Hitman 2

The Intel Core i7-13700K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 combination delivers a striking performance profile in Hitman 2, one that shifts from GPU-bound at high resolutions to CPU-bound at lower settings. The data shows a system that excels at high refresh rates in 1080p and maintains strong frame rates at 1440p, but the hardware's limits become clear at 4K Ultra. The combination places 1023rd out of 3711 tested configurations, a position that reflects the RTX 3070's modest standing relative to the processor's top-tier potential. This analysis breaks down the measured performance, the role of each component, and where the bottleneck sits.

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

Hitman 2 is a stealth title that relies on complex AI simulations and physics calculations, which can be demanding on processor threads. The Intel Core i7-13700K is a massive 16-core processor (8 performance, 8 efficiency, 24 threads) with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The processor's architecture is Raptor Lake, built on Intel's 10 nm process, and it carries 30 MB of shared L3 cache. With a TDP of 125 W, the chip is a power-dense desktop part, and its performance. a strong.

In the database’s own benchmark suite, the i7-13700K scores 16,292 points in Cinebench R20 multi-core and 2,299 in single-core. It also hits 30,745 in Cinebench R23 multi-core. These numbers place the chip in the 89th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 46,881. Its nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen 9 5900 (average score 46,971, delta -0.2%) and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 (47,022, delta -0.3%), meaning the i7-13700K is essentially at parity with them. It edges out the AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX (46,654, delta +0.5%) and Intel Xeon w3-2535 (46,653, delta +0.5%). The delta percentages are tiny, under 1%, so the i7-13700K is the measured equal of its closest competitors.

For Hitman 2, the CPU's role is most evident at lower resolutions and settings. At 1080p Low, the system reaches 204 frames per second, and at 1080p Medium, it hits 160 FPS. These high frame rates indicate that the processor is able to feed the GPU quickly enough to avoid a CPU-bound scenario. The chip's 5.40 GHz boost clock is particularly important for single-threaded game logic. The 3dmark single-thread score of 1,136 and Cinebench R20 single-core score of 2,299 are strong indicators of the per-core performance that drives the game's main thread. The processor's 16 cores and 24 threads are more than sufficient for the game's multi-threading, and the measured frames show no sign of a processor stall.

The CPU's benchmark results also highlight its ability to handle the game's lower-resolution stress. At 1080p Low, the system hits 204 FPS, which is 39% higher than 1080p High (146 FPS). This scaling is typical of a GPU-bound scenario at High, but at Low, the CPU's work becomes more prominent. The i7-13700K's large L3 cache (30 MB) likely helps with the game's asset streaming. Overall, the processor is not the limiting factor in this configuration at 1080p and 1440p; it only becomes the primary driver of frame at the very lowest settings, where the GPU is underworked.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 is an Ampere-generation GPU with 8 GB of GDDR6 memory, a 256-bit bus, and a memory bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s. It has 5,888 shading units, 184 texture mapping units, and 96 render output units. The GPU's base clock is 1500 MHz and the boost clock is 1725 MHz, with a memory clock of 1750 MHz (14 Gbps effective). The card has a TDP of 220 W and is a dual-slot design with a 12-pin power connector.

In the database's GPU benchmarks, the RTX 3070 scores 22,214 in Passmark G3D and 11,195 in Passmark GPU Compute. Its average benchmark score is 17,208, placing it in the 61st percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT (average score 17,083, delta +0.7%) and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 (17,037, delta +1.0%). It also sits close to the AMD Radeon HD 7970M (17,019, delta +1.1%) and the NVIDIA Tesla K40c (17,468, delta -1.5%). The RTX 3070 is 0.7% ahead of the RX 7600 XT and 1.0% ahead of the GTX 690, but it is 1.5% behind the Tesla K40c. These deltas are marginal, so the GPU's performance is well-known.

In Hitman 2, the GPU is the primary bottleneck at higher settings and resolutions. At 4K Ultra, the system drops to an average of 38 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target. The GPU's 8 GB of VRAM is sufficient for the game's textures, but the memory bandwidth is a constraint at 4K Ultra. The card's 448.0 GB/s bandwidth is enough for 1440p High, but the transition to 4K causes a significant frame rate drop.

The GPU's clock speed and memory bandwidth are the key factors in this game. At 1440p High, the system achieves 101 FPS, which is a strong result. At 1080p Ultra, the frame rate is 93 FPS, which is still smooth. The GPU's performance is consistent with its position in the 61st percentile, and the data shows that the RTX 3070 is a mid-range performer in this title, not a high-end one.

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

The measured FPS data reveals a clear scaling pattern across resolutions and settings. At 1080p High, the system averages 146 FPS. At 1440p High, it drops to 101 FPS (a 30.8% decrease). At 4K High, it falls to 60 FPS (a 58.9% decrease from 1080p). This scaling is typical of a GPU-bound scenario. The GPU's workload increases with the pixel count, and the RTX 3070's compute power is the main limiter.

At 1080p Ultra, the system achieves 93 FPS, but at 1440p Ultra, it drops to 64 FPS (a 31.2% decrease), and at 4K Ultra, it is 38 FPS (a 59.1% decrease). The Ultra setting is particularly demanding, and the GPU's 8 GB of VRAM is a likely cause of the 4K Ultra drop. The game's ultra settings likely include higher-resolution textures and more detailed effects, which increase the GPU's memory footprint and memory bandwidth demand.

The scaling from Medium settings shows a different pattern. At 1080p Medium, the system averages 160 FPS. At 1440p Medium, it drops to 111 FPS (a 30.6% decrease). At 4K Medium, it is 66 FPS (a 58.8% decrease). The Medium setting is less demanding than High, so the frame rate is higher, but the percentage drop is similar. This indicates that the GPU is the primary limiter at all settings above Low.

The Low setting shows the most interesting behavior. At 1080p Low, the system reaches 204 FPS, which is the highest measured. At 1440p Low, it drops to 141 FPS (a 30.9% decrease). At 4K Low, it is 84 FPS (a 58.8% decrease). The Low setting reduces the GPU load enough that the CPU's role becomes more apparent, but the GPU is still the main bottleneck at 4K Low, as the 84 FPS is below the 100 FPS threshold.

The scaling from 1080p to 1440p and 1440p to 4K is nearly linear in percentage terms, which is typical for a GPU-bound game. The only exception is 4K Ultra, where the GPU's VRAM and memory bandwidth cause a steeper drop. Overall, the data indicates that the RTX 3070 is the limiting component at 4K, while the CPU is only a factor at 1080p Low.

FAQ

Q: What is the average FPS at 1080p High with this CPU/GPU combo?

A: The average FPS at 1080p with High settings is 146 FPS. At the same resolution, Medium settings yield 160 FPS, and Low settings achieve 204 FPS. The Ultra setting drops to 93 FPS.

Q: How does the i7-13700K compare to its closest CPU rivals?

A: The i7-13700K has an average benchmark score of 46,881. Its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900, scores 46,971, which is 0.2% higher. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 scores 47,022 (0.3% higher), and the AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX scores 46,654 (0.5% lower). The 13700K is effectively at parity with all of them, with deltas under 1%.

Q: What is the frame rate at 4K Ultra, and why is it so low?

A: At 4K (3840x2160) with Ultra settings, the system averages 38 FPS. This is the lowest measured frame rate. The GPU's 8 GB of VRAM and 448.0 GB/s bandwidth are not sufficient for Ultra settings at this resolution, causing a significant bottleneck. The 4K Ultra frame rate is 59% lower than the 1080p Ultra frame rate.

Q: What is the GPU's percentile ranking and its closest rivals?

A: The RTX 3070 is in the 61st percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 22,208. Its nearest rival is the AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT, which scores 17,083 (0.7% lower). The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 scores 17,037 (1.0% lower), and the AMD Radeon HD 7970M scores 17,019 (1.1% lower). The Tesla K40c scores 17,468 (1.5% higher).

Q: Does the CPU become a bottleneck at any resolution?

A: The CPU is unlikely to be a bottleneck at 4K, as the frame rate is limited by the GPU. At 1080p Low, the system reaches 204 FPS, which is the highest measured, and the CPU's 3.40 GHz base and 5.40 GHz boost clock are sufficient to drive the GPU. The CPU's performance is not a limiting factor in this combo.

Q: What is the combo's rank in the database for this game?

A: The combination of the Intel Core i7-13700K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 ranks 1023rd out of 3711 tested combinations in Hitman 2. This puts it in the top 27% of all combos, indicating solid mid-range performance.

Settings Recommendations

Choosing the right preset depends on the target resolution and the user's preference for frame rate versus visual quality. The data provides a clear picture.

At 1080p, the High settings provide a smooth experience at 146 FPS, which is above the 144 Hz refresh rate of most high-end monitors. The Medium settings deliver 160 FPS, and the Low settings push the frame to 204 FPS, but the visual quality is significantly reduced. Ultra settings at 1080p yield 93 FPS, which is still acceptable for a 90 Hz monitor but not for a 144 Hz one. For 1080p, the High preset is the best balance of visual quality and performance, as it keeps the frame rate above 144 Hz.

At 1440p, the High settings average 101 FPS, which is a good match for a 100 Hz monitor. Medium settings 111 FPS, and Low 141 FPS. Ultra settings drop to 64 FPS, which is below the 100 Hz target. For 1440p, the High preset is recommended, as it provides a frame rate that is close to the monitor's refresh rate, while Medium offers a slightly higher FPS with a minor visual compromise.

At 4K, the situation is more constrained. The High preset averages 60 FPS, which is exactly the target for a 60 Hz display. The Medium preset averages 66 FPS, which is slightly better, and the Low preset hits 84 FPS, which is a more comfortable margin. The Ultra preset drops to 38 FPS, which is not acceptable for a smooth experience. For 4K, the Medium preset is the best choice, as it provides a frame rate above 60 FPS with a moderate reduction in visual quality.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data for the combo, organized by resolution and settings, is as follows:

At 1920x1080: Low settings average 204 FPS. Medium settings average 160 FPS, with a minimum of 136 FPS and a maximum of 184 FPS. High settings average 146 FPS. Ultra settings average 93 FPS.

At 2560x1440: Low settings average 141 FPS. Medium settings average 111 FPS, with a minimum of 94 FPS and a maximum of 128 FPS. High settings average 101 FPS. Ultra settings average 64 FPS.

At 3840x2160: Low settings average 84 FPS. Medium settings average 66 FPS, with a minimum of 56 FPS and a maximum of 76 FPS. High settings average 60 FPS. Ultra settings average 38 FPS.

The minimum FPS values are only available for the Medium settings, and they indicate a small variation. At 1080p Medium, the minimum is 136 FPS, which is 85% of the average. At 1440p Medium, the minimum is 94 FPS, which is 84.7% of the average. At 4K Medium, the minimum is 56 FPS, which is 84.8% of the average. These are consistent and indicate no severe frame time spikes.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database's ranking of tested combinations for Hitman 2, the Intel Core i7-13700K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 combination ranks 1023rd out of 3,711 total combos. This places it in the 27.6th percentile of all tested configurations (1023/3711). The rank is influenced by the GPU's 61st percentile overall, which is a moderate score. The CPU's 89th percentile helps to boost the combo's standing, but the GPU's performance limits the overall rank.

The combo's rank of 1023 suggests that it is in the upper middle of the performance distribution. While the CPU is a high-end part, the GPU is a mid-range choice, and the combination is not able to achieve the highest frame rates at 4K. The combo's performance is best characterized as a strong 1080p and 1440p solution, with acceptable 4K performance only at lower settings. The ranking reflects the GPU's limitations, which are the primary constraint for this game.