Hitman 2

The Intel Core i5-13400F is a 10-core, 16-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. For a stealth title like Hitman 2, which typically relies on a mix of AI calculations, physics for crowd interactions, and draw-call processing, this configuration is more than sufficient. The processor’s multi-threaded capability is evident in its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 21279 points, while its single-core performance, reflected in a Geekbench single-core score of 2301, ensures that the game’s primary simulation thread is not a bottleneck. The 20 MB of shared L3 cache further aids in keeping frequently accessed game data close to the cores, reducing latency in complex scenes. The benchmark data shows that at 1080p resolution, the processor is capable of feeding the GPU with enough data to reach an average of 237.9 FPS at Low settings. However, the relationship between the CPU and the game’s frame rate becomes more nuanced at higher resolutions. While the i5-13400F’s 10 cores are not fully taxed by Hitman 2’s engine, its strength lies in providing consistent frame pacing. The processor’s performance relative to other chips in the database is solid, sitting at the 82nd percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 25236. Its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D, scores 25365, placing the i5-13400F a marginal 0.5% behind, while the Intel Core i7-13620H is a near-exact match at 25201, a 0.1% difference. This indicates that the CPU is well within the performance envelope required to avoid limiting the Radeon RX 9070 XT, even at lower resolutions where frame rates are high.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT is the dominant component in this pairing, equipped with 16 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, yielding a substantial memory bandwidth of 644.6 GB/s. This memory capacity is critical for Hitman 2, allowing the GPU to hold high-resolution textures and detailed geometry without stuttering. The GPU’s architecture, RDNA 4.0, is built on a 4 nm process and features a boost clock of 2970 MHz. In terms of raw compute, the RX 9070 XT delivers 48.66 TFLOPS of FP32 performance, which translates directly into the high fill rates needed for the game’s dense environments. The GPU’s benchmark scores reinforce its positioning; it achieves a Passmark G3D score of 26795 and a Geekbench Vulkan score of 184026. The data indicates that the RX 9070 XT is the primary driver of frame rate changes across different quality presets. When moving from Low to Ultra settings at 1440p, the average frame rate drops from 152.3 FPS to 64.1 FPS, a decline of over 57%, which is a direct consequence of the GPU’s workload increasing with more complex shading and post-processing effects. The GPU’s percentile ranking among all graphics cards is 82, with an average benchmark score of 39647. Its nearest rivals in the database, such as the AMD Radeon Pro 575 with a score of 39703, are within 0.1% of its performance, indicating that the RX 9070 XT is a high-performance part that should handle Hitman 2’s graphical demands with ease, providing a smooth experience even at 4K with adjusted settings.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear scaling pattern across resolutions, which highlights the role of each component. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 237.9 FPS. This high frame rate suggests that the CPU is still capable of keeping up, but the GPU is not yet at its limit. Moving to 1440p at the same Low settings, the frame rate drops to 152.3 FPS, a reduction of 36%. This significant drop indicates that the GPU is starting to become more heavily utilized as pixel count increases, but the system remains fluid. Finally, at 4K with Low settings, the average FPS falls to 78.8. This is a 48% reduction from the 1440p figure, showing that the GPU is now the limiting component, with the increased resolution demanding more memory bandwidth and shading power. The pattern is consistent across all settings. For instance, at High settings, the FPS goes from 132.5 at 1080p, to 87 at 1440p, and then to 47.9 at 4K. The scaling factor between 1080p and 4K is roughly 2.7x in terms of pixels, but the frame rate drops by a factor of 2.7x as well, from 132.5 to 47.9 FPS. This nearly linear scaling in frame rate with pixel count suggests that the system is entirely GPU-bound at these settings. Conversely, the difference between 1080p and 1440p at Low settings (237.9 to 152.3) is a 36% drop, which is less than the 2.25x pixel increase, indicating that the CPU is still providing a slight constraint at the very high frame rates. Overall, the data shows that the CPU is the primary limiter only at 1080p Low, while the GPU becomes the definitive bottleneck for all other configurations.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The benchmark results provide a detailed look at performance across a matrix of resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the combo scales from an average of 237.9 FPS at Low, down to 174.1 FPS at Medium, 132.5 FPS at High, and 96 FPS at Ultra. This progression shows a consistent performance cost for each quality tier, with Ultra settings demanding roughly 60% fewer frames than Low. The 1080p resolution is clearly where this hardware excels, providing a highly playable experience even at the highest quality preset. Moving to 2560x1440, the frame rates are still very strong. The average FPS at Low is 152.3, which is still above the refresh rate of most high-end monitors. Medium settings yield 115.1 FPS, while High settings provide a solid 87 FPS. At Ultra, the average drops to 64.1 FPS, which is still smooth for a stealth game, but indicates that the GPU is working harder to fill the additional pixels. At 3840x2160, the performance becomes more demanding. The Low preset achieves an average of 78.8 FPS, making it a viable option for 4K gaming. Medium settings bring the frame rate down to 59.6 FPS, while High settings yield 47.9 FPS. The Ultra preset at 4K produces an average of 33.9 FPS, which is below the threshold for a consistently smooth experience. This data shows that for 4K gaming, users will need to compromise on quality settings to maintain higher frame rates, while at 1440p and below, the system handles all presets with aplomb. The difference between Low and Ultra at 4K is a 44.9 FPS gap, demonstrating the significant GPU workload scaling.

How This Combo Ranks

In the overall database of tested hardware combinations for Hitman 2, this specific pairing of the Intel Core i5-13400F and the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT ranks at position 509 out of 1795 combos. This places it in the top 28% of all tested systems, a strong showing given the breadth of hardware configurations in the database. The ranking indicates that while this is not an absolute top-tier setup, it is a very capable combination that outperforms the majority of systems. The high rank is likely driven by the GPU’s strong performance, as the CPU’s scores are solid but not exceptional, with the i5-13400F sitting at the 82nd percentile among CPUs. The combination’s performance is well-balanced, but the data suggests that the GPU is the primary contributor to its high standing. The fact that it achieves playable frame rates at 4K with reduced settings, and excellent performance at 1440p and 1080p, supports its position in the upper quartile of the rankings. The combo’s rank reflects its ability to deliver a high-quality gaming experience across a range of resolutions, making it a reliable choice for Hitman 2 without being at the absolute state-of-the-art of performance.