Hitman 2

Hitman 2’s measured performance on the Intel Core i5-11400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER combination reveals a system that is profoundly more capable at 1080p than at higher resolutions, with the data pointing to a clear GPU bottleneck once the resolution climbs. The benchmark results indicate a pairing where the six-core processor provides ample headroom for the graphics card to operate, but the RTX 2060 SUPER’s capabilities define the experience at 1440p and 4K.

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

The Intel Core i5-11400F is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Rocket Lake architecture, with a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. This configuration is well-suited for a stealth-action title like Hitman 2, which typically scales with a moderate number of threads. The processor’s 12 MB of shared L3 cache and support for DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus contribute to its overall responsiveness. In synthetic benchmarks, the chip scores 14,372 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 2,029 in single-core, placing it in the 75th percentile of all CPUs tested, which indicates solid mainstream performance.

When looking at the measured FPS data, the CPU appears to be a non-factor at higher resolutions. At 4K, the average frame rates drop to 29.8 FPS on High settings, which is nearly identical in relative performance scaling to the GPU’s own compute limits. The processor’s 3DMark scores, such as 5,619 for 16 threads and 868 for single-thread, suggest it can feed frames quickly, but the data shows that the GPU is the limiting component. The gap between the i5-11400F and its nearest rivals is negligible; for instance, it scores within 0.2% of the AMD Ryzen 7 5700U and Intel Core i5-1240U in average benchmark score. This parity indicates that swapping the CPU for a comparable model would not meaningfully change Hitman 2’s frame rates, especially since the game’s demands are likely met by the 6-core/12-thread configuration without bottlenecking the RTX 2060 SUPER.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER is built on the Turing architecture with 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s. Its base clock is 1470 MHz, boosting to 1650 MHz. This memory configuration is a critical asset for Hitman 2, which features large, detailed environments that can consume significant VRAM at high resolutions. The GPU’s 2,176 shading units and 64 ROPs deliver a pixel rate of 105.6 GPixel/s, which directly influences how quickly the game’s visuals are rendered.

The benchmark data shows a stark contrast between the GPU’s performance at different settings. At 1080p Low, the system achieves 145 FPS, indicating that the GPU is not the primary constraint at this level. However, as the resolution increases, the GPU’s workload grows exponentially. At 4K Ultra, the average FPS plummets to 23, which is a clear sign that the RTX 2060 SUPER is overwhelmed by the pixel count. The GPU’s G3D benchmark score of 16,462 places it in the 63rd percentile of all GPUs, and it sits close to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070, which scores 19,680 with a deltaPct of 0.5% higher. This proximity suggests that the RTX 2060 SUPER is a capable mid-range card, but the measured FPS data confirms it cannot sustain playable frame rates at 4K with high visual fidelity in this game.

FAQ

Q: Can this combo run Hitman 2 at 4K with playable frame rates?

A: The data shows that at 4K Ultra, the average FPS drops to 23, which is not considered playable for smooth action. At 4K High, it only reaches 29.8 FPS, still below the 30 FPS threshold often cited for minimum playability, so 4K is not a viable option for this pairing.

Q: What is the best resolution for this system based on the measured data?

A: The measured results indicate that 1080p is the sweet spot. At 1080p High, the average FPS is 79.8, and at 1080p Medium, it rises to 106, both offering smooth performance. Even at 1080p Ultra, the average FPS of 62.1 remains respectable, making 1080p the only resolution where all settings are playable.

Q: How does the CPU’s benchmark score compare to its direct rivals?

A: The Intel Core i5-11400F has an average benchmark score of 17,181, which is virtually identical to the AMD Ryzen 7 5700U at 17,189 (0% deltaPct) and the Intel Core i7-1260P at 17,212 (-0.2% deltaPct). This indicates the CPU’s performance is on par with these alternatives.

Q: Is the GPU or the CPU the limiting factor in Hitman 2?

A: The data strongly suggests the GPU is the limiting factor. At 1080p Low, the system hits 145 FPS, demonstrating the CPU’s ability to handle high frame rates, but at 4K Ultra, the FPS drops to 23, which is a GPU-side limitation due to the rendering load.

Q: What is the performance difference between 1080p High and 1440p High?

A: At 1080p High, the average FPS is 79.8, while at 1440p High, it drops to 52.9, a decrease of approximately 34%. This shows a significant performance hit when moving from full HD to Quad HD.

Q: Does the RTX 2060 SUPER outperform older NVIDIA cards?

A: The RTX 2060 SUPER’s average benchmark score is 19,774, which is higher than the NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN at 19,706 (0.3% deltaPct) and the NVIDIA Quadro K5200 at 19,623 (0.8% deltaPct), indicating it is slightly faster than these older models.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i5-11400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER ranks 1,318 out of 1,795 tested combos in Hitman 2. This places it in the lower-middle portion of the database, which is a reflection of the system’s limitations at higher resolutions rather than its overall capability. The rank is determined by the measured FPS across all settings and resolutions, and the poor 4K performance drags the combo down significantly. At 1080p, the system’s performance would likely rank much higher, as the average FPS of 145 at Low settings and 79.8 at High demonstrate strong ability. The data suggests that this combo is best suited for 1080p gaming, where it can deliver high frame rates, but it falls behind other systems that can handle 1440p or 4K more effectively. The ranking is a holistic view, and the system’s position at 73.5% of the way down the list (1,318/1,795) indicates that while it is not a top-tier performer in this specific game, it is not a bottom-tier failure either.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of how the system performs across three resolutions and four settings levels. At 1920x1080, the system excels: Low settings deliver an average of 145 FPS, Medium achieves 106 FPS, High reaches 79.8 FPS, and Ultra still manages 62.1 FPS. These figures show a smooth scaling curve, with each step up in settings costing roughly 20-30% performance. Moving to 2560x1440, the performance drops noticeably: Low averages 91.8 FPS, Medium 69.6 FPS, High 52.9 FPS, and Ultra falls to 36.6 FPS. The 1440p results are playable at Low through High, but Ultra approaches the edge of playability. At 3840x2160, the system struggles: Low averages 50.1 FPS, Medium 37.1 FPS, High 29.8 FPS, and Ultra drops to 23 FPS. The 4K data reveals a clear pattern: only Low settings are consistently playable, while Medium is borderline, and High/Ultra are not viable for a smooth experience. This breakdown shows a system that is robust at 1080p, acceptable at 1440p with reduced settings, and largely unsuitable for 4K gaming.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured rows, the best experience for this combo is at 1920x1080 with High settings, delivering an average of 79.8 FPS. This provides a balance between visual quality and performance, as the game remains well above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay. For players seeking maximum fluidity, 1080p Low at 145 FPS is the optimal choice, though it sacrifices visual fidelity. At 1440p, the data suggests that High settings at 52.9 FPS is the most visually appealing option that remains playable, though it falls short of 60 FPS. Medium settings at 1440p (69.6 FPS) offers a safer bet for maintaining higher frame rates. At 4K, the only playable option is Low settings at 50.1 FPS, which is borderline but acceptable for slower-paced stealth gameplay. The data indicates that the Ultra preset is not recommended at any resolution above 1080p, as it drops to 36.6 FPS at 1440p and 23 FPS at 4K, making it unsuitable for responsive control.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS drop from 1080p to 4K is dramatic and reveals the system’s bottleneck. At 1080p High, the average FPS is 79.8, which drops to 52.9 at 1440p (a 33.7% decrease) and further to 29.8 at 4K (a 62.7% decrease from 1080p). This scaling pattern is characteristic of a GPU-bound system, where the rendering load increases quadratically with resolution. The CPU’s performance is sufficient to maintain high frame rates at 1080p Low (145 FPS), but the GPU cannot keep pace as the pixel count grows. The data shows that the RTX 2060 SUPER’s 8 GB of VRAM and memory bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s are not enough to handle 4K textures and effects alongside the increased pixel fill rate. The fact that 1080p Low yields 145 FPS while 4K Low yields only 50.1 FPS highlights a 65.4% performance drop, underscoring that the GPU is the sole limiting component. This indicates that any upgrade to improve 4K performance would need to focus on the graphics card, as the i5-11400F’s 12 threads and 4.40 GHz boost clock provide ample headroom.