Hitman 2

The benchmark data for Hitman 2, paired with the Intel Core Ultra 7 265K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050, reveals a configuration that is heavily constrained by the graphics card at higher resolutions. The CPU offers substantial headroom, but the GPU’s 8 GB memory and mid-range compute power define the performance envelope. This analysis examines the measured FPS across resolutions and settings, contextualizes the component roles, and provides actionable recommendations based solely on the provided data.

Resolution Scaling

The performance drop from 1080p to 4K is steep and clearly indicates the GPU as the primary bottleneck. At High settings, the average frame rate falls from 86 FPS at 1920x1080 to 55 FPS at 2560x1440, a decline of 31 FPS (36%). Moving to 3840x2160, the average drops further to 29 FPS, which is a 57 FPS (66%) reduction from the 1080p baseline. This scaling pattern is characteristic of a system where the graphics processor is saturated, as the computational load on the GPU increases geometrically with pixel count.

The trend is consistent across all settings presets. At Low settings, the average FPS goes from 152 at 1080p to 97 at 1440p and finally to 52 at 4K. This represents a 34% drop from 1080p to 1440p and a further 46% drop from 1440p to 4K. The consistent proportionality of these drops, regardless of the preset, confirms that the limiting factor is the GPU’s raw throughput rather than any specific setting. The CPU, with its 20 cores and 20 threads, is not the constraint here; otherwise, the scaling would be more erratic.

The data shows that 4K resolution is not viable for smooth gameplay with this combo. Even at Low settings, the 52 FPS average at 3840x2160 is below the 60 FPS threshold typically desired for a fluid experience. The 1440p resolution presents a more balanced picture, with the High preset achieving 55 FPS and Low reaching 97 FPS, suggesting that this is the practical ceiling for this pairing. The 1080p results are strong, with all presets exceeding 60 FPS except Ultra, which hits 64 FPS, indicating that 1080p is the resolution where this combo can fully stretch its legs.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050’s specifications directly explain its performance characteristics in Hitman 2. With 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, the memory bandwidth is 320.0 GB/s. This is a modest amount of VRAM for modern titles, and the data suggests it is a limiting factor at higher resolutions and settings. The measured FPS at 4K Ultra is only 22, and at 4K High it is 29, indicating that the card is struggling to handle the texture and geometry loads at this resolution.

The GPU’s clock speeds—2317 MHz base and 2572 MHz boost—provide a baseline for its compute capability. The FP32 performance is 13.17 TFLOPS, which places it in a specific performance tier. This is reflected in the GPU’s benchmark scores; for instance, its Passmark G3D score is 17326, and its 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score is 2502. These scores are consistent with a card that is positioned in the mid-range market segment.

The RTX 5050’s percentile ranking is 66, meaning it outperforms 66% of all GPUs in the database. Its nearest rivals in terms of average benchmark score include the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT, which has a deltaPct of 1.6 (meaning the RTX 5050 is 1.6% ahead), and the AMD Radeon RX Vega M GL, which is 0.6% behind. This proximity in scores underscores that the RTX 5050 is a solid entry-level to mid-range performer, but it lacks the headroom needed for 4K gaming. The 8 GB memory capacity is likely the culprit for the severe FPS drops at 4K, as the card may be forced to swap textures, causing stutter and reduced frame rates.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K presents a stark contrast to the GPU in terms of headroom. With 20 cores, 20 threads, and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz, this processor is a high-end desktop part. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 35850 and single-core score of 2020 place it in the 94th percentile of all CPUs. This indicates that it has far more processing power than Hitman 2 requires, especially given the game’s 2018 release date.

The CPU’s nearest rivals, such as the Intel Core i7-14700KF (deltaPct of 1) and the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F (deltaPct of 1.3), show that it is competitive with other top-tier desktop processors. The Ultra 7’s average benchmark score of 70879 is nearly identical to that of the Intel Xeon 6511P (71051, deltaPct of -0.2). This performance level ensures that the CPU will not bottleneck the GPU in Hitman 2.

The game’s engine is not heavily multi-threaded, so the 20 cores are unlikely to be fully utilized. However, the high single-core performance is beneficial for the game’s simulation and AI logic. The L3 cache is 30 MB shared, which helps with data locality. In this scenario, the CPU’s role is to feed the GPU with draw calls and handle game logic, and the data suggests it does so effortlessly. The measured FPS drops are entirely attributable to the GPU, as the CPU is capable of supporting much higher frame rates than those observed.

How This Combo Ranks

The combined performance of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 in Hitman 2 is ranked 1837 out of 3001 tested combos. This places it in the 61st percentile of all combinations, meaning it outperforms 61% of tested systems. This is a respectable rank, but it is not exceptional, reflecting the GPU’s mid-range positioning.

The rank is heavily influenced by the GPU’s limitations. The CPU’s high percentile (94) is dragged down by the GPU’s lower percentile (66). The combo’s rank of 1837 suggests that many systems with weaker CPUs but stronger GPUs would outperform it in this specific game. For example, a combo with a lower-tier CPU but a higher-tier GPU would likely achieve a better rank in Hitman 2, which is a GPU-bound title at these settings.

The data implies that this combo is balanced for 1080p and entry-level 1440p gaming. At 1080p, the combo performs well, with High settings hitting 86 FPS. However, the rank of 1837 indicates that there is a significant number of combos that can deliver higher frame rates at 1440p or 4K. This is not a criticism of the CPU, which is excellent, but rather a reflection of the GPU’s role as the limiting factor in this pairing.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of the combo’s performance. At 1920x1080, the results are as follows: Low settings yield an average of 152 FPS, Medium yields 114 FPS (with a min of 97 and max of 131), High yields 86 FPS, and Ultra yields 64 FPS. All these averages are above 60 FPS, making 1080p the most comfortable resolution for this setup.

At 2560x1440, the performance drops. Low settings produce an average of 97 FPS, Medium produces 73 FPS (min 62, max 84), High produces 55 FPS, and Ultra produces 41 FPS. The High preset at 1440p is on the edge of playability, while Ultra is below the 60 FPS target. The Medium preset, at 73 FPS, offers a good balance for 1440p.

At 3840x2160, the combo struggles. Low settings yield an average of 52 FPS, Medium yields 39 FPS (min 33, max 45), High yields 29 FPS, and Ultra yields 22 FPS. None of these averages reach 60 FPS, and even the Low preset is below the desired threshold. The 4K data clearly indicates that this combination is not suited for 4K gaming, especially with the Ultra preset delivering a barely playable 22 FPS average.

FAQ

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

A: Based on the measured data, 1920x1080 is the best resolution, as all settings presets achieve an average FPS above 60. At 2560x1440, only Low and Medium presets exceed 60 FPS, while 3840x2160 fails to reach 60 FPS on any preset.

Q: Why is the 4K performance so poor?

A: The data shows a severe drop in FPS at 3840x2160, with the High preset at 29 FPS and Ultra at 22 FPS. This is likely due to the GPU’s 8 GB memory capacity and its mid-range compute performance, which are insufficient for the demands of 4K rendering in this game.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its rivals?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K has an average benchmark score of 70879, which is 1% higher than the Intel Core i7-14700KF and 1.3% higher than the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F. It is also marginally ahead of the Intel Xeon 6511P by 0.2%.

Q: Is the GPU a bottleneck at 1440p?

A: Yes, the data indicates the GPU is the limiting factor at 2560x1440. The High preset yields 55 FPS, and the Ultra preset yields 41 FPS, both below the 60 FPS target, while the CPU has ample headroom to support higher frame rates.

Q: What is the combo’s overall ranking?

A: The combo ranks 1837 out of 3001 tested combinations, placing it in the upper 61% of all tested systems. This rank is primarily constrained by the GPU’s performance.

Q: Which preset is recommended for a smooth experience at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080, the High preset provides an average of 86 FPS, which is a good balance between visual quality and performance. The Ultra preset also achieves 64 FPS, which is above 60 FPS, but the High preset offers a more comfortable margin.

Settings Recommendations

For the best experience with this combo, the data suggests prioritizing 1080p. At this resolution, the High preset delivers an average of 86 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS target and offers a significant visual improvement over the Medium preset’s 114 FPS. The Ultra preset, at 64 FPS, is also playable, but the 22 FPS difference between High and Ultra may not justify the visual gains, depending on user preference.

For users with a 1440p monitor, the Medium preset is the recommended choice, yielding an average of 73 FPS. This provides a smooth experience while maintaining a reasonable level of detail. The High preset at 1440p, at 55 FPS, is borderline playable, but the 18 FPS drop from Medium may be noticeable during action sequences. The Low preset at 1440p achieves 97 FPS, but the visual fidelity is significantly reduced.

4K gaming is not recommended with this combo. The Low preset at 3840x2160 yields 52 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS threshold, and the Medium preset drops to 39 FPS. Users seeking 4K performance would need to consider a more powerful GPU. For the best overall experience, the data points to 1080p with the High preset, which balances visual quality and performance, ensuring a stable frame rate without sacrificing too much detail.