Hitman 2

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K paired with the Intel Arc B390 in Hitman 2 produces a constrained experience that is heavily dependent on the integrated graphics solution. The data shows a 20-core, 20-thread CPU with a boost clock of 5.50 GHz, but the GPU’s performance ceiling limits the entire system. This combination ranks 2662 out of 3001 tested combos, placing it in the lower percentile of systems. The measured frames per second reveal that only the lowest settings at 1080p approach playability, while higher resolutions and presets push the system into unplayable territory. The following analysis breaks down the CPU and GPU contributions, settings recommendations, and exact performance metrics.

FAQ

*Q: What is the best resolution and settings combination for this system in Hitman 2?*

A: The measured data shows that 1920x1080 with Low settings achieves an average of 80 FPS, which is the highest average recorded across all tested configurations. Medium settings at the same resolution drop to 60 FPS, while High settings yield 46 FPS. At 2560x1440, Low settings produce 51 FPS, and at 3840x2160, the best option is Low at 27 FPS.

Q: How does the Intel Core Ultra 7 265K compare to its nearest rivals in CPU benchmarks?

A: The processor has an average benchmark score of 70879, which places it just 0.2% behind the Intel Xeon 6511P (71051) and 0.7% behind the Intel Xeon Platinum 8270 (71370). It is 1% ahead of the Intel Core i7-14700KF (70163) and 1.3% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F (69996). The CPU sits in the 94th percentile among all CPUs tested.

Q: What is the GPU’s performance percentile and how does it compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Intel Arc B390 has a benchmark score of 1482 in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12, placing it in the 9th percentile among all GPUs. It is 1.3% faster than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (1463), 1.5% faster than the NVIDIA GeForce 800M (1460), 2.5% faster than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 625 OEM (1446), and 2.7% faster than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 (1443).

Q: Does the GPU have dedicated VRAM?

A: No, the Intel Arc B390 uses System Shared memory for both its memory size and type. The memory bus width is also System Shared, and the bandwidth is described as System Dependent. This means the GPU relies on the system’s main memory rather than having its own dedicated VRAM.

Q: What is the maximum average FPS achievable at 4K resolution?

A: At 3840x2160, the highest average FPS is 27, achieved with Low settings. Medium settings average 21 FPS, High settings average 16 FPS, and Ultra settings drop to 11 FPS. None of these 4K results reach a smooth playable threshold.

Q: What are the CPU’s key specifications regarding cores and memory?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K has 20 cores and 20 threads, with a base clock of 3.90 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. It supports DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The L3 cache is 30 MB shared, and the processor uses the Intel Socket 1851.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K is a high-end desktop processor built on the Arrow Lake architecture, but its role in this Hitman 2 configuration is largely overshadowed by the GPU bottleneck. The CPU features 20 cores and 20 threads, which is a substantial amount of parallel processing capability for a modern desktop chip. The base clock of 3.90 GHz and boost clock of 5.50 GHz provide strong single-threaded performance, which is typically important for game logic and physics. In CPU benchmarks, the processor achieves a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 35850 and a single-core score of 2020, indicating robust computational power.

However, in the context of Hitman 2, the CPU’s capabilities are not the limiting factor. The measured FPS numbers across all resolutions and settings show a pattern consistent with GPU-bound performance. For instance, at 1920x1080 with Low settings, the system averages 80 FPS, but dropping to Medium settings reduces the average to 60 FPS. This scaling suggests that the integrated GPU is struggling to keep up with increased graphical demands, not the CPU. The CPU’s 94th percentile ranking among all CPUs means it is more than capable of handling the game’s processing requirements, but the graphics pipeline is where the system falls short.

The processor’s memory support for DDR5 with dual-channel configuration and 102.4 GB/s bandwidth is generous, but the GPU’s System Shared memory architecture means it draws from the same pool. The L3 cache of 30 MB shared is ample for gaming workloads. The CPU’s nearest rivals in benchmark scores include the Intel Xeon 6511P, which is 0.2% faster, and the Intel Core i7-14700KF, which is 1% slower. These deltas are minimal, confirming that the 265K is a top-tier processor in isolation.

The CPU’s integrated graphics, described as Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU, is not the primary graphics unit in this configuration; the Intel Arc B390 is listed as the GPU. Still, the CPU’s high core count and clock speeds ensure that Hitman 2’s AI routines, pathfinding, and background simulation run without CPU-induced frame drops. The measured FPS at 1920x1080 with Low settings reaching 80 FPS indicates that the CPU can feed frames quickly, but the GPU cannot maintain that pace at higher settings. The data shows a clear ceiling imposed by the graphics solution, not the processor.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B390 is an integrated graphics processor built on the Xe3-LPG architecture with a 3 nm process node manufactured by Intel. It has a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2500 MHz, but its memory configuration is entirely System Shared, meaning it has no dedicated VRAM. This is a critical limitation for Hitman 2, a game that benefits from substantial memory bandwidth and capacity. The GPU’s 1536 shading units, 48 texture mapping units, and 24 raster output units are modest numbers, and the 12 ray tracing cores are present but unlikely to be utilized effectively at playable settings.

The GPU’s benchmark performance is stark: it scores 1482 in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12, placing it in the 9th percentile among all GPUs. This is a very low score, and the nearest rivals are all older or entry-level NVIDIA parts. The Arc B390 is 1.3% faster than the GeForce GT 520MX, 1.5% faster than the GeForce 800M, 2.5% faster than the GeForce GT 625 OEM, and 2.7% faster than the GeForce GT 710. These deltas demonstrate that the Arc B390 is at the very bottom of the GPU performance spectrum, which directly explains the low FPS numbers in Hitman 2.

The GPU’s pixel rate is 60.00 GPixel/s and its texture rate is 120.0 GTexel/s, with FP32 performance of 7.680 TFLOPS. These theoretical figures are far below what a discrete gaming GPU would offer, and the System Shared memory bandwidth is listed as System Dependent, meaning performance varies with the CPU’s memory configuration. In practice, the measured FPS shows that even at 1920x1080 with Low settings, the average is 80 FPS, which is acceptable but not high. At Medium settings, the average drops to 60 FPS, and at High settings it falls to 46 FPS. The step down from Low to Medium at 1080p is a 25% reduction in FPS, indicating that the GPU is quickly overwhelmed by additional graphical effects.

At higher resolutions, the GPU’s limitations become more pronounced. At 2560x1440, Low settings average 51 FPS, Medium averages 39 FPS, and High averages 29 FPS. The gap between Low and High at 1440p is 22 FPS, showing that the GPU cannot handle increased resolution and settings simultaneously. At 3840x2160, the results are below playable thresholds: Low averages 27 FPS, Medium averages 21 FPS, High averages 16 FPS, and Ultra averages 11 FPS. The 4K numbers are effectively slideshows, and the GPU’s lack of dedicated VRAM likely contributes to severe bandwidth bottlenecks. The System Shared memory architecture means the GPU competes with the CPU for memory access, which further hampers performance in memory-intensive scenes.

The GPU’s 9th percentile ranking is a clear indicator that this is not a gaming-oriented part. The measured data confirms that the Intel Arc B390 is suitable only for low-resolution, low-settings gaming, and even then, it barely reaches 60 FPS at 1080p with Medium settings. The GPU’s boost clock of 2500 MHz is respectable, but the low shading unit count and shared memory cripple its real-world performance.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K and Intel Arc B390 combination ranks 2662 out of 3001 tested combos in Hitman 2. This places the system in the bottom 11% of all tested configurations, which aligns with the GPU’s 9th percentile ranking. The CPU’s high percentile (94th) does little to boost the overall ranking because the GPU bottleneck is so severe. The combination’s rank is a direct consequence of the GPU’s inability to deliver playable frame rates at common gaming resolutions.

The combo’s rank of 2662 means that 339 tested combinations performed worse, but 2661 performed better. This is a poor showing for a system with a top-tier CPU. In comparison, a system with the same CPU but a discrete mid-range GPU would likely rank much higher, as the CPU is not the limiting factor. The data shows that the CPU’s benchmark score of 70879 is competitive with its nearest rivals, but the GPU’s score of 1482 is near the bottom of the scale.

The rank also reflects the measured FPS data. At 1920x1080 with Ultra settings, the system averages 34 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target for smooth gameplay. At 2560x1440, even Low settings average only 51 FPS, and at 3840x2160, no setting reaches 30 FPS. These numbers are consistent with a combo that ranks in the lower quartile. The gap between the CPU’s and GPU’s performance tiers is stark, and the overall ranking suffers because the GPU cannot utilize the CPU’s capabilities.

For context, the CPU’s nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon 6511P (0.2% faster) and the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F (1.3% slower), but these rivals would likely be paired with more capable GPUs in real-world systems. The combo rank of 2662 is a cautionary example of pairing a high-end CPU with an integrated GPU that is not designed for gaming. The data indicates that the CPU is wasted in this configuration for Hitman 2, as the GPU is the sole determinant of performance.

Settings Recommendations

The measured FPS data provides clear guidance for the best experience with this combo. The highest average FPS is 80, achieved at 1920x1080 with Low settings. This is the only configuration that exceeds 60 FPS, making it the most playable option. For players who prefer a balance between visual quality and performance, 1920x1080 with Medium settings offers an average of 60 FPS, with a minimum of 51 FPS and a maximum of 69 FPS. This is a reasonable choice, though the minimum FPS indicates occasional dips below 60.

At 2560x1440, the best option is Low settings, which averages 51 FPS. This is below 60 FPS but may be acceptable for some players. Medium settings at 1440p average 39 FPS, which is noticeably less smooth. High settings at 1440p drop to 29 FPS, and Ultra settings fall to 21 FPS, both of which are not recommended for consistent gameplay. At 3840x2160, all settings produce average FPS below 30, with Low settings at 27 FPS being the least bad option. However, 4K gaming is not viable with this combo.

The data shows that the system’s performance scales predictably with settings. At 1080p, reducing from Medium to Low increases average FPS by 20 (from 60 to 80), while increasing from Medium to High decreases it by 14 (from 60 to 46). This indicates that Low settings are the most efficient for maximizing frame rate, while Medium offers a moderate visual improvement at a cost of 20 FPS. For the best experience, 1920x1080 with Low settings is the recommended preset, as it provides the highest average FPS and avoids the minimum FPS drops seen at Medium settings.

For players who prioritize visual fidelity over frame rate, 1920x1080 with Medium settings is the only viable alternative, as it maintains an average of 60 FPS. High settings at 1080p average 46 FPS, which is playable but not ideal. Ultra settings at 1080p average 34 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target. At higher resolutions, Low settings are the only option that approaches playability, and even then, 1440p Low averages 51 FPS and 4K Low averages 27 FPS. The recommendation is clear: stick to 1080p with Low or Medium settings.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data covers three resolutions and four settings presets, providing a comprehensive view of the system’s performance in Hitman 2. At 1920x1080, the system achieves its best results. With Low settings, the average FPS is 80, which is the highest recorded value across all configurations. Medium settings reduce the average to 60 FPS, with a minimum of 51 FPS and a maximum of 69 FPS. High settings average 46 FPS, and Ultra settings average 34 FPS. The spread from Low to Ultra is 46 FPS, showing a steep performance penalty for higher visual quality.

At 2560x1440, performance drops significantly. Low settings average 51 FPS, which is a 29 FPS reduction from the same settings at 1080p. Medium settings average 39 FPS, with a minimum of 33 FPS and a maximum of 44 FPS. High settings average 29 FPS, and Ultra settings average 21 FPS. The difference between Low and Ultra at 1440p is 30 FPS, similar to the 1080p spread but at lower absolute values. None of the 1440p configurations reach 60 FPS, and only Low settings exceed 50 FPS.

At 3840x2160, the system struggles to maintain playable frame rates. Low settings average 27 FPS, which is the highest at this resolution. Medium settings average 21 FPS, with a minimum of 17 FPS and a maximum of 24 FPS. High settings average 16 FPS, and Ultra settings average 11 FPS. The 4K results are uniformly poor, with even Low settings falling below 30 FPS. The minimum FPS of 17 at Medium settings indicates significant frame time spikes, making the experience stuttery.

Comparing resolutions, the drop from 1080p to 1440p at Low settings is 29 FPS (from 80 to 51), and the drop from 1440p to 4K at Low settings is 24 FPS (from 51 to 27). These reductions are consistent with the GPU’s limited fill rate and memory bandwidth. At Medium settings, the drops are 21 FPS (60 to 39) and 18 FPS (39 to 21), respectively. The data shows that the system is best suited for 1080p gaming, with 1440p being marginal and 4K being impractical.

The minimum and maximum FPS values are only provided for Medium settings at each resolution. At 1080p Medium, the range is 51 to 69 FPS, indicating a 18 FPS variance. At 1440p Medium, the range is 33 to 44 FPS, an 11 FPS variance. At 4K Medium, the range is 17 to 24 FPS, a 7 FPS variance. These ranges suggest that the system exhibits more consistent frame times at lower resolutions, likely due to reduced memory pressure. Overall, the measured FPS breakdown confirms that the Intel Arc B390 is a weak gaming GPU, and the combo’s performance in Hitman 2 is limited to low-resolution, low-settings scenarios.