Thief

Thief, a 2014 stealth title, remains a relevant benchmark for evaluating modern hardware combinations. This analysis examines the performance of the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER across three resolutions and four quality presets. The data shows a system that is clearly capable of high refresh rates at 1080p, but which becomes increasingly GPU-bound as resolution climbs. The RTX 2060 SUPER, with its 8 GB of GDDR6 memory and Turing architecture, is the primary determinant of performance in this title, while the 14-core Arrow Lake CPU provides ample headroom.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a predictable and pronounced impact from resolution scaling. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 155 FPS. Moving to 1440p at the same settings, the average drops to 107 FPS, a reduction of 48 FPS (approximately 31%). At 4K, the Low preset average falls further to 63 FPS. This scaling pattern indicates that even at the lowest graphical settings, the GPU is the limiting factor; the workload per pixel increases dramatically with resolution, and the RTX 2060 SUPER's compute and memory bandwidth are progressively saturated.

The trend continues across all settings presets. For the High preset, the average FPS at 1080p is 90. This falls to 62 FPS at 1440p and then to 36 FPS at 4K. The performance delta between 1080p and 4K for the High preset is a substantial 54 FPS, meaning 4K delivers only 40% of the 1080p frame rate. This heavy drop when moving to 4K is classic behavior for a mid-range GPU from the GeForce 20-series; the pixel throughput demand at 3840x2160 is simply too great for the TU106 chip to maintain high frame rates. The data confirms that 4K gaming with this combo is only viable at the Low preset, where it still manages an average of 63 FPS, or at Medium, where it hits 48 FPS.

The scaling from 1440p to 4K is steeper than from 1080p to 1440p. For instance, with Medium settings, the average FPS goes from 118 at 1080p to 81 at 1440p (a 31% drop), but then from 81 at 1440p to 48 at 4K (a 41% drop). This non-linear scaling suggests that the GPU's memory subsystem and shading units are hitting a performance ceiling at higher resolutions. The 448.0 GB/s of memory bandwidth and 7.181 TFLOPS of FP32 compute, while respectable for 1080p and 1440p, are insufficient to keep pace with the 4K pixel count. The benchmark results indicate that the RTX 2060 SUPER is the definitive bottleneck at 4K, and the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 is not a constraining factor in this scenario.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER is the central component in this analysis. Its specifications directly explain the observed performance. The GPU is built on the Turing architecture and features 2176 shading units, 136 texture mapping units, and 64 raster output units. It operates at a base clock of 1470 MHz and a boost clock of 1650 MHz. These clocks, combined with the shading unit count, produce the 7.181 TFLOPS of FP32 compute. The 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus provides a bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s.

These specifications correlate with the measured FPS. The 8 GB VRAM capacity is sufficient for Thief at all tested settings and resolutions, as the game is not particularly VRAM-hungry by modern standards. However, the bandwidth and compute power are the limiting factors. At 1080p, the GPU has enough throughput to deliver 155 FPS on Low settings, indicating that the CPU and game engine are able to feed the GPU adequately. As the resolution increases, the demand on the GPU's pixel fill rate and texture rate grows. The pixel rate of 105.6 GPixel/s and texture rate of 224.4 GTexel/s are challenged at 4K, which is why we see the average FPS drop to the mid-30s to mid-60s range.

The GPU's benchmark scores also provide context. It has a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 2011, a Geekbench OpenCL score of 76957, and a Passmark G3D score of 16462. Its percentile versus all GPUs is 62, placing it above the median but firmly in the mid-range tier. The nearest rival data shows it is very closely matched with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile, with a delta of only -0.4% in average benchmark score. This proximity suggests that the desktop RTX 2060 SUPER's performance is comparable to a mobile RTX 3060, which is a useful reference point. In Thief, this level of performance translates to a playable experience at 1080p and 1440p, but a marginal one at 4K.

The 12 nm process node and 175 W TDP are also relevant. The GPU's power draw is a fixed characteristic, and the performance per watt is what it is for this generation. The memory clock of 1750 MHz (14 Gbps effective) is a key part of the 448.0 GB/s bandwidth figure. This bandwidth is the conduit for all texture and geometry data, and in a game like Thief with its detailed environments, it is heavily utilized. The data shows that for the best experience, the user must be mindful of the resolution and settings, as the GPU's capabilities are finite.

FAQ

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

A: The highest measured average FPS is 155, which is achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with the Low settings preset.

Q: Can this system run Thief at 4K resolution smoothly?

A: At 4K, the average FPS ranges from 35 on Ultra settings to 63 on Low settings. The Medium preset yields an average of 48 FPS. This indicates that 4K is only playable on Low or Medium settings, with Ultra and High presets dropping below the 60 FPS threshold.

Q: How does the RTX 2060 SUPER compare to its closest rival in this analysis?

A: The benchmark data shows the RTX 2060 SUPER has an average benchmark score of 18093. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile, has an average score of 18159, which is a delta of -0.4%. This indicates the two GPUs perform nearly identically in general benchmarks.

Q: What is the combo's rank among all tested combinations for Thief?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER combination is ranked 1997 out of 2851 tested combos for this game, placing it in the lower 30th percentile of all configurations.

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

A: At 1080p with Low settings, the average FPS is 155. This high frame rate suggests the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU. However, the GPU is still the primary determinant of performance, as frame rates scale down predictably with increased graphical settings and resolution, indicating a GPU-centric workload.

Q: What is the difference in average FPS between Low and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the Low preset achieves an average FPS of 107, while the Ultra preset achieves an average FPS of 59. This represents a drop of 48 FPS when moving from the lowest to the highest quality settings.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a complete picture of performance. All figures are average FPS unless otherwise specified, with min and max FPS noted where available.

At 1920x1080, the results are as follows:

• Low: 155 FPS average.
• Medium: 118 FPS average, with a minimum of 100 FPS and a maximum of 136 FPS.
• High: 90 FPS average.
• Ultra: 86 FPS average.

This resolution shows a clear tiering. The Low preset offers exceptional performance, well beyond the 144 Hz refresh rate of many monitors. The Medium preset is also very smooth, with a minimum FPS of 100 ensuring a consistent experience. The High and Ultra presets are close, with only a 4 FPS difference between them, suggesting that the Ultra preset's additional effects have a diminishing return at this resolution.

At 2560x1440, the results show a significant step down:

• Low: 107 FPS average.
• Medium: 81 FPS average, with a minimum of 69 FPS and a maximum of 93 FPS.
• High: 62 FPS average.
• Ultra: 59 FPS average.

1440p represents the sweet spot for this combo. The Low preset still provides a high refresh rate experience. The Medium preset is playable, with the minimum FPS of 69 staying above the 60 FPS threshold. The High and Ultra presets are playable but will require a display with adaptive sync to avoid noticeable frame pacing issues, as they hover at the edge of 60 FPS.

At 3840x2160, the performance drops considerably:

• Low: 63 FPS average.
• Medium: 48 FPS average, with a minimum of 40 FPS and a maximum of 55 FPS.
• High: 36 FPS average.
• Ultra: 35 FPS average.

4K is demanding. Only the Low preset manages to stay above 60 FPS on average. The Medium preset is playable but will have visible dips. The High and Ultra presets are not recommended for a smooth experience, as they fall into the mid-30s FPS range, which is generally considered too low for fast-paced action. The data shows a clear hierarchy: 1080p for maximum frame rates, 1440p for a balance of quality and speed, and 4K for slower, more atmospheric play.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested configurations for Thief, this particular combo—Intel Core Ultra 5 235 with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER—holds a rank of 1997 out of 2851 total combinations. This places it in the 70th percentile, meaning that roughly 70% of all tested combos perform better in this game. This is a middle-of-the-pack result, reflecting the GPU's age and mid-range positioning.

The rank is heavily influenced by the GPU, given the game's scaling characteristics. The RTX 2060 SUPER's percentile versus all GPUs is 62, indicating it performs better than 62% of all GPUs in general benchmarks. However, in Thief, the combo's rank is lower, suggesting that other combos with more powerful GPUs have a significant advantage. The CPU, with a percentile of 89 versus all CPUs, is clearly not the weak link. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235's average benchmark score of 46062 is nearly identical to its nearest rivals, such as the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 (46030, delta 0.1%) and the Intel Core i9-13900HX (46098, delta -0.1%). This CPU performance is more than sufficient for Thief.

The combo's rank of 1997 indicates that while this system is perfectly playable, it is not a top-tier performer for this specific title. Systems with higher-end GPUs, such as those from the GeForce 30-series or newer, will naturally occupy the top spots. For a user with this hardware, the rank suggests that expectations should be set for a solid 1080p and 1440p experience, rather than a 4K powerhouse. The 2851 combos tested include a wide range of hardware, so being in the middle of that pack is a reasonable outcome for a GPU that is now end-of-life.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend entirely on the user's target resolution and refresh rate.

For 1920x1080, the Ultra preset is the best choice for visual fidelity. The average FPS of 86 is well above the 60 FPS standard, and the 4 FPS difference from the High preset makes Ultra the clear winner. The Medium preset at 118 FPS is a good alternative for users with high refresh rate (120Hz+) monitors who want to maximize frame rates, but the visual downgrade from Ultra is noticeable. The Low preset's 155 FPS is only necessary for competitive play at extremely high refresh rates, which is not the primary use case for a stealth game like Thief.

For 2560x1440, the Medium preset offers the best balance. The average FPS of 81 is smooth, and the minimum FPS of 69 ensures that the experience remains fluid during complex scenes. The High and Ultra presets, at 62 and 59 FPS respectively, are on the edge of the 60 FPS threshold and may result in occasional stutters. The Low preset at 107 FPS is an option for users who prioritize frame rate, but the Medium preset provides a significant visual upgrade for a manageable performance cost.

For 3840x2160, the Low preset is the only option for a consistently smooth experience, with an average of 63 FPS. The Medium preset at 48 FPS is playable but will have noticeable dips. The High and Ultra presets, at 36 and 35 FPS, are not recommended for active gameplay. Users who wish to play at 4K should accept the Low preset, or consider lowering the resolution to 1440p for higher quality settings.

In summary, the best experience is achieved by matching the settings to the resolution. For 1080p, use Ultra. For 1440p, use Medium. For 4K, use Low. This approach maximizes the visual quality while maintaining a playable frame rate, as indicated by the measured data.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 plays a supporting but crucial role in this system. It is a 14-core, 14-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture, with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The CPU's 24 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel DDR5 memory support with a bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s ensure that it can feed data to the GPU without becoming a bottleneck.

In Thief, the CPU's role is to handle game logic, AI, and draw calls. The benchmark results show that the CPU is not the limiting factor at any tested resolution. For example, at 1080p with Low settings, the GPU is able to output 155 FPS, which is a high frame rate that would stress a weaker CPU. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 handles this easily. Its Passmark single-thread score of 4516 and Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2085 indicate strong single-core performance, which is important for game logic that is often single-threaded.

The CPU's multi-core performance is also robust, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 14769 and a Passmark multithread score of 37816. While Thief may not fully utilize all 14 cores, this headroom ensures that background tasks or future titles with better multi-threading will not cause performance issues. The data shows that the CPU's average benchmark score of 46062 is within 0.2% of its nearest rivals, confirming that it is a competitive performer in its class.

The CPU's 65 W TDP and 3 nm process node are characteristics that don't directly affect in-game FPS but speak to its efficiency. The boost clock of 5.00 GHz is a key factor in ensuring that the CPU can respond quickly to single-threaded demands. In this combo, the CPU provides a stable foundation, allowing the RTX 2060 SUPER to work to its full potential. The measured FPS differences between resolutions are almost entirely attributable to the GPU's workload, not the CPU. For Thief, the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 is more than adequate, and its high percentile ranking versus all CPUs (89th) confirms that it is not a weak point in this configuration.