Hitman 2

The AMD Ryzen 9 7900X and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti combination delivers a wide spread of frame rates in Hitman 2, ranging from 33 FPS at 4K Ultra to 235 FPS at 1080p Low. The data indicates a system that is versatile enough for high refresh rate 1080p and 1440p play, but which is pushed to its limits at 4K with maximum quality settings. This analysis breaks down the measured performance, the role of the CPU and GPU, and how this pairing ranks against other tested configurations.

Resolution Scaling

The performance drop from 1080p to 4K is steep and clearly demonstrates the GPU becoming the primary bottleneck at higher resolutions and settings. The measured average frame rates show a consistent scaling pattern that reveals the nature of the workload.

At the "Low" setting, the average frame rate at 1080p is 235 FPS. Moving to 1440p, this drops to 150 FPS, which is a reduction of 85 FPS. At 4K, the average falls to 80 FPS. The frame rate drops are substantial at each step, indicating that even at low settings, the resolution increase heavily impacts the frame rate, but the GPU still has the headroom to render this older title at a high speed. The scaling from 1080p to 1440p is a 36% performance decrease, while from 1440p to 4K is a 47% decrease.

The "Medium" preset shows similar scaling behavior. The 1080p average is 176 FPS, the 1440p average is 113 FPS, and the 4K average is 60 FPS. The percentage of degradation from 1080p to 1440p is 35.8%, and from 1440p to 4K is 46.9%. This consistency suggests a stable performance curve where each resolution step costs a similar fraction of the previous frame rate, which is a classic sign of a GPU-bound scenario at these settings.

With the "High" settings, the pattern continues. 1080p produces 133 FPS, 1440p drops to 85 FPS, and 4K yields 45 FPS. The relative performance loss from 1080p to 1440p is 36.1%, and from 1440p to 4K is 47.1%. This is a very close match to the previous percentages, showing that the game's scaling is not significantly altered by the preset, only the starting point.

At "Ultra," the frame rates are as follows: 1080p at 98 FPS, 1440p at 63 FPS, and 4K at 33 FPS. The performance loss from 1080p to 1440p is 35.7%, and from 1440p to 4K is 47.6%. This confirms that the scaling pattern is consistent across all settings, with a 1080p to 1440p drop of approximately 35-36% and a 1440p to 4K drop of approximately 47-48%. This consistent scaling between resolutions indicates that the GPU is the limiting component in all these scenarios.

The data shows that the RTX 3080 Ti is the limiting factor in this pairing at these resolutions. The CPU's performance headroom is not being taxed to the point where it would cause a frame rate plateau. The scaling percentages are too uniform and predictable for a CPU-bound scenario; in a CPU-bound scenario, the 1080p and 1440p frame rates would be much closer together, as the CPU would be the constraint at both resolutions. Here, the 1080p to 1440p gap remains large, so the GPU is clearly the component that is being saturated.

The 4K results at "High" and "Ultra" (45 FPS and 33 FPS, respectively) show that the highest resolutions are too ambitious for this combination to maintain a 60 FPS target at those settings. The 4K "Medium" result of 60 FPS is the first setting at that resolution that manages to reach that level, and even then, the average is exactly 60 FPS. The data suggests that for 4K play, a reduction in settings to "Medium" or lower is required for a consistent experience.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 9 7900X is a 12-core, 24-thread processor with a base clock of 4.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. This is a 7000-series part based on the Zen 4 architecture and built on a 5 nm process. The processor has a large amount of cache, including 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The 7900X has a 3DMark single-thread score of 1093, a 3DMark 2-thread score of 2137, and a 3DMark 4-thread score of 4151. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score is 29300 and single-core score is 2016.5. The "Passmark single-thread" score is 4238.

In 2018's Hitman 2, the game's engine typically does not scale perfectly with a high core count, but the 7900X's strong single-thread performance is beneficial. The data from the measured FPS shows that at 1080p, the combination produces frame rates as high as 235 FPS on "Low." At such high frame rates, the CPU's ability to feed the GPU becomes more relevant. However, the fact that the frame rates continue to scale with resolution and settings, as detailed in the previous section, indicates that the GPU is still the primary limiter. The CPU's performance is more than sufficient to handle the game's requirements at these settings.

The 7900X's performance is in the 91st percentile of all CPUs, according to the data. Its average benchmark score is 53288. Its nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 7313P (0.2% slower), the Intel Xeon 634 (0.3% slower), the Intel Xeon Phi 7290 (0.6% faster), and the Intel Core i7-14700F (0.6% faster). These rivals are very close in performance, with the 7900X being within a single percentage point of each of them. This indicates that the 7900X is a very high-performing CPU, but not in a class of its own.

The 12 cores and 24 threads are not necessarily fully utilized by Hitman 2, but the high boost clock of 5.60 GHz and the strong single-thread performance ensure that the game can run with high frame rates. The data shows that the CPU is not a bottleneck in this configuration. The benchmark results at 1080p with "Low" settings at 235 FPS show a very high frame rate that would stress the CPU's ability to feed the GPU, but the fact that the frame rates still scale strongly with resolution shows that the GPU is the limiting component. If the CPU were the bottleneck, the frame rates at 1080p and 1440p would be very similar, but the data shows a 85 FPS difference between those resolutions at "Low" settings.

The Ryzen 9 7900X, with its high clock speeds and many cores, provides the necessary computational power to ensure the GPU is the component that dictates the performance ceiling. The CPU's role is to be a stable and fast foundation, and the data confirms it does not hold the system back in Hitman 2.

FAQ

Q: What is the average frame rate at 4K Ultra settings?

A: The average frame rate at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings is 33 FPS.

Q: Does the CPU or GPU limit performance at 1080p High?

A: The data shows the GPU is the limiting factor, as frame rates drop significantly with resolution increases. At 1080p High the average is 133 FPS, while at 1440p High it is 85 FPS, a drop of 48 FPS, which indicates a GPU-bound scenario.

Q: What is the best average frame rate achieved at 1440p?

A: The highest average at 2560x1440 is achieved with Low settings, producing 150 FPS. The Medium preset yields 113 FPS, High yields 85 FPS, and Ultra yields 63 FPS.

Q: How does the Ryzen 9 7900X compare to the Intel Core i7-14700F in terms of average benchmark score?

A: The Ryzen 9 7900X has an average benchmark score of 53288, which is 0.6% lower than the Intel Core i7-14700F's score of 53620.

Q: What is the lowest average frame rate recorded for this combination?

A: The lowest average frame rate is 33 FPS, which occurs at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings.

Q: Is the Ryzen 9 7900X a top-tier CPU in the benchmark database?

A: Yes, the Ryzen 9 7900X is in the 91st percentile of all CPUs, indicating it is a very high-performance processor.

How This Combo Ranks

The AMD Ryzen 9 7900X and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti combination has a measured combo rank of 999 out of 3711 tested combinations for Hitman 2. This places it in the top 26.9% of all tested configurations. This rank is a global indicator of its performance in this game, with a lower rank number indicating higher performance. The combo's rank is based on the measured FPS across all resolutions and settings, and the high percentile indicates it is a strong performer, though not the absolute best.

The ranking suggests that while this system is not the top-tier combination for Hitman 2, it is a capable one. Many other combinations, likely with more recent or more powerful GPUs and CPUs, will rank higher. However, a rank of 999 out of 3711 is a very solid result, placing it in the top third of all tested systems. The data shows that the combination is well-balanced, with the GPU and CPU working together effectively to produce the measured frame rates.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the best experience depends on the target resolution and frame rate. For a high refresh rate 1440p experience, the "High" preset is a good choice, as it produces an average of 85 FPS. This is above the 60 FPS threshold and is suitable for smooth gameplay. The "Medium" preset at 1440p offers a higher 113 FPS for those who prefer a more responsive feel. The low preset at 1440p is the only one that exceeds 144 FPS, at 150 FPS, but the "Medium" preset at that resolution provides a balance of visual quality and performance.

At 1080p, the "High" preset is the best for a high refresh rate experience, hitting 133 FPS. The "Medium" preset is even faster at 176 FPS, and "Low" is the fastest at 235 FPS, but the visual compromise may be too much. The "Ultra" preset at 1080p, at 98 FPS, is also a good choice for those who want maximum visual quality while still maintaining near-100 FPS.

At 4K, the "Medium" preset is the only one that reaches the 60 FPS target, with an average of 60 FPS. The "High" preset at 45 FPS and the "Ultra" preset at 33 FPS are not ideal for a smooth experience. The "Low" preset at 80 FPS is the best option for 4K if a higher frame rate is desired, but visual quality is heavily reduced. For a balanced experience at 4K, "Medium" is the recommended preset, as it offers a playable frame rate with moderate visual quality.

The data indicates that the "Medium" preset is the sweet spot for 1440p and 4K. At 1440p, it provides an average of 113 FPS, which is a substantial improvement over "High" (85 FPS) while still looking good. At 4K, "Medium" provides 60 FPS, which is the minimum for a playable experience. The "High" preset is the best option for 1080p, as it delivers a high frame rate with better visuals than "Medium".

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following table details the measured FPS for all resolution and settings combinations:

| Resolution | Settings | Average FPS | Min FPS | Max FPS |

| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |

| 1920x1080 | Low | 235 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | Medium | 176 | 150 | 203 |

| 1920x1080 | High | 133 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | Ultra | 98 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | Low | 150 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | Medium | 113 | 96 | 130 |

| 2560x1440 | High | 85 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | Ultra | 63 | - | - |

| 3840x2160 | Low | 80 | - | - |

| 3840x2160 | Medium | 60 | 51 | 69 |

| 3840x2160 | High | 45 | - | - |

| 3840x2160 | Ultra | 33 | - | - |

The data shows a clear hierarchy. At 1080p, the frame rates range from 98 FPS at Ultra to 235 FPS at Low. The Medium setting provides a good balance with 176 FPS and a minimum of 150 FPS. The High setting at 133 FPS is also a good option. At 1440p, the range is from 63 FPS at Ultra to 150 FPS at Low. The Medium setting, at 113 FPS, is the most balanced. At 4K, the range is from 33 FPS at Ultra to 80 FPS at Low. The Medium setting at 60 FPS is the only one that achieves a 60 FPS average.

The minimum and maximum FPS values are only recorded for the Medium settings. At 1080p Medium, the minimum is 150 FPS and the maximum is 203 FPS. At 1440p Medium, the minimum is 96 FPS and the maximum is 130 FPS. At 4K Medium, the minimum is 51 FPS and the maximum is 69 FPS. This data helps to understand the frame time consistency at the Medium preset across resolutions. The range of 53 FPS at 1080p, 34 FPS at 1440p, and 18 FPS at 4K shows that the frame times are more consistent at higher resolutions, but the overall frame rate is lower.

The average FPS for the Medium preset is 176, 113, and 60 FPS for 1080p, 1440p, and 4K, respectively. This kind of data is useful for determining the best settings for a specific monitor. The high frame rates at 1080p and 1440p with the Medium preset indicate that the system is very capable for those resolutions. The 4K data shows that the system is only barely capable of 4K gaming at Medium settings, and not at High or Ultra.