Hitman 2

# CPU Role — cores, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus is a 24-core, 24-thread desktop processor based on the Arrow Lake Refresh architecture, built on a 3 nm process by TSMC. It operates with a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.80 GHz. The chip carries a substantial cache hierarchy: 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. This configuration places it in the top percentile of all CPUs tested on the platform, with a 96th percentile ranking and an average benchmark score of 84,003.

In synthetic workloads, the processor demonstrates its multi-threaded strength. It scores 5,214 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 21,727 in R20 multi-core, and 51,731 in R23 multi-core. Single-core performance is equally robust, with scores of 736 in R15, 3,067 in R20, and 7,303 in R23. PassMark results reinforce this profile: a multi-thread score of 60,860, a single-thread score of 4,823, and a physics score of 3,315. The CPU's data compression score of 698,346 and integer math score of 166,194 suggest strong computational throughput, which matters for games that rely on complex simulation logic.

Relative to its nearest rivals, the Core Ultra 9 290K Plus sits just 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K in average benchmark score, and 1.1% ahead of the AMD EPYC 4584PX. It trails the AMD EPYC 7F72 by 1.3%. These deltas are marginal, indicating that within this performance tier, the CPU's raw compute capability is essentially matched by its closest competitors. The processor's 125 W TDP and dual-channel DDR5 memory support with 115.2 GB/s bandwidth provide a solid foundation for feeding a discrete GPU in gaming workloads.

For Hitman 2, a stealth game where AI routines, crowd simulations, and level scripting can tax the CPU, the Core Ultra 9 290K Plus's high single-thread performance and substantial multi-core headroom mean it is unlikely to be the primary bottleneck in most scenarios. The game's engine, released in 2018, was designed around far less capable hardware, so this processor provides ample compute reserve. The measured FPS data across all resolutions and settings reflects this: even at 1080p Low, where CPU load is typically highest relative to GPU, the system achieves 159 FPS average, indicating the CPU is not limiting frame delivery at lower settings. At 4K Ultra, the average drops to 23 FPS, but this is overwhelmingly a GPU-bound scenario, as the RTX 2070 SUPER is tasked with rendering far more pixels.

# GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER is based on the TU104 chip, fabricated on a 12 nm process at TSMC, with 13,600 million transistors and a die size of 545 mm². It operates with a base clock of 1605 MHz and a boost clock of 1770 MHz, with memory running at 1750 MHz (14 Gbps effective). The card features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, delivering 448.0 GB/s of bandwidth. It houses 2,560 shading units, 160 texture mapping units, and 64 render output units, alongside 40 ray tracing cores and 320 tensor cores. The GPU's pixel rate is 113.3 GPixel/s, texture rate is 283.2 GTexel/s, and it delivers 9.062 TFLOPS of FP32 compute.

In the benchmark database, the RTX 2070 SUPER holds a 65th percentile ranking among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 20,282. Its 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score is 1,651, while Geekbench OpenCL and Vulkan scores are 83,358 and 90,637 respectively. PassMark results show a G3D score of 18,169 and a GPU compute score of 7,557. Comparing to its nearest rivals, the card trails the NVIDIA Quadro M4000M by 1%, the GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile by 1.2%, the Intel Arc B570 by 1.3%, and the Intel Arc A750 by 1.5%. These narrow margins indicate the RTX 2070 SUPER is positioned competitively within its performance tier, though it is an older architecture (Turing) relative to some alternatives.

The 8 GB VRAM capacity is a critical factor for Hitman 2 at higher resolutions and settings. The game's levels feature dense environments with numerous destructible objects, NPCs, and detailed textures. At 1080p and 1440p, 8 GB is generally sufficient for High and Ultra settings, as the measured FPS suggests. However, at 4K Ultra, the combination of resolution scaling and texture detail can pressure VRAM, and the data shows a significant performance drop to 23 FPS average. The GPU's 448.0 GB/s memory bandwidth is adequate for 1440p High (58 FPS average) but struggles to maintain playable frame rates at 4K Ultra, where the rendering load outpaces both the compute units and memory subsystem.

The RTX 2070 SUPER's DirectX 12 Ultimate support (12_2) is beneficial for Hitman 2, which can leverage modern API features. The card's 40 RT cores are present but largely unused in this title, as Hitman 2 does not rely heavily on ray tracing. The 320 tensor cores similarly have limited relevance here. The GPU's 1605 MHz base and 1770 MHz boost clocks are modest by today's standards, but they are sufficient to drive the game at 1080p and 1440p with reasonable settings. The measured data confirms that the GPU becomes the limiting component at 4K and at Ultra settings across all resolutions, where the average FPS falls to 67 at 1080p, 43 at 1440p, and 23 at 4K.

# FAQ

Q: What is the average FPS at 1080p with Medium settings?

A: The system achieves an average of 120 FPS at 1920x1080 with Medium settings, with a minimum of 102 FPS and a maximum of 137 FPS.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rival in benchmark scores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus scores 84,003 on average, which is 0.2% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K (83,807) and 1.1% higher than the AMD EPYC 4584PX (83,090). It trails the AMD EPYC 7F72 (85,072) by 1.3%.

Q: Is the GPU or CPU the limiting factor at 4K Ultra settings?

A: At 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, the average FPS is 23, which is the lowest across all tested configurations. Given that the CPU is highly capable (96th percentile) and the GPU is mid-range (65th percentile), the data indicates the RTX 2070 SUPER is the primary bottleneck at this resolution and settings combination.

Q: What is the GPU's average benchmark score and percentile ranking?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER has an average benchmark score of 20,282 and ranks in the 65th percentile among all GPUs. Its closest rival, the NVIDIA Quadro M4000M, scores 20,480, which is 1% higher.

Q: How much of a performance difference exists between Low and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the average FPS drops from 102 on Low settings to 43 on Ultra settings, representing a 59 FPS decrease. The High setting averages 58 FPS, and Medium averages 76 FPS.

Q: What is the CPU's single-thread performance in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus scores 7,303 in Cinebench R23 single-core. This is accompanied by a multi-core score of 51,731 in the same test.

# How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER ranks 1,725 out of 3,001 tested combos for Hitman 2. This places the pairing in the lower half of the database, which is notable given the CPU's high performance tier. The rank reflects the GPU's mid-range position (65th percentile) limiting the overall system's gaming potential, despite the CPU being in the 96th percentile.

The CPU's benchmark performance is exceptional—its average score of 84,003 is within 1.3% of its nearest rivals, all of which are high-end server or desktop parts. However, the RTX 2070 SUPER's average score of 20,282 and its position among rivals like the Intel Arc A750 (20,582, 1.5% higher) indicate that the GPU is the constraining element in this pairing. The combo rank of 1,725 suggests that many other CPU-GPU combinations deliver better Hitman 2 performance, likely due to more balanced pairings where the GPU is not the limiting factor.

In the context of the 3,001 tested combos, this rank places the system in a crowded middle zone. The data implies that while the CPU is overqualified for the GPU, the overall experience is still playable at 1080p and 1440p with appropriate settings. The rank would likely be higher if the GPU were more powerful, but as configured, the RTX 2070 SUPER's capabilities cap the system's potential. The 4K results, where the combo averages 23 FPS on Ultra, are particularly indicative of this imbalance, as the CPU's compute power cannot compensate for the GPU's rendering limitations at that resolution.

# Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the system delivers its highest frame rates. Low settings produce an average of 159 FPS, Medium settings average 120 FPS (with a minimum of 102 and maximum of 137), High settings average 90 FPS, and Ultra settings average 67 FPS. The progression from Low to Ultra shows a steady decline, with Ultra being 92 FPS lower than Low. This 1080p resolution is where the RTX 2070 SUPER is most comfortable, and the CPU's high single-thread performance ensures no bottleneck at these frame rates.

Moving to 2560x1440, the average FPS drops across all settings. Low settings still achieve a strong 102 FPS average, but Medium falls to 76 FPS (minimum 65, maximum 88), High drops to 58 FPS, and Ultra averages 43 FPS. The delta between Low and Ultra is 59 FPS. The step from 1080p to 1440p represents a 36% reduction in FPS at Low settings (from 159 to 102), indicating the GPU is now working harder to fill the additional pixels.

At 3840x2160, the performance becomes marginal for smooth gameplay. Low settings average 54 FPS, Medium averages 41 FPS (minimum 35, maximum 47), High averages 31 FPS, and Ultra averages 23 FPS. The gap between Low and Ultra is 31 FPS. The reduction from 1440p Low (102 FPS) to 4K Low (54 FPS) is a 47% decrease, showing the severe impact of resolution scaling on this GPU. The minimum FPS of 35 at 4K Medium indicates that even mid-range settings can produce stutter-prone frame times.

Across all resolutions, the Medium settings row is the only one with reported minimum and maximum FPS values, providing a fuller picture of frame time consistency. At 1080p Medium, the range from 102 to 137 FPS shows relatively stable performance. At 1440p Medium, the 65 to 88 FPS range is tighter, suggesting more consistent frame pacing. At 4K Medium, the 35 to 47 FPS range indicates significant variance that could be perceptible as hitching.

# Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend heavily on the target resolution and desired frame rate. At 1920x1080, High settings at 90 FPS average provide a smooth experience for a stealth game, where precise timing and reaction are important. Ultra at 67 FPS is still playable, but the visual fidelity gain over High is marginal for a 23 FPS cost. Medium at 120 FPS is ideal for high-refresh-rate displays, but the visual compromise may not be worth it given that High is only 30 FPS lower.

At 2560x1440, Medium settings at 76 FPS average strike the best balance between visual quality and smoothness. High at 58 FPS is acceptable for slower-paced stealth gameplay, but the drop below 60 FPS may introduce perceptible judder. Ultra at 43 FPS is not recommended, as it falls below the threshold for comfortable gameplay. Low at 102 FPS is the smoothest option, but it sacrifices significant visual detail that enhances the game's atmosphere.

At 3840x2160, the data suggests that only Low settings at 54 FPS average are viable for consistent gameplay. Medium at 41 FPS is borderline, and High at 31 FPS or Ultra at 23 FPS are too low for a responsive experience. The minimum FPS of 35 at 4K Medium indicates that even this setting can dip below 30 FPS in demanding scenes. For 4K, users should accept Low settings as the practical ceiling for this GPU.

The best overall experience per the data is 1080p High at 90 FPS average. This settings level provides a strong balance of visual fidelity and frame rate, ensuring the game remains fluid while showcasing the game's detailed environments. For 1440p users, Medium at 76 FPS is the recommended compromise. The data does not support 4K Ultra as a viable option for this combo, as the 23 FPS average would severely hamper gameplay.

# Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear pattern of performance degradation as resolution increases, with the GPU becoming the dominant limiting factor. From 1080p Low (159 FPS) to 1440p Low (102 FPS), there is a 36% reduction. From 1440p Low to 4K Low (54 FPS), there is a 47% further reduction. The cumulative drop from 1080p Low to 4K Low is 66%, which aligns with the pixel count increase from 2.07 million to 8.29 million (a 4x increase) but is less than linear, suggesting some CPU involvement at lower resolutions.

For High settings, the progression is 90 FPS at 1080p, 58 FPS at 1440p, and 31 FPS at 4K. This represents a 36% drop from 1080p to 1440p and a 47% drop from 1440p to 4K, mirroring the Low settings pattern. The consistency of these percentage drops across settings levels indicates that resolution scaling is uniform regardless of graphical load, which is typical of a GPU-bound scenario.

The CPU's role becomes clearer when examining the scaling. At 1080p Low, the system achieves 159 FPS, which is high but not exceptionally so for a CPU with 96th percentile performance. This suggests that even at low settings, the RTX 2070 SUPER is keeping pace. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect to see a plateau in FPS as resolution decreases, but instead, FPS continues to rise at 1080p, indicating the GPU is still the primary constraint.

At 4K Ultra, the 23 FPS average is 86% lower than 1080p Low. This massive reduction is attributable to the GPU's limited compute and memory bandwidth relative to the rendering demands. The CPU's 36 MB of L3 cache and high boost clocks cannot mitigate the GPU's inability to process the pixel workload. The data strongly suggests that for this combo, the RTX 2070 SUPER is the limiting component across all resolutions and settings, with the CPU providing ample headroom that is never fully utilized in Hitman 2.