Thief

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

The Intel Core i7-12700KF provides a substantial foundation for this system. This Alder Lake-S processor uses 12 cores and 20 threads, running at a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The 10 nm process node and 215 mm² die size place it within the Desktop market segment, and its 25 MB shared L3 cache, along with 1.25 MB L2 per core and 80 KB L1 per core, gives it ample room for handling game logic and asset streaming.

Benchmark results for this CPU show strong multithreaded performance. In Cinebench R23, the processor scores 28838 in multicore and 4071 in singlecore. Geekbench results show 14367 multicore and 2255 singlecore. The PassMark multithread score reaches 34092, while single-thread performance sits at 3984. These numbers place the CPU in the 85th percentile among all processors in the database, signaling that it delivers well above average compute capability.

For Thief, the CPU's role is less likely to be the primary constraint. The game, released in 2014, does not heavily tax modern high-core-count processors. The 3dmark scores show scaling from 2065 with 2 threads to 9983 with max threads, indicating the processor can efficiently distribute workloads. However, Thief's engine was designed for an era with fewer cores, so the 12-core configuration may not be fully utilized. The high single-thread score (1043 in 3dmark_single_thread, 4071 in Cinebench R23 singlecore) suggests that even if the game relies on fewer threads, the per-core speed remains sufficient.

The nearest rivals in the database confirm this CPU's positioning. The Intel Core i7-13700T has an average score of 35403, which is 0.1% lower than the 12700KF's 35365. The Intel Core i5-13600T scores 35305, 0.2% higher. The Intel Core 5 213PE scores 35428, 0.2% lower, and the Intel Core i7-12700K scores 35287, 0.2% higher. These deltas are negligible, meaning the 12700KF performs essentially identically to its closest alternatives in aggregate benchmarks. The CPU's 125 W TDP and unlocked multiplier (with a launch MSRP of $384) point to a chip designed for both sustained performance and overclocking headroom, though the measured FPS data does not include overclocked results.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 is the graphics component in this pairing. Built on the Pascal architecture with a GP104 chip at 16 nm, this GPU packs 7,200 million transistors on a 314 mm² die. It uses 8 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus, delivering a bandwidth of 256.3 GB/s. The memory clock runs at 2002 MHz, which translates to 8 Gbps effective. The base clock is 1506 MHz, boosting up to 1683 MHz.

The GPU's compute resources include 1920 shading units, 120 texture mapping units, and 64 render output units. Its pixel rate reaches 107.7 GPixel/s, and the texture rate is 202.0 GTexel/s. Floating-point performance is rated at 6.463 TFLOPS for FP32, while FP16 is limited to 101.0 GFLOPS at a 1:64 ratio. The power draw is 150 W, with a suggested PSU of 450 W, and it connects via PCIe 3.0 x16.

The GPU benchmarks show a mixed profile. In PassMark, the G3D score is 13498, while DirectX 11 scores 100 and DirectX 12 scores 48. Geekbench Vulkan reaches 22121, OpenCL hits 44700, and Metal is 18801. The 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score is 1082. The GPU sits in the 47th percentile among all GPUs in the database, meaning roughly half of tested graphics cards outperform it and half underperform it. Its nearest rivals include the AMD FirePro W5000 (score 9803, 0.2% lower), NVIDIA Quadro M2000M (score 9832, 0.5% lower), NVIDIA Tesla M10 (score 9724, 0.6% higher), and NVIDIA Tesla C2070 (score 9716, 0.7% higher). The average benchmark score is 9780.

For Thief, the GTX 1070's 8 GB VRAM is more than adequate for the game's era, as 2014 titles rarely exceeded 4 GB at high settings. The memory bandwidth of 256.3 GB/s supports texture streaming and shadow maps effectively. The boost clock of 1683 MHz, while modest by modern standards, remains competitive for a game of this vintage. The DirectX 11 score of 100 is particularly relevant, as Thief primarily uses DirectX 11 rendering paths, and the GPU's Pascal architecture handles that API efficiently.

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 scaling across resolutions. At 1080p with Low settings, the system achieves 128 FPS. Moving to 1440p Low drops to 88 FPS, a reduction of 40 FPS or approximately 31%. At 4K Low, the frame rate falls to 51 FPS, which is 60% lower than the 1080p Low result.

For Medium settings, the scaling is similar. At 1080p, the average is 97 FPS (with a minimum of 82 and maximum of 111). At 1440p, it drops to 66 FPS (minimum 56, maximum 76), a 32% decrease. At 4K, the average is 39 FPS (minimum 33, maximum 45), which is 60% lower than 1080p Medium.

High settings show a less steep but still significant drop. The 1080p High average is 74 FPS. At 1440p, it falls to 51 FPS, a 31% reduction. At 4K, it reaches 30 FPS, a 59% drop from 1080p. Ultra settings follow the same trend: 70 FPS at 1080p, 48 FPS at 1440p (31% lower), and 28 FPS at 4K (60% lower).

The consistent 31% drop from 1080p to 1440p and the further 41% drop from 1440p to 4K (when comparing the 1440p value to the 4K value) indicate that the GPU is the primary limiting factor. The CPU, with its high single-thread and multithread scores, does not show signs of bottlenecking even at 1080p, where frame rates are highest. The pixel throughput requirements at 4K (3840x2160, which is four times the pixel count of 1080p) overwhelm the GTX 1070's 107.7 GPixel/s pixel rate. The data suggests that the CPU could likely push higher frame rates if paired with a stronger GPU, but with the GTX 1070, the GPU becomes the constraint as resolution increases.

How This Combo Ranks - use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combined system ranks 3079 out of 3720 tested combinations in the database for Thief. This places the combo in the lower portion of the ranking, roughly in the 17th percentile of all combos (calculated by dividing 3079 by 3720). This ranking reflects the GPU's age more than the CPU's capability. The CPU's 85th percentile standing among all processors contrasts sharply with the GPU's 47th percentile, and the overall combo ranking at 17th percentile suggests that the GPU drags down the system's standing in this specific game.

The ranking implies that the vast majority of tested combos deliver higher average FPS in Thief. However, the measured FPS values show that the system is quite playable at 1080p and even 1440p for most settings. The low combo rank likely stems from the fact that newer GPUs, even mid-range ones, can substantially outperform the GTX 1070 in a 2014 title that does not require modern hardware. The CPU's high performance does not compensate for the GPU's limitations at higher resolutions.

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

The recorded data provides exact FPS values for each resolution and settings combination. At 1920x1080, the results are as follows: Low settings deliver an average of 128 FPS, Medium averages 97 FPS with a minimum of 82 and maximum of 111, High averages 74 FPS, and Ultra averages 70 FPS. The spread between Low and Ultra is 58 FPS, indicating that settings have a substantial impact at this resolution. The Medium preset's minimum of 82 FPS suggests that even during demanding scenes, the system maintains fluid frame rates.

At 2560x1440, the averages decrease: Low delivers 88 FPS, Medium averages 66 FPS (minimum 56, maximum 76), High averages 51 FPS, and Ultra averages 48 FPS. The difference between Low and Ultra is 40 FPS. The Medium minimum of 56 FPS indicates that occasional dips keep the experience within a playable range, though not as consistently smooth as 1080p.

At 3840x2160, the averages are significantly lower: Low delivers 51 FPS, Medium averages 39 FPS (minimum 33, maximum 45), High averages 30 FPS, and Ultra averages 28 FPS. The gap between Low and Ultra is 23 FPS. The Medium minimum of 33 FPS shows that the system can dip below the 30 FPS threshold in some scenes, which may cause noticeable stutter. Ultra at 28 FPS falls below the standard 30 FPS playability floor.

Across all resolutions, the pattern holds: Low settings provide the highest frame rates, followed by Medium, then High, with Ultra being the most demanding. The relative drop from Low to Ultra is consistent at roughly 45% at 1080p, 45% at 1440p, and 45% at 4K, showing that the settings scaling is uniform regardless of resolution.

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

For 1920x1080, the Medium preset delivers an average of 97 FPS with a minimum of 82 FPS. This combination offers smooth gameplay with no risk of dropping below 60 FPS. High and Ultra both hover around 70-74 FPS, which is also playable, but Medium provides the best balance of visual quality and performance headroom. Low at 128 FPS is excessive for most displays, which typically refresh at 60 Hz or 144 Hz, so the extra frame rate does not translate to a better experience unless the display supports high refresh rates.

At 2560x1440, Medium averages 66 FPS with a minimum of 56 FPS. This is the highest settings level that maintains an average above 60 FPS. High and Ultra drop to 51 and 48 FPS respectively, which are still playable but may feel less fluid during fast movement. Low at 88 FPS is smooth but sacrifices visual fidelity unnecessarily. Medium is the recommended preset for 1440p, as it keeps the average above the 60 FPS threshold while the minimum stays above 55 FPS.

At 3840x2160, no preset achieves a 60 FPS average. Low comes closest at 51 FPS, followed by Medium at 39 FPS, High at 30 FPS, and Ultra at 28 FPS. For 4K, Low is the only preset that stays above 30 FPS on average, and even then, the margin is slim. Medium's minimum of 33 FPS means it occasionally drops below 30 FPS, which can cause noticeable hitches. If 4K is required, Low is the most stable choice, but the data indicates that 1440p Medium offers a far better experience overall.

The data implies that the system's sweet spot is 1080p Medium or 1440p Medium, depending on the display's native resolution. Pushing to Ultra at any resolution yields diminishing returns: the FPS drop from High to Ultra is small (4 FPS at 1080p, 3 FPS at 1440p, 2 FPS at 4K), but the visual improvement is unlikely to justify the reduced frame rate for a fast-paced stealth game.

FAQ

Q: What is the average FPS at 1080p with Ultra settings?

A: The average FPS at 1920x1080 with Ultra settings is 70 FPS. This is the lowest of the 1080p presets, as Low delivers 128 FPS, Medium delivers 97 FPS, and High delivers 74 FPS.

Q: Can this system run Thief at 4K with playable frame rates?

A: At 3840x2160, the only preset with an average above 30 FPS is Low, which delivers 51 FPS. Medium averages 39 FPS, High averages 30 FPS, and Ultra averages 28 FPS. The Medium preset has a minimum of 33 FPS, so it occasionally dips below 30 FPS.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rival in average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700KF has an average benchmark score of 35365. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-13700T, scores 35403, which is 0.1% higher. The Intel Core i5-13600T scores 35305, 0.2% higher than the 12700KF.

Q: What is the GPU's percentile ranking among all GPUs in the database?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 sits in the 47th percentile among all GPUs. Its average benchmark score is 9780, with its closest rival being the AMD FirePro W5000 at 9803 (0.2% higher).

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded at 1440p with Medium settings?

A: At 2560x1440 with Medium settings, the minimum FPS is 56, with an average of 66 and a maximum of 76. This indicates the system stays above 55 FPS even in demanding scenes.

Q: How does the system rank among all tested combos for Thief?

A: The combo ranks 3079 out of 3720 tested combinations. This places it in the lower portion of the database, reflecting the GPU's age relative to other tested graphics cards.