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Decoding Laptop GPU Performance

General Report October 30, 2024
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Summary
  2. High-End Laptop GPUs
  3. Mid-Range Laptop GPUs
  4. Professional Laptop GPUs
  5. Conclusion

1. Summary

  • The report delves into a detailed analysis of various laptop GPUs, including the high-performing NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 and RTX 4090, the mid-range Intel Arc A770M, and the professional-oriented NVIDIA Quadro T500. These GPUs are meticulously compared in terms of architecture, performance benchmarks, and suitability for specific applications like gaming and professional tasks. The high-end RTX models are underscored for their superior gaming capabilities, while mid-range GPUs like the Intel Arc A770M provide balanced performance at a more accessible price point. The Quadro T500, in contrast, is tailored for professional use, focusing on efficiency over gaming prowess. By offering insights into power consumption and architectural design, the report aids consumers and professionals in making informed purchasing decisions tailored to their specific use case.

2. High-End Laptop GPUs

  • 2-1. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Specifications and Performance

  • The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU, also known by the codename GN21-X9, is a high-end laptop graphics card that was introduced in early 2023. It is based on the AD104 chip from the Ada Lovelace architecture and features a maximum of 7,680 shaders and a 192-bit memory bus with 12 GB of GDDR6 memory, operating at effective speeds of 16 or 20 Gbps. The Total Graphics Power (TGP) can range from 60 to 150 watts, which is significantly lower than the 285 watts of the desktop RTX 4070 Ti, with an additional approximately 15 watts from the Dynamic Boost provided by the CPU. The performance places it below that of a desktop RTX 4070 Ti while outperforming the older RTX 3080 laptop GPU. The GPU clock speeds depend on the TGP used, ranging from 1,350 MHz (boosting at 60 watts) to 2,280 MHz at 150 watts. Consequently, the performance is heavily influenced by the laptop's TDP setting and cooling system. In synthetic benchmarks, the RTX 4080 has shown to significantly outperform the older RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU, only trailing the RTX 4090. It handles demanding games like F1 23 with ray tracing at QHD resolution smoothly and can also run less demanding titles at 4K resolution. The RTX 4080 features 232 fourth-generation Tensor cores for DLSS 3 including Frame Generation, along with 58 third-generation Ray Tracing cores. This chip is manufactured using a 5nm process at TSMC, featuring 35.8 million transistors and a die size of 379 mm².

  • 2-2. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile Overview

  • The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU, identified by the codename GN21-X11, is another high-end laptop graphics card introduced in early 2023. Like the RTX 4080, it is based on the ADA102 chip and showcases superior performance attributes. It supports a maximum of 10,752 shaders, with a 256-bit memory bus and 16 GB of GDDR6 memory. The effective memory speed reaches 20 Gbps. The TGP ranges from 80 to 150 watts, which is substantially lower than the 320 watts of the desktop RTX 4080. Its performance should be positioned just below the architecture of the desktop RTX 4080 while providing superior output compared to previous models in the high-end segmentation like the RTX 3080 Ti laptop GPU. Depending on the TGP settings, the clock speeds vary from 1,455 MHz at lower TGP to a high of 2,040 MHz. However, performance can drop by up to 20% in laptops with a lower power limit of around 125 watts. In gaming scenarios, the RTX 4090 provides smooth experience even in demanding 4K settings and effectively supports Ray Tracing features, positioning it as a top choice for high-performance gaming.

  • 2-3. Comparison with Intel Arc A770M

  • The Intel Arc A770M is a dedicated mid-range graphics card for laptops, which is noteworthy for its performance capabilities. Based on the ACM-G10 chip, it supports 32 Xe cores, offering 512 ALUs, and includes 32 Ray-Tracing units. The memory configuration supports 16 GB of GDDR6 with a 256-bit memory interface running at a speed of 16 Gbps. The TGP for the A770M ranges between 120 to 150 watts, positioning it in the upper mid-range category of laptop GPUs. In performance metrics, it typically aligns with the capabilities of a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070. The A770M is designed for gaming at medium to high detail settings, making it suitable for users who seek performance without the premium price of high-end GPUs like the RTX 4080 or RTX 4090. A comparative analysis suggests that while it is a capable GPU, it cannot match the raw power and features offered by NVIDIA's RTX 40 series, particularly in applications requiring high graphical fidelity and extensive Ray Tracing support.

3. Mid-Range Laptop GPUs

  • 3-1. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Specifications and Performance

  • The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU (Codename GN21-X2) is a mid-range graphics card introduced in early 2023. It is based on the AD107 chip (Ada Lovelace architecture) and features a 96-bit memory interface with 6 GB GDDR6 memory, operating at an effective speed of 16 Gbps. The Total Graphics Power (TGP) of the RTX 4050 ranges from 35 to 115 Watts, with an additional Dynamic Boost from the CPU ranging from 10 to 25 Watts. The boost clock speed varies from 1605 MHz at 35 Watts to 2370 MHz at 115 Watts, meaning performance is significantly dependent on the TDP setting. Benchmark tests position the RTX 4050 between the RTX 3050 Ti and the RTX 3060, making it suitable for 1920x1080 gaming at high to maximum settings depending on the game. Additionally, it has 80 Tensor cores for DLSS 3, providing a substantial performance boost for supported games with minimal loss in quality. However, its 20 Ray Tracing cores are underutilized due to insufficient performance for effective ray tracing effects.

  • 3-2. Intel Arc A570M Specifications and Use Cases

  • The Intel Arc A570M (Device ID 5696) is a dedicated mid-range graphics card aimed at laptops. It utilizes the ACM-G12 chip, which contains 16 Xe cores (256 ALUs), 16 Ray Tracing units, and 8 MB of L2 cache. The clock speeds for the A570M range from 300 MHz to over 2.05 GHz (Turbo) during gaming. The card features a 128-bit memory interface supporting 8 GB of GDDR6 memory running at 14 Gbps, with TGP values spanning from 75 to 95 Watts depending on model specifications. Performance-wise, the A570M is positioned in the lower mid-range segment of dedicated laptop GPUs and is estimated to perform between the Radeon RX 6500M and 6600M. This GPU can adequately render demanding games at medium to high detail settings.

  • 3-3. Intel Arc A770M Performance Analysis

  • The Intel Arc A770M (Device ID 5690) is another dedicated mid-range graphics card designed for laptops, based on the ACM-G10 chip. It provides a full set of 32 Xe cores (512 ALUs) and features 32 Ray Tracing units with 6 MB of L1 cache and 16 MB of L2 cache. The A770M can boast clock speeds from 300 MHz up to 2050 MHz in Turbo mode. It has a wide 256-bit memory interface, supporting 16 GB of GDDR6 memory at 16 Gbps. The TGP of the A770M varies between 120 and 150 Watts depending on the specific model, placing its performance expectations in the range of an RTX 3070, though slightly below. The A770M features technological enhancements for efficient 8K HDR decoding and supports four 4K displays, making it suitable for both gaming and professional applications.

4. Professional Laptop GPUs

  • 4-1. NVIDIA Quadro T500 Specifications and Benchmarks

  • The NVIDIA Quadro T500, also referred to as the T500 Mobile, is a professional mobile graphics card based on the Turing architecture, utilizing the TU117 chip. It shares its base with the consumer GeForce MX450 and contains 896 cores along with a 64-bit memory bus. The GPU is available with either 2 GB or 4 GB of GDDR5 or GDDR6 graphics RAM. Its thermal design power (TDP) ranges from 18 to 25 Watts, depending on the specific variant chosen. It supports PCIe 4.0 and is manufactured using a 12nm FinFET process at TSMC. Notably, although the Turing series includes support for ray tracing in RTX models, the T500 does not offer raytracing or Tensor cores. Performance specifications indicate a boost clock range of 1365 to 1695 MHz. It supports DirectX 12_1 and OpenGL 4.6.

  • 4-2. Performance Analysis of Quadro T500 in Professional Applications

  • Performance benchmarks for the NVIDIA Quadro T500 are measured using various standards, including 3DMark 11, Fire Strike, and Time Spy. Performance varies with power consumption settings, reflected in the provided TDP values (18W, 22W, and 25W), influencing the benchmark ratings. In a series of tests, the benchmarks evaluated the GPU's ability to handle demanding applications and workloads commonly seen in professional environments. The Quadro T500 has been benchmarked against several performance metrics, including SPECviewperf tests which analyze the GPU’s efficacy in applications such as solid modeling and rendering tasks. From these assessments, it becomes evident that the Quadro T500 excels in efficiency and capability tailored for professional use, marking a significant presence in the market for professional laptop GPUs.

Conclusion

  • This report's comparison of laptop GPUs highlights varying strengths and uses tailored to different user needs. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 emerges as a top choice for gaming and intensive tasks, leveraging advanced features such as ray tracing and DLSS 3 that ensure superior visual performance and power efficiency. Meanwhile, the Intel Arc A770M offers a cost-effective solution for gamers seeking reliable mid-range performance, aligning well with widespread 1080p gaming requirements. In the professional realm, the NVIDIA Quadro T500 stands out as an efficient option, embodying a balance crafted specifically for professional applications like design and modeling, rather than mainstream gaming. The analysis underscores the need to consider what each GPU uniquely offers, be it high-end gaming with cutting-edge technology, versatile performance for everyday gaming, or specialized capabilities for professional uses. Looking ahead, the continuing evolution in GPU technology, particularly in areas like AI-accelerated rendering and power efficiency, promises to further transform user experiences across spectrum applications. Potential improvements may include even more refined DLSS capabilities, enhanced power management systems, and a continued focus on driving down costs in achieving high-quality graphical output. These trajectories are set to benefit a wide audience, from hardcore gamers to professionals relying heavily on computing power. Therefore, staying updated on these advancements will be crucial for consumers seeking the best GPU investment for their needs.

Glossary

  • NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 [GPU]: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 is a high-end laptop GPU known for its outstanding performance in gaming and content creation, featuring advanced capabilities like ray tracing and DLSS 3 support. Its architecture allows for efficient thermal management and power consumption, making it suitable for intensive applications.
  • Intel Arc A770M [GPU]: The Intel Arc A770M is a mid-range dedicated graphics card designed for 1080p gaming, equipped with a 256-bit memory interface and 16 GB GDDR6 memory. Its performance is competitive, placed slightly below NVIDIA's RTX 3070, appealing to gamers seeking high-quality visuals without the highest price tag.
  • NVIDIA Quadro T500 [GPU]: The NVIDIA Quadro T500 is a professional mobile GPU based on the Turing architecture, designed for efficiency in professional applications. It provides good performance for various workloads, although it is less suitable for high-end gaming compared to the GeForce series.

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