Hitman 2

Hitman 2 is an older title, but it remains a demanding one at higher settings, and the data for the Intel Core i7-14700KF with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti shows a clear progression of performance scaling. At 1080p, the combo is almost always CPU-bound, with frame rates reaching as high as 288.8 FPS on Low settings. This is a strong indicator that the processor's 20 cores and 28 threads are more than sufficient to feed the GPU at lower resolutions. However, as you move up to 1440p and then 4K, the load shifts decisively to the graphics card, and the average frame rates drop in a pattern that is typical for a GPU-limited scenario. The benchmark results indicate that this pairing is exceptionally well-balanced for high-refresh-rate 1440p gaming, while still providing a very playable 4K experience at High settings, which is the sweet spot for this specific configuration.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a predictable and steep performance curve as resolution increases. At 1920x1080, the system is clearly not constrained by the GPU, as evidenced by the massive frame rates on offer. The jump from Low to Ultra at 1080p shows a drop from 288.8 FPS to 119.5 FPS, which is a substantial 58.6% reduction, but the absolute numbers remain exceptionally high. This suggests that at 1080p, the game's engine and the CPU are the primary limiters, as even the most demanding preset cannot push the RTX 5070 Ti to its limits. The 163 FPS average on High settings at this resolution is well beyond the refresh rate of most monitors, making the 1080p Ultra preset the only one that truly stresses the GPU here.

Moving to 2560x1440, the system begins to find a more balanced state. The High preset delivers 106.8 FPS, which is a 34.5% decrease from the 1080p High result. This is a significant drop, but the frame rate is still excellent for competitive or fast-paced play. The Ultra preset at 1440p yields 75.9 FPS, which is a 36.5% drop from its 1080p counterpart. This shows that the GPU is now becoming the bottleneck, but it is still managing to push high frame rates. The scaling from 1080p to 1440p is more pronounced than the scaling from 1440p to 4K in relative terms for the lower presets, indicating that the GPU's architecture is being utilized more efficiently as the resolution increases.

At 3840x2160, the GPU is definitively the limiting component. The High preset drops to 58.5 FPS, which is a 45.2% reduction from the 1440p High result. This is a clear sign that the RTX 5070 Ti's 16 GB of GDDR7 memory and its 896.0 GB/s bandwidth are being heavily taxed. The Ultra preset at 4K falls to a demanding 38.5 FPS, making it less suitable for smooth gameplay. The scaling data shows that the performance cost of each incremental resolution increase is not linear; it is much steeper at 4K, which is typical for a game with this level of graphical complexity. The results indicate that for 4K, players will need to rely on the High or Medium presets to maintain a playable frame rate, as the Ultra preset pushes the hardware too hard.

FAQ

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

A: The data suggests 2560x1440 is the sweet spot. The High preset delivers 106.8 FPS, and even Medium hits 138.5 FPS, offering a great balance between visual fidelity and high refresh rates. While 1080p is faster, 1440p provides a significant visual upgrade with still-excellent performance.

Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming in Hitman 2?

A: Yes, but with caveats. The 4K High preset averages 58.5 FPS, which is playable, and 4K Medium averages 75 FPS. However, the 4K Ultra preset drops to 38.5 FPS, which is not ideal for smooth gameplay. The data shows that 4K is viable only with settings adjustments.

Q: How much of a performance difference is there between High and Ultra settings?

A: The difference is substantial. At 1080p, High averages 163 FPS, while Ultra averages 119.5 FPS, a 26.7% drop. At 1440p, the drop is from 106.8 FPS to 75.9 FPS, a 28.9% reduction. At 4K, High averages 58.5 FPS, and Ultra drops to 38.5 FPS, a 34.2% decrease, making Ultra a poor choice at higher resolutions.

Q: Is the i7-14700KF bottlenecking the RTX 5070 Ti at any resolution?

A: Yes, at 1080p. The extremely high frame rates at 1080p (288.8 FPS on Low) suggest the CPU is the primary limiter, as the GPU cannot reach its full potential. At 1440p and 4K, the GPU becomes the limiting factor, indicating the CPU is sufficient to keep up.

Q: How does the combo rank compared to other tested configurations?

A: The combo ranks 168th out of 1795 tested combinations. This places it in the top 9.4% of all tested combos, indicating a very high-performing pairing. The performance data confirms it is a top-tier setup for this game.

Q: What settings preset should be avoided for a consistent experience?

A: The 4K Ultra preset, with an average of 38.5 FPS, should be avoided if you prefer a smooth frame rate. Similarly, the 1080p Low preset, while fast, is not recommended for a visually pleasing experience, as the game will look significantly worse.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti plays a central role in determining the performance ceiling of this combination, particularly as resolution increases. Its 16 GB of GDDR7 memory is a key asset, as Hitman 2's detailed environments and textures can be memory-hungry. The data shows that at 4K, the High preset (58.5 FPS) and Medium preset (75 FPS) are the only viable options, which suggests that the GPU's memory bandwidth and processing power are fully engaged. The card's 896.0 GB/s of memory bandwidth is likely what allows the Medium preset to still achieve 75 FPS at 4K, a respectable number for this demanding resolution.

The GPU's clock speeds, with a base of 2295 MHz and a boost of 2452 MHz, are also a factor. The benchmark results show that the card is capable of significant sustained performance. The boost clock is what allows the card to maintain high throughput in scenes with many AI characters and complex lighting. The data indicates that the RTX 5070 Ti is the component that dictates the difference between a 4K High experience (58.5 FPS) and a 4K Ultra slideshow (38.5 FPS). The 70 RT cores and 280 tensor cores are also present, though their impact on this specific game's traditional rendering is likely indirect.

Comparing the GPU's raw compute power, its 43.94 TFLOPS FP32 performance is a strong indicator of its ability to handle the game's shader complexity. The Passmark G3D score of 32974 places it in the 87th percentile of all GPUs. This is a very high standing, and the benchmark data confirms that the card is only truly challenged by the 4K Ultra preset. The performance drop from 1440p High (106.8 FPS) to 4K High (58.5 FPS) is a 45.2% decrease, which is a clear sign that the GPU is the primary bottleneck at 4K. The card's role is to provide high frame rates at 1440p and to make 4K playable with moderate settings, which it accomplishes.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i7-14700KF and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti combination holds the 168th rank out of 1795 tested combos. This puts it in the top 9.4% of all systems tested on this database. This is a very strong showing, indicating that this is a high-end pairing that delivers excellent performance in Hitman 2. The data suggests that this combo will outpace the vast majority of other systems, making it a formidable choice for this game.

The individual component scores also support this high ranking. The CPU has a percentile of 96, meaning it outperforms 96% of all CPUs in the database. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-14700K, has a nearly identical average score with a 0% deltaPct, indicating the two are effectively equal in performance. The GPU, with an 87th percentile, is also a top-tier part, with its nearest rival being the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080, which has a 0% deltaPct in average score. This shows that the combo is built from two components that are each at the top of their respective classes.

The high combo rank is a direct result of the synergy between these two parts. The CPU's strength ensures that it rarely becomes a bottleneck in this game, allowing the GPU to operate at its full potential. The benchmark results show that the only time the system appears CPU-limited is at 1080p, where frame rates are so high that they exceed the capabilities of most displays. This means that in most real-world scenarios, especially at 1440p and 4K, the RTX 5070 Ti is the determining factor, and it is a very capable one. A rank of 168 out of 1795 is a clear indicator that this is a system that can handle Hitman 2 with ease at high settings and resolutions.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend heavily on your target resolution and refresh rate. For a standard 60 Hz display, the 4K High preset is the best choice, as it delivers an average of 58.5 FPS, which is close to the target and provides the best visual fidelity available at that resolution. The 4K Medium preset is a viable alternative if you prefer a higher frame rate, offering 75 FPS, which is 28.2% faster than High, though with a noticeable reduction in graphical detail.

For players with 1440p monitors, the High preset is the recommended setting. It provides an excellent balance, achieving an average of 106.8 FPS, which is smooth and responsive. While the Ultra preset is playable at 75.9 FPS, the 28.9% performance hit is not worth the marginal visual upgrade, especially in a fast-paced stealth game. The Medium preset is an option for those seeking even higher frame rates, but High is the sweet spot for visual quality and performance.

At 1080p, the situation is different. The system is so powerful that the Ultra preset is the only one that presents a challenge, and it still averages a very high 119.5 FPS. Therefore, the Ultra preset is the clear recommendation at this resolution. The High preset at 163 FPS is also a great choice for high-refresh-rate monitors, but if you own a 144Hz or 165Hz display, you are leaving performance on the table by not using Ultra. The data shows that the 1080p Low and Medium presets are unnecessary, as they are the only ones that might cause the CPU to be the limiting factor, but they do not offer any practical benefit.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following is a detailed breakdown of the measured average FPS for all tested configurations.

1920x1080:

• Low: 288.8 FPS. This is the maximum performance the system can achieve, indicating a CPU-bound scenario.
• Medium: 219 FPS. A significant drop from Low, but still an extremely high frame rate.
• High: 163 FPS. This is a very strong result, ideal for high-refresh-rate monitors.
• Ultra: 119.5 FPS. The most demanding 1080p preset, but it still provides a very smooth experience.

2560x1440:

• Low: 187.4 FPS. Still an exceptionally high frame rate, showing the GPU is not yet the main limiter.
• Medium: 138.5 FPS. Excellent performance for a high-resolution gaming experience.
• High: 106.8 FPS. This is the recommended setting for 1440p, offering a great balance.
• Ultra: 75.9 FPS. A playable frame rate, but the performance cost is significant compared to High.

3840x2160:

• Low: 101.9 FPS. A surprisingly high result at 4K, indicating that even Low settings are well-optimized.
• Medium: 75 FPS. A very good result for 4K, making this a strong option for smooth gameplay.
• High: 58.5 FPS. The best visual quality option that remains playable, hovering around the 60 FPS target.
• Ultra: 38.5 FPS. This preset is too demanding for this hardware, resulting in a sub-optimal gaming experience.