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Comparative Analysis of Modern Laptop GPUs: NVIDIA, Intel, and Performance Metrics

GOOVER DAILY REPORT July 13, 2024
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Summary
  2. Overview of NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU
  3. Comparison of Intel Arc GPUs: A570M and A770M
  4. Performance and Specifications of NVIDIA Quadro T500 Mobile GPU
  5. Comparative Performance Analysis
  6. Conclusion

1. Summary

  • This report provides an in-depth comparative analysis of modern laptop GPUs, specifically focusing on the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU, Intel Arc A570M, Intel Arc A770M, and NVIDIA Quadro T500 Mobile GPU. The purpose is to offer a comprehensive breakdown of these GPUs' specifications, performance benchmarks, and technological innovations, facilitating an understanding of their capabilities in diverse scenarios including gaming and professional workloads. Key findings reveal that the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU offers advanced ray-tracing and tensor cores for high-end gaming, while the Intel Arc A570M and A770M present competitive options in the mid to high-end market with varying performance metrics. The NVIDIA Quadro T500 Mobile GPU, optimized for professional applications, excels in compute-heavy tasks despite lacking advanced ray-tracing features.

2. Overview of NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU

  • 2-1. Specifications and Features

  • The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU (Codename GN21-X9) is a high-end notebook graphics card that was introduced in early 2023. It is based on the AD104 chip (Ada Lovelace architecture), similar to the desktop RTX 4070 Ti. The GPU features up to 7,680 shaders, a 192-bit memory bus, and 12 GB of GDDR6 video memory running at 16 or 20 Gbps. It has a TGP (Total Graphics Power) that ranges from 60 to 150 watts, with an additional 15 watts possible through Dynamic Boost from the CPU. The dimensions of the AD104 chip include 35.8 billion transistors on a die size of 379 mm², utilizing a 5nm process at TSMC (4N). It also includes 232 fourth-generation Tensor Cores for DLSS 3, including frame generation, and 58 third-generation Ray-Tracing Cores. The GPU also supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, Shader Model 6.7, OpenGL 4.6, OpenCL 3.0, and Vulkan 1.3.

  • 2-2. Performance Benchmarks

  • In synthetic benchmarks, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU has shown an average performance that significantly outperforms the previous generation RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU, but falls just behind the RTX 4090 Laptop GPU. The RTX 4080 allows for smooth gameplay in demanding games like F1 23 with ray tracing enabled at QHD resolution. Games that do not utilize ray tracing and those that are less demanding can also be played at 4K resolutions. Various TDP settings and cooling systems based on laptop configurations can impact the GPU's performance. For instance, the boost clock can vary between 1350 MHz (at 60 watts) and 2280 MHz (at 150 watts). According to performance ratings on tools like 3DMark Time Spy, the GPU operates between 175 watts and other specified TDP settings. The SPECviewperf 12 and SPECviewperf 13 benchmarks, along with Cinebench R15 show competitive results in several categories.

  • 2-3. Technological Innovations

  • The RTX 4080 Laptop GPU integrates various innovative technologies from NVIDIA. It uses Tensor Cores for AI calculations, most notably for DLSS 3, which includes advanced frame generation and AI upscaling to provide enhanced gaming performance with minimal impact on visual quality. The GPU's Ray-Tracing Cores provide real-time ray tracing, delivering highly realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections in supported games. The advanced AD104 chip architecture and 5nm manufacturing process at TSMC make it highly efficient. Additionally, the support for multiple display standards (up to four displays), including HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4a, augments its professional and gaming applications. Adapting to various notebook TDP settings, the RTX 4080 provides flexibility in power consumption and performance balance.

3. Comparison of Intel Arc GPUs: A570M and A770M

  • 3-1. Specifications and Features of A570M

  • The Intel Arc A570M (Device ID 5696) is a dedicated mid-range graphics card for notebooks. It is based on the ACM-G12 chip and features 16 Xe cores (256 ALUs), 16 ray-tracing units, and 8 MB of L2 cache. The core clock ranges from 300 MHz to 2050+ MHz (Turbo). The card has a 128-bit memory interface with 8 GB of GDDR6 memory running at 14 Gbps. The TGP varies between 75 and 95 Watts depending on the model. The ACM-G12 chip is manufactured using TSMC's 6nm process (N6) and uses a BGA2660 package. The media engines support VP9, AVC, HEVC, and AV1 decoding at up to 8k60 12-bit HDR, and encoding up to 8k 10-bit HDR. The display pipes provide support for 4x 4k120 HDR, HDMI 2.0B, DP 2.0 10G, and Adaptive Sync. The Dynamic Power Share feature can be utilized with 12th-generation (Alder Lake) Intel CPUs via Deep Link.

  • 3-2. Specifications and Features of A770M

  • The Intel Arc A770M (Device ID 5690) is a dedicated mid-range graphics card for notebooks. It uses the ACM-G10 chip with all 32 Xe cores (512 ALUs), 32 ray-tracing units, 6 MB L1 cache, and 16 MB L2 cache. The core clock ranges from 300 MHz to 2050 MHz (Turbo). The A770M has a 256-bit memory interface with 16 GB of GDDR6 memory running at 16 Gbps. The TGP ranges from 120 to 150 Watts depending on the model. The ACM-G10 chip is manufactured using TSMC's 6nm process (N6) and uses a BGA2660 interface. It integrates two media engines supporting VP9, AVC, HEVC, and AV1 decoding at up to 8k60 12-bit HDR, and encoding up to 8k 10-bit HDR. The display pipes support 4x 4k120 HDR, HDMI 2.0B, DP 2.0 10G, and Adaptive Sync. The Dynamic Power Share feature can be used with 12th-generation (Alder Lake) Intel CPUs via Deep Link.

  • 3-3. Performance Comparison

  • The Intel Arc A570M's performance is considered to be in the lower mid-range of dedicated notebook GPUs, with expected performance between the Radeon RX 6500M and 6600M. It can handle demanding games at medium to high settings smoothly. In contrast, the Intel Arc A770M is positioned in the upper mid-range. Its TGP is comparable to the NVIDIA RTX 3070, but its performance is estimated to be slightly lower. The specifications, such as higher core count and memory interface width, suggest that the A770M offers better performance in multimedia tasks and demanding gaming scenarios compared to the A570M.

4. Performance and Specifications of NVIDIA Quadro T500 Mobile GPU

  • 4-1. Specifications and Features

  • The NVIDIA Quadro T500 Mobile GPU, formerly known as Quadro T500, is a professional mobile graphics card based on the Turing architecture (TU117 chip). It is derived from the consumer GeForce MX450 and features 896 CUDA cores and a 64-bit memory bus. The GPU is available in variants with 2 or 4 GB of graphics RAM (GDDR5 or GDDR6). The total design power (TDP) of the GPU ranges between 18 to 25 watts, depending on the specific model. Similar to the MX450, the T500 supports PCIe 4.0 and is manufactured using the 12nm FinFET process at TSMC. Although it lacks ray tracing and tensor cores, the Turing architecture in the T500 offers optimized cores and caches, leading to concurrent execution of floating point and integer operations. This results in a 50% increase in instructions per clock and a 40% improvement in power efficiency compared to the Pascal architecture. The GPU supports DirectX 12_1 and OpenGL 4.6.

  • 4-2. Benchmark Results

  • Benchmarking the NVIDIA Quadro T500 Mobile GPU reveals its performance in various applications. Standard benchmarks include 3DMark 11, Fire Strike, and Time Spy, consistently placing the T500 within expected ranges for professional workloads. The SPECviewperf 13 and SPECviewperf 2020 benchmarks exhibit the GPU's capability in professional applications, highlighting scenarios such as 3DS Max, Maya, and SolidWorks. Further tests using Cinebench R11.5 and R15 demonstrate the card's OpenGL performance, solidifying its strength in compute-heavy tasks. Game benchmarks further illustrate the GPU’s abilities: it can handle various settings from low (1280x720) to high (1920x1080) resolutions effectively, although not all high-end games are playable at the ultra settings. The TDP for these benchmarks varies between 18 to 25 watts.

  • 4-3. Use Cases in Professional Workloads

  • The NVIDIA Quadro T500 Mobile GPU proves to be a strong candidate for professional workloads. Given its architecture and performance metrics, it excels in applications requiring heavy compute capabilities, such as professional 3D modeling, rendering, and CAD programs. Benchmarks from SPECviewperf and Cinebench reflect its efficiency in rendering and interactive applications. Despite not having ray tracing or tensor cores, the optimized Turing architecture significantly boosts performance for tasks requiring concurrent integer and floating-point operations. This makes the T500 a suitable option for professionals needing a reliable GPU for demanding professional applications.

5. Comparative Performance Analysis

  • 5-1. Overall Performance Metrics

  • The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU, released in early 2023, is based on the Ada Lovelace architecture (AD104 chip). It features 7,680 shader cores, a 192-bit memory bus with 12 GB GDDR6, and a clock ranging between 1350 MHz (boost at 60W) to 2280 MHz (boost at 150W). The average performance in synthetic benchmarks like 3DMark Time Spy, 3DMark 11, and Fire Strike shows that it significantly outperforms the older RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU. For demanding games like F1 23 with ray tracing in QHD, it runs smoothly, and for less demanding games, 4K is playable without ray tracing. The Intel Arc A570M is positioned lower in the middle class. It features 16 Xe-cores (256 ALUs), 16 Ray-Tracing-Units, with core clock speeds ranging from 300 MHz to over 2050 MHz (turbo). It offers a 128-bit memory bus with 8 GB GDDR6. The A570M's performance is on par with the Radeon RX 6500M to 6600M, capable of handling demanding games at medium to high settings smoothly. The Intel Arc A770M is a more powerful mid-range option with 32 Xe-cores (512 ALUs), a 256-bit memory bus with 16 GB GDDR6, and a clock range from 300 MHz to 2050 MHz. Despite its potential high-end claims, it’s benchmarked against the RTX 3070 and is observed to perform slightly below it. The NVIDIA Quadro T500 Mobile GPU focuses on professional workloads. It has 896 cores and a 64-bit memory bus using the Turing architecture. Its TDP ranges from 18 to 25 W, offering performance suitable for compute-heavy tasks but does not include ray tracing or Tensor cores.

  • 5-2. Feature Set Comparison

  • The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU supports features such as 232 Tensor Cores (4th generation) for DLSS 3 and Frame Generation, and 58 Ray Tracing Cores (3rd generation). It is manufactured using TSMC’s 5nm process (4N), encompassing 35.8 billion transistors in a die size of 379 mm2. The Intel Arc A570M, built on the ACM-G12 chip using a 6nm process, also includes ray tracing units, highlighting its competitive edge in the middle market. It integrates media engines for extensive video decoding and encoding support, like VP9, AVC, HEVC, and AV1. The Intel Arc A770M, with its larger ACM-G10 chip, extends these features with additional cores, ray tracing units, and comprehensive media encoding supports, performing at higher power limits (up to 150W). The NVIDIA Quadro T500 Mobile GPU excels in professional features by focusing on optimized compute performance through concurrent execution of floating-point and integer operations, and an improved cache architecture introduced with the Turing generation. Despite lacking ray tracing and Tensor cores, it performs up to 50% more instructions per clock compared to the older Pascal series.

  • 5-3. Power Consumption and Efficiency

  • The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU has an adjustable total graphics power (TGP) ranging from 60W to 150W, with an additional 15W Dynamic Boost from the CPU. This power flexibility influences its performance, making it highly dependent on the notebook’s thermal design power (TDP) setting and cooling solutions. The Intel Arc A570M operates within a TGP of 75W to 95W, positioning it well within a power-efficient middle-range segment, suitable for laptops balancing performance and battery life. The Intel Arc A770M has a TGP range of 120W to 150W, making it one of the more power-intensive options in the mid-range segment. It aligns closely with NVIDIA’s RTX 3070 in terms of power consumption. The NVIDIA Quadro T500 Mobile GPU’s TDP varies between 18W and 25W. This low power consumption suits its role in professional applications, prioritizing efficiency and stability over raw performance, making it ideal for workstations where continuous operation and reliability are critical.

6. Conclusion

  • This report has systematically analyzed the modern laptop GPUs from NVIDIA and Intel, highlighting their respective strengths and use cases. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU is distinguished by its superior performance at high resolutions and advanced features such as ray tracing, making it a prime choice for gamers and professionals requiring top-tier graphics capabilities. The Intel Arc A570M and A770M, with their robust specifications and diverse performance benchmarks, cater to mid to high-end markets, offering versatile options for consumers balancing performance and budget. On the other hand, the NVIDIA Quadro T500 Mobile GPU is tailored for professional workloads, featuring optimized concurrent execution of floating-point and integer operations which enhance its efficiency in compute-heavy applications. Despite its professional prowess, it lacks the advanced ray-tracing and tensor cores seen in high-end gaming GPUs. Moving forward, future developments in GPU architectures and technologies are likely to further push the boundaries of performance and efficiency. For immediate practical applications, professionals could leverage the Quadro T500 for demanding tasks, while gamers and general users might opt for the RTX 4080 or the Arc GPUs based on their specific needs and budget constraints.

7. Glossary

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

  • A high-end notebook graphics card based on the Ada Lovelace architecture with 7,680 shaders, 12 GB of GDDR6 memory, and a TGP ranging from 60 to 150 watts, suitable for demanding games at QHD resolution with Raytracing.

  • 7-2. Intel Arc A570M [Technology]

  • A mid-range dedicated GPU with 16 Xe cores and 8 GB of GDDR6 memory, targeting notebooks with a TGP between 75 and 95 watts.

  • 7-3. Intel Arc A770M [Technology]

  • A mid-range GPU for notebooks, based on the ACM-G10 chip with 32 Xe cores, 32 Ray-Tracing Units, and support for 16GB GDDR6 memory.

  • 7-4. NVIDIA Quadro T500 Mobile GPU [Technology]

  • A professional mobile graphics card based on the Turing architecture, with 896 cores, 2-4 GB graphics RAM, and support for PCIe 4.0, suitable for compute-heavy workloads.

8. Source Documents