Hitman 2

The Intel Core i7-13700K paired with the AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT delivers a highly capable Hitman 2 experience, with benchmark data showing a distinct pattern where resolution and settings dramatically shift performance. This analysis breaks down the measured FPS data for this specific combination, interpreting how the CPU and GPU characteristics influence the results across 1080p, 1440p, and 4K resolutions.

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

The Intel Core i7-13700K is a 16-core, 24-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture, with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. This hybrid configuration, built on a 10 nm process, provides substantial multi-threading headroom that is relevant for Hitman 2’s simulation and AI workloads. The processor’s benchmark scores reflect its strength: it achieves a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 39000 and a single-core score of 5505, placing it in the 93rd percentile among all CPUs. The data shows that in synthetic tests, the CPU scales well from 2 threads (2262 in 3dmark_2_threads) to 16 threads (10717 in 3dmark_16_threads), indicating efficient thread utilization.

For Hitman 2, which is not typically a CPU-bound title at higher resolutions, the i7-13700K’s performance is more than sufficient to avoid bottlenecking the GPU. The processor’s high single-thread score (2850 in Geekbench single-core) ensures that game logic and draw calls are handled quickly. Comparing to its nearest rivals, the i7-13700K scores an average benchmark of 47282, which is essentially tied with the Intel Core i7-13700KF (47334, deltaPct -0.1) and marginally faster than the AMD EPYC 4364P (47131, deltaPct 0.3). This indicates that within this performance tier, the CPU is not a limiting factor, and any FPS differences in Hitman 2 are driven almost entirely by the GPU and settings.

The CPU’s 30 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel memory support for DDR4 and DDR5 further contribute to smooth data flow, but the benchmark results suggest that the i7-13700K provides a consistent foundation. At 1080p with Low settings, the measured average FPS reaches 199.3, which is a scenario where CPU overhead is more visible. The fact that the CPU can feed the GPU enough data to exceed 190 FPS at this resolution shows that its 16 cores and 24 threads are not a constraint. The processor’s 125 W TDP and active production status indicate it is a mainstream desktop part, and its launch MSRP was $409, but its actual gaming performance is what matters here. Overall, the CPU role is to provide a high-frequency, high-core-count platform that allows the RX 7700 XT to operate at its full potential, which is evidenced by the scaling from 4K to 1080p.

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

The AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT is built on the RDNA 3.0 architecture with the Navi 32 chip, featuring 12 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus. The GPU has a base clock of 1435 MHz, a game clock of 2171 MHz, and a boost clock of 2544 MHz, with memory running at 2250 MHz (18 Gbps effective). This configuration yields a memory bandwidth of 432.0 GB/s, which is a critical factor for Hitman 2’s texture streaming and rendering at high resolutions. The GPU’s 3456 shading units and 96 ROPs contribute to a pixel rate of 244.2 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 549.5 GTexel/s, providing the raw throughput needed for the game’s detailed environments.

Benchmark results show that the RX 7700 XT scores 22547 in Passmark G3D and 127549 in Geekbench OpenCL, placing it in the 73rd percentile among all GPUs. Its average benchmark score is 30097, which is nearly identical to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 (30109, deltaPct 0) and the AMD Radeon RX 570 (30158, deltaPct -0.2). This indicates that the GPU is positioned in a competitive mid-range tier, but its performance in Hitman 2 varies significantly based on settings. The measured FPS data shows that the GPU is the primary driver of performance changes when moving between settings presets.

At 4K Ultra, the average FPS drops to 30.1, which is below the playable threshold for most users, while at 4K Low, it jumps to 68.4. This 38.3 FPS difference between Ultra and Low at 4K highlights how demanding the game’s higher settings are on the GPU’s compute and memory resources. The 12 GB VRAM is sufficient for Hitman 2, as the game is not known for exceeding that capacity, but the bandwidth and compute limitations become apparent at 4K. The GPU’s 5 nm process node and 28,100 million transistors provide efficiency, but the data clearly shows that the RX 7700 XT is best suited for 1440p or 1080p gaming, where it can deliver higher frame rates. The GPU’s launch MSRP was 449 USD, and its performance in this combo suggests it is a balanced partner for the i7-13700K, with the CPU never becoming the limiting factor.

FAQ

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

A: The data shows that 2560x1440 with High settings achieves an average FPS of 71.1, which is a strong result. At 1920x1080 with High settings, the average FPS is 113.8, indicating that 1080p provides the smoothest experience, while 4K is only playable at Low or Medium settings.

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

A: The Intel Core i7-13700K has an average benchmark score of 47282, which is 0.1% lower than the Intel Core i7-13700KF (47334) and 0.3% higher than the AMD EPYC 4364P (47131). This shows they are effectively tied in performance.

Q: Is the GPU powerful enough for 4K gaming?

A: At 3840x2160 with High settings, the average FPS is 40.8, and at Medium it is 49.7. This falls short of 60 FPS, so 4K is not ideal for this GPU unless the user accepts Low settings, which yield 68.4 FPS.

Q: What is the FPS difference between Low and Ultra at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, Low settings produce 128 FPS, while Ultra settings produce 51.5 FPS. This is a difference of 76.5 FPS, showing that Ultra settings are significantly more demanding.

Q: How does this combo rank among all tested combinations?

A: The combo rank is 771 out of 1795 tested combos, placing it in the upper-middle range of all combinations. This indicates it is a competent pairing, but not at the very top tier.

Q: Does the 12 GB VRAM cause any issues in Hitman 2?

A: The data does not show any VRAM-related bottlenecks, as the game performs consistently at all settings. The 12 GB capacity is adequate for the game’s requirements, and the performance drops are more attributable to compute and bandwidth limits.

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

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of how this combo scales across different resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the lowest resolution tested, the average FPS ranges from 83.2 at Ultra settings to 199.3 at Low settings. Specifically, Medium settings yield 149 FPS, and High settings yield 113.8 FPS. This shows that at 1080p, the combo is capable of very high frame rates, with Low settings nearly doubling the Ultra performance. The jump from Medium to Low is 50.3 FPS, while the drop from Medium to High is 35.2 FPS, indicating that High is a balanced choice for visual quality and speed.

Moving to 2560x1440, the average FPS values are lower but still playable. Ultra settings produce 51.5 FPS, High produces 71.1 FPS, Medium produces 94.8 FPS, and Low produces 128 FPS. The scaling from Ultra to Low is a 76.5 FPS improvement, which is a substantial margin. At this resolution, High settings offer a 19.6 FPS advantage over Ultra, while Medium provides a 23.7 FPS advantage over High. This suggests that 1440p is the sweet spot for this combo, as even High settings maintain a smooth 71.1 FPS average.

At 3840x2160, the highest resolution, performance drops significantly. Ultra settings yield only 30.1 FPS, High yields 40.8 FPS, Medium yields 49.7 FPS, and Low yields 68.4 FPS. The difference between Low and Ultra is 38.3 FPS, with each step up in settings reducing performance by roughly 8-10 FPS. This resolution is only viable for lower settings, as Medium barely exceeds 49 FPS, and High struggles to stay above 40 FPS. The data shows that the GPU is the limiting factor at 4K, with the CPU providing ample headroom. Across all resolutions, the pattern is consistent: Low settings provide the highest frame rates, followed by Medium, High, and Ultra, with the gaps widening at lower resolutions.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

In the database of tested combinations, this specific pairing of the Intel Core i7-13700K and AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT holds a rank of 771 out of 1795 total combos. This places it in the 43rd percentile of all tested configurations, meaning it outperforms about 57% of the other combinations. The rank is not indicative of poor performance, but rather reflects that there are many higher-end GPUs and CPUs in the database that achieve better results. The CPU’s individual percentile of 93 (vs all CPUs) is much higher than the GPU’s percentile of 73 (vs all GPUs), which suggests that the GPU is the limiting component in this pairing. The combo rank of 771 is consistent with the measured FPS, which shows solid but not outstanding performance, especially at 4K where the GPU struggles.

When compared to the nearest rivals of the CPU, the i7-13700K is essentially tied with the i7-13700KF (deltaPct -0.1) and slightly ahead of the AMD EPYC 4364P (deltaPct 0.3), but these are CPU-only comparisons. For the GPU, the RX 7700 XT is also nearly tied with the RTX 5060 (deltaPct 0) and RX 570 (deltaPct -0.2). This indicates that the combo’s rank is driven by the GPU’s mid-range positioning rather than any deficiency in the CPU. The data shows that if the GPU were upgraded to a higher-tier model, the combo rank would likely improve significantly, as the CPU has the headroom to support it. Based on the measured FPS, the combo is best suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming, where it can achieve high frame rates, and is less suitable for 4K Ultra settings, which fall below 60 FPS.

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

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend on the user’s resolution and preference for frame rate versus visual fidelity. At 1920x1080, the High preset provides 113.8 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay, while Ultra drops to 83.2 FPS. The data shows that High is the best choice for 1080p, as it offers a 30.6 FPS advantage over Ultra while still delivering strong visuals. Medium at 149 FPS is also viable for competitive play, but High provides a better balance. Low at 199.3 FPS is excessive for most users, except those with very high refresh rate monitors.

At 2560x1440, the High preset yields 71.1 FPS, which is just above the 60 FPS target, making it the recommended setting for a smooth experience. Medium at 94.8 FPS is also excellent, providing a 23.7 FPS advantage over High, and is the best choice if the user prefers higher frame rates. Ultra at 51.5 FPS is playable but may feel less smooth, while Low at 128 FPS is the fastest but sacrifices visual quality. For 1440p, Medium is the data-driven recommendation, as it balances performance and quality, with High as a close alternative for better visuals.

At 3840x2160, the situation is more constrained. Low settings produce 68.4 FPS, which is the only preset above 60 FPS, while Medium yields 49.7 FPS and High yields 40.8 FPS. Ultra at 30.1 FPS is not recommended for an enjoyable experience. For 4K, the data suggests using Low settings to achieve playable frame rates, or alternatively, reducing the resolution to 1440p with Medium or High settings for a better overall experience. The measured rows show that this combo is not designed for 4K Ultra, and users should prioritize either 1080p High or 1440p Medium for the best balance of visuals and performance.