Hitman 2

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

The Intel Core i3-12100F is a 4-core, 8-thread desktop processor based on the Alder Lake-S architecture, built on Intel's 10 nm process. Its base clock of 3.30 GHz can boost up to 4.30 GHz, and it carries a 12 MB shared L3 cache. In Hitman 2, a stealth title that relies heavily on CPU-bound AI simulation and crowd logic, the processor's single-thread performance is the primary driver of frame pacing. The benchmark data shows the CPU's Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1681 and multi-core score of 11912, indicating a strong balance for a game that rarely scales beyond 8 threads.

The i3-12100F ranks in the 72nd percentile among all CPUs tested in the database, with an average benchmark score of 13516. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX (13534, deltaPct -0.1%), the Intel Core i7-1250U (13462, deltaPct 0.4%), the Intel Core i3-10105 (13430, deltaPct 0.6%), and the Intel Core i7-7700K (13280, deltaPct 1.8%). The deltaPct values show the i3-12100F is effectively neck-and-neck with these processors in aggregate CPU benchmarks, despite having far fewer cores than the Threadripper — proof of its high per-core throughput.

In Hitman 2 specifically, the 4-core/8-thread configuration is adequate but not generous. The game's engine benefits from high clock speeds on a few cores, which the 4.30 GHz boost provides. However, at lower resolutions where the GPU has less work, the CPU's 4-core limit can become a bottleneck, especially in crowded street scenes with many NPCs. The 3dmark_16_threads score of 4051 versus the 3dmark_4_threads score of 2859 shows that the CPU does not gain much beyond 8 threads, which aligns with the game's threading model. The Passmark multithread score of 14015 further confirms that this is a mid-range CPU that punches above its weight in lightly-threaded workloads.

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

The AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT is built on the RDNA 2.0 architecture with a 7 nm process from TSMC, featuring the Navi 23 chip with 11,060 million transistors on a 237 mm² die. It carries 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, yielding 256.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The GPU's base clock is 1968 MHz, with a game clock of 2359 MHz and a boost clock of 2589 MHz. Its 2048 shading units, 128 texture mapping units, and 64 raster output units deliver a pixel rate of 165.7 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 331.4 GTexel/s.

In Hitman 2, the RX 6600 XT's 8 GB VRAM is sufficient for 1080p and 1440p at most settings, but the data reveals that Ultra settings at 4K push the card to its limits. The GPU ranks in the 71st percentile among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 27985. Its nearest rivals include the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti (27956, deltaPct 0.1%), the AMD Radeon R9 M395X (27883, deltaPct 0.4%), the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 (28238, deltaPct -0.9%), and the AMD FirePro S7150 (28409, deltaPct -1.5%). The deltaPct values show the RX 6600 XT sits in a tight cluster, trading blows with the GTX 980 Ti while trailing the RTX 3070 by less than 1% in aggregate benchmarks.

For Hitman 2, which is not a VRAM-heavy title by modern standards, the 8 GB frame buffer is rarely the limiting factor. Instead, the GPU's raw throughput — 10.60 TFLOPS FP32 — determines how well it handles the game's complex lighting and shadow calculations. The 2589 MHz boost clock helps maintain consistent frame rates, but the card's 128-bit memory bus becomes a constraint at high resolutions and Ultra settings, where the game's draw calls demand more bandwidth.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i3-12100F and AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT achieves a rank of 1334 out of 1795 tested combos in Hitman 2. This places the pairing in the 25th percentile of all combinations in the database, which reflects a mid-tier performance profile. The ranking suggests that while each component individually sits near the 72nd and 71st percentiles respectively, their combined performance in this game is dragged down by the CPU's 4-core limitation at lower resolutions and the GPU's bandwidth constraint at higher resolutions.

Benchmark results indicate that this combo is better suited to 1440p gaming than 1080p or 4K. At 1440p High, the combo delivers 55.3 FPS, which is playable but not smooth for a stealth game that rewards precision. At 1080p High, the frame rate rises to 79.7 FPS, but the Ultra preset at the same resolution drops to 59.5 FPS — a significant gap that shows the GPU is the primary limiter at Ultra settings. The rank of 1334 out of 1795 means that 461 other combinations perform better, but it also means that 461 combinations perform worse, placing this pair in the lower-middle tier of the database.

FAQ

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

A: The data shows the strongest balance at 2560x1440 with Low settings, yielding 91.8 FPS. At 1920x1080 Low, the combo reaches 143.6 FPS, but the jump to 1440p Low maintains a smooth 91.8 FPS, suggesting that 1440p is the sweet spot where both components remain adequately utilized.

Q: How does the CPU's single-thread performance affect Hitman 2?

A: The i3-12100F's Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1681 and Geekbench single-core score of 2224 indicate strong per-core performance. In Hitman 2, this translates to 143.6 FPS at 1080p Low, where the GPU is less stressed and the CPU's high boost clock of 4.30 GHz becomes the determining factor.

Q: Is 8 GB of VRAM sufficient for Ultra settings?

A: At 1080p Ultra, the combo achieves 59.5 FPS, and at 1440p Ultra it drops to 39 FPS. The 8 GB GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus with 256.0 GB/s bandwidth is adequate for 1080p Ultra but becomes a bottleneck at higher resolutions, as evidenced by the 4K Ultra result of 19.7 FPS.

Q: How does this combo compare to the RTX 3070 pairing?

A: The RX 6600 XT trails the RTX 3070 by 0.9% in aggregate GPU benchmarks (28238 versus 27985). In Hitman 2, this translates to a measurable but not dramatic FPS difference, with the RX 6600 XT likely falling short by a few frames at each preset.

Q: What settings should be avoided for a consistent experience?

A: The 4K Ultra preset delivers only 19.7 FPS, which is unplayable. 1440p Ultra at 39 FPS is also below the 60 FPS threshold. The data indicates that Ultra settings above 1080p should be avoided with this configuration.

Q: Does the CPU hold back the GPU at 1080p?

A: At 1080p Low, the combo hits 143.6 FPS, which is well above the GPU's likely maximum output. However, the CPU's 4-core limit becomes evident when comparing 1080p Low (143.6 FPS) to 1440p Low (91.8 FPS) — the frame rate drop is proportional to pixel count, suggesting the GPU is now the limiting factor at 1440p.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear pattern of diminishing returns as resolution increases. At 1080p Low, the combo delivers 143.6 FPS, which drops to 91.8 FPS at 1440p Low (a 36% reduction) and further to 51.1 FPS at 4K Low (a 64% reduction from 1080p). This scaling aligns with the pixel count increase: 1440p has 1.78x the pixels of 1080p, and 4K has 4x the pixels. The FPS drops are less than proportional to pixel count, indicating that the GPU is not the sole bottleneck at lower resolutions.

At High settings, the scaling is steeper: 1080p High gives 79.7 FPS, 1440p High gives 55.3 FPS (a 31% drop), and 4K High gives 29.1 FPS (a 63% drop from 1080p). The Ultra preset shows the most severe degradation: 59.5 FPS at 1080p, 39 FPS at 1440p (a 34% drop), and 19.7 FPS at 4K (a 67% drop). This pattern suggests that as settings increase, the GPU's 8 GB VRAM and 256.0 GB/s bandwidth become progressively more strained, particularly at 4K where the pixel fill rate demand exceeds the card's 165.7 GPixel/s capability.

The limiting component shifts with resolution. At 1080p, the i3-12100F's 4-core architecture constrains frame rates, especially at Low settings where the GPU has ample headroom. At 1440p, the balance is more even, with the GPU taking on more responsibility. At 4K, the RX 6600 XT is clearly the bottleneck, as evidenced by the steep drop from 51.1 FPS at Low to 29.1 FPS at High — a 43% reduction that cannot be attributed to CPU limitations alone.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured rows, the optimal settings depend on the target resolution and desired frame rate. For 1080p, the Medium preset at 105.5 FPS offers the best balance between visual fidelity and smoothness, sitting comfortably above the 60 FPS threshold while providing better image quality than Low's 143.6 FPS. The High preset at 79.7 FPS is also viable, but Ultra at 59.5 FPS dips below the 60 FPS mark, making it a marginal choice for competitive play.

For 1440p, the Low preset at 91.8 FPS is the only setting that maintains a consistently smooth experience above 60 FPS. The Medium preset at 70.8 FPS is playable but leaves little headroom for demanding scenes. High at 55.3 FPS and Ultra at 39 FPS fall below the smoothness threshold, making them less desirable for a game where precise timing matters.

At 4K, none of the presets achieve 60 FPS. The Low preset at 51.1 FPS is the only setting that approaches playability, while Medium at 36.5 FPS, High at 29.1 FPS, and Ultra at 19.7 FPS are all too low for a satisfying experience. The data suggests that 4K gaming is not a realistic option for this combo in Hitman 2, regardless of settings.

The best overall experience per the measured rows is 1080p Medium at 105.5 FPS, which provides a high frame rate with moderate visual quality. For users prioritizing visual fidelity, 1080p High at 79.7 FPS offers a good compromise. At 1440p, the Low preset is the recommended choice, as it maintains a playable frame rate while still benefiting from the higher resolution's increased sharpness. The Ultra preset should be avoided at all resolutions above 1080p, as the frame rate penalty is disproportionate to the visual gains.