Hitman 2

Hitman 2, a 2018 stealth title, presents an interesting profile for the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 combination. The benchmark data indicates this is a pairing where the GPU is the dominant performance driver, with the CPU providing ample headroom across all tested settings and resolutions. The measured results show a clear, predictable scaling of frame rates that aligns with the hardware specifications, making this combo a capable, if not top-tier, performer for this specific game.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 is the undisputed workhorse in this configuration, and its specifications directly explain the frame rates observed. With 12 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 192-bit bus, the GPU has a substantial memory pool and a bandwidth of 672.0 GB/s. This is more than sufficient for Hitman 2’s assets at the tested settings, ensuring that texture streaming and geometry data are not bottlenecks. The memory clock runs at 1750 MHz, which translates to 28 Gbps effective, and the card’s boost clock is rated at 2512 MHz. These clocks are consistent with the performance deltas seen between settings presets.

The data shows that the RTX 5070’s performance is the primary lever on frame rates. For instance, at 1920x1080, dropping from High to Low settings yields a massive 73 FPS increase (from 96 to 169 FPS), and from Medium to Low, a 42 FPS jump (from 127 to 169 FPS). This scaling is a hallmark of a GPU-bound scenario where the graphics card’s compute and memory subsystems are the limiting factor. The GPU’s FP32 throughput of 30.87 TFLOPS and its 6144 shading units provide the raw processing power, but the consistent step-down in performance as settings increase suggests that the load on the ROPs (80) and TMUs (192) is what ultimately caps the output.

At 3840x2160 (4K), the GPU’s limitations become more apparent. The average FPS at High settings is 33, which is playable but not smooth, and at Ultra it falls to 24 FPS. This indicates that while the 12 GB VRAM is not exhausted, the sheer pixel count at 4K overwhelms the GPU’s fill rate and shader processing capabilities. The RTX 5070’s 201.0 GPixel/s pixel rate and 482.3 GTexel/s texture rate are simply not enough to maintain high frame rates at this resolution with higher presets. The data suggests the GPU is the definitive bottleneck here, as the CPU is unlikely to struggle at these lower frame rates.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The benchmark database places this specific combination at rank 1635 out of 3001 tested combos for Hitman 2. This rank, which places it in the 54th percentile, is a nuanced result. It is not a top-tier performer, but it is also not a low-end setup. The rank suggests that while the RTX 5070 is a modern, powerful GPU, its pairing with the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H results in a configuration that is solidly mid-pack for this title. The data indicates that many other combinations, likely with higher-end desktop CPUs and GPUs, can achieve higher average frame rates, particularly at higher resolutions.

This ranking is likely pulled down by the CPU’s mobile-class nature, even though the GPU is powerful. The GPU itself ranks in the 82nd percentile against all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 40377. However, the CPU’s 83rd percentile ranking and its average score of 32697 suggest that in a game like Hitman 2, which can be CPU-sensitive in certain scenes, the Core Ultra 7 155H may not fully unlock the RTX 5070’s potential compared to a stronger desktop processor. The combo’s rank is a reflection of the entire system’s balance, and the data shows it is a competent but not exceptional pairing.

Compared to the GPU’s nearest rivals, the RTX 5070 is statistically indistinguishable from cards like the AMD Radeon Pro 580 (0.1% delta) and AMD Radeon Pro WX 7100 (0.8% delta) in synthetic benchmarks. This is a critical insight: despite the RTX 5070’s modern architecture and high specifications, its actual measured performance is on par with older workstation cards in the database’s aggregate scoring. This does not mean it is a bad GPU; rather, it highlights that the average benchmark score is a broad metric. In Hitman 2 specifically, the measured FPS shows the RTX 5070 is capable of respectable frame rates, but the combo rank suggests it is not translating that capability into a top-tier gaming experience.

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

For this combo, the optimal settings balance is clearly at 1920x1080 with the High preset. The data shows an average of 96 FPS, which is well above the threshold for smooth, responsive gameplay. While the Low preset achieves 169 FPS, the jump from High to Low represents a significant visual fidelity loss for a marginal competitive benefit in a single-player stealth game. High at 1080p offers the best visual quality that still maintains a high refresh rate experience. The Medium preset at 127 FPS is also a strong option, but High provides a better image quality with only a 31 FPS cost.

At 2560x1440, the High preset yields 61 FPS, which is just at the edge of playable for many users. This is acceptable, but the data shows that High at 1440p is a 41% reduction in frame rate compared to 1080p High. For a more consistent experience, the Medium preset at 1440p provides 81 FPS and is the recommended choice for users with a 1440p monitor. This preset offers a good compromise between the visual uplift of the higher resolution and the need for a stable frame rate. The Low preset at 1440p achieves 108 FPS, but the visual downgrade is substantial.

At 3840x2160, the results are not ideal for this combo. The High preset only manages 33 FPS, which is below the standard for a playable experience. The Medium preset at 43 FPS is the only 4K option that approaches playability, but it still falls short of the 60 FPS target most gamers prefer. The data suggests that 4K gaming is not a viable option for this pairing at higher settings. The best experience per the measured rows is definitively at 1080p High or 1440p Medium, with the former being the superior choice for overall smoothness and visual fidelity.

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

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo to maintain a 60+ FPS average?

A: According to the measured data, only the 1920x1080 resolution consistently achieves 60+ FPS across all settings. High (96 FPS), Medium (127 FPS), and Low (169 FPS) all exceed this target. At 2560x1440, only the Low (108 FPS) and Medium (81 FPS) presets hit 60+ FPS, while High (61 FPS) barely does so.

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

A: The data indicates that 4K gaming is not a smooth experience with this combo. The highest playable average is 43 FPS on Medium settings. High and Ultra presets yield 33 FPS and 24 FPS respectively, which are below the standard for comfortable gameplay.

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

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 155H has an average benchmark score of 32697, which is nearly identical to its nearest rivals. It is 0% different from the Intel Core i5-14600T (32707), 0.1% slower than the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360 (32662), and 0.2% faster than the AMD Ryzen 5 7400F (32750).

Q: What is the frame rate difference between High and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080, the High preset averages 96 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 70 FPS. This represents a 26 FPS reduction for the jump to Ultra, which is a 27% performance cost for the higher visual quality.

Q: Is the GPU or CPU more likely to be the bottleneck in this game?

A: The data suggests the GPU is the primary bottleneck. The frame rates scale significantly with settings changes (e.g., a 73 FPS difference between Low and High at 1080p), which is indicative of GPU-bound performance. The CPU’s strong multi-core scores suggest it has enough headroom to keep up.

Q: What is the lowest average FPS recorded for this combo?

A: The lowest average FPS in the measured data is 24 FPS, which occurs at 3840x2160 resolution with the Ultra settings preset. This is the only measurement that falls below 30 FPS.

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

The Intel Core Ultra 7 155H is a Meteor Lake mobile processor with 16 cores and 22 threads. Its base clock is 3.80 GHz, and it can boost up to 4.80 GHz. This hybrid architecture, combined with a 24 MB shared L3 cache, provides substantial computational throughput. In synthetic benchmarks, the CPU scores 15028 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 1743 in single-core, with an average benchmark score of 32697. These figures place it in the 83rd percentile of all CPUs, indicating it is a strong performer for a mobile part.

In Hitman 2, the CPU’s role is to feed the GPU with draw calls and handle game logic. The data shows that this CPU is not the limiting factor in most scenarios. For example, at 1920x1080, the frame rate scales dramatically with GPU settings (from 70 FPS at Ultra to 169 FPS at Low), which would not happen if the CPU were the bottleneck. The CPU is capable of delivering high frame rates, as evidenced by the 169 FPS average at Low settings. This suggests that the 155H’s high boost clock and efficient core layout are sufficient to keep up with the RTX 5070’s demands at lower resolutions.

However, the combo’s overall rank of 1635 out of 3001 suggests that the CPU may be holding back the system in certain CPU-intensive scenes. Hitman 2 can be demanding on single-thread performance in areas with many NPCs or complex AI routines. While the 155H’s single-core score of 1743 in Cinebench R23 is respectable, it is not a top-tier desktop result. The data implies that while the CPU is not a severe bottleneck, a stronger desktop CPU could likely push the average frame rates higher, particularly in the 1080p and 1440p High presets where the GPU has more headroom. The 28W TDP also indicates this is a power-constrained part, which can affect sustained performance in long gaming sessions, though the measured data does not show thermal throttling.

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

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of the combo’s performance across three resolutions and four settings presets.

At 1920x1080, the combo performs admirably. The Low preset delivers the highest average at 169 FPS. The Medium preset averages 127 FPS, with a minimum of 108 FPS and a maximum of 146 FPS. The High preset averages 96 FPS. The Ultra preset is the most demanding, averaging 70 FPS. This scaling shows a consistent performance hit of roughly 20-30% for each step up in settings.

At 2560x1440, the performance drops are expected but manageable. The Low preset averages 108 FPS. The Medium preset averages 81 FPS, with a minimum of 69 FPS and a maximum of 93 FPS. The High preset averages 61 FPS. The Ultra preset drops to an average of 45 FPS. The transition from 1080p to 1440p results in a roughly 36-37% reduction in frame rate for the same settings preset, which is a typical scaling factor.

At 3840x2160, the combo struggles to maintain playable frame rates. The Low preset averages 57 FPS. The Medium preset averages 43 FPS, with a minimum of 37 FPS and a maximum of 50 FPS. The High preset averages 33 FPS. The Ultra preset averages just 24 FPS. The data shows a clear cliff at 4K, where even the Low preset barely achieves 60 FPS, and higher presets fall well below that. The jump from 1440p to 4K nearly halves the frame rate at every preset, emphasizing the GPU’s pixel-pushing limitations.