Thief

Thief, a 2014 stealth title, remains a demanding benchmark even on modern hardware. This analysis focuses on the performance of the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER, using measured frame rate data to understand the balance between CPU and GPU load across different resolutions and settings. The data shows a system capable of very high frame rates, but the scaling patterns reveal a distinct shift in bottleneck as resolution increases.

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

The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is a 24-core, 24-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake Refresh architecture, built on a 3 nm process. It operates at a base clock of 3.70 GHz and can boost up to 5.50 GHz. This combination of high core count and high boost clock is reflected in its benchmark scores, which place it in the 96th percentile of all CPUs. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 44253 and single-core score of 2439 indicate substantial headroom for both threaded and lightly-threaded workloads. In the context of Thief, a game from 2014, the CPU is likely not the primary constraint at higher resolutions, but its performance at 1080p reveals its capability to feed the GPU.

The nearest rivals for the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus are server-class processors, which shows its high standing in the synthetic benchmark hierarchy. The AMD EPYC 4564P is 1.5% faster, and the AMD EPYC 9175F is 1.9% faster, while the Intel Xeon 6520P is essentially performance-equivalent with a 0% delta. These are marginal differences, and the data suggests that for gaming, the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is not a limiting factor. Its Passmark single-thread score of 5068 is particularly relevant for older game engines that may rely heavily on one or two cores, ensuring that even the most demanding single-threaded tasks in Thief are handled with ease.

At 1080p, the system's performance is likely CPU-bound in many scenarios, as the GPU has less work to do. This is evident in the frame rates, where the difference between Low and Ultra settings is relatively small. The CPU’s strong performance ensures that the GPU can operate at its maximum potential, allowing the RTX 4080 SUPER to push out high frame rates. The 24 threads may not all be utilized by a 2014 game, but the high single-core boost clock of 5.50 GHz is what matters most, providing the low-latency, high-frequency execution that older game engines require. The data shows a processor that is, for this title, more than sufficient, with its performance headroom far exceeding the demands of the game.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER is a high-end graphics card based on the Ada Lovelace architecture, featuring 16 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 256-bit bus, delivering a bandwidth of 736.3 GB/s. Its boost clock of 2550 MHz and 10240 shading units allow it to handle heavy graphical loads. The card's Passmark G3D score of 34245 places it in the 86th percentile of all GPUs. Its closest rival, the standard RTX 4080, is 0.1% slower, showing that the SUPER variant offers a slight but measurable performance edge. The card is clearly a powerful performer, and in Thief, its role becomes more critical as resolution increases.

The 16 GB of VRAM is a significant asset, especially at 4K resolution where texture memory demands are high. While Thief is not a modern title with massive texture packs, the ample VRAM ensures that there is no memory-related stuttering or texture thrashing, even at Ultra settings. The GPU’s raw compute power, with an FP32 performance of 52.22 TFLOPS, is more than enough to handle the game's DirectX 11 rendering path. The data shows that the GPU is the primary bottleneck at 4K, as frame rates drop significantly compared to lower resolutions, indicating that the renderer is working at its limits.

The benchmark results from Passmark show a DirectX 11 score of 301, which is relevant since Thief is a DirectX 11 title. This score, while not directly comparable to in-game FPS, confirms the card’s strong performance in this specific API. The RTX 4080 SUPER's high texture rate of 816.0 GTexel/s and pixel rate of 285.6 GPixel/s are crucial for maintaining high frame rates with detailed geometry and effects. In Thief, particularly at 4K Ultra, the GPU's capabilities are the deciding factor between a playable 72 FPS and a less smooth experience. The data indicates that the GPU is the component that scales the most with graphical settings, directly impacting the measured frame rates.

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

The measured FPS data reveals a clear trend: as resolution increases, frame rates decrease, but the rate of decrease is not uniform across settings. At Low settings, the frame rate drops from 244 FPS at 1080p to 130 FPS at 4K, a reduction of 114 FPS (or ~47%). At Ultra settings, the drop is from 178 FPS at 1080p to 72 FPS at 4K, a reduction of 106 FPS (or ~60%). This pattern indicates a shift from a CPU-bound scenario at 1080p to a GPU-bound scenario at 4K.

At 1080p, the CPU is the limiting factor. The RTX 4080 SUPER is so powerful that it can render frames faster than the CPU can issue draw calls. This is why the difference between Low (244 FPS) and Ultra (178 FPS) at 1080p is only 66 FPS. The GPU has enough headroom to handle the increased graphical load of Ultra settings without a massive performance hit, as it is still waiting on the CPU. The high frame rates at this resolution are proof of the CPU's ability to keep up, but the scaling shows it is the bottleneck.

Moving to 1440p, the balance shifts. The frame rates are lower across the board, but the relative difference between settings remains similar. At Low, the system hits 216 FPS, and at Ultra, it drops to 122 FPS. The GPU is now doing more work, but the CPU is still capable of feeding it. The drop from 1080p to 1440p at Ultra is from 178 FPS to 122 FPS, a 31% reduction, which is more than the 16% reduction seen at Low settings (244 to 216 FPS). This suggests the GPU is beginning to become a more significant factor.

At 4K, the GPU is firmly the limiting component. The frame rates drop dramatically, with Ultra settings achieving only 72 FPS. The difference between Low (130 FPS) and Ultra (72 FPS) at 4K is 58 FPS, a much larger relative gap than at 1080p. This shows that the GPU is now fully saturated, and increasing settings directly translates to lower performance. The CPU, which was the bottleneck at 1080p, has ample headroom at 4K. The data confirms that for 4K gaming, the RTX 4080 SUPER is the component that determines the final frame rate, and the CPU's role is diminished.

FAQ

Q: What is the average frame rate at 1080p with High settings?

A: The system achieves an average of 187 FPS at 1920x1080 with High settings.

Q: How much faster is the RTX 4080 SUPER compared to the standard RTX 4080?

A: Based on average benchmark scores, the RTX 4080 SUPER is 0.1% slower than the RTX 4080, placing them at near-perfect performance parity.

Q: What is the best resolution for maximizing frame rate with this setup?

A: At 1080p with Low settings, the system reaches 244 FPS, which is the highest measured average frame rate.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the bottleneck at 4K resolution?

A: The data shows the GPU is the bottleneck at 4K. The frame rate drops significantly from lower resolutions, indicating the RTX 4080 SUPER is working at its limit.

Q: What is the frame rate difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the average frame rate drops from 216 FPS on Low to 122 FPS on Ultra, a difference of 94 FPS.

Q: Does the 16 GB of VRAM cause any issues in Thief?

A: No, the 16 GB of VRAM is ample for Thief. Even at 4K Ultra settings, the measured frame rates show no signs of memory-related performance issues.

Settings Recommendations

For players with a high-refresh-rate 1080p or 1440p monitor, the data suggests that even Ultra settings provide an excellent experience. At 1080p, Ultra settings yield an average of 178 FPS, which is far beyond the refresh rate of most standard monitors. At 1440p, Ultra settings still deliver 122 FPS, which is smooth for most gaming scenarios. The performance headroom at these resolutions allows for maxing out the game’s visual fidelity without sacrificing a high frame rate.

For 4K gaming, the choice is more nuanced. The data shows a significant drop in performance when moving to Ultra settings (72 FPS) from High (75 FPS) or Medium (99 FPS). While 72 FPS is playable, it may not be ideal for competitive play. The Medium preset at 4K offers a much better balance, with an average of 99 FPS and a minimum of 84 FPS, ensuring a consistent and smooth experience. This is the recommended setting for 4K, as it provides a substantial performance boost over High and Ultra while still looking good.

The Low preset is not recommended for any resolution above 1080p, as it significantly reduces visual quality for a frame rate increase that is likely unnecessary given the high performance of this system. At 1080p, Low settings are useful for extreme refresh rates, but for most users, the Medium or High presets offer the best combination of visual fidelity and performance. The measured data shows that the Medium preset at 4K is the sweet spot, offering a high average FPS with a solid minimum FPS, making it the most consistent choice for a premium 4K experience.

Measured FPS Breakdown

1920x1080 (1080p):

• Low: Average 244 FPS.
• Medium: Average 221 FPS, with a minimum of 188 FPS and a maximum of 254 FPS.
• High: Average 187 FPS.
• Ultra: Average 178 FPS.

At 1080p, the system is CPU-bound. The frame rates are exceptionally high across all settings, with the difference between Low and Ultra being just 66 FPS. This indicates that the CPU is the limiting factor, as the GPU has enough power to handle even the most demanding settings without a significant frame rate penalty.

2560x1440 (1440p):

• Low: Average 216 FPS.
• Medium: Average 168 FPS, with a minimum of 143 FPS and a maximum of 194 FPS.
• High: Average 128 FPS.
• Ultra: Average 122 FPS.

At 1440p, the frame rates are still very high, but the scaling is more pronounced. The GPU is beginning to take on a larger role, and the performance gap between Low and Ultra widens to 94 FPS. This resolution offers a good balance, with all settings providing a smooth experience on a high-refresh-rate monitor.

3840x2160 (4K):

• Low: Average 130 FPS.
• Medium: Average 99 FPS, with a minimum of 84 FPS and a maximum of 114 FPS.
• High: Average 75 FPS.
• Ultra: Average 72 FPS.

At 4K, the GPU becomes the definitive bottleneck. The frame rates drop significantly, and the difference between Low and Ultra is 58 FPS. The Medium preset stands out as it provides a much higher average FPS (99) compared to High (75) and Ultra (72), making it the most playable option for 4K gaming. The data shows a clear trade-off between visual fidelity and performance at this resolution.