Hitman 2

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

The measured FPS data for Hitman 2 with the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 reveals a steep and consistent performance penalty as resolution climbs. At 1080p Low, the combo delivers 193.6 FPS average. Moving to 1440p Low drops that to 128.1 FPS, a 33.8% reduction. The jump to 4K Low yields 68.5 FPS, which is a further 46.5% cut from the 1440p result. This pattern is not unique to Low settings; it holds across every preset. The RTX 3070’s 8 GB GDDR6 memory and 448.0 GB/s bandwidth are being pushed harder at higher resolutions, and the data suggests the GPU becomes the primary bottleneck well before 4K.

At 1080p Ultra, the average is 79.3 FPS. At 1440p Ultra, it falls to 49.7 FPS — a 37.3% drop. At 4K Ultra, the average collapses to 25.5 FPS, which is nearly a 68% reduction from 1440p Ultra. This severe scaling indicates that the rendering load at 4K Ultra is overwhelming the RTX 3070. The GPU’s 5888 shading units and 96 ROPS are simply not enough to maintain fluid frame rates at that extreme configuration. The CPU, with its 8 cores and 16 threads based on Zen 3 architecture, is likely not the limiting factor here; the gap between 1440p and 4K is far too large to be explained by processor throughput.

The implication is clear: this combination is best suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming. At 1080p, even Ultra settings remain playable, while 1440p requires a settings compromise to stay above 60 FPS. The 4K results, particularly at High and Ultra, are below the threshold for smooth gameplay. The data shows a classic GPU-bound scenario at higher resolutions, where the RTX 3070’s raw compute and memory bandwidth dictate the ceiling.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 is built on the Ampere architecture with a GA104 chip manufactured on Samsung’s 8 nm process. Its base clock is 1500 MHz, boosting to 1725 MHz. The memory runs at 1750 MHz, effectively 14 Gbps, across a 256-bit bus, yielding 448.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The 8 GB frame buffer is a key constraint in Hitman 2 at higher settings, as the game’s detailed environments and lighting effects demand significant VRAM. The measured results at 4K Ultra — 25.5 FPS — suggest that the GPU’s memory capacity and bandwidth are saturated, forcing the renderer to swap data and stalling throughput.

The GPU’s 20.31 TFLOPS of FP32 compute and 317.4 GTexel/s texture rate are substantial, but they are not enough to maintain high frame rates at 4K Ultra. The pixel rate of 165.6 GPixel/s is also a limiting factor at that resolution, as the number of pixels to fill quadruples from 1080p. The RTX 3070’s 46 RT cores and 184 tensor cores are present, but Hitman 2’s standard rendering path does not heavily utilize ray tracing or DLSS in these measurements; the data reflects traditional rasterization performance.

Comparing to its nearest rivals in aggregate benchmarks, the RTX 3070 scores 0.9% higher than the AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT and 1% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti, while sitting 0.6% below the AMD FirePro S7150 and 1.1% below the AMD Radeon R9 M295X. These small deltas indicate that the RTX 3070 is competitively positioned, but the Hitman 2 results show its limits at 4K. The 72nd percentile ranking among all GPUs reinforces that this is a mid-to-high-tier card, not a flagship. Its 220 W TDP and dual-slot cooler are modest, but the performance envelope is clear from the frame rates.

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

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D is an 8-core, 16-thread processor based on the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Vermeer. Its base clock is 3.40 GHz, boosting to 4.50 GHz. The standout feature is the 96 MB shared L3 cache, which is unusual for a mainstream desktop chip and provides a significant advantage in games that are sensitive to memory latency. The CPU’s 3DMark 8-thread score of 5906 and max-thread score of 7285 indicate strong multi-core performance, while the single-thread score of 884 and 2-thread score of 1746 show competent single-core throughput.

In Hitman 2, the CPU’s role is most evident at 1080p Low, where the frame rate reaches 193.6 FPS. This high number suggests the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU with enough draw calls and game logic updates to avoid bottlenecking at lower resolutions. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 24063 and single-core score of 3397 corroborate that the processor has ample headroom. At 1440p Low, the drop to 128.1 FPS is more attributable to the GPU’s increased load than any CPU deficiency; the Ryzen 7 5800X3D’s 8 cores and 16 threads are sufficient for Hitman 2’s stealth gameplay, which typically does not scale beyond a few threads.

The CPU’s percentile rank of 83 among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 26574, places it just 0.1% above the AMD EPYC 8024P and Intel Core i9-11900K, and 0.2% above the AMD Ryzen 5 7600. It trails the Intel Core i9-12900HK by 0.4%. These narrow deltas suggest the 5800X3D is a top-tier gaming CPU, but its advantage in this title is not decisive. The measured FPS data shows that the CPU is rarely the bottleneck; even at 1080p Ultra, the 79.3 FPS result is more likely GPU-limited due to the higher settings. The CPU’s 3D V-Cache, while beneficial in many games, does not overcome the GPU’s limitations at 4K.

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

At 1920x1080, the combo shows a wide spread across settings. Low averages 193.6 FPS, Medium drops to 146.9 FPS, High yields 109.2 FPS, and Ultra falls to 79.3 FPS. The gap between Low and Ultra is 114.3 FPS, which is a 59% reduction. This indicates that the GPU is being taxed progressively more as settings increase, but even Ultra remains above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth play.

At 2560x1440, the numbers tighten. Low averages 128.1 FPS, Medium 93.6 FPS, High 72 FPS, and Ultra 49.7 FPS. The drop from Low to Ultra is 78.4 FPS, or 61.2%. Notably, Ultra falls below 60 FPS, which is a critical point for competitive or fast-paced play. High settings at 1440p remain playable at 72 FPS, but the margin is thinner than at 1080p.

At 3840x2160, the results are stark. Low averages 68.5 FPS, Medium 52.7 FPS, High 38.2 FPS, and Ultra 25.5 FPS. Only Low settings stay above 60 FPS, and even that is marginal. Medium dips below 60, while High and Ultra are well into unplayable territory for most users. The scaling from 1080p to 4K at High settings — from 109.2 to 38.2 FPS — is a 65% reduction, highlighting the GPU’s inability to sustain high frame rates at 4K with this configuration.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo to maintain 60 FPS?

A: At 1080p, all settings including Ultra (79.3 FPS) exceed 60 FPS. At 1440p, only Low (128.1 FPS), Medium (93.6 FPS), and High (72 FPS) exceed 60 FPS; Ultra (49.7 FPS) does not. At 4K, only Low (68.5 FPS) surpasses 60 FPS.

Q: How does the CPU’s cache size impact performance in Hitman 2?

A: The Ryzen 7 5800X3D has a 96 MB shared L3 cache, which is larger than typical desktop CPUs. This helps reduce memory latency, but the measured FPS data shows the GPU becomes the limiting factor at higher resolutions, so the cache advantage is most apparent at 1080p Low where the CPU is less burdened.

Q: Is the RTX 3070’s 8 GB VRAM sufficient for 4K gaming in this title?

A: At 4K Ultra, the average FPS is 25.5, and at 4K High it is 38.2. The low scores suggest the 8 GB frame buffer and 448.0 GB/s bandwidth are insufficient for the game’s demands at this resolution, likely causing texture swapping and reduced throughput.

Q: How does this combo rank compared to other tested configurations?

A: The combo ranks 834th out of 1795 tested combos in Hitman 2, placing it in the 46th percentile. This indicates it is a mid-pack performer in this specific game, despite the hardware’s strong individual benchmarks.

Q: What settings should be used for a balanced experience at 1440p?

A: High settings at 2560x1440 yield 72 FPS, which is above the 60 FPS threshold. Medium settings give 93.6 FPS, providing a higher frame rate with a slight visual trade-off. Ultra at 49.7 FPS is not recommended for smooth gameplay.

Q: Does the GPU’s performance differ significantly from its nearest rivals?

A: In aggregate benchmarks, the RTX 3070 scores 0.9% higher than the RX 6600 XT and 1% higher than the GTX 980 Ti, while being 0.6% lower than the FirePro S7150 and 1.1% lower than the R9 M295X. These deltas are minimal, indicating similar overall capability.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal balance of visual quality and performance depends on the target resolution. At 1920x1080, Ultra settings are viable with 79.3 FPS, providing the best visual experience without sacrificing smoothness. The margin over High (109.2 FPS) is significant, but Ultra is still comfortably above 60 FPS, so there is no need to compromise.

At 2560x1440, High settings are the sweet spot, delivering 72 FPS. This is above the 60 FPS threshold and offers a substantial visual upgrade over Medium (93.6 FPS) without the severe drop to Ultra (49.7 FPS). The data shows that Ultra at this resolution is not playable for most users, as frame rates dip below 50 FPS, which can cause noticeable stuttering in a stealth game requiring precise timing.

At 3840x2160, the choice is more constrained. Low settings at 68.5 FPS are the only option that maintains playability. Medium at 52.7 FPS is borderline, and High (38.2 FPS) and Ultra (25.5 FPS) are too slow for a responsive experience. The recommendation is to stick with Low at 4K, or consider lowering the resolution to 1440p for better visual fidelity at acceptable frame rates. The data indicates that the RTX 3070 is not well-suited for 4K gaming in Hitman 2 beyond minimal settings.

How This Combo Ranks

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 combination ranks 834th out of 1795 tested combos in Hitman 2, placing it in the 46th percentile of all configurations. This mid-pack ranking is somewhat surprising given the individual strengths of the components. The CPU’s 83rd percentile ranking among all CPUs and the GPU’s 72nd percentile ranking suggest that the hardware is above average, but the game-specific results do not reflect a top-tier placement.

The ranking implies that other combinations of CPUs and GPUs are more effective in this title, likely due to the game’s particular engine requirements. The RTX 3070’s nearest rivals, such as the RX 6600 XT and GTX 980 Ti, show near-identical aggregate scores, yet the combo’s rank is not exceptional. This could be because Hitman 2 favors higher CPU cache or specific GPU architectures, but the 5800X3D’s 96 MB L3 cache does not appear to provide a decisive edge here.

Looking at the FPS data, the combo performs well at 1080p across all settings, but struggles at 4K Ultra. This pattern suggests that the GPU is the primary constraint, and the CPU’s strengths are underutilized at higher resolutions. The 834th rank out of 1795 indicates that while this is a capable setup, it is not among the elite for Hitman 2. Users seeking higher 4K performance would need a more powerful GPU, while those focused on 1080p or 1440p will find this combo more than adequate, as the measured FPS confirms.