Hitman 2

The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D paired with the Intel Arc B580 presents a distinct performance profile in Hitman 2, a stealth title from 2018. The measured frame rates across resolutions and settings reveal a system where the CPU’s substantial processing power is frequently balanced against the GPU’s output limits. The data indicates a combination that can deliver smooth gameplay at 1080p and 1440p with adjusted settings, but which faces significant challenges at 4K Ultra.

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

The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is an 8-core, 16-thread processor based on the Zen 5 architecture, operating with a base clock of 4.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. This configuration is built for high-throughput workloads, and its benchmark results confirm a very strong showing. Specifically, the processor achieves a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 34004 and a single-core score of 4800, indicating that it has both the multi-threaded capacity and the single-thread speed that a game like Hitman 2 can utilize. The processor’s 96 MB of shared L3 cache is a notable feature, as it helps keep frequently accessed game data close to the cores, reducing latency.

In the context of Hitman 2, the CPU’s influence is most apparent at lower resolutions and settings where the graphical load is less demanding. At 1080p Low, the system reaches an average of 140 FPS, a figure that is more likely constrained by the graphics card than the processor. However, the CPU’s strength ensures that frame pacing remains consistent, preventing the severe drops that can occur when a processor is overwhelmed by game logic and AI calculations. The benchmark data shows the 9800X3D ranks in the 90th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 37780. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-13600KF, which scores 38028 (a delta of -0.7%), and the Intel Core i9-13900HK, which scores 38020 (a delta of -0.6%). This places the 9800X3D in a tightly contested group at the top of the performance stack.

The processor’s 16 threads are sufficient for modern game engines, and the high boost clock of 5.20 GHz is beneficial for tasks that rely on single-core performance, such as the main game thread. The data suggests that in this specific pairing, the CPU is rarely the bottleneck. Even at 4K Ultra, where the average frame rate drops to 19.9 FPS, the limiting factor is the GPU’s rendering capacity, not the CPU’s ability to feed it data. The 9800X3D's performance is so robust that it provides a stable foundation, allowing the Arc B580 to operate at its maximum potential without being starved of instructions. This is a crucial point, as a lesser CPU could cause stuttering or hitches in crowded environments, but the 9800X3D’s high single-thread and multi-thread scores effectively eliminate this possibility.

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

The Intel Arc B580, based on the Xe2-HPG architecture and codenamed Battlemage, is the primary determinant of frame rates in this configuration. It features 12 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 456.0 GB/s. This memory capacity is generally sufficient for Hitman 2, even at higher resolutions, but the bandwidth and the GPU’s raw compute power dictate performance. The B580 has a base and boost clock of 2670 MHz and delivers a FP32 performance of 13.67 TFLOPS. These specs place it in the mid-range tier, and its benchmark results confirm this positioning; it sits in the 66th percentile among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 23021. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, scores 23181, which is a delta of -0.7%, showing the B580 is highly competitive with that card.

The GPU’s role in Hitman 2 is clear from the measured FPS data. At 1080p, the B580 can produce playable, and often smooth, results. At Low settings, it achieves an average of 140 FPS, and at Medium, it reaches 104 FPS. These numbers suggest that the GPU is well-utilized at this resolution, and the 12 GB VRAM is not a limiting factor. However, the situation changes as resolution and settings increase. At 1440p High, the average frame rate drops to 49.9 FPS, and at 4K Ultra, it plummets to 19.9 FPS. This steep decline indicates that the B580’s compute throughput, rather than its memory capacity, is the primary bottleneck. The pixel rate of 213.6 GPixel/s and texture rate of 427.2 GTexel/s are simply not enough to maintain high frame rates at 4K with demanding settings.

The data points to a GPU that excels in 1080p and can manage 1440p with some adjustments. The 4K results are not practical for smooth gameplay, but this is expected given the card’s position in the market. The B580’s performance is solid for its class, but it is not designed to be a 4K powerhouse. The benchmarks also show the GPU’s DirectX 12 score is 76, which is a relatively low number, but its performance in a real-world DirectX 12 game like Hitman 2 is more telling. The GPU is a capable performer, but it requires the CPU’s strength to avoid any potential CPU-side stalls, which the 9800X3D provides in abundance.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution to play Hitman 2 with this CPU and GPU combo?

A: Based on the measured data, 1920x1080 is the most consistent resolution, with average frame rates of 76.6 FPS at High and 104 FPS at Medium settings. At 2560x1440, performance is still playable, with 49.9 FPS at High and 67.6 FPS at Medium, but 3840x2160 results in averages below 50 FPS for all settings except Low.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor in this system for Hitman 2?

A: The GPU is the primary limiting factor in almost all tested scenarios. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D has a high performance percentile and benchmark scores, while the Arc B580’s frame rates drop significantly at higher resolutions. The CPU’s strength ensures it can feed the GPU without bottlenecking, but the GPU’s rendering power caps the overall frame rate.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B580 compare to its nearest rival in terms of overall GPU score?

A: The Arc B580’s average benchmark score is 23021, which is 0.7% lower than the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060’s score of 23181. It is also 0.3% higher than the NVIDIA P106-100, which scores 22950.

Q: Can this system achieve 60 FPS at 1440p in Hitman 2?

A: The data shows that 60 FPS is not achievable at 1440p with High or Ultra settings, where averages are 49.9 and 35.7 FPS respectively. However, at 1440p Medium, the average is 67.6 FPS, and at Low, it is 88.2 FPS, both of which are above the 60 FPS threshold.

Q: What is the performance difference between 1080p Ultra and 1440p High?

A: At 1080p Ultra, the average frame rate is 57.6 FPS. At 1440p High, the average is 49.9 FPS. This represents a performance drop of 7.7 FPS when moving from a lower resolution at max settings to a higher resolution at high settings.

Q: Does the CPU’s high L3 cache have any measurable effect on this game’s performance?

A: The CPU’s 96 MB of shared L3 cache contributes to its high benchmark scores, such as the Cinebench R23 multicore score of 34004. While the measured FPS data does not isolate the cache’s effect, it is a key part of the CPU’s overall capability that prevents it from being a bottleneck in the tested scenarios.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data for this combination in Hitman 2 shows a clear performance hierarchy across resolutions and settings.

At 3840x2160 (4K), performance is generally low. With Low settings, the average frame rate is 49 FPS. This is the only 4K setting that approaches playability. At Medium settings, the average drops to 38.6 FPS, and at High, it falls to 27.4 FPS. At Ultra settings, the average is 19.9 FPS, which is not suitable for smooth gameplay.

At 2560x1440, the system finds a more comfortable performance envelope. Low settings allow for an average of 88.2 FPS, providing a very smooth experience. Medium settings produce an average of 67.6 FPS, which is above the 60 FPS target. High settings yield an average of 49.9 FPS, which is playable but with some compromises. Ultra settings drop the average to 35.7 FPS, which may be too low for some users.

At 1920x1080, the combo shows its best performance. Low settings achieve an average of 140 FPS, a very high frame rate. Medium settings produce 104 FPS, which is excellent for a smooth experience. High settings average 76.6 FPS, still well within the range for responsive gameplay. Ultra settings bring the average down to 57.6 FPS, which is just below the 60 FPS mark but still playable for many.

The data indicates that the Arc B580’s performance scales predictably with resolution. The transition from 1080p to 1440p results in a substantial frame rate reduction, and the jump to 4K further exacerbates this. The 12 GB of VRAM is not shown to be a limiting factor at any tested setting, suggesting the GPU’s compute capabilities are the main constraint. For a smooth experience, users should target 1080p with High or Ultra settings, or 1440p with Medium settings.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested combinations for Hitman 2, this specific pairing of the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D and Intel Arc B580 holds a modest position. The combo rank in game is 1406 out of 1795 total tested combos. This ranking places it in the lower half of all tested systems, which is a direct reflection of the GPU’s mid-range performance capabilities. Despite having a top-tier CPU, the overall system performance is anchored by the Arc B580’s frame rates, particularly at higher resolutions.

The ranking is not a measure of the CPU’s quality, which is high, but rather the overall system’s ability to render the game at high frame rates. The 9800X3D’s processing power is sufficient to avoid being a bottleneck, but it cannot compensate for the GPU’s limitations in this specific title. The rank suggests that for users prioritizing high frame rates at 4K, this combination is not ideal. However, for 1080p gaming, the combo is more than adequate, despite its lower overall rank. The rank of 1406 out of 1795 indicates that while the system is not at the top, it is also not at the very bottom, and it holds up well in the resolutions where the GPU is most comfortable. The data shows that the overall performance is a function of the GPU’s output, and the CPU’s role is to ensure that the GPU is always working to its full potential, which it does.