Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 vs Intel UHD Graphics 605

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.

Intel UHD Graphics 605

The Intel UHD Graphics 605 is an integrated processor graphics unit from the Gemini Lake generation (e. g. Pentium Silver N5000), 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 maximum configuration of the Gemini Lake GPU, the UHD Graphics 605 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 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 605 offers a similar performance as the Intel HD Graphics 505 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 Silver N5000 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 4.9 Watts, but this will obviously affect the performance.