Intel HD Graphics 5000 vs Intel HD Graphics (Haswell) vs Intel HD Graphics (Braswell)

Intel HD Graphics 5000

The Intel HD Graphics 5000 (GT3) is a processor graphics card included in some of the ULV Haswell processors of 2013 (e.g. Core i5-4250U). It represents the highest configuration of the integrated graphics unit (40 execution units), but lacks the additional eDRAM cache of the Iris Pro Graphics 5200. The relatively low base clock can be automatically overclocked using Turbo Boost technology. Depending on the processor model, the base and turbo clock rates may differ, resulting in varying graphics performance between CPU models.

In comparison to the HD 4000, the graphics core has been modified extensively. The GPU supports DirectX 11.1, OpenCL 1.2 and OpenGL 4.0. It also features an improved decoder for 4K videos and the fast Quick Sync encoder.

According to benchmarks in 3DMark 11, the HD Graphics 5000 is up to 50 percent faster than the previous HD 4000. In games, however, the performance advantage is significantly lower. With simultaneous load on the CPU, the low TDP of the ULV models (15 W) limits the Turbo Boost of the GPU. Although the HD 5000 features 40 Execution Units, the graphics performance is still somewhat below the HD Graphics 4600 with only 20 EUs (HD 4000: 16 EUs). Overall, the HD 5000 is thus just behind the AMD Radeon HD 7660G and at the level of a dedicated Radeon HD 7650M. Current games (as of 2013) will run fluently in low to medium-low settings.

Due to the 22nm 3D Tri-Gate production process, power consumption is relatively low. The HD Graphics 5000 is available on certain ULV dual-core Haswell models in the 15 Watt TDP range.

Intel HD Graphics (Haswell)

The Intel HD Graphics (Haswell) is an integrated graphics card in the Haswell codenamed processors (Celeron and Pentium). It is the successor the the Intel HD Graphics in the Ivy Bridge CPUs and performs slightly better. Depending on the processor model, the base and turbo clock rates may differ, resulting in varying graphics performance between CPU models.

In comparison to the HD 4000, the graphics core has been modified extensively. The GPU supports DirectX 11.1, OpenCL 1.2 and OpenGL 4.0. It also features an improved decoder for 4K videos and the fast Quick Sync encoder (deactivated in many entry level models).

The Performance of the HD Graphics (Haswell) is similar to the old HD Graphics 3000 or the AMD Radeon HD 8250. Only a few modern games like Dota 2 can be played fluently in very low details and resolutions.

Due to the 22nm 3D Tri-Gate production process, the power consumption should be relatively low (the development was focused on performance per Watt). The GPU can be found in ULV models and regular (37 W) dual core CPUs.

Intel HD Graphics (Braswell)

The Intel HD Graphics (Braswell)  is an integrated graphics card in the low end SoCs of the Braswell series (e.g. Pentium N3700). It is based on the same architecture as the integrated GPU of the Broadwell graphics cards (e.g. HD Graphics 5300), but offers less shader cores and slower clock speeds.

The performance depends on the processor. The fastest models offer 16 EUs (shader cores) at 400 - 700 MHz. It should be about twice as fast as the old HD Graphics in Bay Trail SoCs. At the time of announcement in Q1 2015 the following models exist:

• Pentium N3700: 16 EUs @ 400 - 700 MHz, Dual-Channel Memory
• Celeron N3150: 12 EUs @ 320 - 640 MHz, Dual-Channel Memory
• Celeron N3050: 12 EUs @ 320 - 600 MHz, Dual-Channel Memory
• Celeron N3000: 12 EUs @ 320 - 600 MHz, Dual-Channel Memory

In the first CPUs the graphics card was only called Intel HD Graphics. Later (e.g. in the Celeron N3060) Intel renamed it to Intel HD Graphics 400 (Celeron with 12 EUs) and Intel HD Graphics 405 (Pentium with 16 EUs).

Gaming performance ist still only suited for older or less demanding games. Often also the processor is limited gaming performance (e.g. in the dual-core N3000).

The SoC also integrates a video decoding engine that should be able to handle 4K H.265 videos.