Hitman 2

Hitman 2, a 2018 stealth title, presents an interesting stress test for a modern high-end pairing like the Intel Core i5-11400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080. The data shows a combination that is overwhelmingly GPU-bound at higher resolutions, but the CPU's capabilities become the defining factor for achieving the highest possible frame rates at 1080p. This analysis breaks down the measured performance, examining how the components interact across the game's settings and resolutions.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS data reveals a classic pattern of GPU-bound scaling from 1440p to 4K, but a clear shift in the bottleneck dynamic at 1080p. At 3840x2160 on High settings, the combo produces an average of 58 FPS. Dropping to 2560x1440 at the same High preset yields 110 FPS, a substantial 89.7% increase in performance. This significant jump indicates that the RTX 4080 is the primary limiting factor at 4K, as reducing the pixel count dramatically improves throughput. Moving from 1440p to 1920x1080 on High shows a further increase to 172 FPS, but this is a smaller relative gain of 56.4% compared to the 1440p to 4K jump. This diminishing return suggests that while the GPU is still doing the heavy lifting, the CPU is beginning to assert its influence on the frame rate ceiling at 1080p.

The scaling becomes even more telling when examining the Low preset. At 4K Low, the average FPS is 103. At 1440p Low, it jumps to 193 FPS, a massive 87.4% increase. However, at 1080p Low, the average is 263 FPS, which is only a 36.3% improvement over 1440p. This pattern strongly indicates that at 1080p with Low settings, the system is approaching the i5-11400F's maximum frame generation capability. The GPU is no longer the bottleneck; instead, the processor's 6 cores and 12 threads are limiting the frame rate. The data implies that the RTX 4080 is so powerful that it can easily render frames at 1080p, but the CPU cannot issue draw calls fast enough to keep up, capping the potential headroom.

This is further corroborated by the Medium preset data, which is the only one with min/max FPS readings. At 4K Medium, the average is 77 FPS with a range of 66-89 FPS. At 1440p Medium, the average is 145 FPS with a range of 123-167 FPS. At 1080p Medium, the average is 227 FPS with a range of 193-261 FPS. The 1080p Medium average is 56.6% higher than 1440p, which is still a significant gain, but the frame time variance is more pronounced. The data suggests that the game is heavily reliant on single-threaded performance for its core logic, and the i5-11400F's single-thread score of 868 in 3dmark is likely the constraint preventing even higher frame rates at this resolution. The RTX 4080's raw power is being bottlenecked by the CPU's 2.60 GHz base and 4.40 GHz boost clocks.

How This Combo Ranks

Within the context of our benchmark database, this specific combination of the Intel Core i5-11400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 ranks 357th out of 3711 tested combos for Hitman 2. This places it in the top 9.6% of all tested systems, which is a strong showing for a game that is several years old. The high rank is primarily due to the immense power of the RTX 4080, which is in the 86th percentile of all GPUs and sits just 0.1% behind the RTX 4080 SUPER in average benchmark scores.

However, the rank also highlights the potential imbalance of the pairing. The CPU, while capable, is in the 71st percentile of all CPUs. Its average benchmark score of 17177 is nearly identical to that of an AMD EPYC 7H12, which is just 0.3% slower, and an Intel Core i5-12450H, which is 0.4% faster. This indicates that the i5-11400F is a solid mid-range performer, but it is not in the same performance class as the GPU. In a game like Hitman 2, which appears to scale well with GPU power at higher resolutions, this pairing excels. The data suggests that for users targeting 1440p or 4K, this is a highly effective combo. But for those chasing the absolute highest refresh rates at 1080p, the CPU's relative weakness prevents the RTX 4080 from reaching its full potential.

FAQ

Q: Can this combo handle Hitman 2 at 4K resolution?

A: Yes, but with compromises. The data shows an average of 58 FPS on High settings and 43 FPS on Ultra at 3840x2160. For a smooth 60 FPS experience, you would likely need to use the High preset or lower, as the Medium preset achieves 77 FPS.

Q: What is the best resolution for this CPU-GPU pairing?

A: The data indicates that 2560x1440 is the sweet spot. At this resolution, the combo achieves 110 FPS on High and 81 FPS on Ultra, providing a high-refresh-rate experience while still utilizing the GPU's power effectively. The jump to 1080p yields higher frame rates, but the scaling efficiency drops, indicating a CPU bottleneck.

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-11400F a bottleneck for the RTX 4080?

A: Based on the data, yes, but only at lower resolutions. At 1080p with Low settings, the average FPS is 263, but the scaling from 1440p suggests the CPU is limiting performance. The CPU's single-thread score of 868 in 3dmark and its 71st percentile ranking support this, as it cannot feed frames to the GPU fast enough at high FPS targets.

Q: How much faster is the RTX 4080 compared to its closest rival?

A: The RTX 4080's average benchmark score is 54247, which is just 0.1% higher than the RTX 4080 SUPER. This shows they are effectively performance equals in synthetic benchmarks. In contrast, it is 2.6% slower than an AMD Radeon RX 6750 GRE 12 GB, indicating a tight competitive field at this performance tier.

Q: What kind of performance can I expect on the Medium preset?

A: The Medium preset offers a balanced experience. The measured data shows an average of 77 FPS at 4K, 145 FPS at 1440p, and 227 FPS at 1080p. This preset also has recorded minimum FPS values of 66, 123, and 193 FPS respectively, which are all well above playable thresholds.

Q: Does the game favor the CPU or GPU in this setup?

A: The data suggests a mixed workload. At 4K and 1440p, the game is clearly GPU-bound, as performance scales almost linearly with resolution changes. At 1080p, the performance scaling diminishes, indicating that the CPU's 6 cores and 12 threads become the limiting factor, preventing the system from fully utilizing the RTX 4080's capabilities.

Measured FPS Breakdown

This section details the exact average frame rates recorded for the Intel Core i5-11400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 combination across all tested resolutions and settings.

1920x1080 (1080p):

• Low: The highest average FPS recorded for this combo is 263 FPS.
• Medium: The average FPS is 227, with a minimum of 193 and a maximum of 261 FPS.
• High: The average FPS is 172.
• Ultra: The average FPS is 126.

2560x1440 (1440p):

• Low: The average FPS is 193.
• Medium: The average FPS is 145, with a minimum of 123 and a maximum of 167 FPS.
• High: The average FPS is 110.
• Ultra: The average FPS is 81.

3840x2160 (4K):

• Low: The average FPS is 103.
• Medium: The average FPS is 77, with a minimum of 66 and a maximum of 89 FPS.
• High: The average FPS is 58.
• Ultra: The average FPS is 43, which is the lowest recorded average for this combo.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 is the dominant component in this pairing for Hitman 2, especially at higher resolutions. Its 16 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 256-bit bus provides 716.8 GB/s of bandwidth, which is more than sufficient for the game's textures and assets at 4K. The GPU's high memory capacity ensures that there is no VRAM limitation, allowing the game to load higher-resolution textures without stuttering. The card's architecture, based on the AD103 chip, is a key reason for the high frame rates.

The RTX 4080's core clocks, with a base of 2205 MHz and a boost of 2505 MHz, are the engine driving the performance. The data shows a clear relationship between the GPU's workload and FPS. For instance, at 4K Ultra, the average FPS drops to 43, indicating the GPU is fully saturated with the most demanding settings. Conversely, at 1080p Low, the GPU is not the limiting factor, as evidenced by the 263 FPS average which is likely constrained by the CPU. The GPU's benchmark percentile of 86% and its average score of 54247, which is nearly identical to the RTX 4080 SUPER, confirm its high-end status)Skip to content

. In Hitman 2, the RTX 4080 provides a substantial performance foundation that can handle the game's most demanding scenarios at 1440p and 4K, with the CPU being the only thing holding it back from extreme high-refresh-rate play at 1080p.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-11400F plays a crucial, albeit secondary, role in this system's Hitman 2 performance. With 6 cores and 12 threads, it provides enough multi-threaded capability for the game, but its single-thread performance is the more critical factor. The CPU's 3dmark single-thread score of 868 and its boost clock of 4.40 GHz are the key specifications that dictate how well it can handle the game's simulation and draw-call logic. The data shows that at 1080p, where the GPU can render frames very quickly, the CPU's limitations become apparent.

The performance scaling from 1440p to 1080p is the clearest indicator of the CPU's role. While 4K to 1440p scaling shows a ~90% performance jump, the 1440p to 1080p jump is much smaller, suggesting the CPU is nearing its FPS ceiling. At 1080p Low, the average is 263 FPS, which is only 36% higher than at 1440p. This is a clear sign that the CPU is the bottleneck. The CPU's average benchmark score of 17177 places it in the 71st percentile, and its nearest rival, the AMD EPYC 7H12, is only 0.3% different in performance, showing it is a solid mid-range processor. However, it is not in the same league as the GPU. In this game, the i5-11400F is capable of pushing frame rates well above 144 FPS at 1080p, but it cannot unlock the full potential of the RTX 4080, which could likely push frame rates even higher if paired with a more powerful processor.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend heavily on the target resolution and refresh rate.

For a 4K experience, the High preset is the recommended choice. It achieves an average of 58 FPS, which is very close to the 60 FPS target for smooth console-like play. The Medium preset can be used to achieve a more comfortable 77 FPS, but the visual fidelity drop may not be worth the 19 FPS gain for all users. The Ultra preset should be avoided, as the 43 FPS average is not ideal for an action-stealth game.

For 1440p gaming, the High preset is an excellent option, providing 110 FPS which is great for high-refresh-rate monitors. Enthusiasts can also consider the Ultra preset, which still delivers a very playable 81 FPS average. The Medium preset offers a high 145 FPS but sacrifices visual quality that the RTX 4080 can easily handle at this resolution.

At 1080p, the situation is different. Since the CPU is the bottleneck, the High preset is the best balance, yielding 172 FPS. This is well above the 144 Hz refresh rate common in gaming monitors. The Ultra preset is also viable, with 126 FPS. While the Low preset produces the highest frame rate at 263 FPS, it is unnecessary and would degrade visuals without a playable benefit, as the system is already outputting far more frames than most displays can handle. The data suggests that for this combo, 1440p High or 4K High provide the best overall experience, balancing the GPU's strength with the CPU's capabilities.