Hitman 2

The AMD Ryzen 5 7600X and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER combination delivers a compelling performance profile in Hitman 2, with the data revealing a system that scales predictably across resolutions and settings. The measured FPS values indicate a pairing where the GPU is the primary driver of performance at higher resolutions, while the CPU’s strong single-threaded capabilities ensure high frame rates at lower settings. This analysis breaks down the benchmark results to understand the bottleneck dynamics and optimal configurations for this specific game.

Resolution Scaling

The performance drop from 1080p to 4K is steep and consistent, which points directly to the graphics card as the limiting component at higher resolutions. At the High preset, the average frame rate plummets from 151.6 FPS at 1920x1080 to 97.0 FPS at 2560x1440, a reduction of 36%, and then further down to 51.4 FPS at 3840x2160, a 66% decrease from the 1080p figure. This pattern of diminishing returns as pixel count increases is classic GPU-bound behavior; the RTX 4070 SUPER is working progressively harder to fill those extra pixels, and the CPU has more than enough headroom to keep up.

The scaling becomes even more pronounced when examining the Low preset. Here, the frame rate at 1080p reaches an exceptionally high 260.7 FPS, which drops to 170.3 FPS at 1440p and 92.7 FPS at 4K. The relative drop from 1080p to 4K is about 64%, which is very similar to the High preset’s drop. However, the absolute numbers show that even at 4K Low, the system maintains a playable frame rate, suggesting that the GPU is still managing the load effectively even when visual fidelity is reduced. The data implies that at 1080p, the system is likely pushing against the CPU’s limits in lighter scenes, but the overall trend is dominated by the GPU’s rendering workload.

Looking at the Ultra preset, the scaling curve steepens further. The average FPS at 1080p is 108.2, which falls to 71.6 FPS at 1440p and 40.4 FPS at 4K. The 4K result is a 63% drop from 1080p, and the 1440p result is a 34% drop. This indicates that the Ultra settings add a significant amount of graphical complexity that heavily taxes the GPU, making the resolution scaling even more severe. The fact that the 4K Ultra result is the only one below 60 FPS suggests that this configuration is not ideal for maximum fidelity at 4K, but it is perfectly capable of high-refresh-rate gaming at 1440p with the right settings.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER, with its 12 GB of GDDR6X memory and 504.2 GB/s of bandwidth, is the clear workhorse in this pairing for Hitman 2. The memory configuration is substantial for a game of this era, and the data suggests it is not a limiting factor. Even at 4K Ultra, where texture and geometry demands are highest, the frame rate is still constrained by the GPU’s compute power rather than memory capacity, as the card maintains a 40.4 FPS average. The 192-bit memory bus and the high effective clock speed of 21 Gbps provide enough throughput to feed the 7168 shading units without causing stutters or hitches, as evidenced by the consistent average FPS numbers.

The GPU’s clock speeds, with a base of 1980 MHz and a boost of 2475 MHz, are relatively high for the Ada Lovelace architecture. This clock headroom is crucial for a game like Hitman 2, which has many scenes with complex lighting and shadow calculations. The data shows that the card’s performance scales linearly with the resolution and settings, which is a sign of a well-balanced design. When comparing its average benchmark score of 42576, it sits in the 84th percentile of all GPUs, and its nearest rival, the NVIDIA RTX A6000, is only 0.2% ahead. This indicates that the RTX 4070 SUPER is a top-tier performer, and the measured FPS in Hitman 2 reflects that standing, delivering high frame rates at 1440p across all settings.

At 1080p, the GPU’s role becomes less dominant, as the frame rates exceed 150 FPS on High and reach over 260 FPS on Low. These numbers suggest that the RTX 4070 SUPER is being underutilized at this resolution, with the CPU potentially becoming the limiting factor in less demanding scenes. The GPU is still doing the heavy lifting, but its headroom is significant. This is further reinforced by the fact that the jump from 1080p Medium (200.2 FPS) to 1080p High (151.6 FPS) is a 24% drop, while the jump from 1440p Medium (124.6 FPS) to 1440p High (97 FPS) is a 22% drop, showing a consistent scaling pattern tied to the GPU's rendering load.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 5 7600X, with its 6 cores and 12 threads, provides a solid foundation for Hitman 2, but its role is secondary to the GPU in the higher resolution tests. The CPU’s single-threaded performance is a key asset here, as evidenced by its 3dmark_single_thread score of 1060 and its passmark_single_thread score of 4135. This game, being a stealth title with complex AI and simulation logic, benefits from strong single-core throughput. The boost to 5.30 GHz ensures that the game’s main thread has ample processing power to handle game logic and issue draw calls without becoming a bottleneck.

The data shows that at 1080p Low, the system achieves 260.7 FPS, which is an extremely high frame rate that likely tests the CPU’s limits. The 7600X’s 3dmark_2_threads score of 2028 and 3dmark_4_threads score of 3796 indicate that it has strong multi-threaded capabilities for a 6-core part, but Hitman 2 may not be able to fully utilize all 12 threads effectively. This is a common scenario in games from its era, where a few powerful cores are more important than many weaker ones. The CPU’s 32 MB of shared L3 cache also helps in maintaining smooth performance, as it reduces the latency for frequently accessed game data.

Comparing the CPU to its rivals, it holds its own. Its average benchmark score of 26272 puts it in the 83rd percentile of all CPUs, and its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U, has a delta of 0%. This means it is essentially on par with that mobile chip in synthetic tests, but in a gaming scenario like this, the 7600X’s higher clock speeds give it an edge. The benchmark results do not show any CPU-specific bottlenecks in the measured FPS, as the frame rate scales consistently with GPU load. However, the gap between 1080p Low (260.7 FPS) and 1080p Medium (200.2 FPS) is 23%, which is less than the 39% drop from Low to High at 1440p. This suggests that at 1080p, the CPU is starting to limit the potential of the GPU, preventing it from reaching even higher frame rates.

How This Combo Ranks

In the grand scheme of tested hardware combinations, this pairing of the Ryzen 5 7600X and RTX 4070 SUPER achieves a combo rank of 311 out of 1795 total combos for Hitman 2. This places it in the top 17% of all tested systems, which is a strong showing for a mid-range to high-end desktop configuration. The rank reflects the balance between the CPU and GPU, as neither component is holding the other back significantly in the most demanding scenarios.

The percentile rankings for the individual components support this position. The GPU is in the 84th percentile, and the CPU is in the 83rd percentile, which are very close. This alignment means that the system is well-matched, with no single component being a major outlier that would cause a significant bottleneck. The combo rank of 311 is a direct reflection of that synergy. While it is not at the very top of the list, it is ahead of a vast majority of systems, indicating that this is a very capable setup for achieving high frame rates in Hitman 2.

The data suggests that this combo is particularly well-suited for 1440p gaming, where it can achieve high frame rates on the High and Ultra presets. The 4K Ultra result is the only one that dips below 60 FPS, which is a common challenge for many systems. The rank of 311 out of 1795 also suggests that there are many more powerful and expensive combinations, but this pairing offers a performance level that is close to the top tier without requiring the absolute best hardware available. The benchmark results show that it is a reliable performer that can handle the game’s demands with ease at mainstream resolutions.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured data provides a clear picture of performance across all settings and resolutions. At 1920x1080, the average FPS ranges from 108.2 on Ultra to 260.7 on Low. The Medium preset delivers a strong 200.2 FPS, and High comes in at 151.6 FPS. These numbers indicate that at 1080p, the system is capable of driving high-refresh-rate monitors (144Hz or even 240Hz) with ease on most presets. The step from Low to Medium is a 23% decrease in performance, while the step from Medium to High is a 24% decrease, showing a consistent cost for each tier of visual quality.

Moving to 2560x1440, the average FPS drops significantly. Low produces 170.3 FPS, Medium delivers 124.6 FPS, High is at 97.0 FPS, and Ultra comes in at 71.6 FPS. This resolution is the sweet spot for this combo, as even the Ultra preset maintains a frame rate above 60 FPS, which is the standard for smooth gameplay. The scaling here is more pronounced, with each preset step costing around 20-22% performance. The 1440p High result is particularly notable, as it offers a great balance between visual fidelity and smoothness.

At 3840x2160, the performance is the most demanding. Low averages 92.7 FPS, Medium averages 70.6 FPS, High averages 51.4 FPS, and Ultra averages 40.4 FPS. These results show that the system is capable of playing at 4K on lower presets, but it struggles to maintain high frame rates on the more demanding presets. The step from Medium to High at 4K is a 27% drop, and from High to Ultra is a 21% drop. This indicates that the GPU is heavily taxed at this resolution, and users looking for 60 FPS at 4K would need to stick with the Medium or Low presets.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS values, the optimal experience for this combination of CPU and GPU depends heavily on the target resolution. For 1920x1080, the High preset at 151.6 FPS is an excellent choice, providing a significant upgrade in visual quality over Medium while still maintaining a frame rate that is well above the threshold for competitive play. For users with 240Hz monitors, the Medium preset at 200.2 FPS would be the better option, as it offers a smoother experience at the cost of some visual detail. The Ultra preset at 108.2 FPS is still very playable and is recommended for those who prioritize image quality above all else.

At 2560x1440, the High preset at 97.0 FPS is the clear winner. It offers a high level of visual fidelity and maintains a frame rate that is perfect for 144Hz monitors. While Ultra at 71.6 FPS is also playable, the 26% performance gain from dropping to High is well worth the minor visual differences. For users who want to maximize frame rates, the Medium preset at 124.6 FPS is also a viable option, but the High preset strikes the best balance between quality and performance. The data shows that High is the most efficient setting at this resolution.

For 3840x2160, the recommendations change. The Medium preset at 70.6 FPS is the only option that provides a playable experience above 60 FPS. The High preset at 51.4 FPS is technically playable but may feel less smooth, and the Ultra preset at 40.4 FPS is not recommended for a comfortable experience. The Low preset at 92.7 FPS is an option for those who prefer higher frame rates over visual quality, but it significantly reduces the game’s graphical appeal. The data suggests that 4K gaming on this combo requires a compromise, with Medium being the best overall choice.

FAQ

Q: What is the average frame rate at 1440p with High settings?

A: The measured average FPS for the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER at 2560x1440 with High settings is 97.0 FPS.

Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming in Hitman 2?

A: Yes, it can handle 4K, but the performance varies. At 3840x2160, the Medium preset achieves 70.6 FPS, while the High preset drops to 51.4 FPS and Ultra falls to 40.4 FPS.

Q: How does the CPU perform in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The Ryzen 5 7600X achieves a passmark_single_thread score of 4135 and a cinebench_cinebench_r23_multicore score of 24128, placing it in the 83rd percentile of all CPUs.

Q: What is the highest frame rate recorded in the data?

A: The highest average FPS is 260.7, which was measured at 1920x1080 with the Low preset.

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

A: The data indicates the GPU is the limiting component at 4K, as frame rates drop consistently with higher settings and the GPU’s workload increases significantly.

Q: How does this combo rank among all tested systems for this game?

A: This combination of the Ryzen 5 7600X and RTX 4070 SUPER ranks 311 out of 1795 tested combos for Hitman 2.