Hitman 2

Hitman 2, a 2018 stealth classic, remains a demanding benchmark for modern hardware. The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 produces a compelling dataset, revealing a system that is overwhelmingly GPU-bound at higher resolutions but capable of exceptional frame rates at 1080p. This analysis examines the measured performance across resolutions and settings, providing a clear picture of what this pairing can achieve in Agent 47’s world.

Resolution Scaling

The performance scaling from 1080p to 4K clearly demonstrates where the bottleneck lies in this configuration. At 1080p with Medium settings, the system delivers an average of 227 FPS. This drops to 145 FPS at 1440p, a reduction of approximately 36%, and further plummets to 77 FPS at 4K, which is a 66% decrease from the 1080p figure. This steep decline is the signature of a GPU-limited scenario; the CPU has ample headroom to feed frames, but the graphics card is increasingly overwhelmed by the pixel count.

The pattern intensifies when moving to the High preset. The system achieves 172 FPS at 1080p, 110 FPS at 1440p, and just 58 FPS at 4K. The scaling from 1440p to 4K is nearly a 50% performance loss, underscoring the massive increase in rendering workload. This indicates that for 4K gaming, the RTX 4080 is the definitive limiting component, while the Core Ultra 7 265 is not the constraining factor in this title.

At the most demanding Ultra preset, the trend is consistent. The measured 126 FPS at 1080p drops to 81 FPS at 1440p and then to 43 FPS at 4K. The Ultra preset appears to introduce effects that disproportionately tax the GPU at higher resolutions. The data suggests that to maintain a smooth experience at 4K, users must make significant compromises in graphical fidelity, as even the High preset struggles to hit a solid 60 FPS average.

FAQ

Q: What is the average frame rate at 1440p with Medium settings?

A: The measured average frame rate for this combination at 2560x1440 with Medium settings is 145 FPS, with a minimum of 123 FPS and a maximum of 167 FPS.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the primary bottleneck at 4K resolution?

A: The data indicates the GPU is the limiting factor. At 4K with the High preset, the average frame rate is 58 FPS. This significant drop from lower resolutions shows the rendering load on the RTX 4080 is the primary constraint, not the processing power of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265.

Q: Can this system achieve 300 FPS in Hitman 2?

A: Yes, at 1920x1080 with the Low preset, the system averages 302 FPS. This highlights the CPU's ability to push extremely high frame rates when the GPU is not the primary bottleneck.

Q: How much faster is the Low preset compared to Ultra at 1080p?

A: At 1080p, the Low preset averages 302 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 126 FPS. This represents a performance advantage of 176 FPS for the Low preset, which is a 139.7% increase.

Q: What is the performance difference between the RTX 4080 and the RTX 4080 SUPER in this context?

A: Based on the average benchmark scores, the RTX 4080 has an average score of 54247, while the RTX 4080 SUPER has a score of 54209. This makes the RTX 4080 approximately 0.1% faster in general benchmarks, a negligible difference.

Q: What is the rank of this specific CPU and GPU combination in the database for Hitman 2?

A: This combination is ranked 255th out of 3711 tested combos for Hitman 2, placing it in the top 6.9% of all configurations tested.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 is the driving force behind the frame rates in this dataset. Its specifications include 16 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 716.8 GB/s. This substantial memory allocation is more than sufficient for Hitman 2’s assets at any of the tested resolutions, ensuring that texture streaming is not a source of stuttering. The GPU's high boost clock of 2505 MHz, built on the Ada Lovelace architecture, allows it to execute the complex shaders and lighting calculations required by the game's engine.

The GPU's role becomes increasingly dominant as resolution increases. At 1080p, the processor is able to feed the GPU quickly enough to achieve an average of 302 FPS on Low settings, suggesting the CPU is the limiting factor at that point. However, as resolution scales to 1440p, the GPU's workload grows, and the frame rate becomes more dependent on its capabilities. The drop from 227 FPS at 1080p Medium to 145 FPS at 1440p Medium is a clear indication that the RTX 4080 is starting to reach its limits. At 4K, the GPU is clearly the primary bottleneck, as evidenced by the substantial frame rate drops across all settings. The 16 GB of VRAM ensures that even at 4K Ultra, the game does not run out of memory, but the raw compute power of the GPU is insufficient to maintain high frame rates at that resolution.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested combinations for Hitman 2, this pairing of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265 and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 holds a rank of 255 out of 3711 total combinations. This places it in the top 6.9% of all systems tested for this game, a position that reflects the high-end nature of both components. While the CPU and GPU are individually powerful, their combined performance in this specific title is not at the very top, indicating that other configurations may yield higher frame rates.

The CPU itself is a strong performer, with an average benchmark score of 64640, placing it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 4464P, which is a mere 0.3% slower, and the Intel Core Ultra 7 265F, which is 0.3% faster. This shows the processor is a solid, mid-range-to-high-end choice for gaming. The GPU also performs well, with an average score of 54247, putting it in the 86th percentile of all GPUs. Its closest competitor, the RTX 4080 SUPER, is only 0.1% slower, making the performance gap between the two negligible.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of performance across various settings and resolutions. At 1920x1080, the system is incredibly fast. The Low preset delivers an average of 302 FPS, the Medium preset achieves 227 FPS (min 193, max 261), the High preset yields 172 FPS, and the Ultra preset produces 126 FPS. This demonstrates that for 1080p gaming, the combination can easily drive high-refresh-rate monitors, even with maximum settings.

Moving to 2560x1440, performance remains very strong but shows the expected decline. The Low preset averages 193 FPS, Medium averages 145 FPS (min 123, max 167), High averages 110 FPS, and Ultra averages 81 FPS. The frame rates at 1440p are still excellent for competitive and immersive gameplay, with the High preset offering a great balance of visuals and speed. At 3840x2160, the GPU’s workload becomes severe. The Low preset still manages an average of 103 FPS, but the Medium preset drops to 77 FPS (min 66, max 89). The High preset averages 58 FPS, and the Ultra preset only achieves 43 FPS. This shows that 4K gaming at higher settings is not viable for a consistently smooth experience with this hardware.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured data, the optimal settings depend heavily on the target resolution and desired frame rate. For 1080p, the Ultra preset is the best choice, as it delivers an average of 126 FPS. This is well above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay and offers the highest visual quality. The High preset at 172 FPS would be preferable for those with a 165Hz or 240Hz monitor, but the Ultra experience is more visually complete. The Low and Medium presets are unnecessary at this resolution given the hardware's capability.

At 1440p, the High preset is the standout recommendation. It provides an average of 110 FPS, which is an excellent balance between graphical fidelity and performance. This is a significant step up from the Ultra preset's 81 FPS, which, while playable, does not offer the same level of smoothness. The Medium preset at 145 FPS is also a viable option for those prioritizing frame rate above all else, but the visual improvements of High are worth the 35 FPS cost.

For 4K, the recommendations change drastically. The High preset, averaging 58 FPS, is just at the edge of playability but may suffer from noticeable frame drops in busy scenes. The Medium preset offers a more comfortable average of 77 FPS, which is a much better experience for consistent gameplay. Given the steep performance cost of the Ultra preset (43 FPS), it is not recommended for 4K play. The Medium preset at 4K provides the best combination of visual quality and playable frame rates, making it the only sensible choice for a smooth 4K experience in Hitman 2 with this hardware.