Hitman 2

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

The Intel Core i7-12700K is a 12-core, 20-thread Alder Lake-S processor based on a 10 nm process. It runs at a base clock of 3.60 GHz and reaches a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. This hybrid architecture combines performance and efficiency cores, though the fact pack does not specify the exact core distribution. With an L3 cache of 25 MB shared across the die and a dual-channel memory bus supporting both DDR4 and DDR5, this CPU is designed to handle high-throughput workloads. Its benchmark profile is strong: the Cinebench R23 multi-core score sits at 29241, while the single-core score is 4128. Geekbench results show 13892 multi-core and 2561 single-core. These numbers place the processor in the 89th percentile among all CPUs, indicating it is a high-tier part for gaming and productivity alike.

In Hitman 2, the CPU’s role is primarily to feed the GPU with draw calls and handle game logic, AI, and physics. The game is not heavily threaded, but the i7-12700K’s single-thread performance is exceptional, as evidenced by its PassMark single-thread score of 4013 and 3DMark single-thread score of 1043. This matters because Hitman 2’s frame pacing at high refresh rates often depends on the fastest core. The 3DMark 2-thread score of 2065 and 4-thread score of 4011 further suggest that even when the game uses a handful of threads, the CPU delivers ample headroom. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo reaches 233.7 FPS, a figure that indicates the CPU is not a bottleneck at lower resolutions. However, as resolution increases, the load shifts to the GPU, and the CPU’s advantage becomes less visible in the average FPS.

The nearest rivals in synthetic average score are the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5845 and Intel Core i5-14500HX, with deltaPct values of -0.3% and -0.7% respectively. The i7-12700K trails these by less than a single percentage point, meaning its raw compute power is essentially on par with those parts. The Intel Core i7-13700T and i7-13800H are slightly slower in average score, with deltas of 0.6% and 0.8% respectively, but these differences are negligible in real gameplay. For Hitman 2 specifically, the CPU’s clock speed and cache are more relevant than its core count, as the game rarely scales beyond a few threads. The 5.00 GHz boost clock ensures that the primary thread runs at maximum velocity, which is critical for maintaining high minimum frame rates in crowded scenes.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti is built on the Ampere architecture with an 8 nm process and the GA102 chip. It packs 10240 shading units, 320 texture mapping units, and 112 ROPs. The memory subsystem is substantial: 12 GB of GDDR6X across a 384-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 912.4 GB/s. Memory clocks run at 1188 MHz, with an effective data rate of 19 Gbps. The GPU’s base clock is 1365 MHz, boosting to 1665 MHz. This configuration delivers 34.10 TFLOPS of FP32 performance. The card holds the 83rd percentile among all GPUs, with a PassMark G3D score of 26896 and a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 5077.

For Hitman 2, the RTX 3080 Ti’s massive memory bandwidth and high pixel rate (186.5 GPixel/s) are key assets. The game’s levels are dense with geometry and texture detail, especially at 4K. The 12 GB VRAM is more than sufficient for the game’s maximum settings, even at 3840x2160. The measured data confirms this: at 4K Ultra, the combo averages 35.8 FPS, which is playable but not smooth. At 4K High, the average jumps to 48.8 FPS, showing that the GPU is the primary limiter at this resolution. The GPU’s nearest rivals in average score include the RTX 3090 (deltaPct -0.5%) and the RTX 5070 (deltaPct -1.1%). The 3080 Ti is slightly behind the 3090, but the difference is under one percent, so performance in Hitman 2 would be virtually indistinguishable between them.

The FP32 throughput of 34.10 TFLOPS is what drives the raw fill rate needed for Hitman 2’s complex lighting and shadow calculations. The texture rate of 532.8 GTexel/s ensures that texture-heavy surfaces render without stutter. At 1440p, the GPU still leads, but the CPU begins to matter more. The 1080p Low result of 233.7 FPS is evidence that the GPU can push far beyond 200 FPS when not constrained by resolution. The GPU’s TDP of 350 W and suggested PSU of 750 W indicate a power-hungry part, but the fact pack provides no thermal throttling data, so the analysis rests on the measured FPS alone.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i7-12700K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti ranks 476th out of 1795 tested combos in Hitman 2. This places the setup in the top 26.5% of all pairings. The percentile is respectable, but not elite. The ranking reflects that while both components are strong, the GPU’s position in the 83rd percentile and the CPU’s in the 89th percentile do not translate to a top-tier gaming combo for this specific title. Many higher-ranked combos likely feature newer GPUs with better ray tracing or higher clock speeds, though the fact pack does not list such rivals.

The combo’s rank is more a function of the GPU than the CPU. At 1080p, the CPU’s strength shows, but the rank is aggregated across resolutions and settings. The 4K Ultra result of 35.8 FPS drags the average down, as it is below the 60 FPS threshold many gamers target. At 1440p High, the combo achieves 85.7 FPS, which is solid, and at 1080p High, it hits 136.4 FPS. These figures suggest that the combo is best suited for 1440p gaming, where it balances CPU and GPU loads. The rank of 476 out of 1795 indicates there are 475 combos that perform better, but this setup still outperforms the vast majority of tested configurations. The deltaPct to the CPU’s nearest rival (AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5845) is -0.3%, meaning the i7-12700K is virtually tied with that chip, so any rank difference comes from the GPU side.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo in Hitman 2?

A: The data shows 1440p High yields 85.7 FPS, which is smooth, while 4K High drops to 48.8 FPS. 1080p High delivers 136.4 FPS, but the sweet spot is 1440p for visual quality and frame rate balance.

Q: How does the RTX 3080 Ti compare to its nearest rival in synthetic score?

A: The RTX 3080 Ti has an average benchmark score of 41224, while the RTX 3090 scores 41441, a deltaPct of -0.5%. This means the 3080 Ti is about half a percent slower in raw compute.

Q: Can this combo handle 4K Ultra settings?

A: Yes, but with a caveat. The measured average FPS at 4K Ultra is 35.8, which is below the 60 FPS threshold. It is playable for slower-paced stealth gameplay, but not ideal for competitive play.

Q: What is the CPU’s percentile ranking?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700K sits in the 89th percentile among all CPUs, indicating it outperforms 89% of tested processors in aggregate benchmarks.

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

A: The 1080p Low result is 233.7 FPS, while 4K Ultra is 35.8 FPS. This represents a 6.5x increase in frame rate, showing that resolution scaling has a massive impact on GPU load.

Q: What is the GPU’s memory bandwidth?

A: The RTX 3080 Ti has a memory bandwidth of 912.4 GB/s, which is critical for high-resolution textures in Hitman 2.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data shows a clear trend: as resolution increases, average FPS drops significantly. Starting at 1080p Low, the combo delivers 233.7 FPS. Moving to 1440p Low, the average falls to 152.7 FPS, a 34.7% reduction. At 4K Low, the average is 78.7 FPS, which is 66.3% lower than the 1080p figure. This pattern is consistent across all settings. For High settings, the drop from 1080p (136.4 FPS) to 1440p (85.7 FPS) is 37.2%, and from 1440p to 4K (48.8 FPS) is another 43.0%. The scaling is nearly linear with pixel count, which indicates the GPU is the limiting component at every resolution above 1080p.

The Ultra settings show the steepest decline. At 1080p Ultra, the combo averages 97.2 FPS. At 1440p Ultra, it drops to 64.4 FPS (-33.7%), and at 4K Ultra, it falls to 35.8 FPS (-44.4% from 1440p). The fact that the FPS drops are roughly proportional to the pixel count increase (2.25x from 1080p to 1440p, and 2.25x from 1440p to 4K) suggests that the GPU’s fill rate and bandwidth are fully utilized. The CPU’s influence is minimal at higher resolutions because the frame rate is bounded by GPU throughput. This is typical for a stealth game with heavy draw distances and complex geometry, where GPU work dominates. The data strongly indicates that for this combo, the RTX 3080 Ti is the bottleneck at 4K, while the i7-12700K has headroom to spare even at 1080p High.

Settings Recommendations

The measured rows provide clear guidance on which preset offers the best experience. At 4K, the High preset delivers 48.8 FPS, which is close to playable but not smooth. The Medium preset at 4K yields 63.7 FPS, which is above the 60 FPS line. This makes Medium the recommended setting for 4K, as it provides a playable frame rate without sacrificing too much visual fidelity. Ultra at 4K is not recommended, as the 35.8 FPS average would result in noticeable stutter during fast camera movements. Low at 4K (78.7 FPS) is an option for competitive play, but the visual trade-off is severe.

At 1440p, the High preset delivers 85.7 FPS, which is smooth and visually rich. This is the best balance for most players. Medium at 1440p (110.6 FPS) is also excellent, offering a higher refresh rate for those with 120 Hz monitors. Ultra at 1440p (64.4 FPS) is playable but dips dangerously close to 60 FPS, so only those with adaptive sync should consider it. Low at 1440p (152.7 FPS) is overkill for most displays and reduces immersion.

At 1080p, all presets are playable. High (136.4 FPS) and Medium (175.9 FPS) are both excellent, with Ultra (97.2 FPS) still comfortable for 60 Hz displays. Low at 1080p (233.7 FPS) is only useful for esports-level targeting, which is not the core audience for Hitman 2. The data suggests the optimal experience is 1440p High, as it provides 85.7 FPS with high visual quality, while 4K Medium (63.7 FPS) is the best compromise for resolution seekers. For those prioritizing frame rate above all, 1080p Medium offers 175.9 FPS without major visual downgrades. The recommendation is to avoid Ultra at any resolution above 1440p, as the frame rate penalty outweighs the marginal visual gains.