Hitman 2

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER delivers a playable, but not flawless, Hitman 2 experience. The data shows this combo ranks 1106th out of 1795 tested configurations, placing it in the lower-middle tier of the database. The system’s performance is heavily dictated by resolution and settings, with the GPU acting as the primary bottleneck at higher loads, while the CPU’s strong multi-core headroom keeps frame rates respectable at lower settings.

FAQ

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

A: Based on the measured FPS, 1920x1080 is the most dependable resolution. At High settings, the combo achieves 93.5 FPS, which is comfortably above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay.

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

A: Barely. At 3840x2160 with High settings, the average FPS drops to 28.9, which is below the playable threshold. Even at Medium settings, the average is only 43.9 FPS, so 4K is only viable at Low settings (53.8 FPS).

Q: How much of an FPS gain is there from lowering settings from Ultra to Low?

A: The gain is substantial. At 1920x1080, the average FPS jumps from 68.8 on Ultra to 157.1 on Low, representing a significant 88.3 FPS increase. This suggests the GPU is the limiting factor when settings are maxed out.

Q: Is the Intel Core Ultra 7 265K a high-performance CPU?

A: Yes. It holds a 97th percentile ranking against all CPUs in the database. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 50009 and single-core score of 7060 are strong indicators of its capability.

Q: How does the RTX 2070 SUPER compare to its closest rivals?

A: The data shows it is closely matched with the NVIDIA RTX A400, which is 0.5% faster. It also sits 2.5% ahead of the AMD Radeon RX 5700 and is 2.3% slower than the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Mobile.

Q: What is the CPU’s architecture and core count?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K is based on the Arrow Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm process. It features 20 cores and 20 threads with a base clock of 3.90 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K provides a robust foundation for Hitman 2. With 20 cores and 20 threads, it offers ample parallel processing power, reflected in its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 50009. This is a top-tier result, placing the CPU in the 97th percentile of all processors. In a game like Hitman 2, which can utilize multiple threads for AI, physics, and world simulation, this headroom prevents the CPU from becoming a bottleneck at standard resolutions.

The processor’s single-thread performance is equally strong, evidenced by a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 7060. High clock speeds, up to 5.50 GHz, are crucial for the main game logic thread. The benchmark results suggest that the CPU is more than capable of feeding the GPU with data. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combo reaches 157.1 FPS, a figure that suggests the CPU is not holding back the frame rate.

However, the CPU’s role becomes less prominent as resolution and settings increase. The data indicates that the performance ceiling is dictated by the GPU at higher loads. The CPU’s launch MSRP is $394. The 125 W TDP and physical design are not directly related to the frame rate data, but they indicate a powerful desktop component. The CPU’s performance is so high that it sits within 1.2% of the AMD EPYC 7413, a server-class chip, in average benchmark scores, underscoring its strength.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER is the limiting factor in this pairing for Hitman 2. It has 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing 448.0 GB/s of bandwidth. Its compute power is rated at 9.062 TFLOPS for FP32 operations. The performance data shows a clear pattern: the GPU struggles to maintain high frame rates when the graphical load is heavy.

At 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, the average FPS collapses to 26.0. This is a direct result of the GPU’s memory bandwidth and shading units (2560) being overwhelmed. Even at 2560x1440 with Ultra settings, the average is only 41.3 FPS, which is not ideal for a fast-paced stealth game. The GPU’s 65th percentile ranking among all GPUs in the database confirms it is a mid-range performer in the current landscape.

The RTX 2070 SUPER’s closest rival, the NVIDIA RTX A400, is only 0.5% faster in average benchmark scores, showing a tight performance cluster. The GPU’s boost clock of 1770 MHz is standard for its generation, but it does not offer enough headroom for demanding settings at high resolutions. The data suggests that for a consistently smooth experience, the graphical settings must be reduced, especially at higher resolutions.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of the combo’s capabilities across different settings. At 1920x1080, the system is most comfortable. The average FPS ranges from 157.1 at Low settings to 68.8 at Ultra. High settings yield 93.5 FPS, and Medium settings produce 119.3 FPS. This resolution offers the best performance envelope, with only the Ultra preset dipping below the 60 FPS mark.

At 2560x1440, the performance drops are noticeable. Low settings produce an average of 99.5 FPS, which is still smooth. High settings result in 57.8 FPS, which is marginally below the 60 FPS target. Medium settings average 77.7 FPS, but Ultra settings fall to 41.3 FPS, indicating a heavy load on the GPU.

At 3840x2160, the GPU is clearly the bottleneck. Low settings manage an average of 53.8 FPS, which is playable but not ideal. Medium settings drop to 43.9 FPS, High settings to 28.9 FPS, and Ultra settings to 26.0 FPS. The 4K Ultra result is the lowest in the entire dataset, highlighting the GPU’s limitation at this resolution.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo’s rank of 1106 out of 1795 tested combinations places it in the 38th percentile of all systems tested in Hitman 2. This is a low-mid tier ranking, which is consistent with the GPU’s performance class. The dataset suggests that while the CPU is a top-tier component, the GPU prevents the system from achieving higher frame rates in this specific title.

The ranking is a function of the GPU’s 65th percentile standing. While the CPU is in the 97th percentile, the overall system performance is dragged down by the graphics card. This is a classic case of a CPU/GPU imbalance. The data shows that the GPU’s closest rivals, such as the AMD Radeon RX 5700, are within 2.5% in average score, meaning that swapping the GPU for a similar-tier alternative would not dramatically change the rank.

Settings Recommendations

For the best balance of visual fidelity and performance, the High preset at 1920x1080 is the recommended starting point. It delivers an average of 93.5 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS target and provides a significant visual upgrade over Medium settings. The difference between High (93.5 FPS) and Ultra (68.8 FPS) is 24.7 FPS, a noticeable drop for marginal graphical gains.

If a higher resolution is desired, the Medium preset at 2560x1440 is the best option, offering an average of 77.7 FPS. This provides a sharper image while maintaining smooth gameplay. At 4K, only the Low preset is viable, with an average of 53.8 FPS, but this compromises visual quality heavily. For a consistent 60 FPS experience, the data indicates that sticking to 1080p with High settings is the most reliable path.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS drop from 1080p to 4K is steep and reveals the GPU’s dominance as a bottleneck. At High settings, the average FPS falls from 93.5 at 1920x1080 to 57.8 at 2560x1440, a 35.7 FPS decrease. Moving from 1440p to 4K at High settings, the FPS further drops to 28.9, another 28.9 FPS decrease. This scaling pattern is characteristic of a GPU-limited scenario.

The performance degradation is directly tied to the increase in pixel count. At 4K, the GPU must render over four times the pixels of 1080p, and the 8 GB of VRAM and 448.0 GB/s of bandwidth are insufficient to maintain high frame rates. In contrast, the CPU’s performance is relatively constant across resolutions, as evidenced by the high frame rates at 1080p Low (157.1 FPS). This indicates that the CPU is not a limiting factor in this scaling test; the GPU is the sole component responsible for the FPS drop at higher resolutions.