Hitman 2

Hitman 2 is a stealth game from 2018 that remains a demanding benchmark for modern hardware, and the combination of the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 produces a fascinating set of results. The data shows a system that is overwhelmingly powerful, yet the measured FPS reveals a distinct performance ceiling that shifts depending on resolution and settings. This analysis breaks down the measured FPS data to explain exactly how the CPU and GPU contribute to the experience, how resolution scaling impacts performance, and where this combination stands relative to other tested setups.

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

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is a 12-core, 24-thread processor based on the Zen 5 architecture, known by the codename Granite Ridge. It operates with a base clock of 4.40 GHz and can boost up to 5.50 GHz, with a 120 W TDP. This is a high-end desktop part that sits on the AMD Socket AM5 platform and supports DDR5 memory. The processor has a substantial 128 MB of L3 cache, which is a defining feature of the X3D series and is particularly beneficial for gaming workloads that rely on large data sets.

In the context of Hitman 2's benchmark results, the CPU's role is best understood by examining the performance at lower resolutions and higher frame rates. At 1080p with Low settings, the system achieves an average of 342 FPS. This is an extremely high frame rate that indicates the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU with more than enough data to prevent it from becoming a bottleneck at this level. The processor's strong single-thread performance, evidenced by a 3DMark single-thread score of 1269 and a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 6739, ensures that the game's primary simulation and logic threads are handled with ease.

However, the data also suggests that the CPU's influence is most apparent when the GPU is not the limiting factor. For instance, at 1080p Low, the frame rate is nearly double what it is at 4K Low (117 FPS). This scaling is a classic sign of a CPU-bound scenario at lower resolutions. The Ryzen 9 9900X3D's multi-threaded capabilities, while impressive with a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 47737 and a PassMark multithread score of 56154, are not the primary driver here. Hitman 2's engine is not designed to fully utilize 12 cores and 24 threads, so the advantage of this processor lies in its high single-core boost clock and large cache, which helps maintain high average frame rates even when the game's workload is more serial in nature.

Compared to its nearest rivals in the CPU benchmark database, the Ryzen 9 9900X3D's average benchmark score of 54762 is very close to the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF, which scores 55093, a difference of only -0.6%. It also edges out the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K (54053, +1.3%), the Intel Xeon 6505P (53701, +2%), and the Intel Core i7-14700F (53620, +2.1%). This indicates that while the 9900X3D is a top-tier gaming CPU, its raw processing power is in the same league as these other strong desktop and workstation chips. In Hitman 2, this means the CPU will rarely be a source of frame drops or stuttering, as it has ample headroom to process the game's logic even when the GPU is working hard to render complex scenes.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 is a flagship graphics card built on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture, featuring the GB202 chip. It is manufactured on a 5 nm process and is a massive piece of silicon with 92,200 million transistors. The card has 32 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 512-bit bus, providing a staggering 1.79 TB/s of memory bandwidth. Its base clock is 2017 MHz, which can boost up to 2407 MHz. This specification sheet alone suggests it is a card designed to dominate at the highest resolutions and settings.

In Hitman 2, the RTX 5090's role is clearly defined by the performance scaling across resolutions. At 1080p, the card is so powerful that the CPU becomes the primary limiter. The frame rates are exceptionally high, reaching 342 FPS at Low settings, but the GPU is not being fully utilized. As we move to 1440p, we see a more balanced workload, with frame rates dropping to 219 FPS at Low settings and 124 FPS at High settings. This is still an incredibly high level of performance, but the gap between resolutions indicates the GPU is starting to become more of a factor.

The GPU's true strength is most apparent at 4K resolution. At 3840x2160, the RTX 5090 maintains a playable 66 FPS average at High settings and even manages 117 FPS at Low settings. This reflects the card's raw compute power and its 32 GB of VRAM, which is more than sufficient for Hitman 2's textures and geometry at any setting. The card's 104.8 TFLOPS of FP32 performance allows it to handle the game's rendering pipeline without breaking a sweat, even at the demanding 4K resolution. The benchmark results show that the GPU is the star of the show at higher resolutions, where its massive memory bandwidth and processing power are fully utilized to deliver high frame rates that would be impossible for lesser cards.

The RTX 5090's nearest rivals in the GPU benchmark database, such as the NVIDIA Tesla P100 PCIe 16 GB (with a deltaPct of 0.3%) and the AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT (with a deltaPct of 1.1%), are in a similar performance tier based on average scores, but the RTX 5090's substantial VRAM and architectural advantages are not fully captured in those generic benchmarks. In a game like Hitman 2, the RTX 5090's ability to maintain high frame rates at 4K Ultra, where it still averages 49 FPS, demonstrates that it has the necessary headroom to deliver a smooth experience even in the most demanding scenarios.

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

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of how the system scales across resolutions. The most telling comparison is the difference in performance at Low settings across all three resolutions. At 1080p Low, the system averages 342 FPS. At 1440p Low, this drops to 219 FPS, a significant reduction of 123 FPS. At 4K Low, the average falls further to 117 FPS. This scaling pattern is a textbook example of a system transitioning from a CPU-bound state to a GPU-bound state.

At 1080p, the GPU is so powerful that it can render frames far faster than the CPU can issue draw calls and update the game state. The 342 FPS figure is a direct reflection of the CPU's maximum throughput in this scenario. The Ryzen 9 9900X3D's high clock speeds and large cache are what allow it to hit this limit. When we move to 1440p, the GPU has to work harder to fill more pixels, and the frame rate drops to 219 FPS. This is still a very high number, but the drop indicates that the GPU is now becoming a more significant contributor to the overall performance. The workload is more balanced, and neither component is fully saturated.

The transition to 4K is where the GPU's dominance becomes absolute. The 117 FPS at 4K Low is solely a measure of the RTX 5090's rendering capability, as the CPU has ample headroom to keep up. The frame rate drop from 1440p to 4K is 102 FPS, which is a larger relative drop than from 1080p to 1440p. This is because the number of pixels increases significantly, and the GPU's fill rate and memory bandwidth become the constraining factors. This analysis is reinforced by the High settings data. At 1080p High, the average is 194 FPS. At 1440p High, it's 124 FPS. At 4K High, it's 66 FPS. The consistent drop across the board, regardless of settings, confirms that the RTX 5090 is the primary performance limiter at 4K, while the CPU is the primary limiter at 1080p.

FAQ

Q: What is the average frame rate at 1440p with Medium settings?

A: The system achieves an average of 164 FPS at 2560x1440 with Medium settings, with a minimum of 140 FPS and a maximum of 189 FPS.

Q: How does the Ryzen 9 9900X3D compare to the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF in overall CPU benchmarks?

A: The Ryzen 9 9900X3D has an average benchmark score of 54762, which is -0.6% lower than the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF's score of 55093. This makes them statistically near-identical in performance.

Q: Is the RTX 5090's 32 GB of VRAM a factor in Hitman 2?

A: The data shows that the RTX 5090 performs strongly at 4K, maintaining a 66 FPS average at High settings. While the 32 GB VRAM capacity is not stressed by Hitman 2, the card's high memory bandwidth of 1.79 TB/s and 512-bit bus are essential for achieving these high frame rates at that resolution.

Q: What is the performance difference between Low and Ultra settings at 4K?

A: At 3840x2160, the average frame rate drops from 117 FPS on Low settings to 49 FPS on Ultra settings. This is a substantial 68 FPS difference, indicating that Ultra settings impose a heavy load on the GPU.

Q: Which component is the bottleneck at 1080p?

A: At 1080p, the system is CPU-bound. The average frame rate on Low settings is 342 FPS, which is a direct result of the Ryzen 9 9900X3D's processing capabilities. The RTX 5090 is powerful enough to render frames much faster, but it is held back by the CPU's frame generation rate.

Q: How does this combo rank in the database for Hitman 2?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 combination is ranked #68 out of 3001 tested combos for this game, placing it in the top 2.3% of all systems tested.

How This Combo Ranks

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 combination holds a rank of 68 out of 3001 tested combos for Hitman 2. This position places it in the 97.7th percentile of all tested systems, indicating it is one of the most powerful configurations available for this game. The high rank is a direct result of the synergy between a top-tier CPU and a top-tier GPU, each excelling in the scenarios where they are most needed. The CPU ensures that frame rates remain high when the game is not graphically intensive, while the GPU takes over to deliver playable performance at the most demanding settings and resolutions.

While the rank of 68 is excellent, it is not the absolute top, which suggests there are a few other combinations that edge it out. This is likely due to the specific nature of Hitman 2's engine, which may favor processors with even higher single-thread performance or different cache architectures. However, for the vast majority of users, this combination will provide an exceptional experience, capable of running the game at its highest settings with high frame rates. The data shows that this setup is overkill for 1080p and 1440p gaming, but it is one of the few systems that can truly conquer 4K gaming with ease.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following is a complete breakdown of the measured FPS data for this system in Hitman 2.

3840x2160 (4K)

• Ultra: The average frame rate is 49 FPS.
• High: The average frame rate is 66 FPS.
• Medium: The average frame rate is 87 FPS, with a minimum of 74 FPS and a maximum of 101 FPS.
• Low: The average frame rate is 117 FPS.

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Ultra: The average frame rate is 91 FPS.
• High: The average frame rate is 124 FPS.
• Medium: The average frame rate is 164 FPS, with a minimum of 140 FPS and a maximum of 189 FPS.
• Low: The average frame rate is 219 FPS.

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Ultra: The average frame rate is 143 FPS.
• High: The average frame rate is 194 FPS.
• Medium: The average frame rate is 257 FPS, with a minimum of 218 FPS and a maximum of 295 FPS.
• Low: The average frame rate is 342 FPS.

This data confirms that the system is capable of delivering an outstanding gaming experience at any resolution. For competitive or high-refresh-rate gaming at 1080p, the frame rates are exceptionally high, even on Ultra settings. At 1440p, the system is a perfect match for high-refresh-rate monitors, with all settings producing frame rates well above 90 FPS. At 4K, the system offers a smooth and immersive experience at High settings, while Ultra settings are playable but will stress the GPU, making it the clear performance boundary for this combination.