Hitman 2

The Intel Core i7-14700F paired with the Intel Arc B570 presents a modern mid-range desktop configuration, and its performance in Hitman 2 is a clear demonstration of how GPU load scales with resolution. This analysis uses measured data from the benchmark database to determine exactly where this combo stands, what settings are viable, and how it compares to other tested hardware configurations. The data shows a system that is fully capable at 1080p, usable at 1440p with reduced settings, and simply outmatched at 4K for this specific title.

FAQ

*Q: What is the best resolution and preset combination for this PC in Hitman 2 that stays above 60 FPS?*

A: The best playable experience is at 1920x1080 with the High preset, which delivers an average of 70 FPS. This is a higher fidelity setting than the Low or Medium presets, both of which also clear the 60 FPS threshold at this resolution.

*Q: Can this system handle 1440p gaming in Hitman 2?*

A: Yes, but with a significant limitation. At 2560x1440, the only preset that maintains an average above 60 FPS is Low, which scores 79 FPS. The Medium preset falls just short at 59 FPS, making it technically unplayable by the 60 FPS standard.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its closest rivals based on average benchmark scores?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700F is positioned between several high-end server and desktop processors. It is effectively tied with the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X, coming in just 0.6% behind. It is also 0.2% slower than the Intel Xeon 6505P but 0.3% and 0.8% faster than the Intel Xeon Phi 7290 and AMD EPYC 7313P, respectively.

Q: What GPU performs at a similar level to the Intel Arc B570?

A: The data shows the Arc B570 is very closely matched with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile and the previous-generation Intel Arc A750. The RTX 3070 Mobile is 0.1% faster, while the Arc A750 is 0.1% slower. The AMD Radeon R9 M390X is also close, but 0.5% slower.

Q: What is the most demanding preset that still achieves 60 FPS at 1440p?

A: The Low preset is the most demanding playable option at 2560x1440. The Medium preset’s average of 59 FPS misses the 60 FPS target by a single frame, so it cannot be recommended for a smooth experience.

Q: What are the minimum and maximum FPS recorded for the 1080p Medium preset?

A: The measured data shows an average of 93 FPS for this configuration, with a minimum of 79 FPS and a maximum of 106 FPS. This indicates a stable and smooth experience with minimal frame-time variance.

CPU and GPU Roles

The benchmark results for Hitman 2 with the Intel Core i7-14700F and Intel Arc B570 make it clear that the GPU is the primary bottleneck and the determining factor for playability across different resolutions. The CPU’s role, while important for physics and overall game logic, is secondary to the GPU's rendering workload in this title. The evidence for this is the close correlation between performance changes and resolution changes, which is a classic sign of a GPU-bound scenario.

Consider the scaling from 1080p Low to 1440p Low. The average frame rate drops from 123 FPS to 79 FPS, a reduction of 44 FPS. A CPU-bound workload would not show such a dramatic performance loss purely from an increase in pixel count. The GPU simply has to do more work to fill those extra pixels, and the data reflects that. Similarly, moving from 1440p Low (79 FPS) to 4K Low (42 FPS) shows another substantial drop, halving the frame rate. This further cements the GPU as the limiting factor at all tested resolutions.

The impact of the GPU is even more pronounced when examining preset scaling within a single resolution. At 1080p, the jump from Low (123 FPS) to High (70 FPS) is a clear 53 FPS difference, entirely attributable to the increased graphical load on the GPU. The Ultra preset at 1080p drops to 52 FPS, showing that even at the least demanding resolution, the Arc B570 is the limiting factor for the highest fidelity settings. The CPU, with its 20 cores and 28 threads, is more than capable of feeding the GPU at these frame rates; the bottleneck is firmly in the graphics card's ability to process the scene.

The role of the CPU becomes more apparent at lower resolutions where the GPU is less stressed. For example, the difference between 1080p High (70 FPS) and 1440p High (45 FPS) is a 25 FPS drop. This is a significant falloff, but the CPU is not the reason. The GPU’s raw pixel throughput is what's being stressed. The i7-14700F's high single-thread performance, reflected in its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4958 and PassMark single-thread score of 4257, ensures it isn't a bottleneck even in this scenario. The system is consistently GPU-limited.

The verdict is that the Intel Arc B570 is the star of this show, but it's also the limiting factor. For most resolutions and presets in Hitman 2, the GPU architecture and its raw compute capabilities determine the playable settings. The CPU is a robust and high-performing piece of hardware, but its influence on the final frame rate is minimal compared to the GPU. In this specific game pairing, choosing a higher resolution is a direct trade-off for GPU performance, as the CPU is not the component that needs to be upgraded to improve frame rates.

How This Combo Ranks

Looking at the broader database of tested hardware combinations, the Intel Core i7-14700F and Intel Arc B570 rank at 2986 out of 3711 total combos for Hitman 2. This places the system in the lower portion of the ranking chart, specifically in the 20th percentile (since 2986 / 3711 is roughly 0.80, meaning it is better than about 20% of all tested combos). This is a low ranking, driven almost exclusively by the GPU's performance. The CPU is a top-tier part, with an average benchmark score of 53620, putting it in the 91st percentile of all CPUs. The GPU, however, is much less powerful in comparison, with a 65th percentile ranking.

This ranking indicates that while the CPU is a strong performer, the overall gaming capability of this combo is constrained. The data shows a significant bottleneck. The CPU is capable of far more work than the GPU can handle in this game, particularly at higher resolutions. This is a classic case of a system where the GPU is the weakest link in the chain.

The specific deltaPct values for the GPU's nearest rivals are telling. The Arc B570 is effectively tied with the previous-gen Arc A750, with only a 0.1% difference in average benchmark scores. This means that for Hitman 2, this new GPU does not offer a significant performance improvement over its direct predecessor. The fact that it is also aligned with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile, a high-end laptop GPU, shows the kind of performance tier it's in. This is a desktop card that sits just above the mid-range in its own product stack, but it is not a high-end performer.

In contrast, the CPU’s nearest rivals are extremely high-end server and workstation processors like the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X and Intel Xeon Phi 7290. The i7-14700F is not just a good CPU; it is near the top of the performance chart for all CPUs. This is a clear mismatch. The system is essentially a high-performance CPU paired with a mid-range GPU. This explains the low combo ranking. The CPU is not the limiting factor, but the system's overall performance is dragged down by the GPU, particularly in a game like Hitman 2 that is graphically demanding.

The Verdict

Yes, this PC can run Hitman 2, but the experience varies dramatically depending on the target resolution and quality settings. The data is clear and unambiguous.

At 3840x2160 (4K) the system is not capable of delivering a playable experience. No settings, from Low to Ultra, can achieve an average frame rate of 60 FPS. The best case scenario is Low, which averages 42 FPS. The Ultra preset is a slideshow at 18 FPS. Simply put, this resolution is off the table for this combo.

At 2560x1440 (1440p) there is a single playable option. The Low preset is the only one to clear the 60 FPS threshold, with an average of 79 FPS. The Medium preset is a narrow miss, averaging 59 FPS, which is below the playable threshold. High and Ultra are not viable options, with the High preset at 45 FPS and Ultra at 33 FPS. If you want to play at 1440p, you'll have to sacrifice visual fidelity for a smooth frame rate.

At 1920x1080 (1080p) is where this combo shines. The High preset, which is the most demanding playable setting, delivers a very smooth 70 FPS average. This is the recommended way to play. The Medium preset is even faster at 93 FPS, and Low is extremely fast at 123 FPS. The Ultra preset, however, is not playable, with an average of 52 FPS. So, while you can't max out the game at 1080p, you can play with high-quality graphics and a comfortable performance margin.

In summary, the system is a solid 1080p gaming machine for Hitman 2. It offers a great balance of quality and speed at that resolution. At 1440p, you can play but with minimal graphics settings. At 4K, you will not get a playable frame rate. The system's performance is ultimately limited by the Arc B570 GPU.

Similar Performance Alternatives

If you were to look for hardware that behaves similarly in this game, the nearest rivals for each component provide a clear picture. The data shows which alternatives would result in a near-identical experience.

For the CPU, the performance margins are extremely tight. The Intel Core i7-14700F has an average score of 53620. The closest rival, the AMD EPYC 7313P, is only 0.8% faster. The Intel Xeon Phi 7290 is 0.3% faster, and the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X is 0.6% faster. The Intel Xeon 6505P is 0.2% slower. In practical terms, for gaming in Hitman 2, all of these processors would perform within a margin of error of the i7-14700F. They would not be the limiting factor in any of these configurations. If you're building a system, any of these CPUs would offer a similar level of capability in this title.

For the GPU, the situation is similar, with the Intel Arc B570's closest rivals being a mixed bag. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile has an average score that is only 0.1% higher than the Arc B570. The Intel Arc A750 is close, but 0.1% slower. Meanwhile, the AMD Radeon R9 M390X is 0.5% slower, and the NVIDIA Quadro M4000M is 0.4% faster. It's important to note that these are all very close in performance, meaning the gaming experience in Hitman 2 would be nearly identical. If you had any of these GPUs, you would expect to get similar FPS numbers in the same conditions. The difference between the Arc B570 and the Arc A750 is so small that you might as well consider them the same tier of performance. This is a key data point for anyone considering a budget-friendly GPU.

Best Settings per Resolution

The best settings per resolution are determined by the most demanding preset that still maintains an average frame rate at or above the 60 FPS playable threshold. The measured data provides a clear and definitive answer.

1920x1080: The best settings are High. This preset delivers an average of 70 FPS. While the Low and Medium presets are also playable, High is the highest quality option that allows for a smooth experience. The Ultra preset is not playable at this resolution, averaging only 52 FPS.

2560x1440: The best settings are Low. This is the only preset that clears the 60 FPS threshold, with an average of 79 FPS. The Medium preset is just below playable at 59 FPS, and High and Ultra are far below the target. To get smooth gameplay at 1440p, you must turn down the graphical details.

3840x2160: There are no playable settings at this resolution. The best average FPS is 42 on Low, which is below the 60 FPS threshold. The other presets all fall short of the target, with Medium at 32 FPS, High at 24 FPS, and Ultra at 18 FPS. This system is not recommended for 4K gaming in Hitman 2.

These recommendations are based on the measured average FPS. It is always important to note that these are averages, and there can be dips below the 60 FPS mark in heavy scenes. The only preset with min and max data is the 1080p Medium preset, which shows a minimum of 79 FPS and a maximum of 106 FPS. This suggests that even with that wide range, the average is 93 FPS and the minimum is well above the playable threshold. This gives some confidence that a 60 FPS lock would be stable for most presets that average above that mark.