Hitman 2

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 built on the Rocket Lake architecture using Intel's 14 nm process. It operates with a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, with a 65 W TDP. The CPU features an 80 KB L1 cache per core, 512 KB L2 cache per core, and a shared 12 MB L3 cache. Memory support is dual-channel DDR4 with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, and the processor connects via PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes.

In synthetic benchmarks, this CPU scores 14,372 points in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 2,029 points in single-core. Its Passmark multi-thread score is 16,908, with a single-thread score of 2,981. The processor ranks in the 75th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 17,181. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 5700U (average score 17,189, delta 0%), the Intel Core i7-1260P (17,212, -0.2%), and the Intel Core Ultra 7 164U (17,215, -0.2%). The i5-11400F sits essentially level with these competitors, trailing the Core i7-1260P by only 0.2% in average score.

For Hitman 2, a stealth game that relies heavily on CPU-driven AI and simulation, the 6-core/12-thread configuration provides a solid foundation. The game's measured frame rates at 1080p with Low settings reach 265.9 FPS, indicating that the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU with data at very high rates. The single-thread performance, reflected in the 2,029 Cinebench R23 single-core score, is particularly relevant for Hitman 2's engine, which tends to favor strong per-core performance for game logic and physics calculations. The data suggests that at lower resolutions and settings, the CPU's headroom is sufficient to drive frame rates well above typical display refresh rates.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER is based on the AD103 chip using the Ada Lovelace architecture on a 5 nm process from TSMC. It packs 10,240 shading units, 320 texture mapping units, and 112 raster output processors, along with 80 RT cores and 320 tensor cores. The GPU operates at a base clock of 2295 MHz and a boost clock of 2550 MHz, with memory clocked at 1438 MHz (23 Gbps effective). It features 16 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 256-bit bus, delivering 736.3 GB/s of bandwidth.

In terms of compute, the RTX 4080 SUPER achieves 52.22 TFLOPS of FP32 performance and 285.6 GPixel/s pixel rate. Its Passmark G3D score is 34,245, with a GPU compute score of 19,822. The GPU ranks in the 88th percentile among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 53,610. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT (average score 53,489, delta 0.2%), the AMD Radeon Pro W6600M (53,414, 0.4%), and the AMD Radeon RX 7700S (52,505, 2.1%). The RTX 4080 SUPER holds a slight edge over these competitors, leading the RX 6900 XT by 0.2%.

For Hitman 2, the GPU's role becomes increasingly dominant as resolution and settings increase. The 16 GB VRAM capacity is more than sufficient for the game's texture requirements, even at Ultra settings across all tested resolutions. The measured data shows that at 4K Ultra, the average FPS drops to 43.1, indicating that the GPU is heavily loaded by the game's rendering demands. The boost clock of 2550 MHz enables strong throughput for the game's complex lighting and shadow calculations typical of the stealth genre's detailed environments.

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

The measured frame rates across resolutions reveal a clear scaling pattern that identifies the bottleneck at different settings. At High settings, the average FPS moves from 171.9 at 1080p, to 107.7 at 1440p, and finally to 58.5 at 4K. This represents a 37% drop from 1080p to 1440p, and a further 46% drop from 1440p to 4K. The progression indicates that as resolution increases, the GPU becomes progressively more limiting, while the CPU's contribution remains relatively constant.

At Low settings, the scaling is even more dramatic: 265.9 FPS at 1080p drops to 192.7 at 1440p (a 28% reduction) and then to 105.2 at 4K (a 45% reduction from 1440p). The fact that 1080p Low achieves 265.9 FPS suggests that the CPU is capable of sustaining extremely high frame rates when GPU load is minimal. However, the steep decline at 4K Low to 105.2 FPS shows that even with reduced graphical fidelity, the GPU's pixel throughput becomes the limiting factor at higher resolutions.

Ultra settings tell a similar story with lower absolute numbers: 127.8 FPS at 1080p, 81.7 at 1440p, and 43.1 at 4K. The 4K Ultra result of 43.1 FPS is below the 60 FPS threshold commonly considered smooth for action games, which indicates that the combination of high resolution and maximum settings pushes the GPU to its limits. The data clearly shows that while the CPU can handle the game's logic at any resolution, the RTX 4080 SUPER becomes the primary bottleneck when pixel count increases, particularly at Ultra settings where the gap between 1080p and 4K is 66%.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

This specific combination of the Intel Core i5-11400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER ranks 146th out of 1,795 tested combos in Hitman 2. This places it in the top 8.1% of all combinations, which is a strong result given that the CPU is a mid-range part from 2021 while the GPU is a high-end offering from 2024. The ranking reflects the balanced performance of this pairing, where the GPU's capabilities are not severely hampered by the CPU's limitations.

The combo's rank is notable because the i5-11400F, despite being an older processor, holds its own against more modern rivals in synthetic benchmarks. Its average benchmark score of 17,181 is nearly identical to the AMD Ryzen 7 5700U (17,189) and only 0.2% behind the Intel Core i7-1260P (17,212). This means that in Hitman 2, the CPU's performance is competitive with newer mobile and low-power parts, allowing the RTX 4080 SUPER to demonstrate its full potential in most scenarios.

However, the ranking also suggests that there are 145 combinations that achieve better results in this game. These likely pair the RTX 4080 SUPER with higher-end CPUs that offer stronger single-thread performance or additional cores. The data indicates that the i5-11400F, while adequate, may slightly limit the GPU's performance in CPU-bound scenarios, particularly at lower resolutions where frame rates are extremely high. At 1080p Low, the 265.9 FPS result is impressive, but a more powerful CPU could potentially push even higher.

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

Based on the measured frame rates, the optimal settings depend on the target resolution and desired smoothness. At 1080p, all settings deliver playable frame rates: Low achieves 265.9 FPS, Medium 224.7 FPS, High 171.9 FPS, and Ultra 127.8 FPS. For players with high-refresh-rate monitors at 1080p, the Medium preset offers a strong balance between visual quality and performance, with 224.7 FPS providing ample headroom above 144 Hz displays. The High preset at 171.9 FPS remains excellent for 144 Hz panels, while Ultra at 127.8 FPS is still above 120 Hz thresholds.

At 1440p, the choices narrow. Low delivers 192.7 FPS, Medium 144.6 FPS, High 107.7 FPS, and Ultra 81.7 FPS. The Medium preset at 144.6 FPS is the best option for 144 Hz monitors, as it maintains frame rates above the refresh rate. High at 107.7 FPS is suitable for 100 Hz displays, while Ultra at 81.7 FPS works for 60-75 Hz screens. For 4K resolution, the situation is more constrained: Low achieves 105.2 FPS, Medium 75.2 FPS, High 58.5 FPS, and Ultra 43.1 FPS. At 4K, the High preset at 58.5 FPS is marginal for 60 Hz displays, while Medium at 75.2 FPS provides some buffer. The Ultra preset at 43.1 FPS is below the 60 FPS target and should be avoided unless visual fidelity is prioritized over smoothness.

Considering the data holistically, the High preset at 1440p (107.7 FPS) offers the best combination of visual fidelity and performance for most users, as it remains above 60 FPS while providing substantial graphical upgrades over Medium. For 4K users, Medium at 75.2 FPS is the safest choice, as it stays above 60 FPS while delivering reasonable quality.

FAQ

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-11400F capable of running Hitman 2 at high frame rates?

A: Yes. The measured data shows this CPU, when paired with the RTX 4080 SUPER, achieves 265.9 FPS at 1080p Low settings, demonstrating strong single-thread performance. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2,029 and Passmark single-thread score of 2,981 indicate sufficient processing power for the game's demands.

Q: What is the best resolution for this combination to maintain 60+ FPS?

A: The data shows 60+ FPS is achievable at all tested settings up to 1440p. At 4K, only Low (105.2 FPS) and Medium (75.2 FPS) presets exceed 60 FPS, while High drops to 58.5 FPS and Ultra falls to 43.1 FPS.

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

A: This combination ranks 146th out of 1,795 tested combos in Hitman 2, placing it in the top 8.1% of all configurations. The rank reflects the balanced performance of the i5-11400F with the RTX 4080 SUPER.

Q: Does the CPU bottleneck the GPU at 1080p?

A: The data suggests minimal bottlenecking at 1080p, as the combo reaches 265.9 FPS at Low settings. However, the CPU's average benchmark score of 17,181 is nearly identical to rivals like the AMD Ryzen 7 5700U (17,189), indicating that a faster CPU could potentially push frame rates even higher in CPU-bound scenarios.

Q: What settings should I use for 4K gaming with this setup?

A: For 4K, the Medium preset at 75.2 FPS is recommended for smooth gameplay, as it stays above 60 FPS. The High preset at 58.5 FPS is borderline, while Ultra at 43.1 FPS is best avoided unless visual quality is the sole priority.

Q: How does the RTX 4080 SUPER compare to its nearest GPU rivals?

A: The RTX 4080 SUPER has an average benchmark score of 53,610, leading the AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT by 0.2% (53,489) and the AMD Radeon Pro W6600M by 0.4% (53,414). It is 2.1% ahead of the AMD Radeon RX 7700S and 2.9% ahead of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti.