Dynabook Tecra A65-M shows the importance of dual-channel RAM for integrated graphics performance

Integrated GPUs have come a long way since the days of Intel UHD Graphics. Newer solutions from Intel Arc or AMD Radeon are powerful enough to play even some of the most demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 on decent settings and resolutions. One aspect that hasn't changed, however, is the heavy reliance on dual-channel RAM.

In our recent review of the Dynabook Tecra A65-M, we noted that our test unit would come configured with single-channel memory instead of the more common dual-channel setup. Graphics performance consequently suffers by significant margins when compared to PCs with the same integrated GPU but in a dual-channel configuration. Our comparison graph below shows that the Tecra A65-M can be almost 40 percent slower than the average PC with the same Radeon iGPU as the majority of PCs come configured with dual-channel RAM.

Luckily, the Dynabook system supports up to two individual DDR5 SODIMM modules and so users can add a second module for dual-channel configuration with relative ease. We always recommend configuring with dual-channel memory whenever possible for PCs running on integrated graphics to maximize GPU performance-per-dollar as it will be significantly impaired otherwise.