Hitman 2

The Intel Core i5-12400 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 combination delivers a highly capable Hitman 2 experience, but the data reveals a clear performance hierarchy dictated by resolution and settings. The 1080p results are exceptional, while 4K Ultra presents a significant challenge, indicating a system where the GPU becomes the primary bottleneck at higher graphical loads.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data shows a dramatic and predictable decline as resolution increases, which is classic behavior for a GPU-limited scenario. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combo achieves 193.4 FPS. Moving to 2560x1440 at the same settings drops this to 128.1 FPS, a reduction of approximately 34%. The leap to 3840x2160 at Low settings yields 68.9 FPS, which is a further 46% decrease from the 1440p result.

This scaling pattern intensifies at higher quality presets. At High settings, the average frame rate falls from 111.8 FPS at 1080p to 70.8 FPS at 1440p (a 37% drop), and then to 38.5 FPS at 4K (a 46% drop from 1440p). The most demanding preset, Ultra, shows an even steeper curve: 84 FPS at 1080p plummets to 53.7 FPS at 1440p and then to a barely playable 25.5 FPS at 4K.

The data strongly suggests that the limiting component at 4K is the GPU. The RTX 3070’s 8 GB of VRAM and its memory bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s are strained by the sheer pixel count of 4K, especially with higher fidelity settings. Conversely, the relatively small performance gap between 1080p and 1440p at Low settings indicates that the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU efficiently at these lower resolutions, with the i5-12400’s six cores and 12 threads proving sufficient to avoid bottlenecking the frame rate.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-12400 is a six-core, 12-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture. Its base clock of 2.50 GHz and boost clock of 4.40 GHz provide the foundation for its performance. In the context of Hitman 2, the benchmark results indicate that the CPU is not the primary constraint in most scenarios.

At 1080p with Low settings, the system produces 193.4 FPS. This ultra-high frame rate reflects the CPU’s ability to handle the game’s simulation and draw calls without becoming a limiting factor. The i5-12400’s strong single-thread performance, evidenced by its 3dmark_single_thread score of 910, is crucial for a game that relies heavily on a few primary threads for game logic and physics.

The CPU’s role becomes more apparent when considering its benchmark positioning. It holds a 77th percentile ranking among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 19850. This places it in a dead heat with rivals like the Intel Core i7-9700 (score 19831, delta 0.1%) and the Intel Core i5-11600K (score 19771, delta 0.4%). In practical terms, this means the i5-12400 provides a level of processing power that is more than adequate for Hitman 2, allowing the GPU to be the deciding factor in frame rate, particularly at higher resolutions and settings.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 is the undisputed performance driver in this configuration. Based on the Ampere architecture and built on an 8 nm process, it features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, delivering a bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s. Its boost clock of 1725 MHz and 5888 shading units are the core elements that process the graphical data.

The GPU’s performance is the primary reason for the FPS differences across settings. The benchmark data shows a clear correlation: as the settings increase from Low to Ultra, the average frame rate drops consistently. At 1440p, the progression is 128.1 (Low), 95.6 (Medium), 70.8 (High), and 53.7 (Ultra) FPS. This shows that the RTX 3070’s raw compute power is being taxed more heavily by the increased shading, texture, and lighting complexity.

The GPU’s synthetic benchmarks reinforce this. Its passmark_g3d score of 22214 and a 3dmark_steel_nomad_dx12 score of 3162 indicate a solid mid-to-high tier performer. It ranks in the 72nd percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 28238. Its closest rival, the AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT, scores 27985, a delta of 0.9%, showing the 3070 holds a slight edge. However, the 4K Ultra result of 25.5 FPS demonstrates the limits of its 8 GB VRAM and compute capacity; it is simply not designed for maxed-out 4K gaming in a title like Hitman 2.

How This Combo Ranks

This specific pairing of the Core i5-12400 and RTX 3070 achieves a rank of 805 out of 1795 tested combinations for Hitman 2. This places it in the top 45% of all systems in the database, which is a respectable position for a mainstream mid-range build.

The ranking is a direct reflection of the measured FPS data. The system is clearly capable of delivering high refresh rate experiences at 1080p and solid 60+ FPS gameplay at 1440p on High settings. However, its performance at 4K, particularly on Ultra, drags its overall ranking down. The 805th position suggests that while the combo is powerful, there are many other configurations that can handle the most demanding scenarios with greater ease. The data indicates that this combo is best suited for high-refresh 1080p or smooth 1440p gaming, rather than as a top-tier 4K contender.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo to achieve a smooth 60+ FPS experience in Hitman 2?

A: The data shows that 2560x1440 at High settings delivers 70.8 FPS, making it the ideal choice for a high-fidelity, smooth experience. At 1080p, even Ultra settings achieve 84 FPS, offering another excellent option for maximum frame rates.

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

A: It can, but with compromises. At 4K with Low settings, it averages 68.9 FPS, which is playable. However, at High settings it drops to 38.5 FPS, and at Ultra it falls to 25.5 FPS, which is not a smooth experience. The 8 GB VRAM of the RTX 3070 is a limiting factor here.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the main bottleneck for this game at 1080p?

A: The CPU is not a significant bottleneck at 1080p. The system achieves 193.4 FPS at Low settings, indicating the i5-12400 can feed the GPU effectively. The GPU becomes the limiting factor as settings and resolution increase.

Q: How does the i5-12400 compare to its nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-9700?

A: The two processors are essentially tied in general performance. The i5-12400 has an average benchmark score of 19850, while the i7-9700 scores 19831, a negligible delta of 0.1%.

Q: What is the most demanding preset tested for this game?

A: The Ultra preset is the most demanding. At 3840x2160 resolution, it produces the lowest average frame rate of 25.5 FPS. Even at 1080p, it is the most taxing, with a score of 84 FPS compared to 111.8 FPS on High.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following table presents the exact measured average FPS for all tested resolution and settings combinations.

| Resolution | Settings | Avg FPS |

|:--------- |:------- | ------: |

| 3840x2160 | Ultra | 25.5 |

| 3840x2160 | High | 38.5 |

| 3840x2160 | Medium | 49.3 |

| 3840x2160 | Low | 68.9 |

| 2560x1440 | Ultra | 53.7 |

| 2560x1440 | High | 70.8 |

| 2560x1440 | Medium | 95.6 |

| 2560x1440 | Low | 128.1 |

| 1920x1080 | Ultra | 84.0 |

| 1920x1080 | High | 111.8 |

| 1920x1080 | Medium | 148.0 |

| 1920x1080 | Low | 193.4 |

Settings Recommendations

The measured data provides clear guidance for the optimal experience. For users with a 1080p monitor, the Ultra preset at 84 FPS offers the best visual fidelity while maintaining a frame rate well above the 60 FPS threshold. This is the recommended choice for those prioritizing image quality.

For 1440p displays, the High preset is the sweet spot. It delivers 70.8 FPS, which is smooth and responsive, while offering a significant visual upgrade over the Medium preset. The Ultra preset at this resolution (53.7 FPS) is also viable if a higher frame rate is not a priority, but the High preset provides a better balance.

At 4K, the data suggests that users must make a significant compromise. The Low preset (68.9 FPS) is the only option that provides a consistently playable frame rate. The High preset (38.5 FPS) is borderline, and Ultra (25.5 FPS) is not recommended for a satisfactory experience. Therefore, for 4K, sticking to the Low preset is the only way to achieve smooth gameplay with this hardware combination.