Thief

The Intel Core i9-14900K paired with the Intel Arc B370 presents an extreme asymmetry in Thief. The data shows a top-tier CPU constrained by an entry-level integrated GPU, resulting in frame rates that are heavily dependent on resolution and settings. This analysis examines the measured FPS data to understand where the bottleneck lies and what the user can expect from this combination.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a steep performance cliff as resolution increases, which is the classic signature of a GPU-bound scenario. At 1920x1080 with High settings, the combo delivers an average of 45 FPS. Moving to 2560x1440 High drops that average to 31 FPS, a reduction of approximately 31%. The jump to 3840x2160 High is even more punishing, with the average falling to 18 FPS, which is a 60% decrease from the 1080p High result. This rapid decline indicates that the rendering workload at higher pixel counts is overwhelming the Arc B370's capabilities.

The scaling pattern holds true across all settings presets. At Low settings, the average FPS goes from 78 at 1080p, to 53 at 1440p, and finally to 31 at 4K. The performance loss from 1080p to 4K is roughly 60% regardless of the preset, suggesting that the GPU's pixel throughput is the primary limiting factor. The data implies that the i9-14900K is not the constraint here; even at 1080p, the CPU's massive 24 cores and 32 threads are likely idle while the GPU struggles to keep up with the frame generation demands of a 2014 stealth title.

The implication is clear: the resolution scaling is not a reflection of the CPU's power but rather a direct measure of the Arc B370's limits. The GPU's "System Shared" memory and 25 W TDP indicate a design for basic graphics, not high-refresh gaming. The measured FPS at 4K Ultra—an average of 17 FPS—is effectively unplayable, while even 1080p High barely clears the threshold for acceptable motion. The data suggests that users should consider this combo as a 1080p-oriented solution, with performance degrading sharply as pixel count increases.

FAQ

Q: What is the best average FPS this combo can achieve in Thief?

A: The highest measured average FPS is 78, achieved at 1920x1080 with Low settings. This is the only configuration that approaches high-refresh territory, while all other settings at this resolution stay below 60 FPS.

Q: How does the combo perform at 2560x1440?

A: At 1440p, the results are modest. The best average is 53 FPS on Low settings. High and Medium settings yield averages of 31 and 41 FPS, respectively, while Ultra drops to 29 FPS. This resolution is playable only on the lowest preset.

Q: Is this combo capable of 4K gaming in Thief?

A: The data shows it is not. At 3840x2160, the average FPS ranges from 31 on Low to 17 on Ultra. The Medium preset has a minimum FPS of 20, indicating significant stutter. These results are below the threshold for a smooth experience.

Q: What is the frame time consistency like at 1080p Medium?

A: The measured data provides a min FPS of 50 and a max FPS of 68 for this preset, with an average of 59 FPS. This spread suggests the experience is somewhat variable, but it remains the most balanced option for a stable frame rate.

Q: How does the CPU's benchmark score compare to its closest rivals?

A: The i9-14900K has an average benchmark score of 79097, which places it 95th percentile among all CPUs. Its closest rival, the Intel Core i9-14900KF, scores 79371, a difference of only -0.3%. This indicates that the CPU's performance is virtually identical to its direct counterpart.

Q: What does the GPU's benchmark percentile suggest about its performance?

A: The Intel Arc B370 has a benchmark score of 1184, placing it in the 5th percentile of all GPUs. This is an extremely low ranking, and its closest rival, the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570, scores 1186, which is only -0.2% different. This confirms the GPU is a primary bottleneck for gaming.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo ranks 2634 out of 2851 tested combinations in Thief. This places it in the bottom 7.6% of all tested systems, a position that reflects the severe imbalance between the components. The data indicates that this pairing is not optimized for gaming performance, as the GPU's low capability drags down the overall result despite the CPU's high standing.

This low rank is a direct consequence of the GPU's performance. With a 5th percentile ranking among all GPUs, the Arc B370 is one of the weakest graphics processors in the database. In contrast, the i9-14900K sits in the 95th percentile among CPUs, showcasing a stark contrast in tier. The benchmark results indicate that the combo’s rank is almost entirely dictated by the GPU, as the CPU’s raw compute power cannot compensate for the GPU's inability to render frames quickly.

The data suggests that this combination is an outlier, likely representing a system where a powerful CPU is paired with a minimal integrated graphics solution. The rank of 2634 highlights that for Thief, a game from 2014, this pairing is not competitive with even mid-range dedicated GPUs. The performance is closer to legacy hardware, as evidenced by the GPU's nearest rivals being the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 and ATI Radeon HD 5770, both of which are over a decade old.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS, the optimal experience is found at 1920x1080 with Medium settings. This preset yields an average of 59 FPS, which is the closest to the 60 FPS target for smooth gameplay. The minimum FPS of 50 is acceptable, though the maximum of 68 indicates some frame pacing variance. This configuration provides a balance between visual fidelity and playability.

For users prioritizing a higher frame rate, the Low preset at 1080p is the only option that delivers a definitive advantage, with an average of 78 FPS. This setting sacrifices visual quality but provides the most responsive experience. High settings at 1080p drop the average to 45 FPS, which is playable but not ideal for a stealth game that may require quick reactions. Ultra settings at 1080p, with an average of 43 FPS, offer no tangible benefit over High and are not recommended.

At higher resolutions, the data suggests avoiding the Ultra preset entirely. At 1440p, Medium is the most viable option with an average of 41 FPS, while Low is the only way to get above 50 FPS. At 4K, no preset achieves a playable frame rate, with the highest average being 31 FPS on Low. The recommendation is to stay at 1080p and use Medium settings as the default, with Low reserved for scenarios where maximum frame rate is needed.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The data provides a full matrix of results across three resolutions and four settings presets.

1920x1080: The lowest resolution tested shows the best performance. At Low settings, the average FPS is 78. Medium settings reduce the average to 59, with a minimum of 50 and a maximum of 68. High settings yield an average of 45 FPS. Ultra settings produce an average of 43 FPS, which is only marginally lower than High.

2560x1440: Moving to 1440p shows a significant drop. Low settings average 53 FPS. Medium settings average 41 FPS, with a minimum of 35 and a maximum of 47. High settings average 31 FPS. Ultra settings average 29 FPS. The gap between Low and Ultra is 24 FPS, indicating that settings have a strong impact at this resolution.

3840x2160: At 4K, performance is critically low. Low settings average 31 FPS. Medium settings average 24 FPS, with a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 27. High settings average 18 FPS. Ultra settings average 17 FPS. The difference between Low and Ultra is only 14 FPS, suggesting that the GPU is saturated at this resolution regardless of the settings preset.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i9-14900K is a powerhouse with 24 cores and 32 threads, based on the Raptor Lake architecture. Its base clock is 3.20 GHz with a boost clock of 6.00 GHz, and it has a 36 MB shared L3 cache. This hardware is designed for heavy multi-threaded workloads, as evidenced by its benchmark scores, including a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 39399.5 and a Geekbench multi-core score of 21697.

In the context of Thief, the CPU's role is likely minimal. The game is from 2014 and is not known for being CPU-intensive at high resolutions. The data shows that FPS drops significantly with resolution, which is a GPU-side effect. The CPU's high single-thread performance (Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2262.5) is more than sufficient to handle the game's logic and physics, meaning it is unlikely to be the bottleneck.

The benchmark results indicate that the CPU is operating far below its potential in this pairing. Its percentile rank of 95 among all CPUs shows that it is one of the fastest processors available. However, the measured FPS in Thief is limited by the GPU. The data suggests that the i9-14900K is not being utilized to its full extent, as the frame rate is constrained by the graphics pipeline. This is a case where the CPU is overqualified for the task, and its massive core count and clock speeds do not translate to higher FPS due to the GPU's limitations.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B370 is an integrated graphics processor with a 25 W TDP, built on the Xe3-LPG architecture. It features 1280 shading units, 40 TMUs, and 20 ROPs, with a boost clock of 2400 MHz. Its memory is "System Shared," meaning it relies on the system's RAM, and its bandwidth is "System Dependent." This design is intended for basic display tasks, not for high-performance gaming.

The GPU's benchmark results confirm its low capability. Its only benchmark, 3dmark_steel_nomad_dx12, yields a score of 1184, which places it in the 5th percentile of all GPUs. This is a very low score, and its nearest rivals are legacy parts like the ATI Radeon HD 5770. In Thief, this translates directly to the low FPS numbers observed. The GPU's pixel rate of 48.00 GPixel/s and texture rate of 96.00 GTexel/s are simply not enough to handle higher resolutions.

The data indicates that the Arc B370 is the primary limiting factor in this combo. The measured FPS scales inversely with resolution, which is a clear sign of a GPU bottleneck. Even at 1080p Low, the average of 78 FPS is not exceptional, and it drops off rapidly with any increase in graphical load. The GPU's 6.144 TFLOPS of FP32 performance is insufficient for modern gaming demands, and the "System Shared" memory architecture adds latency. The conclusion is that the GPU's specs and benchmark scores are consistent with its in-game performance, confirming it as the weak link in this pairing.