Hitman 2

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and Intel Arc B370 combination delivers a highly constrained gaming experience in Hitman 2, as evidenced by the measured frame rates. The data indicates this pairing is positioned at the lower end of the performance spectrum, with the combo ranking 2768 out of 3001 tested configurations. This analysis breaks down the CPU and GPU contributions, explores the measured results across settings and resolutions, and provides context for what users can expect from this hardware pairing.

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

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 is a 10-core, 10-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture, manufactured on a 3 nm process by TSMC. It operates with a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz, which provides solid single-threaded capability for a game like Hitman 2. The processor’s cache hierarchy includes 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 20 MB L3 cache. Memory support is limited to DDR5 over a dual-channel bus, offering a theoretical bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The CPU has a 65 W TDP and uses the Intel Socket 1851.

In synthetic benchmarks, the Core Ultra 5 225 posts strong results, particularly in multi-threaded workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score is 25891, while the single-core score is 3655. The PassMark multithread score is 30459, and the single-thread score is 4412. These numbers place the CPU in the 85th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 36938. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F with a deltaPct of 0, the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D at -0.2, the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 at -0.4, and the Intel Core i9-12900T at -0.5. This means the Core Ultra 5 225 is essentially on par with these competitors, trading blows within a 0.5% margin.

For Hitman 2, which is a stealth game that tends to be more dependent on single-thread performance for AI and game logic, the Core Ultra 5 225’s 4.90 GHz boost clock is a positive factor. However, the measured FPS data reveals that the CPU is not the primary bottleneck in most scenarios. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves 73 FPS, which suggests the CPU can feed the GPU adequately at lower graphical loads. Yet, as settings increase, frame rates drop sharply, indicating that the GPU becomes the limiting factor well before the CPU’s capabilities are fully utilized. The processor’s 10 threads are sufficient for this game’s engine, but the overall system performance is dragged down by the graphics solution.

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

The Intel Arc B370 is an integrated graphics processor based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, built on Intel’s 3 nm process. It features 1280 shading units, 40 TMUs, and 20 ROPs, along with 10 ray tracing cores. The GPU operates at a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2400 MHz. Critically, the memory configuration is "System Shared", meaning it relies on the system’s DDR5 RAM rather than dedicated VRAM. The memory bus width and bandwidth are listed as "System Shared" and "System Dependent", respectively, which underscores the reliance on the CPU’s memory subsystem. The GPU has a TDP of just 25 W and is classified as an IGP (integrated graphics processor) with no power connectors required.

In terms of raw compute, the Arc B370 delivers 6.144 TFLOPS of FP32 performance and 12.29 TFLOPS of FP16 (2:1). Its pixel rate is 48.00 GPixel/s, and its texture rate is 96.00 GTexel/s. The GPU supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4. In the 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 test, it scores 1184, placing it in the 5th percentile of all GPUs. This is an exceptionally low ranking, with nearest rivals including the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 at -0.2 deltaPct, the ATI Radeon HD 5770 at -0.5, the AMD Radeon HD 7650M at -0.7, and the AMD FirePro M2000 at 1.4.

The 5th percentile ranking highlights that the Arc B370 is far below the performance level required for a modern gaming experience at higher settings. In Hitman 2, the GPU’s shared memory architecture is a significant handicap because the bandwidth is dependent on the system’s DDR5 configuration, which, while theoretical at 102.4 GB/s, is not optimized for graphics workloads. The measured FPS data confirms this: at 1080p Ultra, the combo only manages 30 FPS, and at 4K Ultra, it drops to a mere 10 FPS. The GPU is clearly the dominant constraint, as frame rates scale almost linearly with resolution and settings, a classic sign of GPU-bound performance.

FAQ — 4-6 Q&A pairs answerable from FACT PACK data

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

A: The highest measured average frame rate is 73 FPS at 1920x1080 with Low settings. This is the only configuration that approaches a playable frame rate for a smooth experience, as the next closest is 54 FPS at 1080p Medium.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 has an average benchmark score of 36938. Its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F, scores 36945, resulting in a deltaPct of 0. Other rivals like the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D and the Intel Core i9-12900T are within 0.2% and 0.5% slower, respectively, indicating near-identical overall CPU performance.

Q: Is the GPU capable of running Hitman 2 at 4K?

A: The data shows that at 3840x2160, the average FPS ranges from 10 at Ultra settings to 25 at Low settings. These frame rates are far below playable thresholds, especially at Ultra where even minimum FPS is not recorded, suggesting the GPU is severely underpowered for 4K gaming in this title.

Q: What is the GPU’s percentile ranking among all GPUs?

A: The Intel Arc B370 is in the 5th percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 1184 based on the 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 test. This places it in the lowest tier of graphics processors, comparable to legacy ATI cards from over a decade ago.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded in the measured data?

A: The only configurations with recorded minimum FPS are at Medium settings. At 3840x2160, the minimum is 16 FPS, at 2560x1440 it is 30 FPS, and at 1920x1080 it is 46 FPS. No minimum FPS data is available for Low, High, or Ultra settings.

Q: How many cores does the CPU have, and does it affect gaming performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 has 10 cores and 10 threads. For Hitman 2, this is sufficient, as the game’s bottleneck in the measured results is clearly the GPU, not the CPU. The processor’s single-thread score of 3655 in Cinebench R23 indicates adequate headroom for game logic, but it cannot compensate for the graphics limitations.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and the Intel Arc B370 ranks 2768 out of 3001 tested combos in Hitman 2. This places the pairing in the bottom 8% of all configurations, reflecting a hardware setup that is fundamentally mismatched for this game’s demands. The rank is driven almost entirely by the GPU’s poor performance, as the CPU sits in the 85th percentile of all processors, while the GPU sits in the 5th percentile. This extreme disparity means that the combo’s overall standing is dragged down by the graphics component, and the CPU’s capabilities are largely wasted in gaming scenarios.

When considering the rank, it is important to note that the data is measured, not estimated, and the combo’s position is relative to other pairings that likely include discrete GPUs. The 3001 tested combos span a wide range of hardware, and finishing at 2768 underscores that this setup is only suitable for the most undemanding scenarios. The gap between the CPU’s potential and the GPU’s delivery is stark: the processor could theoretically support much higher frame rates if paired with a stronger graphics card, but the Arc B370 caps performance at levels seen in budget or legacy systems. For users with this combo, the ranking suggests that any upgrade path should prioritize the GPU.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

Based on the measured FPS data, the only viable settings for a playable experience are at 1920x1080 with Low or Medium presets. At 1080p Low, the combo achieves 73 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay. At 1080p Medium, the average drops to 54 FPS, still playable but with a minimum of 46 FPS that could cause occasional stutter in busy scenes. The High preset at 1080p yields 41 FPS, which is borderline, and Ultra drops to 30 FPS, which is generally considered the floor for acceptable playability.

At 2560x1440, the situation worsens significantly. Low settings deliver 46 FPS, Medium delivers 35 FPS, High delivers 26 FPS, and Ultra delivers 19 FPS. None of these are ideal for a fast-paced stealth game, though Low might be tolerable for less action-oriented moments. At 3840x2160, all settings are unplayable, with average FPS ranging from 10 at Ultra to 25 at Low. The minimum FPS at Medium is 16, which would result in a slideshow-like experience.

The best experience per the data is achieved at 1920x1080 with Low settings, as it provides the highest average FPS (73) and avoids any dips below 60. Medium at 1080p is a secondary option for improved visual fidelity, but the 46 FPS minimum introduces risk. For a stable and responsive experience, Low at 1080p is the recommended preset, as it fully utilizes the CPU’s headroom while minimizing the GPU’s workload. Higher resolutions or presets are not recommended given the measured results.

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

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of the combo’s performance across three resolutions and four settings. At 1920x1080, the average FPS increases incrementally as settings decrease: Ultra yields 30 FPS, High yields 41 FPS, Medium yields 54 FPS, and Low yields 73 FPS. The Medium preset also records a minimum of 46 FPS and a maximum of 63 FPS, offering a sense of variability. At 2560x1440, the averages are 19 FPS for Ultra, 26 FPS for High, 35 FPS for Medium, and 46 FPS for Low. Medium again has a minimum of 30 FPS and a maximum of 40 FPS. At 3840x2160, the averages drop to 10 FPS for Ultra, 14 FPS for High, 19 FPS for Medium, and 25 FPS for Low. Medium at 4K records a minimum of 16 FPS and a maximum of 21 FPS.

These numbers illustrate a clear pattern: the frame rate scales nearly linearly with the graphics load. Between 1080p Low and 4K Low, the average FPS drops from 73 to 25, a reduction of roughly two-thirds. Between 1080p Ultra and 4K Ultra, the drop is from 30 to 10, again a two-thirds reduction. This linearity indicates that the system is consistently GPU-bound, with no sudden bottlenecks introduced by the CPU at higher resolutions. The minimum FPS values, where available, show that the system can maintain reasonable frame pacing at Medium settings, but the absence of min/max data for other presets suggests a lack of stability testing or high variance.

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

Analyzing the resolution scaling reveals that the Intel Arc B370 is the definitive limiting component. Moving from 1920x1080 to 2560x1440 at Low settings, the average FPS drops from 73 to 46, a decrease of 37%. From 1080p to 4K at Low, the FPS drops from 73 to 25, a 66% reduction. At Medium settings, the progression is 54 FPS at 1080p, 35 FPS at 1440p, and 19 FPS at 4K, with a 65% drop from 1080p to 4K. At High, the numbers are 41, 26, and 14, representing a 66% decrease from 1080p to 4K. At Ultra, the FPS goes from 30 at 1080p to 19 at 1440p and 10 at 4K, a 67% reduction.

This consistent ~66% drop across all settings when moving from 1080p to 4K is a textbook indicator of a GPU-bound scenario. If the CPU were the limiting factor, the frame rate would remain relatively flat as resolution increases, since the CPU’s workload is independent of pixel count. Instead, the FPS scales almost exactly with the pixel density increase, which is 4x when going from 1080p to 4K. The fact that the FPS does not drop by 75% (which would indicate perfect scaling) but rather by ~66% suggests that the CPU provides some headroom at lower resolutions, but the GPU’s fill rate and memory bandwidth are exhausted quickly.

The shared memory architecture of the Arc B370 exacerbates this issue. At higher resolutions, the GPU requires more bandwidth to access system memory, but the DDR5 bus is shared with the CPU. This contention likely contributes to the steep FPS decline, and the "System Dependent" bandwidth figure in the specs confirms that performance is tied to the system’s memory configuration. Overall, the data makes it clear that any attempt to play Hitman 2 above 1080p Low or Medium will result in a subpar experience, and the GPU should be the primary target for replacement if higher performance is desired.