Hitman 2

# How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i7-14700KF paired with the Intel Arc B390 ranks 2662 out of 3001 tested combos in Hitman 2. This places the pairing in the lower 11.3% of the database, indicating that while the CPU is a top-tier performer, the GPU severely constrains the overall experience. The combo sits at the 11.3th percentile, a position that reflects the massive imbalance between the two components. The i7-14700KF itself ranks in the 94th percentile against all CPUs, but the Arc B390 ranks in only the 9th percentile against all GPUs, so the final combo ranking is dragged down almost entirely by the graphics side. In practical terms, this means the system is capable of high CPU-bound frame rates, but the GPU becomes the bottleneck at every resolution tested, preventing the combo from climbing higher in the standings.

The rank of 2662 out of 3001 is a clear signal that this is not a balanced gaming configuration for Hitman 2. In the context of the benchmark database, combos in this range typically produce playable results only at lower resolutions and settings. The data confirms this: the combo achieves 80 FPS at 1080p Low but drops to 11 FPS at 4K Ultra. The spread between best-case and worst-case scenarios is enormous, and the ranking reflects the average experience across all tested configurations. Users looking at this rank should understand that while the CPU is a top-tier part, the overall combo is held back by a GPU that is closer in performance to entry-level mobile parts than to modern desktop graphics cards.

# GPU Role

The Intel Arc B390 is the defining component in this combo, and not in a positive way. Its architecture is Xe3-LPG, built on a 3 nm process, with the chip codenamed Panther Lake. The GPU features 1536 shading units, 48 texture mapping units, and 24 raster output units. It also includes 12 ray tracing cores. The base clock is 300 MHz, boosting up to 2500 MHz. Pixel rate is 60.00 GPixel/s, texture rate is 120.0 GTexel/s, and FP32 throughput is 7.680 TFLOPS. These specifications sound respectable on paper, but the performance data tells a different story. The GPU's single benchmark result in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 is 1482 points, placing it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals are the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (1463 points, 1.3% behind), the NVIDIA GeForce 800M (1460 points, 1.5% behind), and the NVIDIA GeForce GT 625 OEM (1446 points, 2.5% behind). These are all extremely old, low-end parts, which contextualizes the Arc B390's performance level as comparable to a decade-old entry-level GPU.

Crucially, the memory configuration is "System Shared" for size, type, bus width, and bandwidth. There is no dedicated VRAM; the GPU relies on shared system memory, with bandwidth described as "System Dependent." This is a fundamental limitation for a game like Hitman 2, which benefits from dedicated video memory. The GPU's TDP is 80 W, and it is integrated into the system as an IGP (integrated graphics processor) with no power connectors and a slot width listed as "IGP." The bus interface is also IGP, meaning this is not a discrete card that can be upgraded or replaced independently. In Hitman 2, this lack of dedicated VRAM likely contributes to the severe frame rate drops at higher resolutions. At 4K Ultra, the combo manages only 11 FPS average. At 1080p Low, it reaches 80 FPS, but this is the absolute ceiling for this GPU in this game. The data suggests that the GPU's shared memory architecture and relatively low throughput are the primary reasons why the combo ranks so poorly.

# CPU Role

The Intel Core i7-14700KF is a completely different story. This is a 20-core, 28-thread processor based on Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh. It has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. The cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 33 MB of shared L3 cache. The CPU supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, and it uses the Intel Socket 1700. The process node is 10 nm, and the die size is 257 mm². It supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes and has a TDP of 125 W. Its launch MSRP is $384. In synthetic benchmarks, this CPU is a monster: Cinebench R23 multi-core scores 44167, single-core 6235; Geekbench multi-core 21462, single-core 2578; Passmark multi-thread 52425, single-thread 4480. The average benchmark score across all tests is 70163, placing it in the 94th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F (69996, 0.2% ahead), AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX (69875, 0.4% ahead), AMD Ryzen 9 7950X (69515, 0.9% ahead), and Intel Core Ultra 7 265K (70879, 1.0% behind).

In Hitman 2, the CPU's role is to feed the GPU with draw calls and game logic. Given the CPU's massive multi-threading capability and high single-thread performance, it is almost certainly never the limiting factor in this combo. The data supports this interpretation: at 1080p Low, the combo hits 80 FPS, but at 1080p Ultra it drops to 34 FPS. If the CPU were the bottleneck, the frame rate would remain relatively flat across settings at the same resolution. Instead, the frame rate scales dramatically with settings, indicating the GPU is the constraint. The CPU's high single-thread score of 6235 in Cinebench R23 and 4480 in Passmark single-thread suggest it can handle Hitman 2's AI and physics calculations without breaking a sweat. The 20 cores and 28 threads are far more than this 2018 game requires, so the CPU sits largely idle while the GPU struggles. The verdict is clear: the i7-14700KF is overkill for this GPU, and any frame rate limitations in this combo are entirely attributable to the Arc B390.

# FAQ

Q: Why does this combo rank so low (2662 out of 3001) despite having a top-tier CPU?

A: The ranking is determined by the combined performance of both components. While the Intel Core i7-14700KF ranks in the 94th percentile of all CPUs, the Intel Arc B390 ranks in only the 9th percentile of all GPUs. In Hitman 2, the GPU is the limiting factor at every resolution and settings level, dragging the overall combo ranking down to the bottom 11.3% of tested configurations.

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

A: The Arc B390 scores 1482 points in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12. Its closest competitors are the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX at 1463 points (1.3% slower), the NVIDIA GeForce 800M at 1460 points (1.5% slower), and the NVIDIA GeForce GT 625 OEM at 1446 points (2.5% slower). These are all legacy entry-level parts, indicating the Arc B390 performs at a very low tier relative to modern GPUs.

Q: How does the i7-14700KF compare to its nearest CPU rivals?

A: The i7-14700KF has an average benchmark score of 70163 across all tests. The AMD Ryzen 7 9700F scores 69996 (0.2% lower), the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX scores 69875 (0.4% lower), and the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X scores 69515 (0.9% lower). The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K scores 70879, which is 1.0% higher than the i7-14700KF.

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

A: The highest average frame rate recorded is 80 FPS at 1920x1080 with Low settings. At the same resolution with Medium settings, the average drops to 60 FPS. These are the only two configurations in the measured data that exceed 60 FPS.

Q: Is the Arc B390's memory configuration a factor in its performance?

A: Yes. The GPU uses "System Shared" memory for size, type, bus width, and bandwidth, meaning it has no dedicated VRAM. The bandwidth is described as "System Dependent," which means performance relies entirely on the system's main memory. This is a significant disadvantage for a game like Hitman 2, which benefits from dedicated video memory, and likely contributes to the low frame rates at higher resolutions.

Q: How does the combo perform at 4K resolution?

A: At 3840x2160, the combo achieves 27 FPS on Low settings, 21 FPS on Medium, 16 FPS on High, and 11 FPS on Ultra. None of these are playable for a stealth game that requires precision, and the Ultra setting is effectively a slideshow.

# Resolution Scaling

The resolution scaling data reveals a stark picture of GPU limitation. Moving from 1080p to 1440p to 4K causes frame rates to plummet across all settings. At Low settings, the combo drops from 80 FPS at 1080p to 51 FPS at 1440p (a 36.3% reduction) and then to 27 FPS at 4K (a 47.1% reduction from 1440p). At Medium settings, the frame rates are 60 FPS at 1080p, 39 FPS at 1440p (35.0% lower), and 21 FPS at 4K (46.2% lower). At High settings, the drop is even steeper: 46 FPS at 1080p, 29 FPS at 1440p (37.0% lower), and 16 FPS at 4K (44.8% lower). At Ultra settings, the numbers are 34 FPS at 1080p, 21 FPS at 1440p (38.2% lower), and 11 FPS at 4K (47.6% lower).

The pattern is consistent: each resolution step reduces frame rates by roughly 35-48%, which is characteristic of a GPU that is heavily pixel-bound. The i7-14700KF, with its 20 cores and 5.60 GHz boost clock, has more than enough headroom to handle the increased CPU load at lower resolutions. The fact that frame rates scale so predictably with resolution and settings indicates that the GPU's shading units (1536), TMUs (48), and ROPs (24) are simply overwhelmed as pixel count increases. The FP32 throughput of 7.680 TFLOPS is not sufficient for 4K gaming. The data strongly suggests that the limiting component at all resolutions is the GPU, not the CPU. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect to see frame rates plateau at lower resolutions and settings, but instead the GPU consistently runs out of processing power first.

# Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the only playable configuration for this combo is 1080p with Low settings, which achieves 80 FPS average. This is the only setting that provides a comfortable margin above 60 FPS. At 1080p Medium, the average drops to 60 FPS, which is technically playable but leaves no headroom for demanding scenes; the minimum recorded FPS for this setting is 51, which could cause noticeable stutters in Hitman 2's crowded environments. At 1080p High, the average falls to 46 FPS, which is borderline for a stealth game that benefits from smooth camera movement. At 1080p Ultra, the average is 34 FPS, which is not recommended for any serious playthrough.

For 1440p, the situation is more challenging. Low settings yield 51 FPS, which is playable but not ideal. Medium settings yield 39 FPS, High yields 29 FPS, and Ultra yields 21 FPS. None of these meet the 60 FPS threshold, but Low at 1440p is the only viable option if the user insists on a higher resolution. At 4K, all settings are below 30 FPS, making the game effectively unplayable. The best 4K result is 27 FPS on Low, which is still too low for a game that requires precise timing and stealth mechanics.

The data indicates that the optimal experience is 1080p Low, which provides the highest average frame rate and avoids the minimum FPS dips seen at Medium settings. Users who prioritize visual fidelity over smoothness could consider 1080p Medium at 60 FPS average, but they must accept the 51 FPS minimum. For 1440p, Low is the only recommendation, and 4K should be avoided entirely. The GPU's shared memory architecture and low compute throughput simply cannot handle higher settings without sacrificing playability.

# Measured FPS Breakdown

1920x1080 (Full HD):

• Low: 80 FPS average (no min/max recorded)
• Medium: 60 FPS average, 51 FPS minimum, 69 FPS maximum
• High: 46 FPS average (no min/max recorded)
• Ultra: 34 FPS average (no min/max recorded)

At 1080p, the combo shows a clear progression from playable to marginal. The Low setting achieves 80 FPS, which is excellent for this hardware pairing. Medium maintains a 60 FPS average but dips to 51 FPS at minimum, indicating some frame pacing issues. High and Ultra settings fall to 46 FPS and 34 FPS respectively, which are below the ideal threshold for a smooth stealth experience. The gap between Low and Medium is 20 FPS (25.0% reduction), and the gap between Medium and High is 14 FPS (23.3% reduction). The Ultra setting is 57.5% slower than Low.

2560x1440 (Quad HD):

• Low: 51 FPS average (no min/max recorded)
• Medium: 39 FPS average, 33 FPS minimum, 44 FPS maximum
• High: 29 FPS average (no min/max recorded)
• Ultra: 21 FPS average (no min/max recorded)

At 1440p, the frame rates drop below the 60 FPS threshold across all settings. Low is the only setting that remains above 50 FPS, at 51 FPS average. Medium drops to 39 FPS with a 33 FPS minimum, which will be noticeable in action sequences. High and Ultra fall to 29 FPS and 21 FPS respectively, making them unsuitable for gameplay. The resolution increase from 1080p to 1440p costs between 29 FPS (Low) and 13 FPS (Ultra) depending on settings.

3840x2160 (4K Ultra HD):

• Low: 27 FPS average (no min/max recorded)
• Medium: 21 FPS average, 17 FPS minimum, 24 FPS maximum
• High: 16 FPS average (no min/max recorded)
• Ultra: 11 FPS average (no min/max recorded)

At 4K, the combo is completely out of its depth. The best result is 27 FPS on Low, which is still below the 30 FPS playability threshold. Medium averages 21 FPS with a 17 FPS minimum, which is a slideshow. High and Ultra are effectively unplayable at 16 FPS and 11 FPS respectively. The scaling from 1440p to 4K costs between 24 FPS (Low) and 10 FPS (Ultra). The minimum FPS data at 4K Medium (17 FPS) and 1440p Medium (33 FPS) show that the GPU is struggling to maintain consistent frame delivery at higher resolutions, likely due to the shared system memory bandwidth limitations.

The overall picture is one of severe GPU constraint. The i7-14700KF is capable of far higher frame rates in Hitman 2, but the Arc B390's shared memory and low compute throughput cap the system's performance at 80 FPS maximum (1080p Low) and 11 FPS minimum (4K Ultra). Users should treat this combo as a 1080p Low/Medium configuration at best, with any higher resolution or settings leading to a subpar experience.