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Intel Iris Graphics 6100

Intel Iris Graphics 6100

The Intel Iris Graphics 6100 (GT3) is an integrated Broadwell graphics card revealed in Q1 2015. It can be found in several low-voltage SoCs (28 W TDP) such as the Core i5-5257U or i7-5557U. While Core i5 and Core i7 chips feature 48 EUs, the Core i3 version offers just 47 EUs. Depending on the specific CPU, the maximum GPU frequency varies between 1000 and 1100 MHz.

Architecture and Features

Broadwell features a GPU based on the Intel Gen8 architecture, which has been optimized in various aspects compared to the previous Gen7.5 (Haswell). Inter alia, the shader arrays called "subslice" have been reorganized and now offer 8 Execution Units (EUs) each. Three subslices form a "slice" for a total of 24 EUs. Combined with other improvements such as larger L1 caches and an optimized frontend, the integrated GPU has become faster and more efficient than its predecessor.

The Iris Graphics 6100 represents the top-end version of the Broadwell GPU family and consists of two slices with 48 EUs. Beyond that, there is also a low-end (GT1, 12 EUs), a mid-range (GT2, 24 EUs) and a high-end variant (GT3e, 48 EUs + eDRAM).

All Broadwell GPUs support OpenCL 2.0 and DirectX 12 (FL 11_1). The video engine can now decode H.265 using both fixed function hardware as well as available GPU shaders. Up to three displays can be connected via DP 1.2/eDP 1.3 (max. 3840 x 2160 @ 60 Hz) or HDMI 1.4a (max. 3840 x 2160 @ 24 Hz). HDMI 2.0, however, is not supported.

Performance

Depending on the specific CPU, the maximum GPU frequency varies between 1000 and 1100 MHz. Even though the Iris Graphics 6100 is technically identical to the HD Graphics 6000, the higher TDP (28 W instead of 15 W) leads to a better utilization of the Turbo Boost and therefore a superior performance. Overall, the Iris 6100 is about as fast as a dedicated GeForce 820M and outperforms the former Iris Graphics 5100 by 20 - 25 percent.

Older and less demanding games such as Diablo III, Counter-Strike: GO oder Dota 2 can be played fluently in 1366 x 768 pixels and high settings. More demanding titles, however, may require lower settings or won't run at a decent framerate at all.

Power Consumption

Utilizing a new 14 nm process, the Broadwell LV chips are specified at 28 W TDP and therefore suited for medium-sized ultrabooks. The TDP is flexible and can be further reduced (23 W), which has a significant impact on performance.

Iris Series

Iris Pro Graphics 6200 compare 48 @ 0.3 - 1.15 GHzeDRAM + 64/128 Bit
Iris Pro Graphics 5200 compare 40 @ 0.2 - 1.3 GHzeDRAM + 64/128 Bit
Iris Graphics 6100 48 @ 0.3 - 1.1 GHz64/128 Bit
Iris Graphics 5100 compare 40 @ 0.2 - 1.2 GHz64/128 Bit
CodenameBroadwell GT3
ArchitectureGen. 8 Broadwell
Pipelines48 - unified
Core Speed300 - 1100 (Boost) MHz
Memory Bus Width64/128 Bit
Shared Memoryyes
APIDirectX 12 (FL 11_1), OpenGL 4.3
Power Consumption28 Watt
Transistor Count1.9 Billion
technology14 nm
FeaturesQuickSync
Date of Announcement05.01.2015
CPU in Iris Graphics 6100GPU Base SpeedGPU Boost / Turbo
Intel Core i7-5557U2 x 3100 MHz, 28 W300 MHz1100 MHz
Intel Core i5-5287U2 x 2900 MHz, 28 W300 MHz1100 MHz
Intel Core i5-5257U2 x 2700 MHz, 28 W300 MHz1050 MHz
Intel Core i3-5157U2 x 2500 MHz, 28 W300 MHz1000 MHz
min. - max.300 MHz1000 - 1100 MHz

Benchmarks

Performance Rating - 3DMark 11 + Fire Strike + Time Spy
0.4 pt (1%)
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Score
min: 5746     avg: 6119     median: 6141 (7%)     max: 6637 Points
3DMark Vantage
3DM Vant. Perf. total +
3DM Vant. Perf. GPU no PhysX +
3DMark 06 3DMark 06 - Standard 1280x1024 +
3DMark 06
min: 7929     avg: 8675     median: 8764 (12%)     max: 9332 Points
SPECviewperf 12
specvp12 sw-03 +
specvp12 snx-02 +
specvp12 showcase-01 +
specvp12 mediacal-01 +
specvp12 maya-04 +
specvp12 energy-01 +
specvp12 creo-01 +
specvp12 catia-04 +
Cinebench R10 Cinebench R10 Shading (32bit) +
Cinebench R11.5 Cinebench R11.5 OpenGL 64 Bit +
Cinebench R15
Cinebench R15 OpenGL 64 Bit +
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 OpenGL 64 Bit
min: 29.16     avg: 34.9     median: 36.4 (2%)     max: 37.51 fps
Cinebench R15 OpenGL Ref. Match 64 Bit +
GFXBench (DX / GLBenchmark) 2.7
GFXBench T-Rex HD Offscreen C24Z16 +
- Range of benchmark values for this graphics card
- Average benchmark values for this graphics card
* Smaller numbers mean a higher performance

Game Benchmarks

The following benchmarks stem from our benchmarks of review laptops. The performance depends on the used graphics memory, clock rate, processor, system settings, drivers, and operating systems. So the results don't have to be representative for all laptops with this GPU. For detailed information on the benchmark results, click on the fps number.

Control

Control

2019
low 1280x720
13.5 (!)  fps    + Compare
» The benchmarks indicate that the game is not playable in the tested settings.
low 1280x720
20.8  fps    + Compare
» The benchmarks indicate that the game is not playable in the tested settings.
low 1280x720
9.4  fps    + Compare
» The benchmarks indicate that the game is not playable in the tested settings.
low 1280x720
86  fps    + Compare
med. 1366x768
78  fps    + Compare
high 1920x1080
40  fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
15.9  fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings high.
Dirt 4

Dirt 4

2017
low 1280x720
45.8  fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings low.
low 1280x720
66.6  fps    + Compare
med. 1920x1080
24.4  fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings low.
For Honor

For Honor

2017
low 1280x720
22.7  fps    + Compare
» The benchmarks indicate that the game is not playable in the tested settings.
low 1280x720
63.6  fps    + Compare
med. 1366x768
48.8  fps    + Compare
high 1920x1080
21  fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings med..
low 1280x720
13.5  fps    + Compare
» The benchmarks indicate that the game is not playable in the tested settings.
low 1280x720
24.6  fps    + Compare
med. 1366x768
16  fps    + Compare
» The benchmarks indicate that the game is not playable in the tested settings.
Overwatch

Overwatch

2016
low 1280x720
33.6  fps    + Compare
med. 1366x768
25  fps    + Compare
» The benchmarks indicate that the game is not playable in the tested settings.
low 1280x720
19.1  fps    + Compare
» The benchmarks indicate that the game is not playable in the tested settings.
XCOM 2

XCOM 2

2016
low 1280x720
13.1  fps    + Compare
» The benchmarks indicate that the game is not playable in the tested settings.
med. 1366x768
9.7  fps    + Compare
» The benchmarks indicate that the game is not playable in the tested settings.
low 1024x768
31  fps    + Compare
med. 1366x768
19.7  fps    + Compare
high 1920x1080
11.7  fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
9.7  fps    + Compare
» The benchmarks indicate that the game is not playable in the tested settings.
low 1024x768
21  fps    + Compare
med. 1366x768
17.5  fps    + Compare
» The benchmarks indicate that the game is not playable in the tested settings.
low 1024x768
34.6  fps    + Compare
med. 1366x768
20.7 (!)  fps    + Compare
high 1920x1080
9.8 (!)  fps    + Compare
» The benchmarks indicate that the game is not playable in the tested settings.
low 1024x768
29.1  fps    + Compare
med. 1366x768
18.3  fps    + Compare