Intel Iris Pro Graphics 5200 vs Intel HD Graphics 610 vs Intel HD Graphics 520

Intel Iris Pro Graphics 5200

The Intel Iris Pro Graphics 5200 (GT3 + eDRAM), also called the HD Graphics 5200, is a processor graphics card that is included in some of the Haswell processors of 2013 (e.g. Core i7-4750HQ). It represents the highest configuration of the integrated graphics unit (40 execution units) and also has an additional eDRAM cache (128 MB on-package, 77 mm², 102 GB/s). The base clock can be automatically overclocked using Turbo Boost technology. Depending on the processor model, the base and turbo clock rates may differ (usually up to 1200 - 1300 MHz), resulting in varying graphics performance between CPU models.

In comparison to the HD 4000, the graphics core has been modified extensively. The Iris Pro 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.

Thanks to the fast eDRAM memory, the average performance of the Iris Pro is only about 15 percent behind the dedicated mid-range cards GeForce GT 650M and GT 750M (DDR3 versions). This makes the Iris Pro even faster than AMDs Radeon HD 8650G and the fastest integrated GPU of 2013. Therefore, many current games can be played fluently in medium or high detail settings and a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. In some older or less demanding titels like Diablo III or Fifa 2013, even higher resolutions or quality settings may be possible.

Due to the 22nm 3D Tri-Gate production process, power consumption should be relatively low. The Iris Pro can be found on certain quad-core Haswell CPUs in the 47 Watt TDP range.

Intel HD Graphics 610

The Intel HD Graphics 610 (GT1) is an integrated graphics unit, which can be found in low-end ULV (Ultra Low Voltage) processors of the Kaby-Lake generation. This "GT1" version of the Skylake GPU offers 12 Execution Units (EUs) clocked at up to 950 MHz (depending on the CPU model). Due to its lack of dedicated graphics memory or eDRAM cache, the HD 610 has to access the main memory (2x 64bit DDR3L-1600 / DDR4-2133).

The successor of the HD 610 is the renamed UHD Graphics 610 in the Whisky-Lake and Comet-Lake Pentium CPUs.

Performance

Depending on various factors like memory configuration, the HD Graphics 610 should similar to the old Skylake HD Graphics 510 and therefore can only handle non demanding games. E.g. Farming Simulator 17, World of Warships or Dota 2 Reborn can be played on low settings.

Features

The revised video engine now supports H.265/HEVC Main10 profile in hardware with 10 bit colors. Furthermore, Googles VP9 codec can also be hardware decoded. The Pentium chips should already support HDCP 2.2 and therefore Netflix 4K. HDMI 2.0 however is still only supported with an external converter chip (LSPCon).

Power Consumption

The HD Graphics 610 can be found in mobile processors specified at 15 W TDP and is therefore suited for compact laptops and ultrabooks.

Intel HD Graphics 520

The Intel HD Graphics 520 (GT2) is an integrated graphics unit, which can be found in various ULV (Ultra Low Voltage) processors of the Skylake generation. This "GT2" version of the Skylake GPU offers 24 Execution Units (EUs) clocked at up to 1050 MHz (depending on the CPU model). Due to its lack of dedicated graphics memory or eDRAM cache, the HD 520 has to access the main memory (2x 64bit DDR3L-1600 / DDR4-2133).

Performance

The exact performance of the HD Graphics 520 depends on various factors like L3 cache size, memory configuration (DDR3/DDR4) and maximum clock rate of the specific model. The fastest versions (Core i7-6600U) should perform similar to a dedicated GeForce 820M and will handle modern games (as of 2015) in low settings.

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 520 can be found in mobile processors specified at 15 W TDP and is therefore suited for compact laptops and ultrabooks.