Hitman 2

The Intel Core i5-9400 is a 6-core, 6-thread desktop 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, paired with 9 MB of shared L3 cache and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. This configuration places it in the 50th percentile of all CPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 2305. The data suggests this is a mid-range processor that can handle the game's logic and physics, but its performance relative to modern rivals is telling. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core i3-10305, scores 2300, a delta of only 0.2% faster, while the Intel Core i7-8809G is 0.6% faster with a score of 2319. This indicates that the i5-9400 is positioned in a tightly contested performance band where the differences between these chips are marginal.

In the context of Hitman 2, a stealth game that simulates complex AI behaviors and large open-ended levels, the CPU's 6 threads are a critical factor. The game's engine must track NPC routines, security camera feeds, and dynamic events, which can be demanding on the processor. The fact that this chip sits at the 50th percentile suggests it is neither a bottleneck for high-frame-rate play nor a top-tier performer. The benchmark results from Cinebench show a multicore score of 7969 in R23 and a single-core score of 1125, which are modest figures. This implies that while the CPU can maintain playable frame rates, it may limit the maximum FPS in scenarios with many simultaneous characters, even if the GPU has headroom. The 65 W TDP and end-of-life production status further underscore that this is a previous-generation part, but its 6 physical cores provide a solid foundation for the game's threading model.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i5-9400 and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 achieves a rank of 888 out of 1795 tested combos in Hitman 2. This places the pairing squarely in the middle of the database, at roughly the 49.5th percentile of all tested configurations. The data shows that this is not an exceptional pairing, but it is also far from the bottom of the stack. The rank is influenced by both the CPU's mid-tier standing and the GPU's performance class. Interestingly, the RTX 5060 on its own is ranked in the 73rd percentile of all GPUs, which suggests that the CPU is the component dragging the combo's overall rank down. If the GPU were paired with a stronger processor, the combo rank would likely be higher, but with the i5-9400, the system's potential is capped.

This rank of 888 out of 1795 indicates that there are many systems that outperform it, but also a comparable number that fall behind. The delta between the CPU and its rivals is small, so the choice of processor is not the primary differentiator in this rank. Instead, the data implies that the combo's performance is defined by the balance between the 6-thread CPU and the 8 GB VRAM GPU. For a game like Hitman 2, which is known for its dense environments, this mid-pack rank suggests that users should expect a playable experience but not one that pushes the highest refresh rates at maximum settings. The system is a consistent performer, but it does not excel in any particular metric that would push it into the top quartile of tested combos.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear pattern in how this combo scales from 1080p to 4K. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the system achieves an average of 182.4 FPS, which drops to 113.5 FPS at 2560x1440, and then plummets to 63.3 FPS at 3840x2160. This represents a 37.8% drop from 1080p to 1440p and a 44.2% drop from 1440p to 4K. The scaling is not linear, and the steep decline at higher resolutions suggests that the GPU becomes the primary limiting factor as the pixel count increases. At 1080p, the CPU is likely the bottleneck, as the frame rates are high enough to expose any processor limitations. The fact that the 1080p Low setting reaches 182.4 FPS indicates the CPU can feed the GPU reasonably well, but the frame rate is still far from the GPU's potential maximum.

At 4K Ultra, the average FPS falls to 23.6, which is a 87.1% reduction from the 1080p Low figure. This dramatic drop is characteristic of a GPU that is overwhelmed by the resolution and settings, despite its 448.0 GB/s of memory bandwidth and 8 GB of GDDR7 VRAM. The RTX 5060's 19.18 TFLOPS of FP32 performance is not enough to maintain high frame rates at 4K with Ultra settings in this title. The data suggests that the limiting component shifts from the CPU at 1080p to the GPU at 4K. At 1440p, the system finds a balance, with High settings producing 67.8 FPS, which is a more playable figure. The resolution scaling analysis indicates that users should target 1440p for a smooth experience, as the 1080p results are CPU-bound in some settings, and the 4K results are GPU-bound to the point of being unplayable at higher presets.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of the system's performance across three resolutions and four settings presets. At 1920x1080, the system delivers its highest frame rates. With Low settings, the average FPS is 182.4, which is an excellent result for competitive play or high-refresh-rate monitors. Medium settings reduce the average to 136.1 FPS, a 25.4% drop from Low, while High settings produce 102.9 FPS, a 24.4% drop from Medium. Ultra settings are the most demanding at 1080p, yielding 78.3 FPS, which is still playable but shows a 23.9% reduction from High. This progression shows that each settings tier has a meaningful impact on performance, with the gap between Low and Ultra being 104.1 FPS.

Moving to 2560x1440, the frame rates drop significantly. Low settings average 113.5 FPS, which is still smooth for most users. Medium settings produce 87.5 FPS, a 22.9% drop, while High settings yield 67.8 FPS, a 22.5% drop from Medium. Ultra settings at 1440p average 49.4 FPS, which is a 27.1% reduction from High and approaches the threshold where gameplay may feel less fluid. At 3840x2160, the system struggles to maintain high frame rates. Low settings average 63.3 FPS, which is playable, but Medium settings drop to 49.3 FPS, a 22.1% reduction. High settings average 32.4 FPS, a 34.3% drop from Medium, and Ultra settings are the worst at 23.6 FPS, a 27.2% drop from High. The 4K data clearly shows that this combo is not suited for high-detail 4K gaming, as even Low settings only just cross the 60 FPS threshold.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 is a Blackwell 2.0 architecture GPU built on TSMC's 5 nm process, with a transistor count of 21,900 million on a 181 mm² die. It features 3840 shading units, 120 TMUs, and 48 ROPs, along with 30 RT cores and 120 tensor cores. The GPU's memory subsystem consists of 8 GB of GDDR7 VRAM on a 128-bit bus, providing 448.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The base clock is 2280 MHz, with a boost clock of 2497 MHz, and the memory runs at 1750 MHz (28 Gbps effective). These specifications produce a pixel rate of 119.9 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 299.6 GTexel/s, with FP32 performance rated at 19.18 TFLOPS. The GPU is in the 73rd percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 30109, placing it near the AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT, which scores 30097 (a 0% delta).

In Hitman 2, the GPU's role is critical at higher resolutions and settings. The 8 GB VRAM is sufficient for 1080p and 1440p at most settings, but the data shows that at 4K Ultra, the frame rates collapse to 23.6 FPS. This is not necessarily a VRAM capacity issue, but rather a raw compute and bandwidth limitation. The 128-bit memory bus and 448.0 GB/s bandwidth are relatively narrow for a 4K workload, and the 19.18 TFLOPS of FP32 performance is not enough to handle the game's lighting and shadow effects at Ultra settings in 4K. The GPU's passmark G3D score of 20891 suggests it has solid DirectX 11 performance, which is relevant for this 2018 title, but the high-resolution data indicates that the GPU is the limiting factor at 4K. At 1080p, the GPU is less stressed, and the CPU becomes the bottleneck, as seen by the 182.4 FPS Low setting result being below what the GPU could theoretically produce.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the target resolution and desired frame rate. For 1920x1080, the system can handle Ultra settings at 78.3 FPS, which provides the best visual quality while maintaining a smooth experience. If users prefer higher frame rates for competitive play, Low settings at 182.4 FPS are the best choice, but this sacrifices visual fidelity. Medium settings at 136.1 FPS offer a good balance, but High settings at 102.9 FPS are a strong middle ground for most players. The data suggests that 1080p users should not need to compromise on settings, as even Ultra is playable.

For 2560x1440, the recommendation is to use High settings, which average 67.8 FPS. This provides a good visual experience while staying above the 60 FPS threshold. Medium settings at 87.5 FPS give more headroom for demanding scenes, but High is the sweet spot for image quality. Ultra settings at 1440p drop to 49.4 FPS, which is below 60 FPS and may result in noticeable stutter in crowded areas. For 3840x2160, the data shows that Low settings are the only playable option, averaging 63.3 FPS. Medium settings drop to 49.3 FPS, which is borderline, and High and Ultra are not recommended due to sub-40 FPS averages. The 4K experience is limited, but Low settings offer a playable frame rate, albeit with reduced detail. Overall, the best experience per the measured rows is 1440p High, which balances visual quality and performance, or 1080p Ultra for maximum detail at a playable frame rate.

FAQ

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

A: The system achieves an average of 78.3 FPS at 1920x1080 with Ultra settings, which is playable but leaves headroom for higher frame rates at lower presets.

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

A: The Intel Core i5-9400 has an average benchmark score of 2305, which is 0.2% faster than the Intel Core i3-10305 (score 2300) and 0.4% faster than the Intel Xeon E-2134 (score 2295), but 0.6% slower than the Intel Core i7-8809G (score 2319).

Q: Is 4K gaming viable with this combo?

A: At 3840x2160, the system only reaches 63.3 FPS on Low settings. Ultra settings drop to 23.6 FPS, making 4K gaming only viable at Low settings, and not ideal for high-detail play.

Q: What is the GPU's percentile ranking?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 is in the 73rd percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 30109, placing it near the AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT, which scores 30097.

Q: Which settings provide the best balance at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, High settings average 67.8 FPS, which is the best balance of visual quality and performance. Medium settings offer 87.5 FPS, but High is recommended for a better experience.

Q: How much does the frame rate drop from 1080p Low to 4K Low?

A: The average FPS drops from 182.4 at 1920x1080 Low to 63.3 at 3840x2160 Low, a reduction of 119.1 FPS, or a 65.3% decrease.