Hitman 2

Hitman 2, a 2018 stealth title, remains a demanding benchmark for modern mobile hardware. The combination of the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX processor and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Mobile GPU produces a varied performance profile across resolutions and settings. The measured data shows a system that is clearly capable at 1080p and 1440p but struggles to maintain playable framerates at 4K, indicating a significant bottleneck that shifts depending on the workload.

Resolution Scaling

The performance drop from 1080p to 4K is steep and reveals the GPU as the primary limiting factor at higher resolutions. At High settings, the average framerate falls from 96 FPS at 1920x1080 to 61 FPS at 2560x1440, a reduction of 35 FPS. The slide continues to 33 FPS at 3840x2160, meaning the 4K result is roughly one-third of the 1080p figure. This scaling pattern is characteristic of a GPU-bound scenario where the RTX 5070 Mobile’s 8 GB GDDR7 memory and 128-bit bus are overwhelmed by the pixel count.

The trend is consistent across all settings presets. At Low settings, the system produces 169 FPS at 1080p, 108 FPS at 1440p, and 57 FPS at 4K. This shows that even when reducing graphical load, the 4K resolution demands more from the GPU than it can deliver for a smooth experience. The gap between 1080p and 1440p is roughly 36%, while the gap between 1440p and 4K is about 47%, indicating that the performance penalty accelerates as resolution increases.

The data suggests that the RTX 5070 Mobile is well-suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming in Hitman 2, but 4K is out of reach for consistent playability. The jump from Medium to Ultra at 4K illustrates this clearly: Medium yields 43 FPS, while Ultra drops to 24 FPS. This is a 44% performance loss for the highest visual fidelity, a trade-off that few would accept given the framerate falls below the threshold for smooth motion. The 4K Ultra result at 24 FPS is effectively a slideshow, confirming the GPU’s limits.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX is a 16-core, 32-thread processor based on the Zen 4 architecture, running on the Dragon Range codename. Its benchmark results are impressive, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 42713 and a single-core score of 6030. This places the CPU in the 95th percentile of all tested processors, indicating exceptional compute capability. The high core count and boost clock of 5.40 GHz provide ample headroom for gaming workloads.

However, in Hitman 2’s measured results, the CPU does not appear to be the limiting factor at any tested resolution. The framerate scaling from 1080p to 4K is consistent with a GPU-bound scenario, meaning the CPU is delivering frames faster than the GPU can render them. The Ryzen 9’s multi-threaded performance, as evidenced by its Passmark multithread score of 51405, ensures that the game’s AI and physics calculations are handled with ease.

The CPU’s role becomes more apparent at 1080p with Low settings, where the system hits 169 FPS. This high framerate suggests the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU with enough data, but even here, the GPU is the constraining component. The Ryzen 9’s single-thread score of 6030 in Cinebench R23 is strong, but the game’s engine likely benefits from the high boost clock rather than the core count. The 32 threads are largely underutilized in this title, as Hitman 2 does not scale perfectly with core counts beyond a certain point.

The data shows that the CPU is not a bottleneck in this configuration. Even at 4K Ultra, where the GPU is clearly struggling at 24 FPS, the processor has the headroom to push more frames if the GPU could render them. The nearest rivals to the Ryzen 9 8945HX, such as the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX with a deltaPct of 0.1%, show that this is a top-tier mobile processor, but its advantage does not translate to higher FPS in this GPU-limited title.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo in Hitman 2?

A: Based on the measured data, 1920x1080 and 2560x1440 are the playable resolutions. At 1080p, the system averages from 70 FPS on Ultra to 169 FPS on Low. At 1440p, averages range from 45 FPS on Ultra to 108 FPS on Low. The 4K results, with a maximum average of 57 FPS on Low, are too inconsistent for a smooth experience.

Q: How does the RTX 5070 Mobile compare to its nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The RTX 5070 Mobile has an average benchmark score of 29928, placing it in the 75th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti, scores 29945, a deltaPct of -0.1%, meaning the RTX 5070 Mobile is virtually identical in raw compute. The AMD Radeon RX 6800 is 0.6% ahead, while the RX 6700 is 1.7% ahead.

Q: Is the Ryzen 9 8945HX a strong processor for gaming?

A: Yes, the processor scores in the 95th percentile of all CPUs with an average benchmark score of 76212. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 42713 and single-core score of 6030 indicate excellent performance for both multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads. However, in Hitman 2, the GPU is the limiting factor, not the CPU.

Q: What is the performance difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, Low settings produce an average of 108 FPS, while Ultra settings produce 45 FPS. This is a 63 FPS drop, or approximately 58% lower performance, for the highest visual quality preset. The Medium preset sits in between at 81 FPS.

Q: Does the 8 GB VRAM on the RTX 5070 Mobile cause issues at 4K?

A: The measured data shows a significant framerate drop at 3840x2160, with averages of 33 FPS on High and 24 FPS on Ultra. While VRAM capacity is not directly measured, the 8 GB GDDR7 memory on a 128-bit bus is a limiting factor for 4K gaming, as the bandwidth of 384.0 GB/s is insufficient for the high pixel throughput required.

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

A: The combo ranks 2058 out of 3711 tested combinations in Hitman 2, placing it in the lower-middle portion of the database. This ranking reflects the GPU's limitations at higher resolutions, despite the CPU's top-tier performance.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of performance across all settings. At 1920x1080, the system delivers playable framerates across the board. Low settings achieve 169 FPS average, Medium reaches 127 FPS with a minimum of 108 FPS and maximum of 146 FPS, High produces 96 FPS, and Ultra drops to 70 FPS. These results indicate that 1080p is well within the capabilities of the RTX 5070 Mobile, even at the highest preset.

Moving to 2560x1440, the framerates remain respectable but show the GPU working harder. Low settings average 108 FPS, Medium averages 81 FPS with a range of 69 to 93 FPS, High averages 61 FPS, and Ultra falls to 45 FPS. The 1440p results are solid for competitive play on Medium or High, but Ultra may feel less smooth for some users.

At 3840x2160, the GPU is clearly overwhelmed. Low settings average 57 FPS, which is marginally playable, but Medium drops to 43 FPS with a minimum of 37 FPS. High averages 33 FPS, and Ultra bottoms out at 24 FPS. The 4K data shows that only Low settings approach a playable framerate, and even then, it is borderline. The jump from 1440p to 4K at High settings represents a 46% performance loss, highlighting the GPU's struggle with 4K resolution.

The data also shows a consistent pattern: the difference between Low and Ultra is significant at all resolutions. At 1080p, the gap is 99 FPS; at 1440p, it is 63 FPS; and at 4K, it is 33 FPS. This indicates that the GPU's performance ceiling is reached sooner at higher resolutions, and the visual quality settings have a larger relative impact on framerate at 1080p.

How This Combo Ranks

The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Mobile combination ranks 2058 out of 3711 tested combos in Hitman 2. This places the system in the 55th percentile of all tested configurations, meaning roughly 44% of combos perform better. The rank reflects the GPU's limitations at high resolutions, as the CPU is a top-tier performer. The Ryzen 9 8945HX scores in the 95th percentile of all CPUs, while the RTX 5070 Mobile only reaches the 75th percentile of all GPUs.

This disparity explains the combo's middling rank. The CPU is capable of driving higher framerates, but the GPU cannot keep up at 4K. The nearest CPU rivals, such as the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D with a deltaPct of 0.6%, show that the 8945HX is competitive with desktop-class processors. However, the GPU's nearest rivals, including the RTX 3070 Ti with a deltaPct of -0.1%, are older desktop cards that also struggle with 4K gaming.

The rank of 2058 suggests that this combo is better suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming, where it can deliver high framerates. In the context of the database, this system is not a top-tier 4K performer, but it is far from the bottom. The data indicates that users with this hardware should target 1440p for the best balance of visual quality and performance, as the 4K results are too inconsistent for a satisfying experience.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the target resolution. At 1920x1080, the High preset delivers 96 FPS, which is smooth and visually appealing. The Ultra preset at 70 FPS is also playable, offering the highest visual fidelity without sacrificing too much performance. For users who prefer maximum framerates, the Medium preset at 127 FPS is an excellent choice, providing a significant boost over High with minimal visual impact.

At 2560x1440, the High preset at 61 FPS is the recommended balance. It provides good visual quality with a framerate that is suitable for most players. The Medium preset at 81 FPS is ideal for those who prioritize smoother motion, while the Ultra preset at 45 FPS may be acceptable for slower-paced gameplay but risks feeling less responsive. The Low preset at 108 FPS is unnecessary at this resolution, as the visual compromises are not worth the framerate gain.

At 3840x2160, the data suggests that this combo is not suitable for 4K gaming. The Low preset at 57 FPS is the only option that approaches playability, but it requires significant visual downgrades. The Medium preset at 43 FPS is borderline, and the High and Ultra presets at 33 FPS and 24 FPS, respectively, are too slow for a smooth experience. Users with 4K displays should consider lowering the resolution to 1440p or adjusting the in-game scaling options to achieve better performance.

In summary, the best experience is achieved at 2560x1440 with High settings, offering 61 FPS with a good balance of visual quality and performance. For competitive play, 1080p with Medium settings at 127 FPS is the optimal choice. The 4K resolution should be avoided unless the user is willing to accept Low settings and a framerate that hovers around 57 FPS. The data clearly shows that this hardware is best utilized at 1440p for a satisfying Hitman 2 experience.