Hitman 2

The Intel Core i5-12400F paired with the Intel Arc B370 in Hitman 2 represents a configuration where the graphics processor is the dominant constraint across all tested scenarios. The data shows a combination ranking 2768th out of 3001 tested combos in this game, placing it in the lower percentile of system performance. The benchmark results indicate a system that is fundamentally limited by its GPU, which in this case is an integrated graphics solution with a 25 W TDP rather than a discrete add-in board. This imbalance means that CPU headroom is largely untapped, and the measured frame rates are dictated almost entirely by the Arc B370's rendering capabilities.

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

The Intel Core i5-12400F is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture, built on Intel's 10 nm process. It has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, with a 65 W TDP. The CPU features 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. This processor supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration and has a PCIe Gen 5 interface with 20 lanes. Its benchmark scores are respectable for a mid-range desktop part, with a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 12380 and a single-core score of 1680, alongside a Geekbench multicore score of 9472 and a single-core score of 1964.

In the context of Hitman 2, a stealth game that typically relies on single-thread performance for game logic and AI, the i5-12400F's 3DMark single-thread score of 909 and its Cinebench R15 single-core score of 244 suggest adequate processing capability. The processor sits in the 73rd percentile against all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 19039. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS with an average score of 19047 (0% delta), the Intel Core 3 201E at 19056 (-0.1% delta), and the Intel Core i5-1335U at 18982 (0.3% delta). These rivals show that the i5-12400F's computational throughput is well within the expected range for its class, neither significantly ahead nor behind its direct competitors.

However, when analyzing the measured FPS in Hitman 2, it becomes evident that the CPU's performance is not the limiting factor. The lowest tested frame rate at 1080p with Low settings is 73 FPS average, which is a playable level. The CPU's passmark single-thread score of 3481 and its 12 threads provide ample resources for the game's engine. The data suggests that even at higher resolutions where frame rates drop to single digits, the CPU is not being stressed to its limits. The bottleneck is clearly elsewhere, as the i5-12400F's multicore performance, evidenced by a Cinebench R20 multicore score of 6980 and a Passmark multithread score of 19433, would be more than sufficient to drive Hitman 2 at higher frame rates if the graphics subsystem could keep pace.

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

The Intel Arc B370 is a strikingly different component from the CPU. It is an integrated graphics processor (IGP) based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, built on a 3 nm process, and part of the Panther Lake chip. Its base clock is 300 MHz with a boost clock of 2400 MHz, and it operates with a TDP of just 25 W. The GPU has 1280 shading units, 40 texture mapping units, and 20 render output units. It also includes 10 ray tracing cores. The memory configuration is entirely system-dependent, with "System Shared" memory size, type, and bus width, meaning bandwidth is listed as "System Dependent" rather than a fixed figure. This is a crucial detail, as the GPU has no dedicated VRAM and instead relies on the system's main memory, which can introduce latency and bandwidth constraints.

The Arc B370's benchmark results are extraordinarily low. In the 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 test, it scores 1184, placing it in the 5th percentile against all GPUs. Its nearest rivals include the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 with a score of 1186 (-0.2% delta), the ATI Radeon HD 5770 at 1190 (-0.5% delta), and the AMD Radeon HD 7650M at 1192 (-0.7% delta). This comparison is telling: the Arc B370 performs on par with graphics cards from over a decade ago. The pixel rate is 48.00 GPixel/s and the texture rate is 96.00 GTexel/s, with FP32 performance at 6.144 TFLOPS. These figures, while numerically present, are insufficient for modern gaming at acceptable frame rates, especially given the lack of dedicated memory.

In Hitman 2, the GPU's limitations are starkly visible. The system's performance is constrained by the Arc B370's inability to process the game's rendering workload efficiently. The shared memory setup means that the GPU competes with the CPU for memory bandwidth, which is a significant bottleneck in a game that requires consistent data streaming for detailed environments. The 10 ray tracing cores are present but the overall performance is too low to leverage them effectively at any settings. The data indicates that this GPU is a primary reason for the low frame rates, and its 5th percentile ranking against all GPUs underscores its position as an entry-level or legacy-level component.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The measured FPS data across resolutions reveals a clear pattern of performance degradation that aligns with GPU-bound behavior. At 1080p with Low settings, the average FPS is 73. When moving to 1440p at the same Low settings, the average drops to 46 FPS, a reduction of approximately 37%. At 4K with Low settings, the average falls to 25 FPS, which is a 66% drop from the 1080p baseline. This scaling is consistent with a GPU that is being saturated by increasing pixel counts, as the processing load scales with the number of pixels rendered.

The pattern is even more pronounced at higher settings. At 1080p High, the average is 41 FPS, which drops to 26 FPS at 1440p and then to 14 FPS at 4K. The transition from 1080p to 1440p at High settings yields a 37% decrease, and from 1440p to 4K yields a 46% decrease. This non-linear scaling, where the frame rate drops disproportionately at higher resolutions, is a hallmark of a GPU-bound system. If the CPU were the limiting factor, the frame rates would remain relatively constant across resolutions, as the CPU's workload is largely resolution-independent.

These results indicate that the limiting component is unequivocally the Intel Arc B370. The CPU's performance is sufficient to maintain high frame rates, but the GPU's rendering capabilities are exhausted as the resolution increases. The data shows that the frame rate roughly halves with each doubling of pixel count, which is expected when the GPU is the bottleneck. The lack of dedicated VRAM likely exacerbates this issue, as memory bandwidth becomes a critical constraint at higher resolutions where more data needs to be transferred per frame. Overall, the resolution scaling confirms that this combo is GPU-limited across the board, with the i5-12400F having significant untapped potential.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The measured FPS data for this combo in Hitman 2 is provided for four settings presets (Low, Medium, High, Ultra) across three resolutions (1080p, 1440p, 4K). At 1920x1080, the average FPS ranges from 73 at Low settings to 30 at Ultra settings. The Medium setting yields an average of 54 FPS with a minimum of 46 and a maximum of 63. High settings produce an average of 41 FPS. These figures show a steep decline as settings increase, with a 59% drop from Low to Ultra.

At 2560x1440, the averages are 46 FPS at Low, 35 FPS at Medium (min 30, max 40), 26 FPS at High, and 19 FPS at Ultra. The drop from Low to Ultra at this resolution is 59%, similar to 1080p, but the absolute values are significantly lower. At 3840x2160, the averages are 25 FPS at Low, 19 FPS at Medium (min 16, max 21), 14 FPS at High, and 10 FPS at Ultra. The performance at 4K is marginal at best, with even Low settings failing to reach 30 FPS.

The data shows a consistent pattern where Medium settings provide a playable frame rate with some headroom, while High and Ultra are taxing. At 1080p, Medium at 54 FPS is the most balanced option, while at 1440p, Medium at 35 FPS is borderline playable. At 4K, no setting reaches 30 FPS, indicating that this combo is not viable for 4K gaming. The minimum FPS values, where available, show that frame pacing is an issue at higher resolutions and settings, with the 4K Medium preset dipping to 16 FPS. These numbers paint a picture of a system that can handle 1080p gaming at lower presets, but struggles significantly at higher resolutions and graphical loads.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combo of the Intel Core i5-12400F and Intel Arc B370 ranks 2768th out of 3001 tested combinations in Hitman 2. This ranking places it in the bottom 8% of all tested systems, indicating that it is one of the slower configurations for this game. The rank is a direct reflection of the GPU's limitations, as the CPU is a capable part that would rank much higher if paired with a discrete graphics card. The data shows that this combo is at the 92nd percentile from the top, or conversely, in the 8th percentile from the bottom, which is consistent with the GPU's 5th percentile ranking against all GPUs.

Given the GPU's performance level, the rank is unsurprising. The Arc B370's benchmark score of 1184 puts it on par with legacy GPUs, and the measured FPS data confirms that it cannot deliver a smooth experience in Hitman 2. The combo rank would likely be higher if the CPU were the bottleneck, but the opposite is true. The i5-12400F's 73rd percentile CPU ranking contrasts sharply with the overall combo rank, underscoring the imbalance in this pairing. In practical terms, this combo is positioned for users who prioritize CPU performance for non-gaming tasks but have minimal expectations for gaming, particularly in a demanding title like Hitman 2.

FAQ

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

A: The data shows that 1920x1080 is the only resolution where playable frame rates are achievable. At 1080p Low, the average FPS is 73, and at Medium it is 54. At 1440p, the highest average is 46 FPS at Low, and at 4K, even Low settings only reach 25 FPS.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the bottleneck in this system?

A: The benchmark results indicate the GPU is the limiting factor. The i5-12400F has a 73rd percentile CPU ranking and strong multicore scores, while the Arc B370 sits in the 5th percentile for GPUs. The frame rate drops significantly with resolution increases, which is characteristic of a GPU-bound system.

Q: Can this combo run Hitman 2 at Ultra settings?

A: Yes, but not at playable frame rates. At 1080p Ultra, the average FPS is 30. At 1440p Ultra, it drops to 19 FPS, and at 4K Ultra, it is 10 FPS. The data suggests that Ultra settings are not suitable for a smooth experience at any resolution.

Q: How does the Arc B370 compare to its nearest GPU rivals?

A: The Arc B370 scores 1184 in 3DMark Steel Nomad, which is nearly identical to the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 (1186, -0.2% delta) and the ATI Radeon HD 5770 (1190, -0.5% delta). It is slightly ahead of the AMD FirePro M2000 (1168, 1.4% delta).

Q: What are the minimum FPS values for the Medium preset?

A: At 1080p Medium, the minimum FPS is 46. At 1440p Medium, it is 30. At 4K Medium, it is 16. These minimums show that frame drops become more severe as resolution increases.

Q: Is this combo ranked high or low among all tested systems?

A: The combo ranks 2768th out of 3001 tested combinations, placing it in the bottom 8% of all systems. This low rank is primarily due to the GPU's weak performance.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal experience for this combo in Hitman 2 is at 1920x1080 resolution. At this resolution, the Low preset delivers an average of 73 FPS, which is smooth and responsive. The Medium preset offers a better balance of visual quality and performance, with an average of 54 FPS and a minimum of 46 FPS, ensuring a stable frame rate without significant dips. This is the recommended setting for most users, as it provides a playable experience while improving graphical fidelity over Low.

At 2560x1440, the Medium preset is the only viable option, with an average of 35 FPS and a minimum of 30 FPS. This is borderline playable, but users may experience occasional stutters. The High preset at 1440p (26 FPS) is not recommended, as it falls below the threshold for smooth gameplay. At 3840x2160, none of the presets are suitable for a positive experience, with the highest average being 25 FPS at Low. The data suggests that users should avoid 4K entirely with this combo.

For users who prioritize frame rate over visual quality, the 1080p Low preset at 73 FPS is the best choice. However, the 1080p Medium preset is the best overall recommendation, as it offers a 59% increase in average FPS over High and a 80% increase over Ultra, while still maintaining a stable minimum of 46 FPS. The Ultra preset at 1080p (30 FPS) and all presets at higher resolutions are not recommended due to the low average frame rates and the potential for significant drops, as evidenced by the 4K Medium minimum of 16 FPS.