John Nowacky
Most PC gamers understand the importance of having a dedicated graphics card for optimal gaming performance on a laptop. However, many laptops come with integrated graphics processors (IGP) from Intel, AMD, or Qualcomm Snapdragon, which may not provide the same level of gaming capabilities. To determine which IGP is the best for gaming, we tested five laptops with different integrated graphics solutions.
The laptops we tested include the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13 with Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite and Qualcomm Adreno integrated graphics, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus with Intel Core Series 7 155H and Intel Arc integrated graphics, the Acer Swift Edge 16 with AMD Ryzen 7 8840U and AMD Radeon 780M integrated graphics, the Asus Zenbook S 16 with AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 and AMD Radeon 880M integrated graphics, and the Asus ProArt P16 with AMD Ryzen AI 9 370HX and AMD Radeon 890M integrated graphics.
During the tests, we found that the performance of IGPs can vary depending on the specific configuration of the laptop. However, in general, AMD Radeon integrated graphics outperformed Intel Arc and Qualcomm Adreno.
In the synthetic benchmark tests using 3DMark, both Intel Arc and AMD Radeon 890M showcased impressive results, with Intel Arc leading in Time Spy and AMD Radeon 890M taking the win in Night Raid. Qualcomm Adreno performed well in Night Raid but struggled under emulation in Time Spy.
When it came to playing games, AMD Radeon integrated graphics excelled. In Sid Meier’s Civilization VI, all integrated GPUs except Qualcomm Adreno were able to exceed 60 frames per second, with AMD Radeon 890M reaching an average of 120 frames per second, providing smoother gameplay and the ability to increase detail settings. In DOTA 2, both AMD Radeon and Intel Arc performed similarly, while Qualcomm Adreno lagged behind.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for a laptop with integrated graphics for gaming, AMD Radeon GPUs offer the best performance. However, it’s important to consider the specific laptop configuration and other factors that may affect performance.
Additional facts:
– Integrated graphics processors (IGPs) are built directly into the motherboard of a computer, which means they share system resources with the CPU and RAM.
– Intel has been the dominant player in the integrated graphics market for many years, with their Intel HD Graphics and Intel Iris Graphics options.
– AMD has been slowly gaining ground with their integrated graphics solutions, such as the Radeon Vega series, which offer competitive performance compared to Intel.
– Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, primarily found in smartphones and tablets, also come with integrated graphics solutions. While they may not be as powerful as Intel or AMD, they can still handle some light gaming.
– The performance of IGPs can also be affected by factors other than the graphics processor itself, such as the amount and speed of RAM, the CPU, and the thermal design of the laptop.
– Many laptops with integrated graphics also offer the option to switch to a dedicated graphics card, such as Nvidia GeForce or AMD Radeon, for improved gaming performance.
Key questions:
1. Which manufacturer currently dominates the integrated graphics market?
2. How do AMD Radeon integrated graphics compare to Intel Arc and Qualcomm Adreno?
3. What factors other than the graphics processor affect the performance of integrated graphics?
Key challenges/controversies:
1. The performance of integrated graphics is often criticized for not being able to match that of dedicated graphics cards, which can limit gaming capabilities on laptops.
2. The choice between integrated graphics and a dedicated graphics card is a common dilemma for laptop buyers, as the latter offers superior performance but comes at a higher cost and may affect battery life.
3. Different laptops can have different levels of thermal throttling, which can drastically impact the performance of integrated graphics.
Advantages of integrated graphics:
1. Integrated graphics come built-in with the motherboard, eliminating the need for a separate graphics card and reducing costs.
2. They consume less power compared to dedicated graphics cards, resulting in improved battery life on laptops.
3. Integrated graphics are adequate for everyday tasks like web browsing, video streaming, and office work, making them suitable for casual users.
Disadvantages of integrated graphics:
1. Integrated graphics generally offer lower performance compared to dedicated graphics cards, limiting their gaming capabilities.
2. They rely on system RAM and CPU resources, which can create bottlenecks and impact overall system performance.
3. Upgrading graphics capabilities with integrated graphics is not possible, as they are non-upgradeable and tied to the specific motherboard.
Related links:
– Intel
– AMD
– snapdragon
