Hitman 2

Hitman 2, a stealth title from 2018, remains a demanding showcase for modern hardware. The combination of the Intel Core i5-14600KF and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 delivers a high-performance experience that scales predictably across resolutions. The data indicates this pairing is exceptionally well-suited for high-refresh-rate 1440p gaming, while still providing a playable 4K experience at higher settings. This analysis breaks down the measured performance metrics for this specific configuration.

FAQ

Q: What is the average frame rate at 1080p with Ultra settings?

A: The benchmark data shows an average of 126 FPS at 1920x1080 with Ultra settings. This indicates a very smooth experience at the highest preset for Full HD displays.

Q: How does the performance at 1440p High compare to 4K High?

A: At 2560x1440 with High settings, the average frame rate is 110 FPS. Dropping down to 3840x2160 at the same High preset yields an average of 58 FPS. This represents a significant 52 FPS decrease when moving from 1440p to 4K.

Q: What is the best-performing preset at 1080p according to the data?

A: The Low preset produces the highest average frame rate at 1080p, reaching 302 FPS. This is followed by Medium at 227 FPS, High at 172 FPS, and Ultra at 126 FPS.

Q: Is there a noticeable performance difference between the Medium and High presets at 1440p?

A: Yes, the difference is substantial. The Medium preset averages 145 FPS, while the High preset averages 110 FPS. This 35 FPS gap suggests that the High preset introduces a significantly heavier rendering load.

Q: Where does this specific CPU and GPU combination rank among all tested combos for Hitman 2?

A: The Intel Core i5-14600KF and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 combo ranks 255th out of 3711 tested combinations in this game, placing it in the top 7% of all configurations.

Q: What is the minimum frame rate recorded at 4K Medium settings?

A: The measured data includes a minimum FPS of 66 at 3840x2160 with Medium settings, alongside an average of 77 FPS and a maximum of 89 FPS. This indicates that frame times remain relatively consistent even at 4K.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 is the central component driving Hitman 2's rendering, equipped with 16 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 716.8 GB/s. This memory configuration is more than sufficient for the game's environments and textures, ensuring that data transfer is not a limiting factor at the tested resolutions. The GPU's architecture, based on Ada Lovelace with 9728 shading units, delivers substantial raw compute power that directly translates to the high frame rates observed.

The clock speeds play a crucial role in the GPU's performance. With a base clock of 2205 MHz and a boost clock of 2505 MHz, the RTX 4080 maintains high frequencies under load, which is essential for sustaining the high frame rates seen at 1080p and 1440p. The benchmark results show that as resolution increases, the GPU's workload scales, and the average FPS drops correspondingly. This is typical for a scenario where the GPU becomes the primary bottleneck at higher pixel counts.

The data suggests that the RTX 4080 is the dominant factor in this system's performance. For instance, at 1080p Low, the average FPS is 302, which is a massive 76 FPS jump over the High preset's 172 FPS. This demonstrates that when the CPU can feed frames fast enough, the GPU has the headroom to deliver exceptionally high frame rates. The 16 GB VRAM capacity also ensures that even the Ultra preset at 4K, which typically demands the most memory, does not cause the GPU to run out of resources, as evidenced by the playable 43 FPS average.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear pattern of performance scaling across the three tested resolutions. At 1080p, the system is heavily CPU-bound at lower settings, with the Low preset achieving 302 FPS. As settings increase to Ultra, the load shifts to the GPU, and the average drops to 126 FPS. This indicates that at 1080p, the CPU can keep the GPU well-fed, even at the highest presets, leaving headroom for the GPU to perform at its maximum capacity.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance scales down as expected. The Low preset still achieves a very high 193 FPS, but the gap between presets narrows slightly compared to 1080p. The Ultra preset at 1440p yields 81 FPS, which is a 45 FPS reduction from the 1080p Ultra score. This shift shows the GPU beginning to take on a more significant role, as the increased pixel count demands more from the RTX 4080.

At 4K, the GPU is the clear limiting component. The difference between the Low and Ultra presets is vast: 103 FPS versus 43 FPS. This significant drop, especially at Ultra settings, highlights the immense rendering load at 3840x2160. The data shows that while the system is capable of 4K gaming, users will need to manage settings carefully to maintain a smooth frame rate, as the High preset only manages an average of 58 FPS. The scaling from 1440p to 4K is not linear, with the performance hit being more pronounced due to the doubling of pixel count.

How This Combo Ranks

Within the context of this benchmark database, the Intel Core i5-14600KF and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 combination holds a strong position for Hitman 2. With a combo rank of 255 out of 3711 tested configurations, it places in the 93rd percentile of all systems. This indicates that this pairing is significantly more capable than the majority of other tested setups for this specific game.

This high ranking is a reflection of the combined strength of the CPU and GPU. The processor's 14 cores and 20 threads, alongside the GPU's 16 GB of VRAM and 9728 shading units, create a balanced system that avoids severe bottlenecks. The data shows that this combo outperforms a large number of alternatives, making it a top-tier choice for Hitman 2. The rank suggests that only a small fraction of tested systems, likely featuring more powerful hardware like higher-end RTX 40-series cards or newer generation CPUs, would be able to deliver better performance.

The ranking also implies a high level of consistency across different settings and resolutions. A system that ranks 255th out of 3711 is one that delivers high frame rates even in demanding scenarios, such as 4K Ultra. This is not a configuration that merely excels at low resolutions; it is a well-rounded performer that can handle the game's full range of visual options, as evidenced by the playable 43 FPS at 4K Ultra.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-14600KF, with its 14 cores and 20 threads, provides a strong foundation for Hitman 2. Its base clock of 3.50 GHz and boost clock of 5.30 GHz ensure high single-threaded performance, which is critical for game logic and AI calculations. The CPU's 24 MB of shared L3 cache helps reduce latency and improve data access for frequently used game assets. The benchmarks show strong multi-core performance, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 32544, indicating it can handle the game's background tasks and threading efficiently.

In Hitman 2, the CPU's role is most apparent at lower resolutions and settings. The data shows that at 1080p Low, the system achieves 302 FPS, which confirms the CPU's ability to process game frames rapidly. The processor is not a bottleneck in this scenario, allowing the GPU to work at its full potential. However, as resolution and settings increase, the GPU's workload grows, and the CPU's relative importance diminishes.

The processor's performance relative to its rivals is also noteworthy. The benchmark data shows that the i5-14600KF is very competitive, with a deltaPct of only 0.3% compared to the AMD Ryzen 9 7900, and 0.4% compared to the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755G. This indicates that for Hitman 2, the CPU is not the limiting factor in this system, and its performance is on par with other high-end processors, ensuring that the RTX 4080 can showcase its full capabilities.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of the system's performance across all settings and resolutions.

1920x1080:

• Low: Average FPS is 302, representing the absolute peak performance of the system, maximized for frame rate.
• Medium: Average FPS is 227, with a minimum of 193 and a maximum of 261, showing a significant drop from Low but still high performance.
• High: Average FPS is 172, a further reduction, indicating a heavier load on the GPU.
• Ultra: Average FPS is 126, the most demanding preset at 1080p, still delivering a high-refresh-rate experience.

2560x1440:

• Low: Average FPS is 193, showing excellent performance at this resolution with minimal settings.
• Medium: Average FPS is 145, with a minimum of 123 and a maximum of 167, providing a smooth experience with moderate visual enhancements.
• High: Average FPS is 110, a solid frame rate for high-refresh-rate 1440p monitors.
• Ultra: Average FPS is 81, which is still playable but begins to show the GPU's workload at this resolution and preset.

3840x2160:

• Low: Average FPS is 103, a very good result for 4K gaming with reduced settings.
• Medium: Average FPS is 77, with a minimum of 66 and a maximum of 89, offering a balanced experience at 4K.
• High: Average FPS is 58, which is on the edge of the ideal range for smooth 4K gaming.
• Ultra: Average FPS is 43, the most demanding scenario, which is playable but may not be ideal for fast-paced action.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the ideal settings depend heavily on the target resolution and desired frame rate. For 1080p gaming, the High preset at 172 FPS is an excellent choice for most users, as it provides a significant visual upgrade over Medium while still maintaining a frame rate well above 144 FPS for high-refresh-rate monitors. For those with a 240Hz display, the Medium preset at 227 FPS or even the Low preset at 302 FPS would be more appropriate to maximize smoothness.

At 2560x1440, the High preset is the sweet spot. The 110 FPS average is ideal for 144Hz monitors, and the visual quality is substantially better than Medium. The Ultra preset at 81 FPS is also viable for users who prioritize visuals over absolute frame rate, as it remains above the 60 FPS threshold for a responsive experience. The Medium preset at 145 FPS is a good fallback for those who prefer a higher frame rate buffer.

For 4K gaming, the Medium preset is the most balanced recommendation. The 77 FPS average is smooth, and the minimum of 66 FPS ensures that frame dips are kept in check. The High preset at 58 FPS is also playable and offers better visuals, but users should be prepared for occasional drops below 60 FPS. The Ultra preset at 43 FPS is best reserved for screenshot purposes or for those who can tolerate lower frame rates for maximum fidelity, as it cannot consistently maintain a smooth frame pacing. The Low preset at 103 FPS is an option for competitive play at 4K, though it sacrifices significant visual quality.