Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 vs NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q vs Intel Iris Graphics 5100

Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200

The Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 (GT3e) is an integrated graphics card and the fastest GPU of the Broadwell generation. It is built into several high-end CPUs specified at 47 W TDP. The so-called GT3e GPU offers a fast eDRAM cache as well as 48 EUs (Execution Units) and therefore somewhat more shader power than the previous Iris Pro Graphics 5200. The clock range depends on the model it is built into (up to 1150 MHz with Turbo Boost).

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 Pro Graphics 6200 represents the high-end "GT3e" version of the Broadwell GPU family and consists of two slices with 48 EUs in total. In addition, there is also a fast eDRAM cache (128 MB), which can be found only on the Iris Pro.

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 benchmark, the Iris Pro Graphics 6200 performs similar to a dedicated GeForce GT 750M or GeForce 940M. Many games of 2014/2015 can be played fluently in WXGA resolution (1366 x 768) and medium detail settings. However, very demanding games such as The Witcher 3 will require lower resolutions and/or details.

Power Consumption

Utilizing a new 14 nm FinFET process, the Iris Pro Graphics 6200 is specified at 47 W TDP (entire chip including CPU, GPU and memory controller) and therefore suited for medium-sized notebooks. The TDP is flexible and can be further reduced (37 W), which has a significant impact on performance.

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 with the Max-Q design is a mobile high-end GPU from the Pascal series. It is designed for thin and light laptops and about 10-15% slower than a regular GTX 1060 for laptops based on the cooling capabilities. The base frequency (1063-1265 MHz) is also much lower than on the regular GTX 1060 (1506 MHz, at least -16%) and the Boost (1341-1480 MHz) is also much lower compared to 1708 MHz (at least -13%) for the regular GTX 1060. The memory clock, however, is identical.

The clock is not the only difference compared to the regular GTX 1060 though. The drivers for the Max-Q version were optimized for efficiency (and not performance; only for Max-Q models), there are optimized voltage converters for 1V operation, high-end cooling methods, and a 40 dB limit for the fan noise (with clock adjustments to ensure this at all times).

Features

The GP106 chip is produced in 16nm FinFET at TSMC and offers a range of new features, like DisplayPort 1.4 (ready), HDMI 2.0b, HDR, Simultaneous Multi-Projection (SMP) and improved H.265 video de- and encoding (PlayReady 3.0). A list of improvements and features can be found in our article on the Pascal architecture.

The power consumption of the Max-Q design is notably lower than the normal GTX 1060 for laptops and ranges between 60 and 70 Watt (TGP) according to Nvidia.

Intel Iris Graphics 5100

The Intel Iris Graphics 5100 (GT3), also called HD Graphics 5100, is a processor graphics card included in some of the Haswell processors of 2013. 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 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.

The performance of the Iris Graphics 5100 is about 20 percent above the HD Graphics 5000, which can be found in ULV CPUs of the 15W class. In a best case scenario, the IGP machtes a dedicated GeForce GT 640M LE. In other cases, however, the performance is only at the level of the GeForce GT 620M due to the limited memory bandwidth. Current games (as of 2013) can be played fluently in low or medium detail settings and a resolution of 1.024 x 768 or 1.366 x 768 pixels.

Due to the 22nm 3D Tri-Gate production process, power consumption should be relatively low. The Iris Graphics 5100 can be found on certain ULV dual-core Haswell models in the 28 Watt TDP range.