Hitman 2

# Hitman 2 with Intel Core Ultra 7 265 + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti

The data for Hitman 2 with this Intel Core Ultra 7 265 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti combo reveals a system that excels at high refresh rates in 1080p and 1440p, but shows clear limits when pushed to 4K with maximum settings. The measured FPS values across resolutions and settings paint a picture of a pairing where the GPU becomes the dominant bottleneck at higher resolutions, while the CPU's strong multi-core performance ensures headroom for the game's simulation-heavy stealth gameplay. This combination ranks in the top 12.3% of tested configurations for this title, indicating a strong but not elite performance tier.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS progression from 1080p to 4K demonstrates predictable scaling behavior with some notable deviations. At Low settings, the system produces 277 FPS at 1080p, which drops to 177 FPS at 1440p (a 36.1% reduction), and further to 95 FPS at 4K (a 46.3% reduction from 1440p). This steep decline at 4K Low suggests that even at minimal graphical load, the GPU's pixel throughput becomes a limiting factor, as the compute and memory bandwidth requirements for 4K output are substantial.

For High settings, the scaling is more gradual: 157 FPS at 1080p, 101 FPS at 1440p (35.7% drop), and 54 FPS at 4K (46.5% drop from 1440p). The consistency of these percentage drops across Low and High presets indicates that the resolution scaling penalty is relatively uniform regardless of settings, which points to a fixed architectural limitation in the GPU rather than a settings-dependent bottleneck. The RTX 4070 Ti's 192-bit memory bus and 504.2 GB/s bandwidth appears to be the constraining factor at 4K, as the pixel fill rate requirements outpace what the memory subsystem can sustain.

The Ultra preset shows the most dramatic scaling: 116 FPS at 1080p, 74 FPS at 1440p (36.2% drop), and 39 FPS at 4K (47.3% drop from 1440p). This 4K Ultra result of 39 FPS is notably below the 60 FPS threshold commonly considered necessary for smooth gameplay, indicating that this combo cannot handle maximum settings at 4K without compromising fluidity. The data suggests that the GPU's 12 GB of GDDR6X memory, while ample for most scenarios, combined with the 285W TDP and 40.09 TFLOPS FP32 compute, reaches its practical limit at this resolution and settings combination.

Interestingly, the Medium preset shows the smallest relative performance degradation between resolutions: 208 FPS at 1080p, 133 FPS at 1440p (36.1% drop), and 71 FPS at 4K (46.6% drop from 1440p). The 4K Medium result of 71 FPS is the only 4K preset above 60 FPS besides Low, suggesting that Medium settings at 4K represent the sweet spot for playable high-resolution performance with this hardware. The measured minimum FPS of 60 at 4K Medium confirms that even the worst-case frame times stay within acceptable bounds.

FAQ

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

A: The data shows that 1440p High delivers 101 FPS average, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold while maintaining visual quality. At 4K, only Low (95 FPS) and Medium (71 FPS) presets exceed 60 FPS, making 1440p the optimal balance of performance and fidelity for this pairing.

Q: Can this system run Hitman 2 at 4K Ultra settings?

A: No, the measured average FPS at 4K Ultra is 39 FPS, which falls significantly below the 60 FPS standard for smooth gameplay. This represents a 66.4% reduction from the 1080p Ultra score of 116 FPS, indicating the GPU cannot sustain maximum settings at 4K.

Q: How does the CPU's core configuration impact performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 with 20 cores and 20 threads provides substantial processing headroom. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 42,216 and single-core score of 5,960 suggest strong per-thread performance, which is critical for Hitman 2's stealth AI and simulation systems, though the GPU becomes the primary bottleneck at higher resolutions.

Q: What is the performance difference between Low and Ultra at 1080p?

A: At 1080p, the system produces 277 FPS on Low and 116 FPS on Ultra, a difference of 161 FPS or 58.1% of the Low score. This indicates that Ultra settings nearly halve the frame rate, but the 116 FPS result remains highly playable.

Q: Is this combo better suited for 1080p or 1440p gaming?

A: Both resolutions perform excellently: 1080p Ultra achieves 116 FPS and 1440p High achieves 101 FPS. The 1440p High result delivers near-identical smoothness with substantially higher pixel density, making it the recommended resolution for this hardware in Hitman 2.

Q: How does the RTX 4070 Ti's memory configuration affect 4K performance?

A: The 12 GB GDDR6X memory with 192-bit bus width and 504.2 GB/s bandwidth appears insufficient for 4K Ultra, where the average FPS drops to 39. The memory bandwidth likely becomes the limiting factor at this resolution, as the 4K Medium result of 71 FPS (with 60 FPS minimum) shows the system can handle 4K when memory pressure is reduced.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti, built on the Ada Lovelace architecture with the AD104 chip, plays a decisive role in determining Hitman 2's performance across the tested configurations. The GPU's 7,680 shading units, 240 TMUs, and 80 ROPs provide substantial raw compute capability, reflected in its 40.09 TFLOPS FP32 performance and 626.4 GTexel/s texture rate. These specifications translate to strong 1080p performance across all presets, from 277 FPS at Low to 116 FPS at Ultra.

The clock speeds of 2310 MHz base and 2610 MHz boost provide consistent performance headroom, but the memory subsystem presents a more nuanced picture. The 12 GB of GDDR6X memory running at 1313 MHz (21 Gbps effective) through a 192-bit interface yields 504.2 GB/s of bandwidth. This bandwidth figure, while respectable for 1440p gaming, becomes a constraint at 4K where the pixel throughput demands increase dramatically. The evidence is clear in the data: at 4K Ultra, the system manages only 39 FPS, while at 4K Medium it reaches 71 FPS, suggesting that the memory bandwidth is the primary limiter when texture and shading complexity increases.

The GPU's 84th percentile ranking among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 44,795, places it in the upper tier but not at the absolute top. Its nearest rivals include the RTX 5090 Mobile (0.8% faster) and RTX A6000 (1.6% slower), indicating that the RTX 4070 Ti sits in a competitive performance band. For Hitman 2 specifically, the data shows that the GPU's capabilities are well-matched to 1440p gaming, where it can deliver 101 FPS at High settings, but the 4K Ultra result of 39 FPS reveals the limits of its 192-bit memory bus in high-resolution, high-fidelity scenarios.

The GPU's DirectX 12 Ultimate support (12_2) ensures full compatibility with modern rendering techniques, though Hitman 2's 2018 release date means it likely doesn't utilize the latest ray tracing features. The 60 RT cores and 240 tensor cores provide future-proofing for other titles, but for this game, the traditional rasterization performance is what matters most. The 208.8 GPixel/s pixel rate explains the strong 1080p performance, while the 626.4 GTexel/s texture rate supports the detailed environments Hitman 2 is known for.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 + RTX 4070 Ti combination achieves a rank of 370 out of 3,001 tested combos in Hitman 2, placing it in the top 12.3% of all configurations. This ranking reflects a system that delivers strong, consistent frame rates across most resolution and settings combinations, though it falls short of the elite tier that would achieve top-100 placement. The rank is notably influenced by the 4K Ultra performance of 39 FPS, which likely drags down the overall score compared to combos with more powerful GPUs.

Examining the CPU's contribution to this ranking, the Core Ultra 7 265 sits at the 93rd percentile among all CPUs with an average benchmark score of 64,640. Its nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 4464P (0.3% faster), Intel Core Ultra 7 265F (0.3% slower), and AMD EPYC 7343 (0.7% slower), showing that this processor is competitive with top-tier server and desktop chips. For gaming specifically, the CPU's 20 cores and 20 threads provide ample processing power, though Hitman 2 likely doesn't fully utilize all cores given its 2018 release date.

The GPU's ranking at the 84th percentile with an average score of 44,795 suggests that the RTX 4070 Ti is a solid but not exceptional performer for this title. The fact that the combo ranks at 370 out of 3,001, which is better than the GPU's percentile position alone would suggest, indicates that the CPU's strong single-thread performance (Cinebench R23 single-core score of 5,960) helps boost the overall gaming experience. The combination of a top-tier CPU with a mid-high-tier GPU creates a balanced system that avoids CPU bottlenecks in most scenarios, though the GPU becomes the limiting factor at 4K Ultra.

The delta between this combo's rank and the component individual percentiles suggests that Hitman 2 is more GPU-limited than CPU-limited at higher resolutions. The 4K Ultra score of 39 FPS is the weakest result in the entire dataset, and it's here that the GPU's memory bandwidth constraints become most apparent. For users prioritizing this game at high resolutions, a stronger GPU would be necessary, but for 1080p and 1440p gaming, this combo delivers performance that exceeds the vast majority of tested configurations.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the system demonstrates exceptional performance across all presets. Low settings produce an average of 277 FPS, which is the highest score in the entire dataset and indicates that the CPU and GPU combination has significant headroom at this resolution. Medium settings deliver 208 FPS average with a minimum of 177 FPS and maximum of 239 FPS, showing consistent frame pacing. High settings achieve 157 FPS, while Ultra settings still maintain a highly playable 116 FPS. The progression from Low to Ultra at 1080p shows a 58.1% reduction in frame rate, but even the lowest result remains far above the 60 FPS threshold.

Moving to 2560x1440, performance remains strong but shows the expected impact of increased pixel count. Low settings produce 177 FPS, a 36.1% reduction from 1080p. Medium settings deliver 133 FPS average with a minimum of 113 FPS and maximum of 153 FPS, maintaining smooth gameplay. High settings achieve 101 FPS, which is still excellent for 1440p gaming. Ultra settings at 1440p produce 74 FPS, which falls below the 1080p Ultra result but remains comfortably above 60 FPS, making it a viable option for users who prioritize visual quality at this resolution.

At 3840x2160, the system's limitations become apparent. Low settings produce 95 FPS, which is playable but represents a 46.3% reduction from the 1440p Low result. Medium settings deliver 71 FPS average with a minimum of 60 FPS and maximum of 82 FPS, making it the only 4K preset that maintains a minimum above the 60 FPS threshold. High settings drop to 54 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS standard for smooth gameplay. Ultra settings produce 39 FPS, which is the weakest result in the entire dataset and would likely result in noticeable stuttering during fast-paced action sequences. The 4K data clearly shows that this combo is best suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming, with 4K limited to Low or Medium settings for acceptable performance.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend heavily on the target resolution. For 1080p gaming, Ultra settings at 116 FPS provide the best experience, delivering maximum visual fidelity while maintaining frame rates well above the 60 FPS threshold. The high headroom at 1080p means users can enjoy all graphical features without sacrificing smoothness, making this the recommended resolution for players who want the full Hitman 2 experience.

For 1440p gaming, High settings at 101 FPS represent the best balance between visual quality and performance. The Ultra preset at 74 FPS is also viable, but the 27 FPS difference between High and Ultra may not justify the additional graphical features for all users. Medium settings at 133 FPS offer a high-refresh-rate option for competitive play, though Hitman 2's stealth genre doesn't typically demand the same responsiveness as competitive shooters. The 1440p High recommendation provides a robust experience that maximizes the GPU's capabilities while maintaining a comfortable performance margin.

For 4K gaming, the data clearly indicates that Medium settings at 71 FPS is the only viable option for smooth gameplay. The minimum FPS of 60 at this preset ensures no frame drops below the playability threshold, and the 82 FPS maximum shows there's some headroom during less demanding scenes. Low settings at 95 FPS are also playable, but the visual downgrade may be too significant for a game that relies heavily on environmental detail for its stealth mechanics. High settings at 54 FPS and Ultra at 39 FPS are not recommended, as the frame rates fall below the threshold where gameplay remains fluid. Users with 4K displays should prioritize Medium settings for the best balance of performance and visual quality.

The recommendation hierarchy across all resolutions places 1440p High as the overall best experience, as it combines high pixel density with 101 FPS average performance. This represents the sweet spot where the GPU's strengths are fully utilized without exposing its memory bandwidth limitations. For users with 1080p monitors, Ultra settings are the obvious choice, while 4K users should accept Medium settings as the practical limit for this hardware in Hitman 2.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265, with its 20 cores and 20 threads, provides substantial processing power that benefits Hitman 2 in several ways. The CPU's architecture, based on Arrow Lake-S with a 3nm process node from TSMC, features a base clock of 2.40 GHz and boost clock of 5.30 GHz, enabling strong single-thread performance that is critical for the game's stealth AI and physics calculations. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 5,960 places this processor among the top performers, which translates to responsive gameplay even in complex scenarios with many NPCs and interactive elements.

The CPU's multi-core capabilities, demonstrated by a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 42,216, provide ample headroom for background tasks and game engine overhead. The PassMark multithread score of 49,682 and integer math score of 134,773 indicate strong computational throughput, though Hitman 2's 2018 release likely doesn't fully utilize all 20 cores. The CPU's 30 MB of L3 cache and 3 MB per-core L2 cache help reduce memory latency, which is crucial for maintaining consistent frame times during gameplay.

Interestingly, the CPU's performance in synthetic benchmarks shows it's well-matched to the GPU in this combination. The CPU's 93rd percentile ranking among all CPUs is higher than the GPU's 84th percentile ranking, suggesting that the processor is not the bottleneck in most scenarios. The data supports this conclusion: at 1080p Low, the system achieves 277 FPS, which is likely approaching the CPU's maximum frame rate capability for this game. The fact that performance drops by only 36.1% when moving from 1080p to 1440p at Low settings, while 4K Low shows a 46.3% drop from 1440p, indicates that the CPU can maintain high frame rates while the GPU becomes increasingly limited at higher resolutions.

The CPU's memory support for DDR5 with dual-channel configuration and 102.4 GB/s bandwidth provides sufficient data throughput for gaming workloads. The 17,800 million transistors and 243 mm² die size reflect a modern, efficient design that balances performance with power consumption (65W TDP). For Hitman 2 specifically, the CPU's strong single-thread performance is the most critical factor, as the game's stealth mechanics require quick reactions to AI behavior and environmental interactions. The measured FPS data shows that even at 1080p Ultra with 116 FPS, the CPU maintains frame rates well above the display refresh rate of most monitors, ensuring no CPU-induced stuttering in typical gameplay scenarios.