Hitman 2

# Hitman 2 with AMD Ryzen 7 9700X + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080

The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 combination delivers a fascinating performance profile in Hitman 2, a stealth title released in November 2018. This pairing ranks 255th out of 3,711 tested combos in this game, placing it in the top 7% of all configurations. The data reveals a system that is dramatically overqualified for the game's demands at lower resolutions, yet still faces challenges at the most demanding settings, suggesting an interesting bottleneck dynamic worth unpacking across the resolution spectrum.

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

The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X brings substantial processing power to Hitman 2, with 8 cores and 16 threads built on the Zen 5 architecture (Granite Ridge). This 4 nm part from TSMC operates with a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz, providing the kind of single-threaded velocity that older game engines often favor. The processor's cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of shared L3 cache, which helps keep frequently accessed game data close to the cores.

The benchmark scores for this CPU tell a story of balanced capability. In Cinebench R23, the 9700X scores 20,485 multi-core and 2,211 single-core, while Geekbench shows 17,906 multi-core and 3,023 single-core. The 3DMark results scale predictably from 1,280 single-thread to 9,824 with 16 threads, indicating strong multi-threading efficiency. PassMark's multi-thread score of 37,161 and single-thread score of 4,654 further confirm this processor's ability to handle both lightly-threaded game logic and more demanding background tasks.

This CPU sits at the 86th percentile among all processors, with an average benchmark score of 37,943. Its nearest rivals are remarkably close: the Intel Core i9-14901E scores 37,911 (0.1% delta), the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 scores 37,904 (0.1% delta), the Intel Core 5 211E scores 37,829 (0.3% delta), and the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P132 scores 37,804 (0.4% delta). The 9700X's 65 W TDP and DDR5 dual-channel memory support with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth make it an efficient choice, though the game's actual performance will depend more on how well Hitman 2's engine utilizes these resources. Given that the game launched in 2018, it likely benefits more from the high boost clock and strong single-thread performance than from the full 16-thread capability, though the multi-threaded headroom certainly prevents any CPU-related stutters from background processes.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combination of the Ryzen 7 9700X and RTX 4080 achieves rank 255 out of 3,711 tested combos in Hitman 2, placing it in the 93rd percentile of all configurations tested. This is a strong result, though perhaps not as dominant as the individual components' percentiles might suggest — both CPU and GPU sit at the 86th percentile among their respective categories. The gap between component-level percentiles and the combo's game-specific rank indicates that Hitman 2's engine may not fully extract the potential from this high-end pairing.

The data shows that this combo outperforms roughly 93% of all tested configurations in this game, but it also means there are 254 other combos that achieve higher frame rates. Given the RTX 4080's position near the top of the GPU hierarchy, the limiting factor is likely the game's engine itself, which was designed for hardware from 2018. At 1080p, the CPU becomes increasingly relevant, and while the 9700X is excellent, the game's single-threaded nature may cap performance below what the GPU could theoretically deliver. The combo's rank also suggests that some combinations with more cache or higher clocks might edge ahead in this specific title, though the differences are likely small given how close the CPU's nearest rivals are in synthetic benchmarks.

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

The measured FPS data reveals a clear resolution scaling pattern that shifts the bottleneck between CPU and GPU. At 1080p High settings, the combo produces 172 FPS average, which drops to 110 FPS at 1440p (a 36% reduction) and then to 58 FPS at 4K (a 66% reduction from 1080p). This steep decline as resolution increases points to the GPU becoming progressively more limiting, which is expected for a demanding title at higher pixel counts.

Looking at Low settings, the pattern is even more pronounced: 302 FPS at 1080p, 193 FPS at 1440p (36% lower), and 103 FPS at 4K (66% lower). The consistency of these percentage drops across settings suggests that the scaling is primarily resolution-driven rather than settings-driven, which is typical when the GPU is the primary constraint. However, the fact that 1080p Low produces 302 FPS while 1080p Ultra produces 126 FPS — a 58% difference — shows that settings also play a substantial role.

The data implies that at 1080p, particularly on lower settings, the CPU may be starting to limit performance. The 302 FPS at 1080p Low is exceptionally high, and such frame rates often exceed what a game engine can process due to CPU-side physics, AI, and draw call limitations. The 9700X's strong single-thread score of 2,211 in Cinebench R23 suggests it can handle high frame rates, but Hitman 2's 2018-era engine may not be optimized for beyond 300 FPS. At 4K, the RTX 4080 becomes the clear bottleneck, with even Low settings producing only 103 FPS, far below the GPU's potential at lower resolutions.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo to maintain high frame rates in Hitman 2?

A: The data shows that at 1440p High settings, the combo achieves 110 FPS average, and at 4K High it drops to 58 FPS. For smooth gameplay above 60 FPS, 1440p is the sweet spot, as even 4K Medium only reaches 77 FPS.

Q: How does the RTX 4080 compare to its closest rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The RTX 4080 has an average benchmark score of 54,247, which is 0.1% higher than the RTX 4080 SUPER's 54,209, and it trails the AMD Radeon Pro W5700X by 1.1% (54,828) and the AMD Radeon RX 6750 GRE 12 GB by 2.6% (55,698).

Q: Is the Ryzen 7 9700X a limiting factor at 1080p in Hitman 2?

A: The evidence suggests possible CPU limitations at 1080p Low, where the combo produces 302 FPS. The CPU's PassMark single-thread score of 4,654 is strong, but Hitman 2's engine may cap performance below 300 FPS due to single-threaded game logic.

Q: What frame rates can be expected at 4K with different settings?

A: At 4K, the measured averages are 103 FPS on Low, 77 FPS on Medium, 58 FPS on High, and 43 FPS on Ultra. The Medium preset provides a playable 77 FPS with a minimum of 66 FPS and maximum of 89 FPS.

Q: How does the CPU's multi-threaded performance compare to its single-threaded performance?

A: The 3DMark scores show 1,280 single-thread, 2,525 for 2 threads, 4,869 for 4 threads, 8,184 for 8 threads, and 9,824 for 16 threads. The scaling from 8 to 16 threads is modest (from 8,184 to 9,824), suggesting diminishing returns beyond 8 cores.

Q: What is the combo's overall ranking among all tested configurations?

A: This combo ranks 255th out of 3,711 tested combos in Hitman 2, placing it in the top 7% of all configurations tested for this game.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 is built on the Ada Lovelace architecture with the AD103 chip, manufactured on TSMC's 5 nm process. It features 16 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 256-bit bus, delivering 716.8 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The GPU's base clock is 2,205 MHz with a boost clock of 2,505 MHz, and memory runs at 1,400 MHz (22.4 Gbps effective). With 9,728 shading units, 304 TMUs, and 112 ROPs, the RTX 4080 provides substantial raw compute power: 48.74 TFLOPS of FP32 performance and a pixel rate of 280.6 GPixel/s.

The GPU's benchmark results place it at the 86th percentile among all GPUs, with an average score of 54,247. Its nearest rivals include the RTX 4080 SUPER at 54,209 (0.1% delta), the AMD Radeon Pro W5700X at 54,828 (-1.1% delta), the AMD Radeon RX 6750 GRE 12 GB at 55,698 (-2.6% delta), and the AMD Radeon 8060S at 55,757 (-2.7% delta). In DirectX 12 tests, the GPU scores 132 on PassMark, while Vulkan results show 263,779 on Geekbench, indicating strong API support for modern game engines.

For Hitman 2, the RTX 4080's 16 GB of VRAM is more than sufficient for even 4K Ultra textures, as the game's 2018 release predates the massive VRAM demands of more recent titles. The 716.8 GB/s memory bandwidth ensures that texture streaming at 4K won't be a bottleneck. The GPU's ray tracing capabilities (76 RT cores) and tensor cores (304) are largely irrelevant for this game, which does not feature ray tracing. The 320 W TDP and 700 W suggested PSU indicate this is a power-hungry component, but the performance data shows it can handle Hitman 2 with ease at most settings, with the exception of 4K Ultra where the average drops to 43 FPS.

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

Analyzing the measured FPS data across all resolutions and settings, the Medium preset emerges as the most balanced choice for this combo. At 1440p Medium, the combo delivers 145 FPS average with a minimum of 123 FPS and maximum of 167 FPS, providing a smooth experience well above the 60 FPS threshold with headroom for demanding scenes. At 4K Medium, the average drops to 77 FPS with a minimum of 66 FPS, still maintaining playability above 60 FPS.

The High preset offers better visual quality but at a measurable cost: 110 FPS at 1440p and 58 FPS at 4K. The 4K High result dips below 60 FPS, which may be noticeable for some players. The Low preset, while producing 193 FPS at 1440p and 103 FPS at 4K, sacrifices too much visual fidelity for a game that emphasizes stealth and environmental detail. The Ultra preset at 4K produces an average of 43 FPS, which is below the threshold for smooth gameplay and likely not worth the visual gains.

For the best experience, the data suggests using Medium settings at 4K (77 FPS average) or High settings at 1440p (110 FPS average). The Medium preset at 4K provides the highest visual quality while maintaining 60+ FPS, making it the recommended choice for players with 4K displays. For 1440p users, High settings offer a substantial visual upgrade while still delivering 110 FPS, which is excellent for a stealth game where smooth camera movement matters. The Ultra preset should be avoided at 4K due to the 43 FPS average, and even at 1440p it only reaches 81 FPS, making it less optimal than High at 1440p.

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

1920x1080 (1080p):

• Low: 302 FPS average
• Medium: 227 FPS average, 193 FPS minimum, 261 FPS maximum
• High: 172 FPS average
• Ultra: 126 FPS average

At 1080p, the combo delivers exceptional performance across all settings)Skip. Even Ultra settings produce 126 FPS, which is far above the 60 FPS standard. The Low setting's 302 FPS suggests the CPU may be reaching its limits, as such high frame rates often exceed engine processing capabilities. The Medium preset shows strong consistency with a 193-261 FPS range, indicating stable frame pacing.

2560x1440 (1440p):

• Low: 193 FPS average
• Medium: 145 FPS average, 123 FPS minimum, 167 FPS maximum
• High: 110 FPS average
• Ultra: 81 FPS average

At 1440p, the performance remains impressive, with Low settings nearly matching the 1080p High result. The Medium preset's 123-167 FPS range shows a 44 FPS spread, which is acceptable but indicates some variance. High settings at 110 FPS provide an excellent balance for high-refresh-rate displays, while Ultra at 81 FPS is still very playable but shows the GPU beginning to work harder.

3840x2160 (4K):

• Low: 103 FPS average
• Medium: 77 FPS average, 66 FPS minimum, 89 FPS maximum
• High: 58 FPS average
• Ultra: 43 FPS average

At 4K, the RTX 4080 becomes the clear bottleneck. Low settings still manage 103 FPS, but Medium drops to 77 FPS with a 66 FPS minimum that comes close to the 60 FPS threshold. High settings at 58 FPS fall below 60 FPS, and Ultra at 43 FPS is not recommended for smooth gameplay. The 4K Medium preset's 66-89 FPS range shows the GPU working consistently but with some frame time variance, likely due to the game's engine not being optimized for such high resolutions with modern GPU architectures. The data suggests that 4K Medium is the maximum viable setting for maintaining 60+ FPS, while 4K High may be acceptable for players who prioritize visual quality over frame rate consistency.