Hitman 2

Intel Core i5-14600K paired with the AMD Radeon RX 570 presents a stark contrast in capabilities within Hitman 2, a 2018 stealth title. The data shows a system where a high-end 14-core processor is heavily constrained by a legacy graphics card, resulting in a combo that ranks 3544th out of 3711 tested configurations. The measured frames per second reveal that the experience is almost entirely dictated by the GPU, making settings and resolution choices critical for achieving playable performance.

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

The Intel Core i5-14600K is a 14-core, 20-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture, running at a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. With 24 MB of shared L3 cache and support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, this is a modern, high-performance desktop part that places in the 90th percentile of all CPUs in the database.

For a game like Hitman 2, which relies heavily on CPU-bound simulations of AI, NPC schedules, and complex physics interactions, the i5-14600K’s capabilities are substantial. Its multi-threaded performance is evidenced by a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 24491 and a Geekbench multi-core score of 16673, suggesting that it has ample headroom to handle the game’s simulation logic even at high frame rates.

However, the benchmark results indicate that this CPU power is largely untapped in this specific configuration. The measured FPS figures do not demonstrate any scenario where the CPU becomes the limiting factor. In fact, the performance ceiling is set so low by the GPU that the processor is likely idling for much of the time. The data suggests that the i5-14600K is more than capable of feeding frames to a much stronger graphics card, as its single-thread performance (Cinebench R23 score of 2064) ensures that it can process the game's main game logic and draw calls without becoming a bottleneck, even at lower resolutions where CPU load is typically higher.

The processor’s performance, relative to its closest rivals, shows a tight grouping. It sits just 0.2% behind the Intel Xeon Gold 5318H in average benchmark score, and 0.3% ahead of the AMD EPYC 4345P. This indicates that the i5-14600K is positioned at a performance point that is consistent with other top-tier processors. Yet, in the context of Hitman 2 with the RX 570, this CPU advantage is immaterial; the GPU is the sole architect of the frame rate.

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

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of how settings impact performance with this hardware combination. The most playable experience is found at 1080p with Low settings, which yields an average of 70 FPS. This is the only configuration that breaks the 60 FPS threshold, providing a smooth and responsive experience for a stealth game where precise timing is key.

Moving to Medium settings at 1080p drops the average to 52 FPS. While this is below the desired 60 FPS mark, it remains playable and offers a significant visual upgrade over Low. The minimum FPS for this setting is recorded at 44, which means there will be noticeable dips during busy scenes, but it is generally stable enough for gameplay.

The High preset at 1080p produces an average of 39 FPS, which is a considerable step down. This makes the game feel less fluid and can be detrimental in action sequences. The Ultra preset is the worst performer, managing only 29 FPS on average, which is not recommended for a smooth experience.

Based on the data, the optimal balance between visual fidelity and performance is the Medium preset at 1080p. It provides an average frame rate that is 13 FPS higher than High and 23 FPS higher than Ultra, while still being within the range of playability. For players who prioritize a locked 60 FPS experience, the Low preset is the only viable option, as it offers a 18 FPS advantage over Medium.

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

The performance degradation from 1080p to 4K is dramatic and reveals the GPU-bound nature of this configuration. At Low settings, the average frame rate falls from 70 FPS at 1080p to 45 FPS at 1440p, a 35.7% drop. Moving from 1440p to 4K at Low settings further reduces the average to 24 FPS, a 46.7% drop from the 1440p figure.

This scaling pattern is characteristic of a graphics card that is overwhelmed by pixel count. The AMD Radeon RX 570, with its 4 GB of GDDR5 memory and 224.0 GB/s of bandwidth, is simply not equipped to handle the fill rate demands of higher resolutions. At 4K, even the Low preset cannot maintain a playable frame rate, averaging just 24 FPS.

The data at Medium settings tells a similar story. The average FPS drops from 52 at 1080p to 33 at 1440p, a 36.5% reduction, and then to 18 at 4K, a 45.5% reduction from the 1440p score. The consistent percentage drops across resolutions strongly indicate that the RX 570 is the limiting component.

If the Intel Core i5-14600K were the bottleneck, we would expect to see a much smaller performance delta between 1080p and 1440p, as the CPU load would remain similar while the GPU work increases. Instead, the frame rate drops proportionally with the resolution increase, confirming that the graphics card is maxed out and the CPU is waiting on it. The high boost clock of the i5-14600K is irrelevant in this scenario, as it is never given the opportunity to become a constraint.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combination of the Intel Core i5-14600K and the AMD Radeon RX 570 ranks 3544th out of 3711 tested hardware combinations in Hitman 2. This places it in the bottom 4.5% of all configurations, which is a poor result for a system featuring such a powerful processor.

This low ranking is almost entirely attributable to the GPU. The RX 570 sits in the 74th percentile of all GPUs, but this is a general benchmark score that doesn't reflect its ability to handle modern game loads at high resolutions. Its nearest rivals in the GPU benchmark list include the AMD Radeon R9 M295X and the AMD Radeon RX 470, with a performance delta of just 0.7% and -0.8% respectively. This shows that the RX 570 is a mid-range card from a previous generation.

In contrast, the i5-14600K is a top-tier processor. Its performance is only 0.2% behind the Intel Xeon Gold 5318H and 0.8% behind the Intel Core Ultra 5 245. This pairing of a top-tier CPU with a mid-range legacy GPU creates a massive imbalance that is reflected in the combo's low rank. The data suggests that this specific pairing is not a sensible one for Hitman 2, as the CPU's potential is completely squandered by the GPU's limitations. The system would likely perform better in CPU-bound tasks, but in this game, the GPU dictates the outcome.

FAQ — 4-6 Q&A pairs answerable from FACT PACK data

Q: What is the best average frame rate achievable with this hardware in Hitman 2?

A: The highest average frame rate measured is 70 FPS, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with the Low settings preset.

Q: Is this system capable of running Hitman 2 at 4K resolution?

A: The data indicates that 4K resolution is not viable for playable performance. At 3840x2160, the highest average frame rate is 24 FPS on Low settings, while the Ultra preset manages only 10 FPS on average.

Q: How does the Intel Core i5-14600K compare to its closest rivals in general processing power?

A: The average benchmark score of the i5-14600K is 48618, which is 0.2% lower than the Intel Xeon Gold 5318H and 0.3% higher than the AMD EPYC 4345P.

Q: What is the performance difference between the Low and High settings at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the Low preset achieves an average of 45 FPS, while the High preset averages 25 FPS. This is a difference of 20 FPS in favor of the Low settings.

Q: Is the AMD Radeon RX 570 or the Intel Core i5-14600K the limiting factor in this game?

A: The data strongly indicates the AMD Radeon RX 570 is the limiting factor. The frame rate drops by over 35% when moving from 1080p to 1440p and by over 45% when moving from 1440p to 4K, which is a classic sign of a GPU bottleneck.

Q: What is the average frame rate on the Medium preset at 1080p, and what are the minimum and maximum FPS?

A: The Medium preset at 1920x1080 produces an average frame rate of 52 FPS, with a minimum of 44 FPS and a maximum of 60 FPS.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The following is the complete set of measured average frame rates for this hardware combination, organized by resolution and settings preset.

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Ultra: Average 29 FPS
• High: Average 39 FPS
• Medium: Average 52 FPS (Minimum 44 FPS, Maximum 60 FPS)
• Low: Average 70 FPS

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Ultra: Average 19 FPS
• High: Average 25 FPS
• Medium: Average 33 FPS (Minimum 28 FPS, Maximum 38 FPS)
• Low: Average 45 FPS

3840x2160 (4K)

• Ultra: Average 10 FPS
• High: Average 13 FPS
• Medium: Average 18 FPS (Minimum 15 FPS, Maximum 20 FPS)
• Low: Average 24 FPS

These results show a linear and expected degradation of performance as the resolution and settings increase. The only configuration that offers a consistently smooth experience is 1080p on Low. The 4K results are uniformly unplayable, and the 1440p results are best suited for Low settings if a higher frame rate is desired. The gap between the High and Ultra presets is significant at all resolutions, with Ultra costing roughly 25% of the frame rate compared to High.