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NVIDIA vs Intel: Laptop GPU Showdown

General Report November 13, 2024
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Summary
  2. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU
  3. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU
  4. Intel Arc A570M Laptop GPU
  5. Intel Arc A770M Laptop GPU
  6. Benchmark Comparisons
  7. Power Consumption Analysis
  8. Conclusion

1. Summary

  • A deep dive into high-performance laptop GPUs unveils the capabilities and distinctions between two industry leaders: NVIDIA and Intel. The report closely examines NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 4080 and RTX 4050, alongside Intel's Arc A570M and A770M. Focusing on architecture, power use, and real-game performance, it sheds light on their gaming and specialized applications potential. Key findings highlight NVIDIA's RTX 4080 as a top-tier gaming GPU, showcasing formidable power and efficiency with advanced DLSS and ray tracing technologies. Contrastingly, Intel's Arc A770M, while competitive, primarily appeals to users with budget considerations or lesser power needs, indicating a gap in high-demand gaming efficiency.

2. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU

  • 2-1. Architecture and Specifications

  • The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU, codenamed GN21-X9, was introduced in early 2023 as a high-end laptop graphics card. Built on the Ada Lovelace architecture, it features the AD104 chip and offers up to 7,680 shaders and a 192-bit memory bus, equipped with 12 GB of GDDR6 video memory. The clock speeds range from 1605 MHz to 2280 MHz depending on the Total Graphics Power (TGP), which can vary from 60 to 150 watts, with an additional dynamic boost of approximately 15 watts provided by the CPU. The GPU is fabricated using a 5nm process at TSMC, and it integrates 35.8 billion transistors within a die size of 379 mm².

  • 2-2. Performance Benchmarks

  • In synthetic benchmarks, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU significantly outperformed the older RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU while trailing only behind the RTX 4090. It demonstrated strong performance in demanding games such as F1 23 with ray tracing at QHD resolutions and even offered playable frame rates at 4K in less demanding games. Its performance is notably reliant on the TGP settings and the thermal management capabilities of the laptops it is integrated into.

  • 2-3. Power Consumption and Efficiency

  • The TGP of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 can range from 60 to 150 watts, which underscores its efficiency compared to the desktop variant of the RTX 4070 Ti, which has a TGP of 285 watts. Despite the high-performance output, the RTX 4080 is designed to balance power consumption effectively, making it suitable for high-performance laptops. This balancing act contributes to maintaining reasonable thermal levels within portable systems.

  • 2-4. Gaming Performance

  • The RTX 4080 Laptop GPU exhibits outstanding gaming performance, allowing high to ultra settings in demanding titles at both QHD and 4K resolutions. The presence of 232 Tensor Cores allows it to leverage DLSS 3 technology, including frame generation capabilities, thus enhancing frame rates without a significant compromise on visual fidelity. However, ray tracing support may be limited in certain scenarios due to the raw power requirements.

  • 2-5. Comparison with Previous Generations

  • When compared to previous generations, particularly the RTX 3080 Laptop GPU, the RTX 4080 offers marked improvements in performance metrics. The architectural enhancements, increased shader count, and improved TDP settings make it a formidable upgrade for consumers looking for high performance in gaming and professional applications. The comparative analyses indicate that the RTX 4080 is designed to exceed the expectations set by its predecessors while maintaining reasonable efficiency and power usage.

3. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU

  • 3-1. Architecture and Specifications

  • The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU, codenamed GN21-X2, is a mid-range notebook graphics card introduced in early 2023. It is based on the AD107 chip (Ada Lovelace architecture) and features a 96-bit memory bus with 6 GB of GDDR6 memory operating at an effective speed of 16 Gbps. The total graphics power (TGP) ranges from 35 to 115 Watts, with an added Dynamic Boost of 10-25 Watts from the CPU. The boost clock speed varies from 1605 MHz at 35 Watts to 2370 MHz at 115 Watts, indicating that performance is highly dependent on the TDP.

  • 3-2. Performance Benchmarks

  • Benchmark tests indicate that the RTX 4050 performs between the RTX 3050 Ti and the RTX 3060 laptop GPUs. It is best suited for gaming at a resolution of 1920x1080 with high to maximum settings, depending on the game in question. The GPU is equipped with 80 Tensor cores that support DLSS 3 and frame generation, providing significant speed boosts with minimal loss in quality during gameplay.

  • 3-3. Power Consumption and Efficiency

  • The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 has a TGP that can vary between 35 and 115 Watts, plus the Dynamic Boost from the CPU. In terms of power efficiency, the GPU attempts to balance performance with adequate thermal management, but real-world performance may vary based on the overall laptop configuration.

  • 3-4. Gaming Performance

  • In gaming scenarios, the RTX 4050 is capable of handling demanding titles with respectable frame rates at 1080p, although it shows limitations in execution power to utilize ray tracing effectively due to its performance metrics. This makes it more appropriate for casual gaming rather than high-demand gaming experiences.

  • 3-5. Comparison with Previous Generations

  • When compared to its predecessor, the RTX 3050 Ti, the RTX 4050 demonstrates improved performance metrics across various benchmarks. It showcases a better frame rate and is better optimized for modern gaming titles, making it a suitable upgrade for users currently using the RTX 3050 Ti.

4. Intel Arc A570M Laptop GPU

  • 4-1. Architecture and Specifications

  • The Intel Arc A570M (Device ID 5696) is a dedicated mid-range graphics card for laptops. It is based on the ACM-G12 chip, featuring 16 Xe cores (256 ALUs), 16 Ray-Tracing units, and 8 MB of L2 cache. The cores clock from 300 MHz up to 2.05+ GHz (Turbo) with a gaming frequency around 1300 MHz. The memory interface is 128 bits wide, supporting 8 GB of GDDR6 graphics memory with a speed of 14 Gbps. The Thermal Design Power (TDP) ranges from 75 to 95 watts, depending on the model.

  • 4-2. Performance Benchmarks

  • The performance of the Intel Arc A570M is positioned in the lower mid-range of dedicated laptop graphics cards. It is expected to perform between the Radeon RX 6500M and 6600M. The Arc A570M should be capable of running demanding games at medium to high settings with adequate fluidity.

  • 4-3. Power Consumption and Efficiency

  • The TDP of the Intel Arc A570M varies based on the model, with a range from 75 to 95 watts. This power range indicates a reasonable balance between performance and power efficiency for mid-range gaming tasks.

  • 4-4. Gaming Performance

  • In gaming scenarios, the Intel Arc A570M is anticipated to deliver satisfactory performance for most modern titles at medium to high detail levels. However, actual gaming performance can vary significantly based on the laptop's overall configuration, including CPU, RAM, and thermal management.

  • 4-5. Comparison with NVIDIA Counterparts

  • Compared to NVIDIA's offerings such as the GeForce RTX 4050 and RTX 4080, the Intel Arc A570M is less powerful but still competes well within its mid-range category. The RTX 4050 surpasses it in performance benchmarks, particularly in demanding gaming scenarios. The Arc A570M is best suited for users who do not require the utmost in graphical performance but still want a solid gaming experience.

5. Intel Arc A770M Laptop GPU

  • 5-1. Architecture and Specifications

  • The Intel Arc A770M is a dedicated mid-range graphics card designed for laptops, based on the ACM-G10 chip. It features 32 Xe cores (512 ALUs), 32 ray tracing units, 6 MB of L1 cache, and 16 MB of L2 cache. The clock speeds can vary between 300 MHz to 1650 MHz (gaming) and up to 2050 MHz (turbo). The GPU has a 256-bit memory interface supporting 16 GB of GDDR6 memory with a bandwidth of 16 Gbps. The total graphics power (TGP) of the A770M ranges between 120 and 150 watts depending on the model.

  • 5-2. Performance Benchmarks

  • The performance of the Intel Arc A770M is positioned within the upper mid-range category of dedicated laptop graphics cards. Although the exact performance figures are not entirely clear, it is estimated to perform somewhat below the RTX 3070 category based on power consumption.

  • 5-3. Power Consumption and Efficiency

  • The A770M is built on a 6nm process technology at TSMC and integrates about 21.7 billion transistors within a die size of 406 mm². The TGP ranges between 120 to 150 watts, which overlaps with the power consumption characteristics of competitive architectures.

  • 5-4. Gaming Performance

  • In gaming scenarios, the A770M's performance can adequately handle various titles, but it may fall short when compared directly to higher-end models, particularly in demanding scenarios. It has been noted that when utilizing ray tracing effects, the performance may not surpass mid-range expectations without additional optimizations.

  • 5-5. Comparison with NVIDIA Counterparts

  • When compared to NVIDIA counterparts such as the RTX 4080, the A770M may demonstrate competitive capabilities in certain applications, particularly those optimizing Intel's architecture, but overall, it tends to lag behind in high-demand gaming scenarios.

6. Benchmark Comparisons

  • 6-1. 3DMark Performance Ratings

  • The 3DMark performance ratings for the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 and RTX 4050 were derived from various benchmarks. The RTX 4080 Laptop GPU outperformed the older RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU and provides significant improvements when compared to the RTX 3050 Ti. The RTX 4050 positions itself between the RTX 3050 Ti and RTX 3060 in benchmarks.

  • 6-2. Real-World Gaming Tests

  • In real-world gaming tests, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 demonstrated its ability to handle demanding titles with high settings, providing smooth gameplay at 4K resolution without raytracing. The RTX 4050 is best suited for gaming at 1920x1080 with higher detail settings. Specific titles such as F1 23 showcased the capabilities of the RTX 4080 with ray tracing enabled.

  • 6-3. Synthetic Benchmark Analysis

  • Synthetic benchmark analysis indicates that the RTX 4080 consistently ranks near the RTX 4090, while significantly outperforming the RTX 3080 series. The benchmarks provided detailed scores across several tests, demonstrating the architectural advantages of NVIDIA's Ada Lovelace architecture, particularly in handling ray tracing and AI-driven tasks with DLSS 3 technology.

7. Power Consumption Analysis

  • 7-1. TGP Variability

  • The Total Graphics Power (TGP) of NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 varies between 60 and 150 Watts, with an additional Dynamic Boost of approximately 15 Watts from the CPU. The TGP for the RTX 4050 ranges from 35 to 115 Watts with a Dynamic Boost of about 10-25 Watts. In comparison, the TGP for the Intel Arc A570M is between 75 and 95 Watts depending on the specific model.

  • 7-2. Efficiency Metrics

  • The efficiency of the NVIDIA GPUs is characterized by their performance per watt, with the RTX 4080 demonstrating a powerful output despite varying TGP parameters. The RTX 4050, situated in the mid-range category, provides decent performance for its TGP, making it suitable for 1080p gaming under high detail settings. Meanwhile, Intel's Arc A570M is at the lower end of the performance spectrum among dedicated laptop GPUs, indicating that while it offers satisfactory output, it does not match the efficiency metrics of NVIDIA's offerings, particularly in high-demand scenarios.

  • 7-3. Impact on Performance

  • The TGP settings significantly impact the performance levels of the graphics cards. For the RTX 4080, performance metrics vary widely, with benchmarks showing it often outperforming the RTX 3080 Ti by a considerable margin due to its higher TGP settings. On the other hand, the RTX 4050's performance is notably dependent on its TDP, placing it between the RTX 3050 Ti and RTX 3060 in terms of gaming capability. The A570M's performance is positioned lower in comparison, primarily due to its minimal TGP and resultant capability to handle demanding games only at medium settings.

Conclusion

  • The examination of NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 4080 clearly positions it as a powerhouse in the laptop GPU market, achieving significant performance superiority in gaming and professional tasks. With its high total graphics power (TGP), it dominates in scenarios requiring high graphical fidelity and computational tasks. Meanwhile, Intel's Arc A770M offers a competitive yet modest alternative, serving as a viable choice for those less focused on high-end gaming but more budget-conscious. However, it underperforms under high-demand conditions where NVIDIA excels. The findings underscore the importance of examining laptop configuration and cooling solutions, which substantially influence performance. Looking ahead, advancements in Intel's GPU architecture could close the gap with NVIDIA, potentially reshaping the market dynamics. For immediate practical applications, consumers are advised to align their GPU selection with specific needs, balancing between budget, gaming intensity, and professional use requirements, ensuring they opt for the most compatible and efficient GPU for their tasks.

Glossary

  • NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 [Laptop GPU]: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU is a high-performance graphics card designed for gaming and professional applications, featuring advanced technologies such as DLSS and ray tracing. It offers superior performance metrics, making it suitable for demanding gaming at high resolutions.
  • Intel Arc A770M [Laptop GPU]: The Intel Arc A770M is a mid-range graphics card aimed at providing competitive performance in modern gaming. With its unique architecture and capabilities, it presents a viable alternative to NVIDIA's offerings, particularly in budget-conscious builds.

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