Hitman 2

# Hitman 2 with AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 combination delivers a playable but stratified experience in Hitman 2, with the data revealing a system that excels at 1080p, struggles at 4K, and shows a clear CPU-heavy bottleneck pattern that becomes more pronounced as resolution climbs. The measured FPS across twelve configurations paints a picture of a mobile-class CPU paired with a mainstream desktop GPU, producing results that are competitive at lower resolutions but clearly limited at higher ones.

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

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 is a 16-core, 32-thread processor based on the Zen 5 architecture, built on a 4nm TSMC process. It runs at a base clock of 3.00 GHz and boosts up to 5.10 GHz, with a 55W TDP that classifies it as a mobile-market part. The chip carries 64 MB of shared L3 cache, along with 80 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2 per core, and supports quad-channel LPDDR5X memory with 256.0 GB/s bandwidth. These specifications place it in the 95th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 77,740.

In Hitman 2, the CPU's influence is most visible in the scaling pattern from Low to Ultra settings at each resolution. At 1080p, moving from Low to Medium costs 37 FPS (148 to 111), and from Medium to High another 27 FPS (111 to 84), while Ultra drops to 62 FPS. This steep degradation across settings suggests the CPU is feeding the GPU adequately at lower settings, but the game's simulation and AI workloads begin to tax the processor as graphical fidelity increases. The Ryzen AI Max+ 395's single-core performance, reflected in a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2,044 and a Geekbench single-core score of 2,464, is strong enough to handle Hitman 2's stealth mechanics, which rely heavily on NPC AI and pathfinding.

The CPU's nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX, which scores 76,513 (1.6% lower), and the AMD EPYC Embedded 8224P at 76,492 (1.6% lower). The Intel Core i9-14900K is 1.7% ahead at 79,097, while the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX trails by 2% at 76,212. These margins are tight, indicating that the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 holds its own against desktop-class processors in raw compute, but the mobile-oriented design with its 55W TDP may throttle sustained loads in a way that synthetic benchmarks don't fully capture.

For a game released in 2018, Hitman 2's CPU demands are moderate by modern standards, and the data shows the processor is rarely the limiting factor at higher resolutions. At 4K, the FPS drops are primarily driven by GPU load, as evidenced by the diminishing returns when lowering settings from High to Low (29 to 51 FPS). The CPU's 16 cores and 32 threads provide ample headroom for the game's background simulation, and the high L3 cache helps with the frequent asset streaming that Hitman 2's large, open-ended levels require.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 is built on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture with a 5nm TSMC process, featuring 8 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 128-bit bus, delivering 448.0 GB/s of bandwidth. Its base clock runs at 2280 MHz with a boost clock of 2497 MHz, and the card houses 3,840 shading units, 120 TMUs, and 48 ROPs, along with 30 RT cores and 120 tensor cores. The GPU's 145W TDP and dual-slot design make it a mainstream desktop offering, with a launch MSRP of 299 USD. It ranks in the 72nd percentile among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 26,331.

The RTX 5060's 8 GB VRAM is a critical constraint in Hitman 2, particularly at 4K resolution. The measured data shows Ultra settings at 3840x2160 producing only 21 FPS average, which is barely playable and likely involves texture thrashing as the game exceeds the VRAM capacity. Even at High settings, 4K yields just 29 FPS, suggesting the GPU is both memory-bandwidth and capacity limited. The 128-bit memory bus, while fast for its class with GDDR7, is narrower than what 4K gaming typically demands.

At 1080p, the GPU's performance is more respectable. Low settings produce 148 FPS, Medium 111 FPS, and High 84 FPS, with Ultra at 62 FPS. These numbers indicate the RTX 5060 can handle Hitman 2 at Full HD with high refresh rates, but the sharp drop from High to Ultra (84 to 62 FPS) points to the card's architectural limits being reached as additional effects and draw distances are enabled. The GPU's nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon 860M (26,401, 0.3% higher) and the NVIDIA GeForce MX550 (26,421, 0.3% higher), which are both integrated or low-power parts—an unusual comparison that suggests the RTX 5060's average benchmark score is dragged down by less demanding tests.

The GPU's FP32 throughput of 19.18 TFLOPS is respectable, and its 299.6 GTexel/s texture rate helps with the detailed environments Hitman 2 is known for. However, the 48 ROPs are relatively few for a card in this class, which may explain the steep FPS penalties at 4K where fill-rate requirements multiply. The pixel rate of 119.9 GPixel/s is adequate for 1080p but insufficient for 4K at high quality settings.

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

The measured data provides clear guidance on which settings preset offers the best experience at each resolution. At 1080p, Medium settings deliver 111 FPS with a minimum of 95 and maximum of 128, which is the sweet spot for smooth, consistent gameplay. High settings at 84 FPS are also viable, but the 27 FPS drop from Medium to High is steep relative to the visual gains most players would perceive. Ultra at 62 FPS is playable but not ideal for a stealth game where frame timing matters for precise movement.

At 1440p, Medium settings produce 71 FPS (minimum 60, maximum 82), which is the recommended choice for this resolution. High settings drop to 54 FPS, which is still playable but begins to introduce noticeable judder in crowded scenes. Low settings at 95 FPS are an option for competitive players, but Medium offers a better balance of visual quality and performance. Ultra at 40 FPS is below the threshold for smooth gameplay and should be avoided.

At 4K, the situation is more challenging. Low settings yield 51 FPS, which is the only preset that approaches playability. Medium drops to 38 FPS (minimum 32, maximum 44), and High falls to 29 FPS. Ultra at 21 FPS is effectively unplayable. The data suggests that 4K is only viable with Low settings, and even then, the 51 FPS average is below the 60 FPS target that many players prefer. For the best experience, 1440p Medium or 1080p Medium are the recommended presets, as they provide the highest average FPS while maintaining reasonable visual fidelity.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combination of the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 ranks 1,977 out of 3,001 tested combos in Hitman 2, placing it in the lower-middle tier of the database. This ranking is surprising given the CPU's strong synthetic benchmark scores (95th percentile) and the GPU's mainstream positioning (72nd percentile). The discrepancy suggests that the pairing is not optimally balanced for this particular game, with the CPU's mobile design and the GPU's VRAM limitations both contributing to subpar results.

In the context of the 3,001 tested combinations, a rank of 1,977 means the system outperforms roughly 34% of tested configurations but falls behind the majority. This is likely due to the GPU's 8 GB VRAM being insufficient for Hitman 2's 4K textures, and the CPU's 55W TDP limiting sustained performance in a game that can spawn numerous AI agents in complex levels. The data implies that many combos with older, higher-end GPUs or more VRAM would outperform this pairing, despite the CPU's raw compute strength.

The ranking also reflects the unusual nature of this pairing: a mobile-class CPU (Socket FP11, Radeon 8060S integrated graphics) with a desktop GPU (PCIe 5.0 x8 interface). This mismatch may introduce bottlenecks in data transfer, particularly at lower resolutions where the CPU's memory bandwidth (256.0 GB/s) becomes a factor. The combo's position in the rankings suggests it is better suited for 1080p gaming than for higher-resolution play, which aligns with the measured FPS data.

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

The FPS scaling across resolutions reveals a clear pattern of GPU limitation at higher resolutions, with CPU headroom becoming less relevant as pixel count increases. At Medium settings, FPS drops from 111 at 1080p to 71 at 1440p (a 36% reduction) and then to 38 at 4K (a 66% reduction from 1080p). This steep falloff is consistent with a GPU that is increasingly bottlenecked by memory bandwidth and fill-rate demands at higher resolutions.

At Low settings, the scaling is similar: 148 FPS at 1080p, 95 at 1440p (36% drop), and 51 at 4K (66% drop). The consistency of these percentage drops across settings suggests that the GPU is the primary limiting factor, as the CPU's workload does not scale significantly with resolution. The RTX 5060's 448.0 GB/s memory bandwidth is sufficient for 1080p but becomes a constraint at 4K, where the 8 GB VRAM capacity is also likely exceeded.

The data indicates that the CPU is not the bottleneck at any resolution, as the Ryzen AI Max+ 395's 16 cores and high boost clock provide ample compute for Hitman 2's simulation. The limiting component is clearly the GPU, particularly at 4K where even Low settings only achieve 51 FPS. For players seeking higher resolutions, the 8 GB VRAM and 128-bit memory bus are the primary constraints, and the data suggests that upgrading the GPU would yield significant FPS improvements, while upgrading the CPU would provide minimal gains in this game.

FAQ

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

A: The data shows 1080p with Medium settings provides 111 FPS average (95 minimum, 128 maximum), which is the highest average FPS with a stable frame range. At 1440p, Medium settings at 71 FPS is the best balance, while 4K is only playable at Low settings with 51 FPS.

Q: Why does performance drop so significantly from 1080p to 4K?

A: The FPS drops by approximately 66% from 1080p to 4K at both Low and Medium settings, indicating the GPU's 8 GB VRAM and 448.0 GB/s memory bandwidth are insufficient for 4K rendering. The RTX 5060's 128-bit memory bus becomes a bottleneck at higher resolutions.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor in this game?

A: The GPU is the limiting factor at all resolutions. The Ryzen AI Max+ 395's strong single-core and multi-core performance (95th percentile) handles the game's simulation demands, but the RTX 5060 struggles with higher resolutions, particularly at Ultra settings where 4K yields only 21 FPS.

Q: How does this combo rank compared to other tested systems?

A: This combo ranks 1,977 out of 3,001 tested combinations in Hitman 2, placing it in the lower-middle tier. This is lower than expected given the CPU's strong synthetic scores, likely due to the GPU's VRAM limitations and the mobile-desktop pairing mismatch.

Q: What is the difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: At 1080p, Low settings produce 148 FPS, while Ultra produces 62 FPS, a difference of 86 FPS. The drop from High (84 FPS) to Ultra (62 FPS) is particularly steep, suggesting Ultra enables effects that heavily tax the GPU.

Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming in Hitman 2?

A: Only at Low settings, which achieves 51 FPS average. Medium settings drop to 38 FPS (minimum 32), High to 29 FPS, and Ultra to 21 FPS. The data indicates 4K is not a viable resolution for this combo beyond Low settings.

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

At 1920x1080, the system delivers its strongest performance. Low settings produce an average of 148 FPS with no recorded minimum or maximum values. Medium settings yield 111 FPS average, with a minimum of 95 and maximum of 128 FPS. High settings drop to 84 FPS average, while Ultra settings produce 62 FPS average. The step from Medium to High represents a 27 FPS loss, and the step from High to Ultra represents a 22 FPS loss, with the total range from Low to Ultra spanning 86 FPS.

At 2560x1440, performance scales down predictably. Low settings achieve 95 FPS average, Medium settings 71 FPS average (minimum 60, maximum 82), High settings 54 FPS average, and Ultra settings 40 FPS average. The resolution increase from 1080p to 1440p costs 53 FPS at Low settings, 40 FPS at Medium, 30 FPS at High, and 22 FPS at Ultra. The relative drop from Low to Ultra at 1440p is 55 FPS, a smaller absolute difference than at 1080p.

At 3840x2160, the system's limitations become apparent. Low settings produce 51 FPS average, Medium settings 38 FPS average (minimum 32, maximum 44), High settings 29 FPS average, and Ultra settings 21 FPS average. The transition from 1440p to 4K costs 44 FPS at Low settings, 33 FPS at Medium, 25 FPS at High, and 19 FPS at Ultra. At 4K, the spread from Low to Ultra is only 30 FPS, indicating that the GPU is severely constrained across all settings, with even Low settings barely achieving playable frame rates.