Hitman 2

The Intel Core i7-13700K pairs 16 cores with 24 threads, running on the Raptor Lake architecture with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. For a title like Hitman 2, which relies heavily on CPU-bound simulation for AI and crowd logic, this processor provides substantial headroom. Its benchmark data confirms a strong showing: a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 30745 and a single-core score of 2116. The 3DMark results show a scaling pattern from 2262 at 2 threads to 12412 at max threads, indicating that the processor’s 24-thread count is effectively utilized in synthetic workloads. The processor sits in the 89th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 46881. Its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900, posts a nearly identical score of 46971, a delta of just -0.2%, meaning the i7-13700K is statistically tied with that chip in overall CPU performance. The data suggests that at 1080p, where frame rates are highest, this CPU will not be the limiting factor, as its single-thread performance is sufficient to feed the GPU. However, the measured FPS in this game shows that the CPU’s role is to maintain a stable baseline; the actual frame rate ceiling is dictated by the graphics card.

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

The i7-13700K offers a hybrid design with 16 cores, but its high boost clock of 5.40 GHz is the primary driver for Hitman 2’s frame pacing. The game is known for its dense environments where multiple NPCs and physics interactions are processed, and the 24 threads handle these parallel workloads efficiently. In the measured data, the lowest 1080p average FPS is 60 on Ultra settings, which suggests that even at maximum graphical load, the CPU is not causing a bottleneck. The processor’s Geekbench single-core score of 2529 and multi-core score of 19429 indicate that it has both the per-thread speed and the multi-threaded capacity required for this game. The 3DMark 16-thread score of 10717 is notably lower than the max-thread score of 12412, implying that the extra threads beyond 16 provide a modest 15.8% uplift in synthetic scenarios. In Hitman 2, the CPU’s role is to maintain a consistent frame time, and the data points to this being achieved, as the FPS differences between resolutions are largely attributed to GPU load rather than CPU stalls. The processor’s 30 MB of shared L3 cache also helps with the game’s asset streaming, reducing potential stutter in open levels.

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

The AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, delivering 256.0 GB/s of bandwidth. Its boost clock of 2589 MHz and game clock of 2359 MHz are supported by 2048 shading units and 64 ROPs. The measured FPS data reveals that the GPU is the dominant performance limiter at higher resolutions. At 1080p Low, the card achieves 144 FPS, but this drops to 82 FPS at High settings, indicating a 43% reduction due to increased pixel and shading workload. The GPU’s 32 RT cores are present but not heavily utilized in this game, as Hitman 2 does not rely on ray tracing. The card’s 10.60 TFLOPS of FP32 compute is sufficient for 1080p and 1440p gaming, but the 8 GB VRAM becomes a constraint at 4K Ultra, where the average FPS falls to 21. The GPU benchmarks show a Passmark G3D score of 16461, placing it in the 70th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1630, scores 24277, which is 0.7% lower, making the RX 6600 XT marginally faster in synthetic tests. In practice, the 4K Ultra result of 21 FPS is below playable thresholds, confirming that the GPU’s memory bandwidth and compute capacity are inadequate for that configuration.

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

The measured FPS rows show a clear pattern of performance degradation as resolution increases, which is the hallmark of a GPU-bound scenario. At 1080p Low, the average FPS is 144, but at 4K Low, it drops to 49, a 66% reduction. This scaling is more pronounced at Ultra settings: from 60 FPS at 1080p to 21 FPS at 4K, a 65% drop. The data suggests that the CPU is not the bottleneck, as the frame rate drop is proportional to the pixel count increase. For example, moving from 1440p Medium (69 FPS) to 4K Medium (37 FPS) represents a 46.4% reduction, while the pixel count increases by 2.25 times. This non-linear scaling indicates that the GPU’s shading units and memory bandwidth are saturated at 4K. The 1080p to 1440p transition shows a milder drop: at High settings, from 82 FPS to 52 FPS, a 36.6% reduction, which is closer to the pixel ratio of 1.78. The limiting component is definitely the GPU, as the CPU’s performance headroom is evident in the 144 FPS result at 1080p Low, which is near the game’s engine cap. The data implies that for 4K gaming, the RX 6600 XT is only viable at Low settings, and even then, 49 FPS is not ideal for a smooth experience.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

This specific combination of the Intel Core i7-13700K and the AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT ranks 2681 out of 3711 tested combos in Hitman 2. This places it in the bottom 27.8% of all configurations, which is a reflection of the GPU’s limitations rather than the CPU’s capabilities. The rank indicates that while the CPU is in the 89th percentile, the GPU’s 70th percentile drags the overall combo down. The data suggests that most other combos in the database either have a more powerful GPU or a more balanced pairing. The i7-13700K’s nearest CPU rivals, such as the AMD Ryzen 9 5900, would likely achieve a similar rank when paired with the same GPU, as the CPU is not the differentiating factor in this game. The combo’s rank is heavily influenced by the 4K results, where the GPU falls to 21 FPS at Ultra, which is a severe outlier. At 1080p, the combo performs adequately, but the database ranking is weighted by all resolutions, pulling it down. This rank suggests that users should not expect high-end performance at 4K, but the combo is capable for 1080p competitive play.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

The measured FPS data provides clear guidance on the optimal settings for this combo. At 1080p, the Medium preset delivers 108 FPS with a minimum of 92 FPS and a maximum of 125 FPS, which is the best balance of visual quality and performance. The High preset at 1080p yields 82 FPS, which is still playable, but the 26 FPS drop from Medium to High is not justified by the marginal graphical improvements. The Ultra preset at 1080p drops to 60 FPS, which is borderline for a smooth experience, and the jump from Medium to Ultra costs 48 FPS. For 1440p, the Medium preset is the recommended choice, offering 69 FPS with a minimum of 59 FPS, which is just above the 60 FPS target. The High preset at 1440p drops to 52 FPS, which is below the ideal threshold for fast-paced action. At 4K, the Low preset is the only viable option, providing 49 FPS, but this comes with significant visual compromises. The Medium preset at 4K delivers 37 FPS, which is not smooth enough for a stealth game where precision is required. Therefore, the data supports using Medium settings at 1080p and 1440p, and Low at 4K, to maintain playable frame rates.

FAQ — 4-6 Q&A pairs answerable from FACT PACK data

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo to achieve over 100 FPS?

A: The only configuration that exceeds 100 FPS is 1920x1080 with Low settings, which achieves 144 FPS. The Medium preset at 1080p is close at 108 FPS, but the High and Ultra presets fall below the 100 FPS mark.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its closest rival in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i7-13700K has an average benchmark score of 46881, which is 0.2% lower than the AMD Ryzen 9 5900’s score of 46971. This means the two processors perform nearly identically in overall benchmarks.

Q: Is the GPU’s VRAM sufficient for 4K gaming in this title?

A: The data shows that at 4K Ultra, the average FPS is 21, and at 4K High it is 28, indicating that the 8 GB VRAM and 256.0 GB/s bandwidth are insufficient for high-fidelity 4K play. Only the Low preset at 4K reaches a playable 49 FPS.

Q: What is the FPS drop from 1080p to 1440p at High settings?

A: At High settings, the average FPS drops from 82 at 1920x1080 to 52 at 2560x1440, representing a 36.6% reduction in performance.

Q: Does the combo rank in the top half of all tested configurations?

A: No, the combo ranks 2681 out of 3711 combos, placing it in the bottom 27.8% of all tested configurations for this game.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded for the Medium preset at 1440p?

A: The Medium preset at 2560x1440 has a minimum FPS of 59, with an average of 69 and a maximum of 80.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The measured FPS data for this combo is as follows:

At 1920x1080:

• Low: average 144 FPS, no min/max recorded.
• Medium: average 108 FPS, minimum 92 FPS, maximum 125 FPS.
• High: average 82 FPS, no min/max recorded.
• Ultra: average 60 FPS, no min/max recorded.

At 2560x1440:

• Low: average 92 FPS, no min/max recorded.
• Medium: average 69 FPS, minimum 59 FPS, maximum 80 FPS.
• High: average 52 FPS, no min/max recorded.
• Ultra: average 39 FPS, no min/max recorded.

At 3840x2160:

• Low: average 49 FPS, no min/max recorded.
• Medium: average 37 FPS, minimum 31 FPS, maximum 42 FPS.
• High: average 28 FPS, no min/max recorded.
• Ultra: average 21 FPS, no min/max recorded.

The data shows a consistent pattern where the Medium preset provides the only measured minimum and maximum FPS values, indicating that this setting was tested with a frame time capture. The Low preset at 1080p is the only configuration to reach 144 FPS, which is the highest average FPS in the entire dataset. The Ultra preset at 4K is the lowest, at 21 FPS. The scaling from Medium to High at each resolution is roughly a 24% reduction in FPS, while the jump from High to Ultra is a further 27% reduction. This breakdown confirms that the GPU is the primary limiting factor at higher settings and resolutions, with the CPU maintaining adequate frame pacing throughout.