Hitman 2

The Intel Core i5-14600KF paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 delivers a highly capable Hitman 2 experience, but the benchmark data reveals a system whose performance is tightly bound to resolution and graphics settings. The combination ranks 839th out of 1795 tested configurations, placing it squarely in the upper-middle tier of the database. This pairing leverages a strong modern CPU and a proven GPU, yet the frame rate curves show distinct bottlenecks that shift depending on the workload.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data shows a clear and expected trend: performance degrades as resolution increases, but the rate of degradation is not uniform across settings. At 1080p with Low settings, the system produces an average of 193.3 FPS, which drops to 145.7 FPS at Medium, 111.4 FPS at High, and 81.7 FPS at Ultra. Moving to 1440p, the same settings yield 122.5 FPS (Low), 96.7 FPS (Medium), 70.7 FPS (High), and 52.2 FPS (Ultra). At 4K, the numbers fall further to 67.4 FPS (Low), 48.9 FPS (Medium), 35.4 FPS (High), and 26.6 FPS (Ultra).

The scaling from 1080p to 1440p shows an average FPS reduction of roughly 37% across all settings, which is substantial but typical for a GPU-bound scenario. However, the jump from 1440p to 4K is more punishing: the average FPS drops by another 48%, with the Ultra preset falling from 52.2 FPS to 26.6 FPS. This steep decline indicates that the RTX 3070’s memory bandwidth and compute resources are being saturated at 4K, particularly under the demanding Ultra settings. The data suggests that at 1080p and 1440p, the CPU has enough headroom to feed the GPU, but at 4K, the GPU becomes the unequivocal limiting factor. The delta between Low and Ultra at 1080p is 111.6 FPS, while at 4K that delta narrows to 40.8 FPS, implying that at higher resolutions, the GPU is so strained that even lowering settings cannot fully compensate for the pixel count.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-14600KF is a 14-core, 20-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture, with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. Its benchmark scores are robust: it achieves a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 32889 and a single-core score of 4643. This CPU sits in the 93rd percentile against all tested processors, indicating it is a top-tier part for gaming workloads. In Hitman 2, which is known for being sensitive to single-thread performance, the high boost clock is likely a significant contributor to the strong 1080p results.

The data shows that at 1080p Low, the system hits 193.3 FPS, a figure that demonstrates the CPU is not a bottleneck at this resolution. The CPU’s nearest rivals, such as the Intel Core i5-14600K (with a deltaPct of 0.4) and the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X (with a deltaPct of 0.6), show that the 14600KF is competitively placed, being slightly slower than the 14600K but faster than the Ryzen 9 in aggregate benchmark scores. In a game like Hitman 2, where crowds and AI logic can tax the processor, the 20 threads and 24 MB of shared L3 cache provide ample resources to avoid frame pacing issues. The CPU’s 125 W TDP and unlocked multiplier suggest it is designed for sustained performance, which aligns with the consistent FPS figures observed across different settings at 1080p and 1440p. The data implies that the CPU’s role is to maintain a high floor, ensuring that the GPU is not starved of draw calls, which is why the FPS drops are primarily attributable to GPU load as resolution increases.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070, based on the Ampere architecture, features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing 448.0 GB/s of bandwidth. Its boost clock is 1725 MHz, and it has 5888 shading units. The GPU’s benchmark scores, such as a Passmark G3D score of 22214 and a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 3162, place it in the 72nd percentile against all GPUs. In Hitman 2, the GPU’s role becomes dominant at higher resolutions, as evidenced by the 4K Ultra result of 26.6 FPS, which is below the generally accepted playable threshold.

The RTX 3070’s 8 GB VRAM is a notable consideration. At 4K Ultra, the game likely approaches or exceeds this limit, causing the significant FPS drop from 35.4 FPS at High to 26.6 FPS at Ultra. The GPU’s nearest rivals, such as the AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT (with a deltaPct of 0.9) and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti (with a deltaPct of 1), show that the RTX 3070 is marginally ahead of these parts in aggregate scores. However, the data indicates that the RTX 3070’s strength lies in 1440p gaming, where it delivers a smooth 70.7 FPS at High settings. At 1080p, the GPU is not the limiting factor, as the CPU is capable of pushing higher frame rates. The GPU’s 220 W TDP and dual-slot design are typical for this class, and the 448.0 GB/s bandwidth is sufficient for 1440p but appears constrained at 4K, where the pixel fill rate and memory pressure combine to cap performance.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo rank of 839 out of 1795 puts this configuration in the 53rd percentile of all tested combinations. This ranking is influenced by the balance between the CPU and GPU. The CPU’s 93rd percentile standing is higher than the GPU’s 72nd percentile, suggesting that the processor has more headroom than the graphics card. In Hitman 2, this imbalance manifests at 4K, where the GPU cannot keep pace with the CPU’s ability to process game logic.

Compared to other combos, this pair is not at the top tier, but it is far from the bottom. The rank suggests that many systems with higher-end GPUs, such as those with more VRAM or faster memory, will outperform it at 4K. Conversely, the strong CPU ensures that at 1080p and 1440p, this combo can match or exceed systems with weaker processors but similar GPUs. The data shows that the combo is well-suited for high-refresh-rate 1080p gaming and solid 1440p gameplay, but it struggles to maintain 60 FPS at 4K on High settings. The rank of 839 is a holistic measure, and the specific resolution data reveals that the combo’s value is highly dependent on the target display. For users with 1440p monitors, this pairing is likely to feel responsive, but for 4K enthusiasts, the GPU will need to be upgraded to realize the CPU’s full potential.

FAQ

Q: What is the average FPS at 1080p with High settings?

A: The system achieves an average of 111.4 FPS at 1920x1080 with High settings, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rival?

A: The Intel Core i5-14600KF has an average benchmark score of 49367, which is 0.4% lower than the Intel Core i5-14600K (49166) and 0.5% higher than the AMD EPYC 4345P (49595).

Q: Is the GPU a bottleneck at 4K resolution?

A: Yes, the data shows a significant drop at 4K. At 4K Ultra, the average FPS is 26.6, while at 1440p Ultra it is 52.2, indicating the RTX 3070 is the limiting component at higher resolutions.

Q: What is the combo’s overall ranking?

A: This combination ranks 839th out of 1795 tested combos, placing it in the upper-middle range of the database.

Q: How much faster is the system at 1080p Low compared to 4K Ultra?

A: The average FPS at 1080p Low is 193.3, while at 4K Ultra it is 26.6. This represents a 166.7 FPS difference, or roughly 7.3 times higher performance at the lower resolution.

Q: Does the CPU have enough threads for this game?

A: The CPU has 20 threads, and its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 32889 suggests it has ample processing power. The game’s performance at 1080p, where the CPU is more relevant, shows high frame rates, indicating sufficient thread utilization.