PowerVR G6200 vs PowerVR G6400 vs PowerVR G6430

PowerVR G6200

The PowerVR G6200 from Imagination Technologies is a mobile graphics solution that is used in ARM SoCs like the MediaTek MT8135. The chip is available since 2014 and designed for mid-range devices.

Architecture and Performance

The GPU is based on the series 6 (Rogue) and integrates two clusters with two TMUs each and a scalar Unified Shader architecture. Depending on the available memory bandwidth and clock rate, the performance is similar to the Qualcomm Adreno 320 and ARM Mali-T624 MP4. High-resolution displays (up to 2560 x 1600 pixels) and demanding mobile games of 2014 will be handled without problems. Among others, the GPU supports OpenGL 3.x/4.x, OpenGL ES 3.0 as well as DirectX 10.

Clock rates and performance of the G6200 may vary between different SoCs. For example, the Mediatek MT6795 has a somewhat higher GPU frequency than the MT8135 (700 vs. 600 MHz).

Energy Consumption

Especially the lower clocked versions of the G6200 are very energy efficient and therefore suited for medium-sized smartphones and tablets. Usually, the GPU can be found in SoCs manufactured in 28nm.

PowerVR G6400

The PowerVR G6400 from Imagination Technologies is a fast mobile graphics solution that is used in tablet and smartphone SoCs like the Intel Merrifield series (e.g., Atom Z3460). Chips including this GPU are available from G2 2014 on and the performance is situated in the low high-end.

Architecture and Performance

The GPU is based on the series 6 (Rogue) and integrates four clusters with two TMUs each and a scalar Unified Shader architecture. The chip does offer more than twice of the performance compared to the SGX543MP3 from the Apple A6, while maintaining the same clocks. Even very demanding mobile games can be played without problems (as of 2013). Among others, the GPU supports OpenGL 3.x/4.x, OpenGL ES 3.0 as well as DirectX 10.

Energy Consumption

The manufacturer designed the PowerVR G6400 as a comparatively "wide" chip to achieve a high performance and a high energy efficiency at the same time. As a result, SoCs with the G6400 can also be used in smartphones. However, it does occupy a comparatively large area on the chip in return.

PowerVR G6430

The PowerVR G6430 from Imagination Technologies is a fast mobile graphics solution that is used in ARM SoCs like the Apple A7 (iPhone 5S). The chip is available since Q3/2013 and is one of the fastest solutions of its class at the time of the introduction.  

Architecture and Performance

The GPU is based on the series 6 (Rogue) and integrates four clusters with two TMUs each and a scalar Unified Shader architecture. The chip does offer more than twice of the performance compared to the SGX543MP3 from the Apple A6, while maintaining the same clocks. The exact clock is not yet confirmed unequivocally, but it should be north of 400 MHz (results in more than 100 GFLOPS). A comparison with other mobile graphics solutions shows that the G6430 is just slightly behind the tablet version of the Adreno 330 and it is therefore the fastest GPU of its class at the time of the introduction. Even very demanding mobile games can be played without problems (as of 2013). Among others, the GPU supports OpenGL 3.x/4.x, OpenGL ES 3.0 as well as DirectX 10.

Energy Consumption

The manufacturer designed the PowerVR G6430 as a comparatively "wide" chip to achieve a high performance and a high energy efficiency at the same time. As a result, SoCs with the G6430 can also be used in smaller smartphones like the iPhone 5S. However, it does occupy a comparatively large area on the chip in return.