Hitman 2

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus paired with the AMD Radeon RX 9060 delivers a thoroughly mid-range experience in Hitman 2, according to measured frame-rate data. The combination ranks 1739th out of 3001 tested combos, placing it in the lower-middle portion of the database. The data shows a system that can handle 1080p and 1440p gaming comfortably at medium settings, but struggles to maintain playable frame rates at 4K, regardless of quality preset. This analysis breaks down the resolution scaling, CPU contribution, ranking context, and measured FPS figures to give a complete picture of what this hardware pairing offers for this specific stealth title.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a steep performance cliff as resolution increases from 1920x1080 to 3840x2160. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo produces 159 FPS average, which drops to 102 FPS at 1440p and then falls to 54 FPS at 4K. That represents a 36% reduction from 1080p to 1440p, and a further 47% reduction from 1440p to 4K. The scaling pattern indicates that the GPU becomes the dominant limiting factor at higher resolutions, which is expected given the RX 9060’s mid-range positioning.

Looking at Medium settings, the frame rate progression is 119 FPS at 1080p, 76 FPS at 1440p, and 41 FPS at 4K. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is 36%, while the drop from 1440p to 4K is 46%. These percentages are nearly identical to the Low settings scaling, suggesting that the resolution penalty is consistent regardless of visual fidelity. The 4K Medium result of 41 FPS with a minimum of 35 FPS and maximum of 47 FPS shows that even the lower-end frame times remain relatively stable, but the average falls short of the 60 FPS target that most players would consider smooth.

High settings exhibit a similar pattern: 90 FPS at 1080p, 58 FPS at 1440p, and 31 FPS at 4K. The 1440p result is borderline playable, but 4K High is clearly not viable for a game that benefits from precise timing and stealth mechanics. Ultra settings are the most demanding, with 66 FPS at 1080p, 43 FPS at 1440p, and just 23 FPS at 4K. The 4K Ultra number is below what most gamers would accept as a minimum playable frame rate, and it highlights that this combo is not designed for 4K gaming in Hitman 2.

The scaling behavior suggests that the RX 9060’s 8GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus with 288.0 GB/s bandwidth is the primary constraint at 4K. The GPU’s 1792 shading units and 64 ROPs are simply not enough to push the pixel count at 3840x2160 without significant frame rate penalties. At 1080p, the CPU’s strong single-thread performance can keep up with the GPU, but at 4K the GPU is saturated and the CPU headroom becomes irrelevant. The data shows that this combo is best suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming, with 4K reserved for Low settings at best, where 54 FPS is achievable but far from ideal.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus is a 24-core, 24-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake Refresh architecture, built on a 3 nm process by TSMC. It has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.80 GHz, with 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The CPU’s benchmark results are impressive for a desktop part: it scores 51731 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 7303 in single-core, placing it in the 96th percentile among all CPUs. Its average benchmark score of 84003 is just 0.2% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, its closest rival, and 1.1% higher than the AMD EPYC 4584PX.

In Hitman 2, the CPU’s role is less about raw core count and more about single-thread performance. The game’s stealth AI and crowd simulations can benefit from multiple threads, but the measured FPS data suggests that the RX 9060 is the bottleneck at most resolutions. At 1080p Low, the combo hits 159 FPS, which is high enough to indicate that the CPU can feed the GPU adequately. The boost clock of 5.80 GHz provides strong per-core performance, which is critical for a game that relies on frame pacing and consistent frame times.

The CPU’s 24 cores and 24 threads are overkill for Hitman 2, which typically uses fewer threads. However, the high single-thread performance ensures that the CPU does not become a limiting factor at lower resolutions. The data shows that at 1080p Medium, the combo delivers 119 FPS, and at 1080p High it delivers 90 FPS. These numbers suggest that the CPU has enough headroom to handle the game’s logic while the GPU manages the rendering workload. The CPU’s memory support for DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and 115.2 GB/s bandwidth also helps with data throughput, though the game’s memory requirements are modest.

Compared to the CPU’s nearest rivals, the 290K Plus holds a slight edge in synthetic benchmarks, but this does not translate into a significant advantage in Hitman 2. The 0.2% delta over the 285K is negligible in real-world gaming scenarios. The CPU’s 96th percentile ranking indicates that it is a top-tier processor for general workloads, but in this specific game, the GPU’s mid-range capabilities cap the overall performance. The data does not show any CPU-bound scenarios where frame rates would improve with a faster processor, as the FPS drops are consistent with GPU limitations at higher resolutions.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo ranks 1739th out of 3001 tested combinations in Hitman 2, placing it in the 58th percentile of all combos in the database. This is a middling result, reflecting the RX 9060’s position as a mid-range GPU rather than a high-end one. The CPU’s strong benchmark scores do not boost the combo’s ranking significantly because the GPU is the primary determinant of gaming performance. The rank of 1739 means that over 1200 combos perform better, which includes systems with higher-tier GPUs or more balanced pairings.

The GPU’s own ranking helps contextualize this result. The RX 9060 sits in the 59th percentile among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 16014. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, scores 16129, which is 0.7% higher. The AMD Radeon R9 370X and RX 7700 score 15862 and 15852 respectively, both about 1% lower. The RX 9060’s PassMark G3D score of 17631 and 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 3322 are consistent with its mid-range positioning. In Hitman 2, this translates to playable frame rates at 1080p and 1440p, but not at 4K.

The combo’s rank of 1739 out of 3001 suggests that it is better than roughly 42% of tested systems for this game. That is not a flattering position, but it is expected given the GPU’s 8GB memory capacity and 128-bit bus. The CPU’s 96th percentile ranking does not compensate for the GPU’s 59th percentile ranking in gaming workloads. The data shows that the combo is suitable for 1080p gaming at High or Ultra settings, and for 1440p at Medium settings, but it will struggle with 4K content. The rank is a reflection of the GPU’s limitations rather than the CPU’s capabilities, and any upgrade path would focus on the graphics card.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of how this combo performs across three resolutions and four settings presets. At 1920x1080, the results are as follows: Low settings deliver 159 FPS average, Medium delivers 119 FPS with a minimum of 101 and maximum of 137, High delivers 90 FPS, and Ultra delivers 66 FPS. These numbers show that 1080p is the sweet spot for this combo, with all presets exceeding the 60 FPS threshold. Even Ultra, which is the most demanding preset, maintains 66 FPS, providing a smooth experience for a stealth game that benefits from fluid camera movement.

At 2560x1440, the performance drops noticeably. Low settings produce 102 FPS, Medium produces 76 FPS with a minimum of 65 and maximum of 88, High produces 58 FPS, and Ultra produces 43 FPS. The Medium preset remains playable at 76 FPS, but High dips below 60 FPS, and Ultra falls to 43 FPS, which may be acceptable for some players but is not ideal for a game that requires precise timing. The 1440p results indicate that this combo can handle the resolution but requires settings adjustments to maintain smooth frame rates.

At 3840x2160, the performance is marginal at best. Low settings deliver 54 FPS, Medium delivers 41 FPS with a minimum of 35 and maximum of 47, High delivers 31 FPS, and Ultra delivers 23 FPS. None of these presets achieve 60 FPS, and even Low falls short of a smooth experience. The 4K results are consistent with the GPU’s mid-range capabilities, and the data suggests that this combo is not suited for 4K gaming in Hitman 2. Players who want 4K would need to significantly reduce settings or upgrade the GPU.

The minimum and maximum FPS data for Medium settings provides additional insight into frame time consistency. At 1080p, the range is 101 to 137 FPS, which is a spread of 36 FPS. At 1440p, the range is 65 to 88 FPS, a spread of 23 FPS. At 4K, the range is 35 to 47 FPS, a spread of 12 FPS. The narrowing range at higher resolutions indicates that the GPU becomes more consistently saturated, which reduces frame time variance. This is a positive sign for stutter-free gameplay, but the low averages at 4K outweigh this benefit.

FAQ

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

A: The data shows that 1920x1080 is the best resolution, with all presets exceeding 60 FPS. Low hits 159 FPS, Medium hits 119 FPS, High hits 90 FPS, and Ultra hits 66 FPS. At 1440p, only Low and Medium exceed 60 FPS, while 4K never reaches 60 FPS.

Q: How does the RX 9060 compare to its nearest GPU rival?

A: The RX 9060 has an average benchmark score of 16014, which is 0.7% lower than the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti’s score of 16129. It is 1% higher than the AMD Radeon R9 370X and RX 7700, which score 15862 and 15852 respectively.

Q: Is the CPU a bottleneck in this game?

A: The data does not indicate CPU bottlenecking at any resolution. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus has a boost clock of 5.80 GHz and scores 7303 in Cinebench R23 single-core, which is sufficient for the game. The FPS drops from 1080p to 4K are consistent with GPU limitations.

Q: What is the combo’s rank among all tested systems?

A: The combo ranks 1739th out of 3001 tested combinations in Hitman 2. This places it in the lower-middle portion of the database, reflecting the GPU’s mid-range performance rather than the CPU’s high-end capabilities.

Q: Can this combo handle 4K gaming?

A: The measured data shows that 4K is not viable for smooth gameplay. Low settings produce 54 FPS, Medium produces 41 FPS, High produces 31 FPS, and Ultra produces 23 FPS. None of these reach the 60 FPS target.

Q: What is the CPU’s percentile ranking?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus ranks in the 96th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 84003. This is 0.2% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K and 1.1% higher than the AMD EPYC 4584PX.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the target resolution and desired frame rate. At 1920x1080, the Ultra preset is the best choice because it delivers 66 FPS average, which is above the 60 FPS threshold and provides the highest visual quality. The data shows that Ultra at 1080p is the most balanced option, offering a significant improvement over High’s 90 FPS without sacrificing smoothness. For players who prioritize frame rate over visuals, the Medium preset at 119 FPS is also excellent, but Ultra provides the best experience per the measured rows.

At 2560x1440, the Medium preset is the recommended choice. It delivers 76 FPS average with a minimum of 65 and maximum of 88, which is smooth and consistent. The High preset drops to 58 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target and may result in noticeable stutter during fast camera movements. The Low preset at 102 FPS is playable but sacrifices too much visual fidelity for a game that relies on environmental detail for stealth. The data indicates that Medium at 1440p offers the best balance of performance and quality.

At 3840x2160, no preset achieves 60 FPS, so the recommendation is to avoid 4K with this combo unless the player is willing to accept lower frame rates. The Low preset at 54 FPS is the most playable option, but it is still below the 60 FPS target. The Medium preset at 41 FPS is borderline, with a minimum of 35 FPS that could cause issues in crowded scenes. The data suggests that players should either drop to 1440p Medium or accept the Low preset at 4K for a playable experience.

For the best overall experience, the data supports 1080p Ultra as the primary recommendation, with 1440p Medium as a secondary option for players who want higher resolution. The 1080p Ultra preset provides 66 FPS, which is smooth enough for a stealth game, while 1440p Medium provides 76 FPS with better image clarity. The High preset at 1080p delivers 90 FPS, but the jump to Ultra is worth the 24 FPS reduction for the visual improvements. The measured data shows that this combo is best utilized at 1080p, with 1440p as a viable alternative for those who prioritize resolution over frame rate.