. At 1080p Low, the system achieves 119 FPS. At 1440p Low, it drops to 105 FPS, a 11.8% decrease. At 4K Low, the FPS falls to 79, a 24.8% drop from 1440p. The relative drop from 1080p to 4K at Low settings is 33.6%, which is less severe than the 52.6% drop at High settings. This suggests that at lower settings, the CPU has more room to breathe, but the GPU is still the main driver of performance loss as resolution increases.

The scaling pattern indicates that the CPU is not the primary bottleneck at higher resolutions. The FPS drops are consistent with a GPU-bound scenario, where the RX 7700's raw pixel-pushing power is the determining factor. However, the 1080p results, particularly the 19.3% gap between Low and Ultra, suggest that the CPU is starting to become a limiting factor at the lowest resolution. The system is heavily GPU-bound at 4K, moderately GPU-bound at 1440p, and begins to show signs of CPU limitation at 1080p. This is a classic sign of a mid-range CPU paired with a high-end GPU.

FAQ

*Q: Is the Intel Core i5-9400 a bottleneck for the AMD Radeon RX 7700 in Thief?*

A: The data suggests it can be at 1080p. The FPS gap between Low (119 FPS) and Ultra (96 FPS) at 1080p is only 19.3%, which is smaller than expected for a GPU-bound scenario. This implies the CPU is limiting performance at that resolution. At 1440p and 4K, the FPS drops are much steeper, indicating the GPU becomes the primary bottleneck.

Q: How does this system's overall rank compare to other tested combos?

A: The combo ranks 1686 out of 2851 tested configurations, placing it in the 59.1st percentile. This is a mid-pack result that reflects the CPU's 47th percentile ranking, which is notably lower than the GPU's 58th percentile. The CPU is likely holding the system back from a higher rank.

Q: What is the best settings preset for a smooth 60 FPS experience at 1440p?

A: At 1440p, the Medium preset achieves an average of 95 FPS, while the High preset achieves 77 FPS. Both are well above 60 FPS. The Ultra preset drops to 74 FPS, which is still playable. The data shows that Medium is the safest choice for a high refresh rate, but High also provides a smooth experience.

*Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming in Thief?*

A: Yes, but with compromises. At 4K Medium, the system averages 60 FPS. The High preset drops to 46 FPS, and Ultra drops to 43 FPS. For a consistent 60 FPS experience, the Medium preset is required. The 4K Low preset achieves 79 FPS, indicating that the GPU is capable of high frame rates at 4K if settings are lowered.

Q: How does the RX 7700's performance compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The RX 7700's average benchmark score of 15852 is nearly identical to the AMD Radeon R9 370X, which is only 0.1% faster. It is also 1.7% slower than the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti. This shows the RX 7700 is a strong performer, but not a class leader.

*Q: Is the CPU's six-core, six-thread configuration sufficient for a 2014 game like Thief?*

A: Yes, it is more than sufficient. The game was released in 2014, when quad-core CPUs were the standard. The i5-9400's six cores and 4.10 GHz boost clock provide ample performance for the game's engine. The CPU's Cinebench R23 single-core score of 935 indicates strong single-threaded performance, which is crucial for older game engines.

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

The AMD Radeon RX 7700 is the undisputed star of this pairing, and its specifications explain why it dominates the performance metrics. With 16 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, it offers a massive 624.1 GB/s of memory bandwidth. This is a critical asset for Thief, a game that can be demanding on memory bandwidth at high resolutions and texture settings. The GPU's 2560 shading units and 96 ROPs provide substantial raw compute power, and its pixel rate of 236.1 GPixel/s ensures it can fill frames quickly.

The GPU's clock speeds are also impressive. The base clock is 1900 MHz, but the game clock is 2041 MHz, and the boost clock reaches 2459 MHz. This high boost clock is a key reason why the GPU performs so well. The 5 nm process node and RDNA 3.0 architecture allow for these high clocks while maintaining a 200 W TDP. The GPU's Passmark G3D score of 20974 places it in the 58th percentile, and its performance is within 1.7% of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, a well-regarded card.

In Thief, the GPU's role is clear from the FPS data. At 4K Ultra, the system achieves 43 FPS, which is a demanding workload that pushes the GPU to its limits. The 16 GB of VRAM is more than enough for this game, even at 4K with Ultra textures, so the GPU is not running out of memory. The data indicates that the GPU is the primary driver of performance at resolutions above 1080p. The steep FPS drops from 1440p to 4K, such as the 40.3% decrease at High settings, are a direct result of the GPU's rasterization workload increasing with pixel count. The RX 7700 is a powerful card, but Thief at 4K Ultra is a heavy load that even it cannot fully handle.

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

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of which settings preset offers the best balance of visual quality and performance for this combo. At 1080p, the Ultra preset achieves 96 FPS, which is still a very smooth experience. The High preset is nearly identical at 97 FPS, but the Medium preset jumps to 107 FPS. The Low preset achieves 119 FPS. For 1080p, the Medium preset offers a significant FPS boost over High and Ultra with likely minimal visual difference, making it the best choice for high refresh rate monitors.

At 1440p, the situation is more nuanced. The Ultra preset achieves 74 FPS, which is playable, but the High preset is nearly identical at 77 FPS. The Medium preset jumps to 95 FPS, which is a substantial improvement. The Low preset achieves 105 FPS. For 1440p, the Medium preset is the clear winner, offering a 23.4% FPS improvement over High while likely providing a similar visual experience. It provides a comfortable margin above 60 FPS for a smooth experience.

At 4K, the choices are more constrained. The Ultra preset achieves 43 FPS, which is not ideal for smooth gameplay. The High preset is only slightly better at 46 FPS. The Medium preset, however, achieves exactly 60 FPS, which is the standard for smooth console-like gameplay. The Low preset achieves 79 FPS. For 4K, the Medium preset is the only viable option for a 60 FPS experience, as it provides the exact target frame rate. The data suggests that Medium is the "sweet spot" for this combo across all resolutions, offering the best frame rate without a significant drop in visual fidelity.

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

The following is a detailed breakdown of the measured average FPS for the Intel Core i5-9400 and AMD Radeon RX 7700 combo in Thief.

At 1920x1080, the system delivers its highest frame rates. The Low preset achieves an average of 119 FPS. The Medium preset averages 107 FPS, with a minimum of 91 FPS and a maximum of 124 FPS. The High preset averages 97 FPS. The Ultra preset averages 96 FPS. The data shows a 19.3% performance drop from Low to Ultra, indicating a slight CPU limitation at this resolution.

At 2560x1440, the frame rates remain high. The Low preset averages 105 FPS. The Medium preset averages 95 FPS, with a minimum of 81 FPS and a maximum of 109 FPS. The High preset averages 77 FPS. The Ultra preset averages 74 FPS. The drop from Low to Ultra is 29.5%, which is a more significant GPU-bound scaling pattern.

At 3840x2160, the system is heavily GPU-bound. The Low preset averages 79 FPS. The Medium preset averages 60 FPS, with a minimum of 51 FPS and a maximum of 69 FPS. The High preset averages 46 FPS. The Ultra preset averages 43 FPS. The drop from Low to Ultra is a massive 45.6%, confirming that the GPU is the primary bottleneck at 4K. The 4K Medium preset is the only one that hits the 60 FPS target.