Hitman 2

The Intel Core i5-12600KF paired with the Intel Arc B390 presents a distinctly lopsided profile in Hitman 2, where the processor’s substantial multi-threaded capabilities are entirely overshadowed by a graphics solution that ranks near the bottom of the database. The data indicates a system where the GPU is the unequivocal bottleneck at every resolution and settings level, transforming a modern stealth classic into a test of graphical endurance rather than a fluid experience. The measured frames per second (FPS) reveal a hard ceiling that shifts only modestly with settings, painting a clear picture of a combo designed for productivity rather than high-refresh-rate gaming.

Resolution Scaling

The most telling metric in this dataset is the dramatic collapse in performance as resolution increases, which is a classic symptom of a GPU-bound workload. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 80 FPS. This is the peak of its performance envelope. Moving to 2560x1440 at the same Low preset, the average FPS drops sharply to 51, a reduction of 29 FPS. The scaling continues its downward trajectory at 3840x2160, where the Low preset yields a mere 27 FPS. This represents a 66% decrease in performance from 1080p to 4K, a severity that points squarely at the Arc B390’s limited fill rate and pixel throughput.

The pattern holds across all settings presets. At Medium settings, the frame rate declines from 60 FPS at 1080p, to 39 FPS at 1440p, and finally to 21 FPS at 4K. This consistent halving of performance with each major resolution step is a textbook demonstration of pixel-bound rendering. The Intel Arc B390, with its 24 ROPs and 60.00 GPixel/s pixel rate, simply cannot sustain the workload as the pixel count quadruples from 1080p to 4K. The data shows that the CPU is not a limiting factor in this scaling; the 10-core, 16-thread i5-12600KF has ample headroom, as evidenced by its high benchmark scores, but this headroom is irrelevant when the GPU is saturated.

The difference between Low and Ultra settings at each resolution also highlights the GPU's limitations. At 4K, the gap between Low (27 FPS) and Ultra (11 FPS) is a stark 16 FPS. This shows that even the most demanding visual settings can be applied, but the cost is a slide into single-digit or low-teen frame rates. The scaling from 1080p to 4K is not linear but exponential in its demands, and this combo’s performance curve reflects that harsh reality. The conclusion is unambiguous: the Arc B390 is the performance ceiling, and resolution scaling is its greatest adversary.

CPU Role

In this specific configuration, the Intel Core i5-12600KF is a powerful engine that is never given the opportunity to run at full throttle. With 10 cores and 16 threads based on the Alder Lake architecture, the CPU demonstrates its raw capability in synthetic benchmarks, scoring 23,391 points in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 3,302 in single-core. These scores place it in the 79th percentile of all CPUs, indicating a processor that is more than capable of handling modern game logic and physics. However, in Hitman 2, its role is relegated to feeding frames to a GPU that cannot keep up.

The benchmark results show that the CPU has negligible impact on the final FPS figures. The average FPS differences between settings are almost entirely attributable to the GPU's workload. For instance, at 1080p, the jump from Low (80 FPS) to Medium (60 FPS) is a 20 FPS drop, which is consistent with increased GPU load. The CPU's clock speeds of 3.70 GHz base and 4.90 GHz boost are more than sufficient to maintain a high frame rate, but the system’s actual output is capped by the Arc B390's 7.680 TFLOPS FP32 performance and 120.0 GTexel/s texture rate.

The data suggests that the i5-12600KF is a bystander in this pairing. Its high Passmark multithread score of 27,575 and a 3DMark 16-thread score of 7,956 are irrelevant to the final experience because the GPU is the bottleneck. This is not a case where lower resolutions could expose a CPU limitation; even at 1080p Low, where the GPU has the least work, the CPU is not the constraint. The processor's performance percentile, which is 79% vs. all CPUs, confirms its capability, but the combo's overall rank in this game, at 3,300 out of 3,711, reveals that the sum of its parts is far less than the processor alone would suggest.

FAQ

Q: What is the best average frame rate this combo can achieve in Hitman 2?

A: The highest measured average FPS is 80, which is achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with the Low settings preset.

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-12600KF or the Intel Arc B390 the limiting factor in Hitman 2?

A: The data points entirely to the GPU. The Arc B390's performance drops significantly with resolution and settings, while the CPU's high benchmark scores (e.g., 23,391 in Cinebench R23 multi-core) indicate it has ample processing headroom that is never fully utilized.

Q: How much performance is lost when moving from 1080p to 4K at Medium settings?

A: At Medium settings, the average FPS falls from 60 at 1920x1080 to 21 at 3840x2160. This is a decrease of 39 FPS, representing a 65% reduction in average frame rate.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded for this combo?

A: The lowest minimum FPS recorded is 17 FPS, which occurred at 3840x2160 resolution with the Medium settings preset.

Q: Can this combo run Hitman 2 at Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: Yes, but with limited playability. The average FPS at 1920x1080 with Ultra settings is 34 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target for a smooth experience.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B390 compare to its nearest performance rivals?

A: The Arc B390's average benchmark score is 1,482. It is 1.3% faster than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX and 2.7% faster than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710, placing it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs.

Settings Recommendations

Given the severe performance constraints imposed by the Intel Arc B390, the settings recommendations are straightforward and prioritize playability over visual fidelity. The data shows that the Low preset is the only viable option for a remotely smooth experience. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 80 FPS, which is the only configuration that clears the 60 FPS threshold. This is the recommended preset for any user seeking responsive gameplay.

For those who can tolerate lower frame rates, the Medium preset at 1080p offers an average of 60 FPS, with a minimum of 51 FPS and a maximum of 69 FPS. This provides a more visually detailed image while maintaining a playable frame rate, assuming the user is sensitive to occasional dips. However, the High preset at 1080p drops the average to 46 FPS, which is a significant compromise in smoothness. The Ultra preset at 1080p, with an average of 34 FPS, is not recommended for action-oriented stealth gameplay, as the frame pacing will likely feel sluggish.

At higher resolutions, the options are limited. At 2560x1440, only the Low preset (51 FPS) is playable; Medium (39 FPS) and High (29 FPS) are borderline, while Ultra (21 FPS) is not recommended. At 3840x2160, all presets are effectively unplayable, with the best case being Low at 27 FPS. The analysis suggests that users should stick to 1080p and choose between Low for maximum fluidity or Medium for a balance of quality and performance. There is no scenario in the measured data where High or Ultra settings provide an acceptable experience without significant sacrifices to frame rate.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i5-12600KF and Intel Arc B390 ranks 3,300 out of 3,711 tested combos in Hitman 2. This places it in the bottom 11% of all systems in the database, a stark indication of its gaming limitations. This low ranking is almost entirely attributable to the GPU; the i5-12600KF’s individual CPU percentile is 79%, meaning it is more powerful than 79% of all processors. The disconnect between the CPU’s high standing and the combo’s low rank underscores the severity of the GPU bottleneck.

The Arc B390’s individual performance percentile is 9%, meaning it is slower than 91% of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals in the GPU benchmark, such as the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 and GT 625 OEM, are legacy parts from a bygone era, confirming that this is not a gaming-focused chip. While the i5-12600KF's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3Dasiatic and Intel Core i9-10900K, with a negligible delta of -0.3% to 0.3% in average score, this competitive parity at the CPU level does nothing to boost the gaming experience. The data shows a system where a top-tier processor is hamstrung by a bottom-tier graphics solution, resulting in a combo rank that reflects the weakest link rather than the strongest.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following data represents the exact measured frame rates for the Intel Core i5-12600KF and Intel Arc B390 combination in Hitman 2.

3840x2160 (4K)

• Low: Average FPS of 27.
• Medium: Average FPS of 21, with a minimum of 17 and a maximum of 24.
• High: Average FPS of 16.
• Ultra: Average FPS of 11.

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Low: Average FPS of 51.
• Medium: Average FPS of 39, with a minimum of 33 and a maximum of 44.
• High: Average FPS of 29.
• Ultra: Average FPS of 21.

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Low: Average FPS of 80.
• Medium: Average FPS of 60, with a minimum of 51 and a maximum of 69.
• High: Average FPS of 46.
• Ultra: Average FPS of 34.

These figures confirm a consistent hierarchy: performance scales inversely with both resolution and settings. The only combination that achieves a 60 FPS average is 1080p Medium, while the only combination to exceed 60 FPS is 1080p Low. The data shows that the system is fundamentally limited to 1080p gaming, and even then, only at lower presets. The frame times at 4K and 1440p High/Ultra presets are too low to be considered viable for a smooth experience, confirming the GPU as the primary constraint.