Thief

The Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX is a 24-core, 24-thread mobile processor based on the Arrow Lake-HX architecture, built on a 3 nm process by TSMC. Its base clock is 2.70 GHz with a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, and it carries a TDP of 55 W. These specifications place it in the top tier of mobile CPUs, with a percentile ranking of 94 among all processors. In synthetic benchmarks, it scores 35,589 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 2,204 in single-core, while Geekbench results show 20,795 multi-core and 2,458 single-core. The data shows that this CPU is not a bottleneck for a game like Thief, which was released in 2014, as its multi-threaded capabilities far exceed what a stealth title from that era would demand. The PassMark multithread score of 55,759 further confirms its headroom.

The nearest rivals in the CPU benchmark database include the Intel Xeon w5-3525 with an average score of 67,673 (a delta of -0.3%), the AMD EPYC 4484PX at 67,822 (-0.5%), and the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX at 67,868 (-0.6%). The Core Ultra 9 275HX sits just behind these workstation-class parts, but its 24 cores and 24 threads are more than adequate for gaming. The absence of hyper-threading means 24 threads, yet the high boost clock of 5.40 GHz ensures that single-threaded tasks, which often dictate game performance, are handled with speed. In Thief, which is not heavily threaded, the CPU's strong single-core performance (2,204 in R23 single-core) ensures that frame pacing is stable, allowing the GPU to be the primary driver of the measured FPS results.

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

The Core Ultra 9 275HX provides a foundation that does not limit the GPU in Thief. With 24 cores and 24 threads, the processor offers massive parallel throughput, but the game's engine from 2014 will primarily rely on a few strong cores. The boost clock of 5.40 GHz is the key metric here; it delivers the per-core speed needed to feed the RTX 4070 without stutter. Benchmark data supports this: the single-core Cinebench R23 score of 2,204 and the PassMark single-thread score of 4,713 both indicate that this CPU can handle the game's logic and AI tasks with ease.

The measured FPS results across different resolutions show a pattern typical of a GPU-bound scenario. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combo hits 184 FPS, which is a high figure that still leaves CPU headroom. If the CPU were weak, we would see lower FPS at lower resolutions, but the data shows the opposite. The CPU's 36 MB of shared L3 cache and 102.4 GB/s memory bandwidth (DDR5 dual-channel) provide sufficient data flow for the game's assets, though Thief is not memory-intensive by modern standards. The Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 5,619.5 and R20 multi-core of 19,899 indicate that even in less optimized scenarios, the processor does not break a sweat.

The percentile rank of 94 versus all CPUs means this chip outperforms 94% of the database, and its nearest rivals are enterprise-class Xeons and EPYCs. However, those rivals have higher average scores (67,673 to 67,868) by a margin of less than 1%. This margin is negligible for gaming, where the Core Ultra 9 275HX's architecture and clock speed are more relevant than raw multi-core throughput. In Thief, the CPU's role is to maintain a steady frame delivery, and the data indicates it does so, as the FPS scales predictably with resolution changes. There is no observed CPU bottleneck, as the FPS drops from 184 at 1080p Low to 74 at 4K Low, which is a 60% reduction consistent with GPU load increase, not CPU limitation.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 is a mobile GPU based on the Ada Lovelace architecture, with a 5 nm process and a chip designated AD104. It features 12 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 192-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 504.2 GB/s. The GPU's base clock is 1920 MHz with a boost of 2475 MHz, and its memory runs at 1313 MHz (21 Gbps effective). With 5,888 shading units, 184 texture mapping units, and 64 ROPs, the RTX 4070 is a capable performer, ranking at the 81st percentile among all GPUs in the database. Its compute capabilities include 29.15 TFLOPS of FP32 performance, which is more than sufficient for a 2014 title like Thief.

In this game, the GPU is the primary determinant of FPS. The measured data shows a clear scaling pattern based on resolution and settings. At 4K Ultra, the average FPS is 41, while at 1080p Low it reaches 184. The 12 GB VRAM is ample for Thief, which was designed for GPUs with far less memory; even at 4K Ultra, the game's texture requirements are unlikely to exceed this buffer. The memory bandwidth of 504.2 GB/s ensures that data is fed to the shaders efficiently, which is reflected in the stable performance across resolutions. The GPU's nearest rivals include the NVIDIA Tesla P4 (average score 37,628, delta 0.1%), AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 (37,507, delta 0.4%), and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile (38,135, delta -1.3%). The RTX 4070's average benchmark score of 37,648 places it close to the RTX 4080 Mobile, which is 1.3% faster, but the latter is a different class of mobile chip.

The data shows that the RTX 4070's performance is consistent with its position in the GPU hierarchy. For Thief, the GPU's strengths are its high boost clock and efficient architecture. At 1440p High, the combo delivers 73 FPS, which is a smooth experience for a stealth game where frame pacing matters. The 4K results are playable but not ideal for competitive play, with 43 FPS at High and 41 FPS at Ultra. The GPU's TDP of 200 W and suggested PSU of 550 W indicate that it draws significant power, but the performance is proportional. The PassMark G3D score of 26,927 and 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 3,854 confirm that this is a mid-to-high-tier GPU, and the 12 GB VRAM is a future-proofing feature, though not critical for Thief.

FAQ — 4-6 Q&A pairs answerable from FACT PACK data

Q: What is the maximum average FPS this combo achieves in Thief at 1920x1080?

A: At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 184 FPS. With Medium settings, the average drops to 140 FPS, and with High settings, it is 106 FPS. The Ultra preset yields 101 FPS.

Q: How does the RTX 4070 compare to its nearest rival, the RTX 4080 Mobile, in average benchmark score?

A: The RTX 4070 has an average benchmark score of 37,648, while the RTX 4080 Mobile scores 38,135, making the RTX 4080 Mobile 1.3% faster. The RTX 4070 is also 0.1% faster than the NVIDIA Tesla P4 and 0.4% faster than the AMD Radeon RX Vega 56.

Q: Is the Core Ultra 9 275HX a bottleneck for the RTX 4070 in this game?

A: No, the data does not indicate a CPU bottleneck. The CPU's single-core performance, as seen in a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2,204, is strong enough to support the GPU. The FPS scales with resolution and settings, which is characteristic of a GPU-bound workload, and the CPU sits at the 94th percentile overall.

Q: What is the FPS difference between 4K Ultra and 1080p Ultra?

A: At 4K Ultra, the average FPS is 41, while at 1080p Ultra, it is 101. This represents a 60 FPS increase when moving from 4K to 1080p at the same settings, showing the significant resolution impact on GPU load.

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

A: The combo ranks 1,876 out of 3,720 combinations tested in the database, placing it in the top half of all tested systems for this game.

Q: Does the GPU have enough VRAM for Thief at maximum settings?

A: Yes, the RTX 4070 has 12 GB of GDDR6X memory. Thief, released in 2014, does not require anywhere near this capacity, so VRAM is not a limiting factor at any resolution or settings preset in the measured data.

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

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of how the combo performs across settings. At 1920x1080, the Ultra preset yields 101 FPS, which is a solid experience for a stealth game that benefits from high visual fidelity. However, the Medium preset at 1080p delivers 140 FPS, which is a 39 FPS increase over Ultra while still looking good. For players prioritizing smoothness, 1080p Medium is the sweet spot, as the minimum FPS of 119 at this setting ensures no drops below 60 FPS. The High preset at 106 FPS is also viable, but the difference between High and Ultra is only 5 FPS, suggesting that the Ultra preset is not a significant performance hit.

At 2560x1440, the Medium preset offers 96 FPS with a minimum of 82, which is excellent for a high-resolution experience. The High preset at 73 FPS is still smooth, but the step down from Medium to High is 23 FPS, which is noticeable. The Ultra preset at 70 FPS is playable, but the Medium preset provides a better balance of quality and performance. At 3840x2160, the situation changes. The Medium preset yields 56 FPS with a minimum of 48, which is borderline for a smooth experience; dips below 50 FPS can be noticeable in a stealth game. The High preset at 43 FPS and Ultra at 41 FPS are not recommended for a consistent frame rate. The Low preset at 4K gives 74 FPS, which is playable but sacrifices visual quality.

Based on the data, the best experience is at 2560x1440 with Medium settings, as it provides a high resolution with a 96 FPS average and a minimum of 82 FPS, ensuring no stutter. At 1080p, Medium is the best for competitive smoothness with 140 FPS, but for a more cinematic look, Ultra at 101 FPS is acceptable. At 4K, only the Low preset (74 FPS) offers a playable frame rate without major dips, but the visual compromise may not be worth it; Medium at 4K has a minimum of 48 FPS, which is risky. The data suggests that 1440p Medium is the optimal balance for this combo in Thief, offering a high frame rate and good visual quality.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combo of the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 ranks 1,876 out of 3,720 tested combinations in the database for Thief. This places it in the 50.4th percentile of all tested systems, meaning it performs better than approximately half of the combinations tested. This ranking is influenced by the fact that Thief is an older title, so many modern high-end combos will achieve similar or better FPS, but the RTX 4070's mobile nature and the CPU's mobile segment (with a 55 W TDP) mean it is not competing with desktop flagship parts. The rank of 1,876 indicates that this is a mid-pack performer for this specific game, which is expected given the GPU's percentile rank of 81 and the CPU's 94.

The combo's performance is solid but not exceptional in the context of the database. The RTX 4070's nearest rival, the RTX 4080 Mobile, is 1.3% faster in average benchmark score, which would likely translate to a higher rank in Thief. However, the difference is small, and the measured FPS in Thief shows that the combo is capable of high frame rates at lower resolutions. The rank of 1,876 out of 3,720 suggests that many desktop GPUs or higher-end mobile parts (like the RTX 4080 Mobile) will outperform it, but for a mobile setup, this is a competent result. The data shows that the combo is not a top-tier performer in Thief, but it is far from the bottom, with over 1,800 combinations ranked below it.

The CPU's nearest rivals, such as the Intel Xeon w5-3525 and AMD EPYC 4484PX, have higher average scores but are desktop/workstation parts, and they would not be paired with a mobile RTX 4070 in a typical system. Therefore, the combo rank is more indicative of the GPU's performance class. In the measured FPS, the combo achieves 184 FPS at 1080p Low, which is a high score that many desktop systems from the game's era could not reach. The rank of 1,876 reflects that Thief's engine is not particularly demanding, so even mid-range modern GPUs can hit high frame rates, narrowing the gap between the top and bottom performers. Overall, this combo is a capable mid-ranger for Thief, offering playable frame rates at all resolutions with appropriate settings.

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

At 1920x1080, the combo delivers its highest frame rates. With Low settings, the average FPS is 184, which is the maximum measured for this combo in the entire dataset. Moving to Medium settings, the average drops to 140 FPS, with a minimum of 119 and a maximum of 161, indicating a stable performance window. The High preset yields 106 FPS on average, and the Ultra preset produces 101 FPS. The difference between High and Ultra is only 5 FPS, while the jump from Medium to High is 34 FPS, showing that the Medium preset is the most efficient in terms of frame rate per setting level. The minimum FPS at Medium is 119, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold, ensuring a smooth experience.

At 2560x1440, the frame rates decrease but remain playable. Low settings produce an average of 126 FPS, which is still high for a 1440p resolution. Medium settings drop to 96 FPS, with a minimum of 82 and a maximum of 110, providing a solid experience with no major dips. High settings yield 73 FPS, and Ultra settings produce 70 FPS. The step from Medium to High is 23 FPS, which is significant, but the step from High to Ultra is only 3 FPS. This suggests that at 1440p, Medium is the best balance, as it offers a 96 FPS average with a minimum above 80 FPS. Ultra at 70 FPS is acceptable for a slower-paced game like Thief, but the 3 FPS gain from High to Ultra is not worth the potential visual differences.

At 3840x2160, the combo struggles to maintain high frame rates. Low settings give an average of 74 FPS, which is the only 4K preset that stays above 60 FPS. Medium settings produce 56 FPS, with a minimum of 48 and a maximum of 65; the minimum of 48 means there will be noticeable stutter in action sequences. High settings drop to 43 FPS, and Ultra settings yield 41 FPS. The difference between High and Ultra is only 2 FPS, while the drop from Medium to High is 13 FPS. The data shows that 4K is only viable at Low settings for a consistent frame rate, but the 74 FPS average at Low is a compromise on visual quality. For players with a 4K display, the Medium preset at 56 FPS might be tolerable, but the minimum of 48 FPS is a risk. The measured FPS breakdown clearly indicates that this combo is best suited for 1080p or 1440p gaming, with 4K reserved for less demanding titles or lower settings.