Hitman 2

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600F and Intel Arc B580 pairing in Hitman 2 produces a performance profile that is heavily dictated by resolution and preset selection, with the data indicating a clear shift from a balanced system at 1080p to a GPU-bound configuration at 4K. The measured results show that while the CPU provides a solid foundation for high frame rates, the Arc B580’s capabilities are the primary constraint at higher resolutions, particularly under demanding graphics presets. This analysis breaks down the specific contributions of each component, how they interact across resolution scales, and what the numbers mean for gameplay settings.

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

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600F is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Zen 3 architecture. It operates with a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. For a game like Hitman 2, which is a stealth title that requires consistent frame pacing for precise movement and AI interactions, the CPU's single-thread performance is often more critical than raw multi-threaded power. The benchmark data supports this, with a PassMark single-thread score of 2872 and a multithread score of 19236. In practice, these scores suggest the processor can handle the game's simulation and AI workloads without being a bottleneck in most scenarios.

The CPU's cache configuration includes 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a shared 32 MB L3 cache. This large L3 pool is beneficial for gaming, as it can hold more frequently accessed data, reducing latency. The processor's overall performance places it in the 85th percentile among all CPUs, indicating it is a strong performer for its class. When compared to its nearest rivals, the data shows it is effectively on par with the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 (0% delta) and slightly behind the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D (-0.2%) and AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 (-0.4%). This means that in a CPU-limited scenario, the 5600F should deliver frame rates very similar to these competitor chips.

In the context of Hitman 2, the CPU's role becomes evident when looking at the 1080p Low preset, where the average FPS reaches 140. This high frame rate, achieved without significant GPU load, suggests the CPU is capable of feeding the graphics card with enough data to maintain a fluid experience. The 12 threads are also sufficient for the game's background processes and any auxiliary tasks, ensuring that the primary game threads are not starved for resources. The processor's 65W TDP and dual-channel DDR4 memory support with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth provide a stable platform for the Arc B580, though the GPU will become the limiting factor as resolution and settings increase.

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

The Intel Arc B580 is the clear performance driver in this configuration, and its specifications dictate the system's capabilities at higher settings and resolutions. It features 12 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 456.0 GB/s. This amount of VRAM is substantial for a game released in 2018, ensuring that even at 4K with high-resolution textures, the graphics card is unlikely to run out of memory, which would cause stuttering or texture pop-in. The GPU's base and boost clocks are both listed at 2670 MHz, which is a relatively high clock speed for the architecture.

The Arc B580's benchmark scores reflect its position in the market. It has a PassMark G3D score of 15748 and a DirectX 12 score of 76. Its overall average benchmark score of 23021 places it in the 68th percentile of all GPUs. The nearest rivals show a very tight grouping: it is essentially tied with the AMD Radeon RX 580 2048SP (-0.2%) and slightly ahead of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 (+0.6%), while being marginally behind the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 (-0.7%). This indicates that in synthetic benchmarks, the B580 performs in a similar tier to these older high-end cards, which is a strong indicator for its expected gaming performance.

In Hitman 2 specifically, the GPU's role is highlighted by the frame rate scaling. At 1080p Medium, the average FPS is 105, which is a very playable number. However, at 4K Ultra, the average FPS plummets to 20. This drastic drop is not due to VRAM capacity, as 12 GB is sufficient, but rather to the GPU's raw computational throughput. The 4K Ultra preset likely demands a high pixel fill rate and complex shading calculations, which stresses the B580's 2560 shading units and 80 ROPs. The data shows that the GPU is the primary bottleneck once the resolution and settings are increased beyond the Low or Medium presets at 1440p and 1080p.

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

The measured FPS data across resolutions provides a clear picture of system scaling and bottleneck behavior. At 1080p, the system is capable of high frame rates, with the Low preset hitting an average of 140 FPS and the High preset achieving 79 FPS. This indicates a well-balanced system where the CPU and GPU are both working effectively, but the load is relatively light on both components. Moving to 2560x1440, the average FPS for High drops from 79 to 51, a 35% decrease, while Low drops from 140 to 89, a 36% decrease. This consistent proportional drop suggests that the GPU is beginning to take on more of the load, but the CPU is still keeping pace.

The scaling becomes more pronounced at 3840x2160. At 4K High, the average FPS is 27, which is a 47% drop from the 1440p High result. At 4K Low, the average FPS is 48, a 46% drop from 1440p Low. These percentage drops are larger than the resolution increase alone would suggest (from 1440p to 4K, pixel count increases by 2.25 times), indicating that the GPU is hitting a performance wall. The most telling data point is the difference between 4K Medium and 4K Ultra. The Medium preset averages 36 FPS, while Ultra averages only 20 FPS. This 44% performance reduction for a single preset step up shows that the GPU's shader and fill-rate limits are being severely taxed.

This scaling behavior confirms that the Intel Arc B580 is the limiting component at 4K resolution. The CPU, while not the fastest on the market, is capable of maintaining higher frame rates, as evidenced by the 1080p results. When the GPU load increases, the FPS drops proportionally more than the CPU load would cause. For a smooth experience, the data suggests that 4K is not a viable target for this combo at any preset, as even the Low preset at 48 FPS is only borderline acceptable for a stealth game. The sweet spot for this system is clearly 1080p or 1440p, where the GPU can maintain frame rates that are high enough to fully utilize the CPU's potential.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this CPU/GPU combo in Hitman 2?

A: Based on the measured data, 1920x1080 is the best resolution, as it allows for high frame rates across all presets. At 1080p, even the Ultra preset achieves an average of 58 FPS, which is playable, while Medium and High presets provide 105 and 79 FPS respectively, offering a smooth and responsive experience.

Q: Can this system handle Hitman 2 at 4K resolution?

A: The data indicates that 4K is not a practical target. The highest average FPS at 3840x2160 is 48 on the Low preset, which is playable but not ideal. The High and Ultra presets drop to 27 and 20 FPS respectively, which are too low for a smooth experience. The GPU is the limiting factor at this resolution.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B580 compare to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 in this game?

A: The benchmark data shows the Arc B580 has an average score of 23021, while the RTX 2080 has an average score of 22895. The delta percentage is +0.6% for the B580, indicating that the Intel card performs slightly better than the RTX 2080 in overall benchmarks, which should translate to comparable or slightly better performance in Hitman 2.

Q: What is the frame rate difference between the Medium and Ultra presets at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the Medium preset averages 67 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 37 FPS. This is a significant drop of 30 FPS, or roughly 45% lower performance, when moving from Medium to Ultra. The Ultra preset's demands on the GPU are much higher, making Medium the more sensible choice for higher frame rates.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F a bottleneck for the Intel Arc B580?

A: The data suggests the CPU is not a bottleneck at lower resolutions. At 1080p Low, the system reaches 140 FPS, which is a high frame rate. The CPU's single-thread score of 2872 is sufficient to keep up with the GPU's output. The bottleneck shifts to the GPU at higher resolutions and settings, where the FPS drops are more severe.

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

A: The measured average FPS for the 1920x1080 High preset is 79 FPS. This is a solid performance level for a stealth game, providing a smooth and responsive experience that is well above the threshold for comfortable play.

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

The following data is a direct measurement of the system's performance in Hitman 2. All values are average frames per second unless otherwise noted.

1920x1080

• Low: 140 FPS
• Medium: 105 FPS (min 89, max 121)
• High: 79 FPS
• Ultra: 58 FPS

2560x1440

• Low: 89 FPS
• Medium: 67 FPS (min 57, max 77)
• High: 51 FPS
• Ultra: 37 FPS

3840x2160

• Low: 48 FPS
• Medium: 36 FPS (min 30, max 41)
• High: 27 FPS
• Ultra: 20 FPS

The data shows a clear trend of diminishing returns as resolution increases. At 1080p, the system is capable of exceeding 60 FPS on all presets except Ultra, which still maintains a playable 58 FPS. At 1440p, the Medium preset is the highest setting that comfortably exceeds 60 FPS, with High and Ultra falling below that mark. At 4K, even the Low preset struggles to maintain a consistent 60 FPS, and the higher presets are not recommended for a playable experience. The min and max FPS data for the Medium presets across all resolutions shows a stable frame time distribution, with the 1080p Medium having a spread of 32 FPS, the 1440p Medium a spread of 20 FPS, and the 4K Medium a spread of 11 FPS, indicating that the frame pacing becomes more consistent as the GPU becomes more heavily loaded.

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

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this system depend on the user's resolution and performance priorities. For a 1080p display, the High preset is the recommended choice. It delivers an average of 79 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay, while still providing a significant visual upgrade over the Medium preset. The Ultra preset, at 58 FPS, is also viable if the user prioritizes visual fidelity over a higher frame rate buffer, but the marginal visual difference between High and Ultra is often not worth the 21 FPS performance cost.

For 1440p users, the Medium preset is the clear winner. It is the only preset that achieves an average FPS above 60 (67 FPS), providing a smooth and responsive experience. The High preset at 51 FPS is playable but may feel less fluid during fast-paced action sequences. The Ultra preset at 37 FPS is not recommended, as the frame rate dips below the threshold for a comfortable stealth experience, where precision and reaction time are key.

At 4K, the data does not support a high-quality experience. The Low preset is the only option that reaches an average FPS near 48, which is borderline playable. However, the visual quality at Low is significantly reduced, and the frame rate is still not ideal. Users with 4K displays should either lower the resolution to 1440p or accept that this hardware combination is not suited for 4K gaming in Hitman 2. The overall best experience is at 1080p with the High preset, which balances visual detail with a high, consistent frame rate, making the most of the system's capabilities.