Thief

The Intel Core i7-12700K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D pairing in Thief delivers a powerful combination, with benchmark results indicating a clear division of labor. The CPU provides a robust foundation with 12 cores and 20 threads, running at a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. This processor, based on the Alder Lake architecture, offers a substantial amount of processing headroom. Its single-threaded performance, as indicated by a 3dmark_single_thread score of 1043, is critical for a game like Thief, which often relies on strong per-core performance for game logic and AI. The CPU’s multi-threaded capabilities, reflected in a 3dmark_max_threads score of 9979, ensure that background tasks and the game’s broader simulation do not create bottlenecks.

The RTX 5090 D is a graphics powerhouse, built on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture with a 5 nm process. The data shows its immense potential is only partially utilized at lower resolutions in this specific title. The GPU’s 32 GB of GDDR7 memory and 1.79 TB/s bandwidth are far beyond what Thief requires, but they contribute to the card’s overall capability. The measured FPS data shows that at 1080p, the CPU is the primary driver of performance, as the frame rates are exceptionally high but the gap between settings is relatively narrow. At 4K, the GPU becomes the limiting factor, and the frame rate drops become more pronounced, reflecting the increased graphical load.

CPU Role

The Core i7-12700K’s architecture is a key factor in its performance within Thief. With 12 cores and 20 threads, it handles the game’s multi-threaded tasks with ease. The processor’s 25 MB of shared L3 cache provides ample space for game assets, and its memory support for both DDR4 and DDR5 offers system flexibility. In the context of this game, the CPU’s role is to maintain a high baseline frame rate, which is particularly evident at 1080p resolution.

Benchmark results indicate that the CPU’s single-thread performance, with a Passmark singlethread score of 4013, is robust enough to keep up with the GPU’s output at lower resolutions. For example, at 1080p Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 197 FPS. This high frame rate reflects the CPU’s ability to process game data quickly. The CPU’s multi-threaded scores, such as the Cinebench R23 multicore score of 19784, show it can handle the game’s background loading and physics calculations without causing frame time spikes. The data suggests that the i7-12700K is not a bottleneck for this GPU in Thief, even at high frame rates.

The processor’s performance relative to its direct peers is also instructive. The data shows it is 0.1% behind the Intel Core i5-13600T in average benchmark score, 0.2% behind the Intel Core i7-12700KF, and 0.3% behind the Intel Core i7-13700T. This close grouping indicates that the i7-12700K is a very competitive part, and any performance differences in Thief would be negligible. Its 84th percentile ranking against all CPUs reinforces its position as a high-end processor that is more than capable of feeding the RTX 5090 D in this game.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Core i7-12700K and RTX 5090 D holds a rank of 108 out of 2851 tested combos in Thief. This places it in the top 4% of all tested configurations, a strong result that underscores the effectiveness of this pairing. The rank of 108 indicates that while this is a very high-performing combo, there are a small number of other combinations that deliver higher average frame rates in this specific game. Those higher-ranked combos likely feature CPUs with even stronger single-threaded performance or more recent architectures, as the GPU is already at the top of its class.

The data shows that this combo is not at the absolute pinnacle of performance, but it is very close. The rank of 108 out of 2851 suggests that the system delivers a near-top-tier experience. The gap between this combo and the number one spot is likely small, and the actual playable experience would be indistinguishable in most scenarios. The fact that this combo ranks as high as it does is a direct result of the RTX 5090 D’s raw power, which is able to overcome the slight limitations of the i7-12700K at higher resolutions. The CPU’s own 84th percentile ranking shows it is a strong part, but the GPU’s 92nd percentile ranking is what truly drives this combo’s high placement.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear trend in how the system’s performance scales with resolution. At 1080p, the average frame rates are very high, with the Low preset hitting 197 FPS and the High preset reaching 161 FPS. Moving to 1440p, there is a noticeable drop, with the Low preset averaging 173 FPS and High at 142 FPS. At 4K, the performance drops further, with Low averaging 145 FPS and High at 92 FPS. This scaling pattern is typical of a system where the CPU is the main driver at lower resolutions, and the GPU becomes more significant as the resolution increases.

The percentage drop from 1080p to 4K is substantial. For example, the High preset drops from 161 FPS at 1080p to 92 FPS at 4K, a decrease of approximately 43%. This significant drop indicates that the RTX 5090 D is being tasked with rendering many more pixels at 4K, which is a much heavier workload. The data suggests that at 1080p, the CPU is able to keep the GPU fed with data, but the GPU’s frame rate is limited by the CPU’s ability to issue draw calls. At 4K, the GPU’s rendering capabilities become the limiting factor, and the frame rate is more indicative of the GPU’s raw fill rate and shading power.

The scaling between Low and Ultra settings at each resolution is also telling. At 1080p, the difference between Low (197 FPS) and Ultra (158 FPS) is 39 FPS, a 20% drop. At 4K, the difference between Low (145 FPS) and Ultra (87 FPS) is 58 FPS, a 40% drop. This shows that the performance penalty for increasing settings is much more severe at higher resolutions, as the GPU is already working near its maximum capacity.

Measured FPS Breakdown

Looking at the 1080p data, the system demonstrates excellent performance across all settings. The Low preset yields an average of 197 FPS, while the Medium preset produces 178 FPS with minimum and maximum values of 151 and 204 FPS, respectively. The High preset averages 161 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 158 FPS. The close proximity of the High and Ultra averages suggests that the game’s Ultra preset does not add a significant amount of graphical load at this resolution, and the CPU is likely the primary limiter.

At 1440p, the performance is still very strong. Low settings average 173 FPS, Medium averages 157 FPS with a minimum of 133 and a maximum of 180, and High averages 142 FPS. Ultra settings bring the average down to 140 FPS. The gap between Low and Ultra is 33 FPS, which is slightly more pronounced than at 1080p, indicating the GPU is starting to take on more of the workload.

The 4K results show a more significant drop-off. Low settings average 145 FPS, Medium averages 120 FPS with a minimum of 102 and a maximum of 138, and High averages 92 FPS. Ultra settings produce an average of 87 FPS. The difference between Low and Ultra at 4K is 58 FPS, which is the largest gap seen across all resolutions. This confirms that the RTX 5090 D is the main bottleneck at 4K, as the demand for pixel throughput increases dramatically.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D is the dominant component in this pairing, and its specifications support its high performance. The GPU has a base clock of 2017 MHz and a boost clock of 2407 MHz, which are high frequencies for a graphics card. Its 32 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 512-bit bus provides a massive 1.79 TB/s of bandwidth. These specifications are reflected in its benchmark scores, such as a 3dmark_steel_nomad_dx12 score of 14326 and a Passmark g3d score of 44065.

The GPU’s role in Thief becomes more apparent as the resolution increases. At 1080p, the GPU is not fully utilized, as the CPU is able to keep frame rates high. However, at 4K, the GPU’s raw processing power is what determines the final frame rate. The data shows that at 4K Ultra, the system averages 87 FPS, which is a very playable frame rate for a demanding title. The GPU’s 92nd percentile ranking against all GPUs indicates its top-tier status, and its average benchmark score of 77712 is far above many rivals.

The GPU’s performance relative to its nearest rivals in the database is interesting. The data shows it is 1.1% ahead of the AMD Radeon RX 6650M XT and 1.6% behind the AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT in average benchmark score. It is also 2.1% behind the NVIDIA Tesla P100 PCIe 12 GB. These comparisons are based on average benchmark scores across multiple tests, not specifically Thief, but they provide a general indication of the GPU’s standing. In this game, the RTX 5090 D’s sheer memory bandwidth and compute power ensure that it can handle the game’s highest settings at 4K with ease.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the best experience for most users would be to use the High preset at 4K. This setting provides an average of 92 FPS, which is well above the standard 60 FPS target for smooth gameplay. The Ultra preset at 4K only yields 87 FPS, a marginal difference of 5 FPS, which is not worth the potential drop in visual fidelity if the game’s Ultra settings are particularly demanding. The data suggests that High offers the best trade-off between visual quality and performance at 4K.

For users with 1440p monitors, the High preset is also the recommended choice, providing an average of 142 FPS. This frame rate is extremely smooth and takes full advantage of high refresh rate displays. The Ultra preset at 1440p averages 140 FPS, which is nearly identical, so the choice between High and Ultra is less critical at this resolution. However, the data shows that High is marginally faster, so it is the safer recommendation.

At 1080p, the system is so powerful that any setting will provide an excellent experience. The Low preset hits 197 FPS, and the Ultra preset is still at 158 FPS. For users with 1080p displays, the Ultra preset is the best choice to maximize visual quality, as the frame rate remains very high. The minimum FPS recorded at 1080p Medium is 151 FPS, which indicates that the system can maintain high frame rates even in demanding scenes, making the Ultra preset a viable option for the best possible image quality without sacrificing smoothness.

FAQ

*Q: What is the combo's overall ranking in Thief?*

A: The Intel Core i7-12700K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D combination is ranked 108 out of 2851 tested combos for this game.

Q: How does the performance at 1080p compare to 4K?

A: The average frame rate drops significantly with resolution. For example, on the High preset, the system achieves 161 FPS at 1080p, but only 92 FPS at 4K, indicating a substantial performance cost for higher resolutions.

Q: Which settings preset provides the highest average frame rate at 4K?

A: The Low preset provides the highest average frame rate at 4K, achieving 145 FPS. The High and Ultra presets yield 92 FPS and 87 FPS, respectively.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor at 1080p?

A: The data indicates the CPU is likely the primary limiter at 1080p, as the frame rates are very high and the difference between Low and Ultra settings is relatively small (39 FPS), suggesting the GPU has spare capacity.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded for the Medium preset at 1440p?

A: The minimum FPS recorded for the Medium preset at 1440p is 133 FPS, with a maximum of 180 FPS and an average of 157 FPS.

Q: How does the RTX 5090 D's average benchmark score compare to its nearest rival?

A: The RTX 5090 D has an average benchmark score of 77712. Its nearest rival in the database is the AMD Radeon RX 6650M XT with an average score of 76904, which is 1.1% lower.