Intel HD Graphics 505 vs Intel HD Graphics 515 vs Intel UHD Graphics 600

Intel HD Graphics 505

The Intel HD Graphics 505 is an integrated processor graphics unit from the Apollo Lake generation (e. g. Pentium N4200), which was announced mid 2016. The GPU can convince with low consumption figures, but the performance is only in the low-end segment and is rarely sufficient for modern games. Being the maximum configuration of the Apollo Lake GPU, the HD Graphics 505 is equipped with 18 Execution Units (EUs) running at up to 750 MHz. The technical specifications of the GPU are based on Intel's Gen9 architecture, which is also used for the more expensive Skylake series.

Due to its lack of dedicated graphics memory or eDRAM cache, the HD 505 has to access the main memory via processor (2x 64bit DDR3L-/LPDDR3-1866, LPDDR4-2400).

Performance

The HD Graphics 505 should be slightly slower than the older Core-M GPU HD Graphics 5300, so modern games (as of 2016) will rarely run smoothly even at the lowest settings.

Features

The revised video engine now decodes H.265/HEVC completely in hardware and thereby much more efficiently than before. Up to three displays can be connected via DP/eDP or HDMI (4K probably only at 30 Hz via HDMI 1.4).

Power Consumption

The TDP of the whole Pentium N4200 chip is 6 Watts by default, so the GPU is primarily used for (often passively cooled) netbooks or thin notebooks. The TDP can also be reduced to 4 Watts, but this will obviously affect the performance.

Intel HD Graphics 515

The Intel HD Graphics 515 (GT2) is a low-end integrated graphics unit, which can be found in the Core m-series of the Skylake generation. This "GT2" version of the Skylake GPU offers 24 Execution Units (EUs) clocked at up to 1000 MHz (depending on the CPU model). Due to its lack of dedicated graphics memory or eDRAM cache, the HD 515 has to access the main memory (2x 64bit DDR3L-1600 / LPDDR3-1866).

Performance

According to Intel, the HD Graphics 515 is up to 41 percent faster than the previous HD Graphics 5300 (Broadwell). Nevertheless, the GPU will handle only simple games like Counter-Strike or Dota with decent frame rates. Depending on the specific CPU model, memory configuration and TDP (4.5 W, configurable), performance may vary substantially.

Features

The revised video engine now decodes H.265/HEVC completely in hardware and thereby much more efficiently than before. Displays can be connected via DP 1.2 / eDP 1.3 (max. 3840 x 2160 @ 60 Hz), whereas HDMI is limited to the older version 1.4a (max. 3840 x 2160 @ 30 Hz). However, HDMI 2.0 can be added using a DisplayPort converter. Up to three displays can be controlled simultaneously.

Power Consumption

The HD Graphics 515 can be found in Core m processors with 4.5 W TDP (3.5/3.8 W cTDP down, 7 W cTDP up) and is therefore suited for very thin, mostly passively cooled 2-in-1 notebooks and tablets.

Intel UHD Graphics 600

The Intel UHD Graphics 600 is an integrated processor graphics unit from the Gemini Lake generation (e. g. Pentium N4100), which was announced late 2017. The GPU can convince with low consumption figures, but the performance is only in the low-end segment and is rarely sufficient for modern games. Being the lowest configuration of the Gemini Lake GPU, the UHD Graphics 600 is equipped with 12 of the 18 Execution Units (EUs) running at up to 700 MHz. The technical specifications of the GPU are based on Intel's Gen9 architecture, which is also used for the more expensive Skylake series and also in the predecessor HD Graphics 505.

Due to its lack of dedicated graphics memory or eDRAM cache, the UHD 605 has to access the main memory via processor (2x 64bit DDR4/LPDDR4-2400).

Performance

The UHD Graphics 600 offers a similar performance as the Intel HD Graphics 500 in the Apollo Lake SoCs (same Gen 9 architecture). Therefore, the GPU is only suited for some very low demanding games like Dirt Rally or Sims 4.

Features

The video engine decodes H.265/HEVC (8b and 10b) and VP9 completely in hardware. Up to three displays can be connected via DP 1.2a/eDP 1.3 or HDMI 2.0a (including HDCP 2.2).

Power Consumption

The TDP of the whole Pentium N4100 chip is 6 Watts by default, so the GPU is primarily used for (often passively cooled) netbooks or thin notebooks. The TDP can also be reduced to 4.8 Watts, but this will obviously affect the performance.