Comparative Analysis of Laptop GPUs: NVIDIA and Intel

1. Summary

• The report titled 'Comparative Analysis of Laptop GPUs: NVIDIA and Intel' provides a detailed examination of several laptop GPUs, specifically NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 4080, GeForce RTX 4050, Quadro T500, and Intel's Arc A570M and Arc A770M. The analysis focuses on the specifications, performance benchmarks, and market segments for these GPUs, highlighting their capabilities and advancements in gaming technologies such as DLSS, ray tracing, and architectural efficiency. Notably, the report differentiates between high-end GPUs like NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 4080, which excels in 4K gaming with advanced features, and mid-range options like Intel's Arc A570M, which offer balanced performance for mainstream gaming. The NVIDIA Quadro T500 is also explored, emphasizing its suitability for professional applications due to its optimized architecture for compute-heavy workloads.

2. Introduction to Laptop GPUs

• 2-1. Overview of the evaluated GPUs

• This section provides an overview of the key specifications and performance metrics of the evaluated laptop GPUs from NVIDIA and Intel. The evaluated GPUs include NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 4080, GeForce RTX 4050, Quadro T500, and Intel's Arc A570M and Arc A770M. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 (GN21-X9) is a high-end notebook GPU based on the Ada Lovelace architecture, featuring 7,680 shaders, a 192-bit memory bus with 12 GB GDDR6, and a TDP range of 60 to 150 watts. It supports advanced gaming technologies such as DLSS 3 and ray tracing with 232 Tensor Cores and 58 Ray Tracing Cores. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 (GN21-X2) is a mid-range GPU also based on the Ada Lovelace architecture, with a 96-bit memory bus, 6 GB GDDR6, and a TDP range of 35 to 115 watts. It supports DLSS 3 but has limited ray tracing capabilities due to its lower performance. The NVIDIA Quadro T500, designed for professional use, is based on the Turing architecture with 896 CUDA cores, a 64-bit memory bus, and up to 4 GB of GDDR6 memory. It has a TDP range of 18 to 25 watts and supports PCIe 4.0. On the Intel side, the Arc A570M and Arc A770M are based on the ACM-G12 and ACM-G10 chips respectively. The Arc A570M is a mid-range GPU with 16 Xe-Cores, 8 GB GDDR6, and a TDP of 75-95 watts, whereas the Arc A770M is a higher-end GPU with 32 Xe-Cores, 16 GB GDDR6, and a TDP of 120-150 watts. Both GPUs are manufactured using TSMC's 6nm process and support modern media encoding and decoding technologies.

• 2-2. Significance of GPU performance for laptops

• GPU performance is critical for laptops, especially for gaming, professional workloads, and content creation. High-end GPUs like the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 and RTX 4050 provide powerful graphics processing capabilities necessary for running demanding games and applications smoothly. The RTX 4080, for example, can handle high-end gaming in 4K resolution and supports DLSS 3 and ray tracing, offering a significant performance boost and enhanced visual quality. The mid-range GPUs such as NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 4050 and Intel's Arc A570M deliver balanced performance suitable for mainstream gaming and everyday tasks with decent efficiency and less power consumption compared to high-end GPUs. They are optimized for 1080p gaming with higher detail settings. The professional GPU, NVIDIA Quadro T500, is built for compute-heavy workloads and professional applications, where stability and efficiency are paramount. It supports optimized architecture for floating point and integer operations, making it suitable for tasks like 3D modeling, CAD applications, and video editing. The advancements in GPU architectures and technologies, such as the inclusion of Tensor Cores and improved memory handling, directly impact the overall efficiency and performance, making modern GPUs robust for various high-performance tasks in laptops.

3. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU

• 3-1. Specifications and Architecture

• The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU (Codename GN21-X9) was introduced in early 2023. It is based on the AD104 chip, part of the Ada Lovelace architecture, similar to the desktop RTX 4070 Ti. The GPU includes a maximum of 7,680 shaders, a 192-bit memory bus, and 12 GB of GDDR6 memory clocked at effective speeds of either 16 or 20 Gbps. The Total Graphics Power (TGP) can range from 60 to 150 watts, plus an additional 15 watts for Dynamic Boost from the CPU. The core's clock speeds range from 1350 MHz in boost mode at 60 watts to 2280 MHz at 150 watts, making the GPU's performance highly dependent on the laptop's TDP setting and cooling system. The AD104 chip is manufactured by TSMC using a 5nm process (4N), containing 35.8 billion transistors on a die size of 379 mm².

• 3-2. Performance Benchmarks

• In synthetic benchmarks, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU performs significantly better than its predecessor, the RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU, and only falls short of the RTX 4090 Laptop GPU. The performance can vary based on the TGP settings as well as the cooling system of the laptop. For instance, in tests with higher TGP settings, the RTX 4080 can outperform GPUs with lower power limits by up to 20%. Benchmarks such as 3DMark Time Spy, Fire Strike, and Superposition underscore its capability to handle demanding applications efficiently.

• 3-3. Gaming Capabilities and DLSS

• The RTX 4080 Laptop GPU is equipped with 232 Tensor cores for DLSS 3, including Frame Generation, and 58 third-generation Ray Tracing cores. These improvements make it capable of running highly demanding games such as F1 23 smoothly at QHD resolution with Ray Tracing enabled. It can also handle less demanding games at 4K resolution without issues. DLSS technology significantly boosts performance in games that support it, offering smoother gameplay even at higher resolutions with minimal quality loss.

4. Intel Arc A570M and A770M GPUs

• 4-1. Specifications and Xe-core technology

• The Intel Arc A570M is a mid-range dedicated graphics card for notebooks, based on the ACM-G12 chip. It offers 16 Xe-cores (256 ALUs) and 16 Ray-Tracing units, with a clock speed ranging from 300 MHz to over 2050 MHz (Turbo). It features a 128-bit memory bus that supports 8 GB of GDDR6 memory with a speed of 14 Gbps. The GPU is manufactured using TSMC's 6nm process. The Arc A770M, on the other hand, is based on the ACM-G10 chip. This higher-end model has 32 Xe-cores (512 ALUs), 32 Ray-Tracing units, 6 MB of L1 cache, and 16 MB of L2 cache. The clock speeds range from 300 MHz to 2050 MHz (Turbo), and it has a 256-bit memory interface supporting 16 GB of GDDR6 memory at 16 Gbps. The A770M is also produced using TSMC’s 6nm process.

• 4-2. Performance benchmarks

• In performance benchmarks, the Intel Arc A570M positions itself in the lower mid-range of dedicated notebook GPUs, likely performing between AMD's Radeon RX 6500M and 6600M. It is capable of handling demanding games at medium to high detail settings. The Intel Arc A770M, with a higher TGP of 120 to 150 Watts, performs in the upper mid-range, roughly comparable to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070, albeit somewhat below it. The performance metrics indicate that while the A570M is suited for standard gaming needs, the A770M can handle more demanding tasks and offers better performance for intensive applications.

• 4-3. Gaming capabilities

• Both Intel Arc A570M and A770M GPUs support significant gaming capabilities. The A570M, with its 16 Xe-cores and up to 2.05 GHz boost clock, can handle graphically intensive games with medium to high settings. The A770M, equipped with 32 Xe-cores and a higher boost clock, presents superior gaming performance. It supports high frame rates in demanding games and is capable of rendering at higher resolutions, even supporting some 4K gaming. Both GPUs feature comprehensive media engine support, including VP9, AVC, HEVC, and AV1 encoding/decoding, making them suitable for both gaming and content creation tasks.

5. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU

• 5-1. Specifications and architecture

• The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU, codenamed GN21-X2, was introduced in early 2023 and is positioned as a mid-range notebook graphics card. It is built on the AD107 chip, which utilizes the Ada Lovelace architecture. The GPU features a 96-bit memory bus with 6 GB of GDDR6 graphics memory running at 16 Gbps. The Total Graphics Power (TGP) ranges from 35 to 115 watts, with an additional 10-25 watts of Dynamic Boost from the CPU. The boost clock speed varies from 1605 MHz at 35 watts to 2370 MHz at 115 watts. Manufacturing is done through TSMC's 5nm process (4N).

• 5-2. Performance benchmarks

• Performance is highly dependent on the TDP settings, with benchmark results placing the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU between the RTX 3050 Ti and RTX 3060 Laptop GPUs. This makes the GPU suitable for 1080p gaming with high to maximum detail settings, depending on the game. The RTX 4050 offers 80 Tensor cores for DLSS 3 including frame generation, which provides a significant performance boost in supported games with minimal loss of quality. However, the 20 Ray Tracing cores are not very effective due to the GPU's limited power, making it less suitable for games with intensive ray tracing effects.

• 5-3. Gaming capabilities at 1080p

• The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU is best suited for 1920x1080 resolution gaming at high to maximum detail settings. The boost clock ranges from 1605 MHz at a minimum TGP of 35 watts to 2370 MHz at a maximum TGP of 115 watts. The actual gaming performance will depend significantly on the notebook's cooling and TDP settings. Games with DLSS 3 support will experience noticeable performance improvements, although ray tracing is generally not recommended due to the GPU's power constraints.

6. NVIDIA Quadro T500 Mobile GPU

• 6-1. Specifications and Turing architecture

• The Nvidia T500 Mobile, formerly known as Quadro T500, for laptops is a professional mobile graphics card based on the Turing architecture (TU117 chip). It is similar to the consumer GeForce MX450 and features 896 cores and a 64-bit memory bus. The T500 is available with either 2 or 4 GB of graphics RAM (GDDR5 or GDDR6) and has a TDP ranging between 18 to 25 watts depending on the variant. It supports PCIe 4.0 and is manufactured in a 12nm FinFET process at TSMC. The Turing generation optimized the architecture of the cores and caches, providing up to 50% more instructions per clock and a 40% more power-efficient usage compared to the Pascal generation. Unlike the faster Quadro RTX cards, the T500 does not feature ray tracing and Tensor cores.

• 6-2. Performance benchmarks

• Benchmarks for the NVIDIA T500 Laptop GPU include 3DMark 11, Fire Strike, and Time Spy, with various TDP settings ranging from 18W to 25W. Additional benchmark tests include SPECviewperf 13 and SPECviewperf 2020, focusing on applications such as SW-04, SNX-03, Showcase-02, Medical-02, Maya-05, Energy-02, Creo-02, Catia-05, and 3dsmax-06 for SPECviewperf 13, and their respective updated versions for SPECviewperf 2020. Other tested benchmarks include Cinebench R11.5 and R15, GFXBench, LuxMark v2.0, and ComputeMark v2.1. These benchmarks provide detailed performance ratings and power consumption insights, highlighting the GPU's professional application capabilities.

• 6-3. Professional graphical application performance

• The NVIDIA Quadro T500 has been tested extensively on various professional graphical applications, showing notable performance in software like SolidWorks, Siemens NX, Medical applications, Maya, Energy, Creo, Catia, and 3ds Max using SPECviewperf 13 and SPECviewperf 2020 benchmarks. These tests reveal that the T500 excels in tasks involving complex graphical computations, making it suitable for professionals in fields such as engineering, design, and medical imaging. The chip's concurrent execution of floating point and integer operations significantly boosts performance in compute-heavy workloads, enhancing efficiency in professional environments.

7. Comparative Performance Analysis

• 7-1. Comparison of performance metrics

• Based on the provided data, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080, GeForce RTX 4050, Quadro T500, Intel Arc A570M, and Intel Arc A770M exhibit diverse performance metrics. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080, introduced in early 2023 and based on the AD104 chip (Ada Lovelace architecture), houses up to 7,680 shaders, supports a 192-bit memory bus with 12 GB GDDR6, and features clock speeds ranging from 1,350 MHz to 2,280 MHz depending on TGP settings (60-150W). The RTX 4080 outperforms the older RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU and is capable of fluid gameplay in QHD with Ray Tracing (RT) and uses DLSS 3 for enhanced gaming performance. The Intel Arc A570M, also a 2023 entrant, based on the ACM-G12 chip, offers 16 Xe-cores, 16 Ray-Tracing Units, and clock speeds from 300 MHz to over 2,050 MHz. The A570M was benchmarked to perform between Radeon RX 6500M and RX 6600M. The Intel Arc A770M, unveiled in 2023, features the ACM-G10 chip with 32 Xe-cores and a 256-bit memory bus supporting 16 GB GDDR6. This GPU ranges in TGP from 120 to 150W and is situated in the upper-middle-class performance tier for notebooks. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050, based on the AD107 chip, includes 6 GB GDDR6 memory, 80 Tensor cores, and clock speeds from 1,605 MHz to 2,370 MHz. It is suitable for 1080p gaming at high to max settings but is limited in its RT capabilities. Finally, the NVIDIA Quadro T500, targeting professional use, is based on the Turing architecture TU117 chip with 896 cores, supports a 64-bit memory bus with 2 to 4 GB GDDR5 or GDDR6, and TDPs range from 18W to 25W.

• 7-2. Energy consumption and efficiency

• Energy consumption for these GPUs varies widely, reflecting their respective target markets and performance capabilities. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 laptop GPU has a TGP ranging from 60 to 150W, making it more energy-efficient compared to desktop variants, which consume up to 285W. Dynamic Boost can further add around 15W to the overall consumption, depending on the laptop's cooling and TDP settings. For Intel's GPUs, the Arc A570M has a TGP between 75 and 95W; the energy consumption aligns it closer to mainstream gaming laptops. The Arc A770M, with a TGP ranging from 120 to 150W, also targets high performance but remains below the desktop GPU TDP levels. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 features a TGP from 35 to 115W, adding 10-25W with Dynamic Boost. The professional-grade NVIDIA Quadro T500, designed for power efficiency, ranges from 18 to 25W TGP, which is significantly lower than its consumer counterparts.

• 7-3. Market segmentation and suitability

• The GPUs covered in this analysis target different market segments based on their performance and efficiency characteristics. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 and Intel Arc A770M are positioned in the high-end, targeting gaming enthusiasts and professionals requiring superior graphics performance and efficiency in tasks like 4K gaming and intensive computing workloads. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 and Intel Arc A570M cater to mid-range users, offering balanced performance suitable for 1080p gaming and productivity tasks. Meanwhile, the NVIDIA Quadro T500 is designed for professional users needing reliability and efficiency for business and creative applications, rather than focusing purely on gaming performance.

8. Conclusion

• The report underscores significant advancements and performance variations among the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080, RTX 4050, Quadro T500, and Intel Arc A570M and Arc A770M laptop GPUs. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 emerges as a leader in gaming performance, capable of delivering smooth 4K gameplay and advanced visual features like ray tracing and DLSS 3. Meanwhile, Intel's Arc A570M and A770M offer commendable gaming experiences at mid-range, with the A770M providing robust performance for more demanding tasks. The NVIDIA Quadro T500 is highlighted for its professional efficiency, demonstrating superior handling of complex graphical computations necessary for engineering, design, and medical imaging applications. Nonetheless, the report also mentions some limitations such as the lower effectiveness of the RTX 4050's ray tracing capabilities due to its limited power. Looking forward, the continuous evolution in GPU architectures and technologies promises further enhancements in both gaming and professional applications. Consumers and professionals can apply these findings to make informed decisions based on their specific needs, whether it be high-end gaming, mainstream gaming, or professional graphical workloads.

9. Glossary

• 9-1. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU [Product]

• A high-end laptop GPU based on the Ada Lovelace architecture, featuring up to 7,680 shaders and 12 GB GDDR6 memory, intended for superior performance in gaming and other graphics-intensive applications.

• 9-2. Intel Arc A570M GPU [Product]

• A mid-range laptop GPU featuring 16 Xe-cores, designed to handle demanding games and provide a balanced gaming experience.

• 9-3. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU [Product]

• A middle-tier laptop GPU suited for 1080p gaming, supporting DLSS 3 technology to enhance the gaming experience.

• 9-4. NVIDIA Quadro T500 Mobile GPU [Product]

• A professional mobile GPU based on the Turing architecture, optimized for professional graphical applications with enhanced compute workload efficiency.

• 9-5. Intel Arc A770M GPU [Product]

• A mid-range laptop GPU featuring a 256-bit memory interface with 16 GB GDDR6, aimed at providing robust performance for gaming and other applications.

10. Source Documents

• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU vs Intel Arc A570M vs NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPUhttps://www.notebookcheck.com/NVIDIA-GeForce-RTX-4080-Laptop-GPU-vs-A570M-vs-NVIDIA-GeForce-RTX-4050-Laptop-GPU_11438_11610_11457.247532.0.html
• NVIDIA Quadro T500 Mobile GPU - Benchmarks and Specshttps://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-Quadro-T500-Mobile-GPU-Benchmarks-and-Specs.513926.0.html
• Intel Arc A770M vs NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU vs NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPUhttps://www.notebookcheck.com/A770M-vs-NVIDIA-GeForce-RTX-4090-Laptop-GPU-vs-NVIDIA-GeForce-RTX-4080-Laptop-GPU_11313_11437_11438.247532.0.html