Hitman 2

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER pairing in Hitman 2 demonstrates a classic bottleneck scenario, where the GPU's capabilities are the primary constraint at higher resolutions, while the CPU's strong single-threaded performance ensures headroom at 1080p. The measured data, drawn directly from the FACT PACK, provides a clear picture of how this specific combination behaves across the three standard resolution tiers and four quality presets. This analysis will break down the CPU and GPU roles, answer common questions, and provide a definitive ranking of the combo within the test database.

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

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 is a 14-core, 14-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm process. It operates with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, with a TDP of 65 W. This configuration, while not offering simultaneous multithreading (14 threads for 14 cores), is designed to deliver high single-core performance, which is a critical factor for Hitman 2's game logic and physics simulation. The benchmark data supports this: the processor achieves a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2085 and a multi-core score of 14769, indicating a strong balance for gaming workloads.

In the context of the measured FPS, the CPU's influence is most apparent at the 1080p resolution. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combo reaches 145 FPS average, a figure that is less likely to be artificially capped by the processor's capabilities. The processor's PassMark single-thread score of 4516 places it in the 89th percentile of all CPUs, suggesting that its per-core performance is robust enough to keep up with the RTX 2060 SUPER's output at lower graphical loads. The L3 cache of 24 MB (shared) also aids in maintaining data flow for the game's sprawling, AI-driven levels.

However, the data also reveals that the CPU is not the primary bottleneck in most scenarios. As the resolution increases to 1440p and 4K, the FPS drops significantly, which points directly to the GPU becoming the limiting factor. The CPU's nearest rivals in terms of average benchmark score include the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 (0.1% slower) and the Intel Core i9-13900HX (0.1% faster), indicating that its overall compute capability is competitive with these parts. For Hitman 2, which is not heavily multi-threaded compared to modern titles, the 14-core design provides ample headroom, but the lack of SMT means that heavily threaded background tasks could compete with the game's threads, although this is not reflected in the isolated FPS measurements.

The processor's PassMark multi-thread score of 37816 further confirms its strong performance, but the game’s reliance on single-core speed is better illustrated by the fact that the FPS scales almost linearly with GPU load rather than CPU load when moving from Low to Ultra settings. At 1080p, the drop from 145 FPS (Low) to 60 FPS (Ultra) is a 58.6% reduction, a pattern that indicates the graphics card is rendering progressively heavier frames, while the CPU maintains its frame-pacing duties without issue. In summary, the Ultra 5 235 is a capable gaming CPU for Hitman 2, providing sufficient single-threaded power to avoid holding back the GPU at 1080p, but its influence wanes as the GPU becomes saturated at higher resolutions.

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

Q: What is the best frame rate achieved by this CPU/GPU combo in Hitman 2, and at what settings?

A: The highest average FPS recorded is 145, achieved at a resolution of 1920x1080 with Low settings. This is the only configuration in the measured data that breaks the 144 FPS barrier.

Q: How does the combo perform at 4K resolution compared to 1080p?

A: The data shows a significant performance degradation at 4K. At 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, the average FPS drops to 21, which is a 65% reduction compared to the 60 FPS average at 1920x1080 with the same Ultra settings. Even at Low settings, the 4K average of 49 FPS is substantially lower than the 1080p Low average of 145 FPS.

Q: Is the frame rate stable at 1440p with Medium settings?

A: Yes, the measured data shows that at 2560x1440 with Medium settings, the combo achieves an average FPS of 69, with a minimum FPS of 59 and a maximum FPS of 80. This indicates a playable and relatively stable experience, with the minimum staying above 60 FPS.

Q: Which component is the primary bottleneck at 1080p High settings?

A: At 1920x1080 with High settings, the combo averages 82 FPS. Given the CPU's high single-threaded benchmark scores (e.g., 2085 in Cinebench R23 single-core), the data suggests the GPU is the limiting factor here, as the frame rate is not capped by a CPU constraint, but rather by the RTX 2060 SUPER's rendering capacity at this quality level.

Q: How does the CPU's benchmark score compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 has an average benchmark score of 46062, placing it in the 89th percentile of all CPUs. It is nearly identical in performance to the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375, which is 0.1% slower, and the Intel Core i9-13900HX, which is 0.1% faster. It also edges out the AMD EPYC 4364P and AMD EPYC 7303, both of which are 0.2% slower.

Q: What is the FPS delta between the Low and Ultra presets at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080, the average FPS drops from 145 on Low settings to 60 on Ultra settings. This represents a 58.6% decrease in performance, highlighting the significant graphical load difference between the two presets for this GPU.

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

The resolution scaling data for this combo in Hitman 2 is a textbook illustration of GPU-bound behavior. The FPS drops are consistent and dramatic as resolution increases, which is a clear indication that the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER is the limiting component in most configurations. Starting at 1080p, the combo achieves 145 FPS on Low, 109 FPS on Medium, 82 FPS on High, and 60 FPS on Ultra. Moving to 1440p, these numbers fall to 93 FPS (Low), 69 FPS (Medium), 52 FPS (High), and 39 FPS (Ultra). Finally, at 4K, the average FPS plummets to 49 (Low), 37 (Medium), 28 (High), and 21 (Ultra).

The percentage drops are telling. From 1080p to 4K on Low settings, the FPS falls from 145 to 49, a 66.2% reduction. On Ultra settings, the drop is from 60 FPS to 21 FPS, a 65% reduction. This consistency across different quality presets reinforces that the scaling is driven by pixel count rather than the complexity of the scene or the CPU's ability to process it. The GPU's pixel rate of 105.6 GPixel/s and texture rate of 224.4 GTexel/s are fixed hardware limits, and as the pixel workload increases by 4x from 1080p to 4K, the frame rate predictably suffers.

The data also shows that the CPU is not the primary constraint. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect to see a smaller FPS delta between 1080p and 1440p, as the GPU would be waiting for the CPU to send draw calls. Instead, the FPS drops by roughly 30-40% at each resolution step, which aligns with the GPU's fillrate and memory bandwidth limitations (448.0 GB/s). The 8 GB of GDDR6 VRAM is also a factor; at 4K with High or Ultra settings, the memory capacity could be taxed, but the FPS data suggests the core GPU processing is the limiting factor rather than a memory spillover issue. In summary, the resolution scaling analysis confirms that the RTX 2060 SUPER is the performance ceiling for this pairing in Hitman 2, and the Core Ultra 5 235 has sufficient headroom to support it.

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

The complete measured FPS data for the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER combo in Hitman 2 is detailed below, based on the FACT PACK.

1920x1080 (1080p):

• Low: Average FPS of 145. This is the highest recorded average across all tests.
• Medium: Average FPS of 109, with a minimum of 92 and a maximum of 125. The minimum indicates occasional dips but generally a smooth experience.
• High: Average FPS of 82.
• Ultra: Average FPS of 60. This is the baseline for a standard 60 Hz display, but just barely.

2560x1440 (1440p):

• Low: Average FPS of 93. This remains highly playable for competitive or fast-paced play.
• Medium: Average FPS of 69, with a minimum of 59 and a maximum of 80. The minimum FPS of 59 is just below 60, which could be noticeable to some users.
• High: Average FPS of 52. This drops below the 60 FPS threshold, indicating a compromise on smoothness.
• Ultra: Average FPS of 39. This is a significant drop, making the game feel less fluid.

3840x2160 (4K):

• Low: Average FPS of 49. This is below the 60 FPS target, making it marginal for a smooth experience.
• Medium: Average FPS of 37, with a minimum of 31 and a maximum of 43. The frame times are likely inconsistent, leading to stutter.
• High: Average FPS of 28. This is nearly unplayable for a stealth game that requires precision.
• Ultra: Average FPS of 21. This is a slideshow-level performance, unsuitable for actual gameplay.

The data clearly shows that the combo is best suited for 1080p gaming, where it can handle Medium to High settings comfortably, and even Ultra settings at a playable 60 FPS. At 1440p, the user must be more conservative, sticking to Medium settings to maintain a near-60 FPS experience. 4K is generally not a viable option for this pairing, as even Low settings fail to hit 60 FPS.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

In the database of tested hardware combinations for Hitman 2, this specific pairing of the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER ranks at position 2133 out of 3001 total combos. This places it in the lower 29th percentile of all tested systems, indicating that while it is a functional setup, it is outclassed by a significant majority of other hardware pairings in the database.

This ranking is a direct consequence of the GPU's age and performance tier. The RTX 2060 SUPER, while a capable card in its day, has an average benchmark score of 18093 and sits in the 62nd percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals in terms of score include the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile (0.4% faster) and the AMD Radeon Pro 5700 (0.5% faster), which are also older or mobile parts. The CPU, by contrast, is a modern part with a high percentile ranking (89th), but its performance advantage is neutralized by the GPU's limitations in a game like Hitman 2.

The rank of 2133 means that 868 other tested combos perform worse, but 2132 perform better. This is not a top-tier configuration, nor is it a bottom-feeder, but it is firmly in the lower half of the pack. The data suggests that users with this combo should not expect to compete with high-end systems on graphical fidelity or frame rates at high resolutions. However, the ranking also implies that the combo is not a complete failure; it offers a playable experience at 1080p, which is likely where most users with this hardware will be gaming. The combo's rank is a reflection of the GPU bottleneck, and upgrading the GPU would be the most direct path to improving this rank in the future.

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

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend heavily on the user's target resolution and desired frame rate. The goal is to balance visual quality with a smooth, playable experience, and the data provides clear guidance for each resolution tier.

For 1080p (1920x1080), the High preset is the recommended choice. It delivers an average of 82 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold and provides a significant visual upgrade over Medium (109 FPS) and Low (145 FPS). The Ultra preset is also viable at 60 FPS average, but it offers no headroom for demanding scenes, which could cause dips below 60 FPS. High is the sweet spot, offering a good balance of visual fidelity and performance stability. If the user has a 144 Hz monitor, the Medium preset at 109 FPS is the best option for taking advantage of the higher refresh rate.

For 1440p (2560x1440), the Medium preset is the most sensible choice. It achieves an average of 69 FPS, with a minimum of 59 FPS, which is on the cusp of a smooth experience. The High preset (52 FPS) and Ultra preset (39 FPS) both fall below the ideal 60 FPS target and will result in noticeable stuttering. Low settings (93 FPS) are an option for competitive play, but the visual compromise is steep. Therefore, Medium is the best compromise for this resolution, providing a mostly smooth experience with reasonable graphical detail.

For 4K (3840x2160), the data does not support a recommended preset for a standard 60 FPS experience. Even the Low preset only reaches 49 FPS average, which is below the playable threshold for most users. Medium (37 FPS), High (28 FPS), and Ultra (21 FPS) are all too demanding for this GPU. As such, users should avoid 4K gaming with this combo unless they can tolerate lower frame rates and are not sensitive to input lag. The only viable option is to lower the resolution, as the GPU lacks the raw compute power to handle 4K rendering in Hitman 2 effectively.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER is a Turing-architecture GPU with 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s. It operates at a base clock of 1470 MHz and a boost clock of 1650 MHz, with a TDP of 175 W. These specifications define its role as the primary performance limiter in this combo. The GPU's benchmark scores, such as a PassMark G3D score of 16462 and a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 2011, place it in the 62nd percentile of all GPUs, indicating it is a mid-range part by modern standards.

In Hitman 2, the GPU's workload is heavy, particularly at higher resolutions and quality presets. The measured FPS data shows a clear pattern of the GPU struggling as the rendering load increases. The 8 GB of VRAM is a notable factor; while it is sufficient for 1080p and 1440p, it could be a limiting factor at 4K with High or Ultra textures, potentially causing the card to spill over into system memory and causing hitches. However, the FPS data for 4K is uniformly low across all settings, suggesting that the core compute and fillrate limitations are the main issue, not just VRAM capacity.

The GPU's nearest rivals in terms of average benchmark score are the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile (0.4% faster) and the AMD Radeon Pro 5700 (0.5% faster), which are comparable in performance. The RTX 2060 SUPER's FP32 performance of 7.181 TFLOPS is the raw compute power that determines its ability to run the game's shaders and effects. The data shows that at 1080p Ultra, it can manage 60 FPS, but at 4K Ultra, this drops to 21 FPS, a 65% reduction that aligns with the 4x increase in pixel count. This indicates that the GPU's pixel fillrate (105.6 GPixel/s) is the primary bottleneck at high resolutions. The card's RT cores (34) and Tensor cores (272) are present, but Hitman 2 does not heavily utilize ray tracing, so their impact on these results is minimal. Overall, the RTX 2060 SUPER is a capable GPU for 1080p gaming, but its age and mid-range specs make it the definitive limiting factor for this combo at higher resolutions.