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Comparative Analysis of High-Performance Laptop GPUs: NVIDIA GeForce RTX Series vs Intel Arc Series

GOOVER DAILY REPORT July 25, 2024
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Summary
  2. Specifications and Architecture
  3. Performance Benchmarks
  4. Power Consumption and Efficiency
  5. Comparative Performance Analysis
  6. Conclusion

1. Summary

  • The report titled 'Comparative Analysis of High-Performance Laptop GPUs: NVIDIA GeForce RTX Series vs Intel Arc Series' provides an in-depth comparison of NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080, RTX 4090, and Intel Arc A770M laptop GPUs. It examines their specifications, architectural details, performance metrics, power consumption, and energy efficiency. Key findings indicate that the RTX 4090 leads in both synthetic and gaming benchmarks, showcasing superior performance for 4K gaming and professional applications. The RTX 4080 remains competitive, particularly excelling in QHD gaming scenarios. Meanwhile, the Intel Arc A770M caters to mid-range gaming needs, showing commendable performance in 1080p and some 1440p gaming environments. The report underscores the advancements in GPU technology and their relevance to both gaming and professional workloads.

2. Specifications and Architecture

  • 2-1. Specifications Overview

  • The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU, introduced in early 2023, is a high-end notebook graphics card based on the AD104 chip using Ada Lovelace architecture. It offers up to 7,680 shaders, a 192-bit memory bus with 12 GB of GDDR6 memory, and clock speeds ranging from 1350 MHz to 2280 MHz, depending on the TGP (Total Graphics Power). The TGP for the RTX 4080 varies between 60 and 150 watts with an additional 15 watts for Dynamic Boost. The Intel Arc A770M, also targeting the high-end segment, features the ACM-G10 chip with 32 Xe-cores, 32 Ray-Tracing Units, a 256-bit memory interface supporting 16 GB GDDR6, and clock speeds ranging from 300 to 2050 MHz. The TGP for the A770M ranges from 120 to 150 watts.

  • 2-2. Architectural Differences

  • The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 utilizes the AD104 chip with Ada Lovelace architecture, fabricated using TSMC's 5nm process. It includes 35.8 million transistors within a chip area of 379 mm². The chip boasts 232 Tensor Cores of the 4th generation and 58 Ray-Tracing Cores of the 3rd generation. The Intel Arc A770M uses the ACM-G10 chip, fabricated with TSMC's 6nm process. It contains 21.7 billion transistors and a chip area of 406 mm² and integrates advanced media engines for VP9, AVC, HEVC, AV1 8k60 12-bit HDR decoding and 8k 10-bit HDR encoding. The Arc A770M also supports four display pipes with capabilities like 4x 4k120 HDR, HDMI 2.0B, DisplayPort 2.0, and Adaptive Sync.

  • 2-3. Memory and Processing Cores

  • The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 features a 192-bit memory bus and comes with 12 GB of GDDR6 VRAM clocked at either 16 or 20 Gbps. Its primary processing unit includes up to 7,680 shaders. Conversely, the Intel Arc A770M touts a 256-bit memory bus with 16 GB of GDDR6 memory clocked at 16 Gbps. The Arc A770M's processing power is composed of 32 Xe-cores (512 ALUs) and 32 Ray-Tracing Units. Both GPUs integrate advanced memory interfaces to support high-bandwidth data transfer necessary for gaming and professional applications.

3. Performance Benchmarks

  • 3-1. Synthetic Benchmarks

  • The synthetic benchmarks provide a detailed comparison of GPU performance based on standardized test environments. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080, RTX 4090, and Intel Arc A770M were evaluated using various benchmarking tools such as 3DMark Time Spy, Fire Strike, and SPECviewperf. According to the data, the RTX 4090 consistently outperformed the other GPUs, setting itself apart in scores related to graphic-intensive operations. The RTX 4080 followed closely behind, while the Intel Arc A770M lagged slightly but remained competitive within the mid-range segment.

  • 3-2. Gaming Performance

  • Gaming benchmarks were conducted to gauge the real-world performance of the GPUs under different gaming scenarios. The RTX 4090 demonstrated superior performance, capable of handling 4K gaming at high settings with ray tracing enabled, making it suitable for high-end gaming. The RTX 4080 also performed admirably, especially in QHD gaming with ray tracing. The Intel Arc A770M, while not as powerful, delivered satisfactory performance for 1080p and some 1440p gaming scenarios, placing it in a favorable position for mid-range gaming laptops.

  • 3-3. Compute Performance

  • The compute performance of the GPUs was evaluated using Blender benchmarks and other compute-intensive tests. The RTX 4090 and RTX 4080, both equipped with numerous CUDA cores and Tensor cores, excelled in compute tasks, showing significant performance in rendering and machine learning workloads. The Intel Arc A770M, while not as powerful as the NVIDIA counterparts, still managed to hold its ground in compute tasks, making it a viable option for professional workloads without the need for top-tier performance.

4. Power Consumption and Efficiency

  • 4-1. Power Consumption Metrics

  • The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU has a Total Graphics Power (TGP) that ranges from 60 to 150 Watts, with an additional 15 Watts available from Dynamic Boost. The Intel Arc A770M also has a TGP range of 120 to 150 Watts. For the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090, TGP can vary from 80 to 150 Watts, plus an extra 15 Watts from Dynamic Boost. These values provide insight into the power demands of these GPUs, which can help users understand energy use during high-performance tasks.

  • 4-2. Thermal Design Power (TDP)

  • TDP is a crucial factor in GPU performance and energy efficiency. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080's TDP varies significantly based on the specific configuration and cooling solutions applied, which can affect the GPU's performance. For instance, lower TDP settings typically mean lower performance, while higher TDP settings allow the GPU to reach its full potential. The Intel Arc A770M, with its TDP range of 120 to 150 Watts, demonstrates similar variability and impacts on performance. The RTX 4090 also shows a spectrum of TDP settings, from 80W in a more power-efficient scenario to 150W for peak performance.

  • 4-3. Energy Efficiency

  • Energy efficiency varies across different GPUs and use cases. The NVIDIA GPUs, such as the RTX 4080 and RTX 4090, are produced using TSMC's 5nm process, which contributes to their efficiency. The Intel Arc A770M leverages TSMC's 6nm process. Both the NVIDIA and Intel GPUs benefit from advanced architectural designs that optimize performance while managing power consumption. The specific efficiency gains are context-dependent but generally reflect advancements in both technology and design aimed at balancing power with performance.

5. Comparative Performance Analysis

  • 5-1. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 vs RTX 4090

  • The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080, introduced in early 2023, features the AD104 chip based on the Ada Lovelace architecture. The RTX 4080 has 7,680 shaders, a 192-bit memory bus with 12 GB GDDR6 memory, and a GPU clock speed ranging from 1350 MHz to 2280 MHz. The power consumption (TGP) ranges from 60 to 150 watts, plus an additional 15 watts dynamic boost. In benchmarks, the RTX 4080 outperforms the older RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU but falls behind the RTX 4090. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU, also released in early 2023, is based on the AD103 chip, using the Ada Lovelace architecture as well. It includes a maximum of 10,752 shaders, a 256-bit memory bus with 16 GB GDDR6 memory, and effective clock speeds from 1455 MHz to 2040 MHz. Its power consumption can vary between 80 and 150 watts, plus an additional 15 watts dynamic boost. The RTX 4090 leads in synthetic benchmarks and supports high-performance gaming including 4K with ray tracing, provided DLSS or resolution reductions are applied to maintain performance. Overall, the RTX 4090 outstrips the RTX 4080 and previous-gen RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU due to its higher performance metrics and architectural advancements.

  • 5-2. Intel Arc A770M vs NVIDIA GeForce RTX Series

  • The Intel Arc A770M, unveiled alongside the RTX 4080 and RTX 4090 in early 2023, is a mid-range GPU based on the ACM-G10 chip. It features 32 Xe-cores, 32 ray-tracing units, 16 GB GDDR6 memory, and operates at speeds of up to 2050 MHz. The power consumption ranges between 120 to 150 watts, aligning its performance near the RTX 3070 class, making it suitable for high-detail level gaming. When compared, NVIDIA’s RTX 4080 and RTX 4090 respectively offer superior specifications with higher shader counts (7,680 for the 4080 and 10,752 for the 4090) and larger memory buses (192-bit and 256-bit). The RTX series GPUs leverage higher transistor counts and advanced fabrication processes. These differences contribute to a substantial performance gap favoring the RTX series for high-end gaming and demanding professional applications.

  • 5-3. Legacy Models Comparison (e.g., RTX 3080)

  • Comparative data indicates the RTX 4080 and 4090 excel over the legacy RTX 3080 Laptop GPU. The RTX 4080, utilizing the AD104 chip, and RTX 4090, utilizing the AD103 chip, show notable improvements in shader count and memory bandwidth. Specifically, the RTX 4080 with up to 7,680 shaders and the RTX 4090 with 10,752 shaders outstrip the RTX 3080’s capabilities significantly. For instance, the RTX 4080’s performance in synthetic benchmarks surpasses that of the RTX 3080 Ti and is second only to the RTX 4090. Additionally, both the RTX 4080 and RTX 4090 utilize advanced power management and fabrication technologies, further enhancing their performance and efficiency compared to their predecessors. In practical gaming scenarios, these advancements translate to improved frame rates and graphical fidelity, supporting higher resolution and ray tracing functionalities.

6. Conclusion

  • In conclusion, the comparative analysis highlights distinct differences and technological advancements among the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080, RTX 4090, and Intel Arc A770M. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 stands out with its unmatched gaming and computational prowess, making it ideal for high-end gaming and professional uses. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080, while slightly less powerful, still offers substantial performance improvements suitable for QHD gaming and high-end professional tasks. The Intel Arc A770M, with its mid-range capabilities, provides a viable solution for users seeking satisfactory performance in 1080p and some 1440p gaming scenarios. Although the study offers valuable insights, it also reveals areas for further exploration, such as real-world performance and long-term reliability testing. Future research could enhance the understanding of these GPUs' practical applicability and potential technological developments, aiding consumers and professionals in selecting the most appropriate GPU for their specific needs.

7. Glossary

  • 7-1. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU [Product]

  • A high-end notebook graphics card based on the AD104 Chip, offering significant performance improvements over the previous RTX 3080 model. It supports DLSS 3 and is manufactured with TSMC's 5nm process.

  • 7-2. Intel Arc A770M [Product]

  • A dedicated mid-range laptop GPU featuring 32 Xe cores and 16 GB GDDR6 memory. It is designed for moderate gaming and professional workloads.

  • 7-3. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU [Product]

  • A top-tier GPU offering unparalleled gaming performance and ray tracing capabilities. It is part of NVIDIA's latest high-performance GPU lineup.

  • 7-4. Turing Architecture [Technology]

  • NVIDIA's architecture that powers the T500 Mobile GPU, offering enhanced performance in compute-heavy tasks and efficient power consumption.

  • 7-5. DLSS 3 [Technology]

  • Deep Learning Super Sampling technology used by NVIDIA to enhance game performance and visual quality through AI-based upscaling.

8. Source Documents