Hitman 2

Hitman 2, a 2018 stealth title, exhibits a distinct performance profile when paired with the Intel Core i5-9400 and AMD Radeon RX 7700. The data indicates a system that is heavily balanced toward GPU capability at lower resolutions, but which becomes increasingly constrained by the graphics card as resolution scales. The benchmark results show a clear hierarchy of performance across settings presets, with the CPU providing a stable foundation and the GPU dictating the final frame rates.

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

The Intel Core i5-9400 is a 6-core, 6-thread processor based on the Coffee Lake architecture, built on Intel's 14 nm process. It operates with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, drawing a 65 W TDP. This configuration, while lacking hyper-threading, provides a solid baseline for gaming workloads. Its benchmark scores, such as a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 6629 and a single-core score of 935, place it in the 47th percentile among all CPUs, indicating a mid-range standing. In the context of Hitman 2, which is not known for extreme CPU demands, the i5-9400's six physical cores are sufficient to avoid becoming a primary bottleneck, especially when compared to its nearest rivals.

The processor's performance is closely matched with its nearest rivals, with a negligible performance delta. For instance, it sits 0.2% behind the Intel Core i7-1068NG7 and 0.3% ahead of the Intel Core i7-10710U. This performance parity suggests that in a game like Hitman 2, the i5-9400 will deliver frame rates consistent with these comparable CPUs. The data shows that the CPU's role is to provide a consistent frame delivery, allowing the GPU to be the limiting factor at lower resolutions like 1080p. However, the absence of additional threads could become a factor in more CPU-intensive scenes, though the measured FPS data does not show a significant impact on the overall averages.

With a shared L3 cache of 9 MB and dual-channel DDR4 memory support with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth, the i5-9400 has adequate resources for feeding the Radeon RX 7700 at most settings. The CPU's performance in Hitman 2 is best understood as a stable platform that does not artificially cap the high frame rates seen at 1080p. The fact that the FPS scales significantly from 1080p to 4K, even at Low settings, points to the GPU being the dominant factor in performance, but the CPU's capability is still a necessary condition for achieving the higher numbers. It is not a weak link, but it is also not a performance leader, with its average benchmark score of 2254 being only a few points away from its closest competitors.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The AMD Radeon RX 7700 is a modern graphics card based on the RDNA 3.0 architecture, specifically the Navi 32 chip, manufactured on a 5 nm process by TSMC. It features 16 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a substantial memory bandwidth of 624.1 GB/s. The GPU has a base clock of 1900 MHz and a boost clock of 2459 MHz, with a game clock of 2041 MHz. This hardware configuration gives it a Passmark G3D score of 20974, placing it in the 58th percentile among all GPUs. The GPU's performance is the primary driver of the measured FPS in Hitman 2, with its capabilities allowing for high average frame rates at 1080p and 1440p.

The RX 7700's memory capacity and bandwidth are particularly relevant for high-resolution gaming. At 4K, the demands on VRAM increase, and the 16 GB buffer, while not the fastest, ensures that the card is not running out of memory, which would cause severe stuttering. The GPU's average benchmark score of 15852 is remarkably close to its nearest rivals, such as the AMD Radeon R9 370X, which is only 0.1% ahead, and the AMD Radeon RX 9060, which is 1% ahead. This suggests that in a rasterized title like Hitman 2, the RX 7700 performs at a level comparable to these other cards, despite the generational gap.

The data shows a clear relationship between the GPU's workload and the resulting frame rates. At 1080p, the GPU is able to produce very high frame rates, with a Low preset yielding 182 FPS and a High preset at 103 FPS. As the resolution increases to 1440p, the frame rates drop, but remain very playable, with a 66 FPS average at High settings. At 4K, the GPU is heavily taxed, and the average FPS drops to 35 at High settings and 26 at Ultra. This pattern clearly indicates that the RX 7700 is the limiting component in this system for Hitman 2, and its performance scales predictably with the rendering resolution and preset quality.

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

The measured FPS data across resolutions provides a clear picture of the system's scaling behavior. At 1080p with Low settings, the system achieves an average of 182 FPS. Moving to 1440p Low, the average drops to 116 FPS, a reduction of 36%. At 4K Low, the average falls further to 62 FPS, which is a 66% drop from the 1080p figure. This demonstrates that even at the lowest graphical preset, the GPU is being pushed significantly harder as pixel count increases, confirming it is the primary bottleneck in this configuration.

The scaling pattern is consistent across all settings. At High settings, the FPS goes from 103 (1080p) to 66 (1440p) to 35 (4K), showing a similar percentage decline. For Medium settings, the numbers are 136 (1080p), 87 (1440p), and 46 (4K). The Ultra preset shows the most dramatic drop, from 76 FPS at 1080p to 49 FPS at 1440p and finally to 26 FPS at 4K. This consistent reduction in performance with increasing resolution is a hallmark of a GPU-bound scenario. The CPU, with its modest performance, remains capable enough to sustain these frame rates, meaning the FPS is directly tied to the GPU's rendering load.

The data suggests that the transition from 1080p to 1440p is a manageable step for the RX 7700, with the system maintaining playable frame rates. However, the jump to 4K is much more punishing, with the card struggling to maintain 60 FPS even on Low settings. This indicates that for 4K gaming, the RX 7700 is not a suitable match for high-refresh-rate displays in Hitman 2, and users would need to rely on lower presets or accept lower frame rates. The scaling analysis strongly suggests that any performance issues in this configuration are attributable to the GPU, not the CPU, which is a crucial insight for potential system builders.

FAQ

Q: How does the Intel Core i5-9400 compare to its closest rivals in terms of average benchmark score?

A: The i5-9400 has an average benchmark score of 2254. It is 0.2% slower than the Intel Core i7-1068NG7 (2259 score), 0.4% slower than the Intel Core i3-10305 (2264 score), but 0.3% faster than the Intel Core i7-10710U (2248 score) and 0.4% faster than the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 (2246 score).

Q: What is the highest average FPS achieved by this combo in Hitman 2, and at what settings?

A: The highest average FPS recorded is 182, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with the Low settings preset. The next highest is 136 FPS at 1080p Medium, followed by 116 FPS at 1440p Low.

Q: Is this system more limited by the CPU or GPU in Hitman 2?

A: The data strongly indicates the GPU is the limiting component. This is evidenced by the significant FPS drop when increasing resolution from 1080p to 4K, such as the drop from 103 FPS to 35 FPS at High settings, which is a symptom of GPU-bound performance rather than a CPU bottleneck.

Q: What is the combo's ranking among all tested system combinations for this game?

A: The Intel Core i5-9400 and AMD Radeon RX 7700 combination is ranked 1371 out of 3001 tested combos in Hitman 2, placing it in the upper-middle portion of the performance spectrum.

Q: Can this system achieve 60 FPS at 4K resolution in Hitman 2?

A: No, the measured data shows it cannot. The highest average FPS at 4K is 62 on Low settings, but this is marginal. On Medium settings, it drops to 46 FPS, and on High settings, it falls to 35 FPS, making a smooth 60 FPS experience at 4K unattainable.

Q: How does the GPU's performance compare to the AMD Radeon RX 9060?

A: The AMD Radeon RX 7700 is 1% slower than the AMD Radeon RX 9060, with average benchmark scores of 15852 and 16014, respectively. In practical terms, this means very similar performance in Hitman 2.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i5-9400 and AMD Radeon RX 7700 achieves a rank of 1371 out of 3001 tested combos in Hitman 2. This places the system in the 54th percentile of all tested configurations, indicating a solid, above-average performance level. The ranking reflects a system that is well-balanced for its class, but not a top-tier performer. The CPU's mid-range standing (47th percentile) and the GPU's slightly better standing (58th percentile) combine to produce a result that is greater than the sum of its parts, according to the game's specific performance metrics.

This rank suggests that while the system can deliver high frame rates at 1080p and playable frame rates at 1440p, it is outclassed by many other combinations in the database for this particular title. The position is largely determined by the GPU's performance, as the CPU is not a significant limiting factor. The data shows that the combo is more capable than a majority of systems, but it is not among the elite performers that would be necessary for 4K high-refresh-rate gaming. The ranking is a useful indicator of overall capability, but the specific measured FPS at each resolution and setting provides a more actionable understanding of its gaming performance.

The rank of 1371 out of 3001 combos is a clear signal that this is a mainstream gaming setup. It is not designed for maximum settings at 4K, but it is more than adequate for competitive play at 1080p. The rank also indicates that the system is positioned in a crowded field, with many other CPU and GPU pairings offering comparable performance. For users considering this combination, the data confirms that it will handle Hitman 2 well at 1080p and 1440p, with the understanding that 4K gaming will require compromises on graphical fidelity.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following data represents the measured average FPS for the Intel Core i5-9400 and AMD Radeon RX 7700 combination in Hitman 2, with minimum and maximum FPS noted where available.

At 1920x1080 (1080p):

• Low Settings: 182 FPS average.
• Medium Settings: 136 FPS average, with a minimum of 116 FPS and a maximum of 157 FPS.
• High Settings: 103 FPS average.
• Ultra Settings: 76 FPS average.

At 2560x1440 (1440p):

• Low Settings: 116 FPS average.
• Medium Settings: 87 FPS average, with a minimum of 74 FPS and a maximum of 100 FPS.
• High Settings: 66 FPS average.
• Ultra Settings: 49 FPS average.

At 3840x2160 (4K):

• Low Settings: 62 FPS average.
• Medium Settings: 46 FPS average, with a minimum of 39 FPS and a maximum of 53 FPS.
• High Settings: 35 FPS average.
• Ultra Settings: 26 FPS average.

The data shows a consistent performance hierarchy across all resolutions, with the Low preset always delivering the highest frame rates and the Ultra preset the lowest. The medium preset's min/max values indicate a stable frame delivery, which is beneficial for gameplay smoothness. The 1080p results are excellent for high-refresh-rate monitors, while the 1440p results are very good for standard 60 Hz displays. The 4K results are the weakest, with only the Low preset approaching playable frame rates.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the target resolution and desired frame rate.

For 1080p gaming, the High preset is the recommended choice, as it delivers a 103 FPS average, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold and smooth on most displays. For users with high-refresh-rate monitors, the Low preset at 182 FPS is the best option to fully utilize a 144 Hz or 165 Hz display. The Ultra preset, at 76 FPS, is also viable for a high-quality visual experience, but the difference in image quality between High and Ultra may not justify the 27 FPS loss in performance.

At 1440p, the High preset is the best balance, providing a 66 FPS average, which is perfect for a 60 Hz monitor, with a slight headroom for dips. The Medium preset at 87 FPS is a better option for users who prefer a higher frame rate buffer, while the Ultra preset at 49 FPS is not recommended for a consistent 60 FPS experience. The Low preset at 116 FPS is available for competitive play, but the visual compromise is significant.

For 4K, the data shows that the system cannot maintain 60 FPS at any preset. The Low preset yields 62 FPS, which is technically above 60, but this is the only preset that does so, and it comes with a significant reduction in visual quality. The Medium preset at 46 FPS is the best compromise for visual fidelity, but it requires accepting a frame rate below 60. The High and Ultra presets are not recommended for 4K as they produce 35 FPS and 26 FPS respectively, which is not a smooth experience. Therefore, the recommendation is to play at 1080p or 1440p for the best overall experience, with 4K reserved for slower-paced, less demanding games.