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NVIDIA vs. Intel Laptop GPUs Compared

General Report November 9, 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. Performance Comparison
  6. Conclusion of Findings
  7. Conclusion

1. Summary

  • Exploring the realm of laptop GPUs, this report delves into a comparative study of NVIDIA and Intel offerings, specifically the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080, RTX 4050, and Intel Arc A570M models. It breaks down their architectural designs, performance benchmarks, and gaming capabilities to aid consumers and professionals in making informed choices. The RTX 4080 is identified for its high-end performance, suitable for both gaming and professional tasks, showcasing a significant upgrade over the previous generation. In contrast, the RTX 4050 balances performance and efficiency for mainstream gamers, while the Intel Arc A570M provides a competitive mid-range option for 1080p gaming. Each GPU is analyzed for power consumption, benchmarking scores, and architectural features, offering a well-rounded understanding of their strengths and limitations.

2. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU

  • 2-1. Overview of Architecture

  • The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU, codenamed GN21-X9, is a high-end notebook graphics card introduced in early 2023. It is built on the Ada Lovelace architecture and features the AD104 chip. It supports up to 7,680 shaders, a 192-bit memory bus, and comes with 12 GB of GDDR6 memory, clocking at effective speeds of either 16 or 20 Gbps.

  • 2-2. Performance Metrics

  • The TGP (Total Graphics Power) for the RTX 4080 ranges from 60 to 150 watts, compared to the 285 watts of the desktop RTX 4070 Ti. The performance of the RTX 4080 is expected to be below that of the desktop RTX 4070 Ti, but it significantly outperforms the previous generation RTX 3080 Laptop GPU. The GPU frequencies are highly dependent on the TGP settings, fluctuating from 1350 MHz at 60W to up to 2280 MHz at 150W.

  • 2-3. Benchmark Results

  • In synthetic benchmarks, the RTX 4080 has demonstrated a marked improvement over the RTX 3080 Ti, outperforming it in most scenarios, and trailing only behind the RTX 4090. It can run demanding games with ray tracing at QHD resolution fluidly. It also allows for enjoyable 4K gaming in less demanding titles.

  • 2-4. Power Consumption (TGP)

  • The reported power consumption of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU is between 60 to 150 watts, with an additional dynamic boost of approximately 15 watts possible from the CPU.

  • 2-5. Gaming Capabilities

  • The RTX 4080 features 232 4th generation Tensor cores capable of supporting DLSS 3 and frame generation. Additionally, it is equipped with 58 Ray tracing cores of the 3rd generation, which enhance its gaming capabilities, especially for titles utilizing ray tracing technology.

3. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU

  • 3-1. Overview of Architecture

  • The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU, codenamed GN21-X2, is a mid-range laptop graphics card introduced in early 2023. It is based on the Ada Lovelace architecture with the AD107 chip and features a 96-bit memory bus, 6 GB of GDDR6 graphics memory, and an effective clock speed of 16 Gbps.

  • 3-2. Performance Metrics

  • The RTX 4050 has a TGP (Total Graphics Power) that ranges from 35 to 115 Watts, with an additional dynamic boost of approximately 10-25 Watts provided by the CPU. Its boost clock varies from 1605 MHz at 35 Watts to 2370 MHz at 115 Watts. Benchmarks indicate that its performance positions it between the RTX 3050 Ti and the RTX 3060, making it suitable for gaming at 1920x1080 resolution with high to maximum detail settings, depending on the game.

  • 3-3. Benchmark Results

  • In gaming benchmarks, the RTX 4050 performs effectively, especially with DLSS 3 support which includes frame generation. Although it features 20 ray tracing cores, its performance may not sufficiently support practical use of ray tracing due to the GPU's limitations in power.

  • 3-4. Power Consumption (TGP)

  • The power consumption specifications are as follows: The RTX 4050's TGP ranges from 35 to 115 watts. This variable consumption does influence its performance significantly since it depends on the available power settings from the laptop.

  • 3-5. Gaming Capabilities

  • The RTX 4050 is designed for mainstream gaming. It supports advanced features such as NVIDIA DLSS 3, allowing for improved performance in supported games. The graphics card is primarily optimized for 1080p gaming, enabling a smooth gaming experience at high to ultra settings in various titles.

4. Intel Arc A570M Laptop GPU

  • 4-1. Overview of Architecture

  • The Intel Arc A570M is a dedicated mid-range graphics card for laptops, based on the ACM-G12 chip. It features 16 Xe cores (256 ALUs), 16 Ray-Tracing Units, and 8 MB of L2 cache. The cores can clock between 300 MHz and over 2.05 GHz in Turbo mode, with a gaming clock of approximately 1300 MHz. The memory interface is 128 bits wide, supporting 8 GB of GDDR6 memory with a bandwidth of 14 Gbps. The TGP (Total Graphics Power) ranges between 75 and 95 watts depending on the specific model.

  • 4-2. Performance Metrics

  • The performance of the Intel Arc A570M is positioned in the lower mid-range of dedicated laptop graphics cards. It is expected to perform similarly to the Radeon RX 6500M and 6600M, capable of running demanding games at medium to high detail settings. The A570M is particularly tailored for those requiring solid performance for mainstream gaming and multimedia applications.

  • 4-3. Benchmark Results

  • In various benchmarks, the Intel Arc A570M has demonstrated its capability in rendering performance, albeit sitting behind higher-tier GPUs such as NVIDIA's RTX series. Its gaming performance is reasonably competent but does not lead the market, reflecting its mid-range classification.

  • 4-4. Power Consumption (TGP)

  • The TGP of the Intel Arc A570M is reported to range between 75 and 95 watts based on the model configuration. This efficiency supports its operation within mid-range gaming laptops, balancing performance and thermal management.

  • 4-5. Gaming Capabilities

  • The Intel Arc A570M is designed to handle modern gaming requirements with an effective performance level that can manage current games, though at settings that may need adjustment depending on the title. It is optimized to work effectively at medium to high settings, making it a suitable option for gamers who prioritize power efficiency alongside respectable performance.

5. Performance Comparison

  • 5-1. Comparative Analysis of Benchmarks

  • The performance of various laptop GPUs was evaluated using a range of benchmarks. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU is a high-end GPU introduced in early 2023, featuring the Ada Lovelace architecture with 7,680 shaders and a memory bus of 192 bits, enabling effective memory speeds of 16 or 20 Gbps. It can operate with a thermal design power (TDP) ranging from 60 to 150 watts. In performance tests, it outperformed the older RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU and was second only to the RTX 4090 in synthetic benchmarks, achieving fluid gameplay in demanding titles with ray tracing enabled. The Intel Arc A570M, a mid-range option from Intel, includes 16 Xe cores and offers performance suited for demanding games at medium to high detail settings. It features an 8GB GDDR6 memory interface operating at a 128-bit width, with a TGP ranging from 75 to 95 watts. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU, also introduced in early 2023, has a memory interface of 96 bits and 6GB of GDDR6 memory, positioning it between the RTX 3050 Ti and RTX 3060 Laptop GPUs in benchmarks, targeting 1080p gaming.

  • 5-2. Power Consumption Comparison

  • Power consumption was a key factor in this performance comparison. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU has a TDP between 60 and 150 watts. In contrast, the Intel Arc A570M consumes 75 to 95 watts, and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU varies significantly, with a TDP range from 35 to 115 watts. These figures highlight the differing power requirements of these GPUs, allowing for various performance levels while managing thermal output and battery life.

  • 5-3. Gaming Performance Analysis

  • The gaming performance of the analyzed GPUs reveals distinct capabilities. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 excels in demanding gaming scenarios and supports QHD ray tracing in games such as F1 23. The RTX 4050 is more suited for mainstream gaming at 1920x1080 resolution, providing high to maximum detail settings, while the Intel Arc A570M is positioned as an entry-level GPU capable of handling more moderate gaming demands effectively. Benchmark results indicate that the RTX 4080 leads in most gaming tests, with the other GPUs following behind based on the respective gaming presets.

6. Conclusion of Findings

  • 6-1. Summary of Key Performance Metrics

  • The analysis of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080, RTX 4050, and Intel Arc A570M laptop GPUs highlights distinct performance tiers. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 emerged as a high-end option, significantly outperforming the previous RTX 3080 Ti GPU in synthetic benchmarks. It features a TGP of up to 150 watts and supports up to 12 GB of GDDR6 memory, allowing gameplay at high settings in demanding titles. The RTX 4050 positions itself in the mid-range category, showing performance between the RTX 3050 Ti and RTX 3060, and is best suited for 1080p gaming. The Intel Arc A570M is placed in the lower mid-range, with performance likely between the Radeon RX 6500M and 6600M, suitable for medium to high detail levels. Benchmark scores for these GPUs indicate the RTX 4080 leads in gaming and professional applications, while the others serve different market segments based on their power consumption and architectural designs.

  • 6-2. Recommendations Based on Performance

  • Based on the current performance data and competitive analysis, consumers and professionals should consider the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 for high-demand gaming scenarios and professional workloads requiring superior graphical performance. The RTX 4050 is recommended for users seeking quality performance for mainstream gaming without the need for ultra settings, making it suitable for average gamers. For budget-conscious users or those focused on generally less demanding tasks, the Intel Arc A570M could be considered, although it may not match the performance output of the NVIDIA options. Thus, the selection of a GPU should align with specific usage requirements, whether for gaming, content creation, or general usage.

Conclusion

  • The comprehensive comparison of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080, RTX 4050, and Intel Arc A570M laptop GPUs highlights distinct niches they each fill in the market. The RTX 4080 stands out as a premium choice for users who demand exceptional graphical power in gaming and professional applications, marked by its cutting-edge architecture and high benchmarks. Meanwhile, the RTX 4050 serves as an attractive option for everyday gamers who prioritize balance between cost and performance, delivering decent gaming results at 1080p settings. The Intel Arc A570M emerges as a competent mid-tier GPU, ideal for users keen on combining performance with energy efficiency, though it does not match NVIDIA's top offerings in raw output. Acknowledging the limitations of each GPU such as power consumption and mid-range classifications, it’s suggested that users carefully match their GPU choice with specific gaming or professional needs. Going forward, advancements in GPU architecture may further push the boundaries of power efficiency and performance, necessitating continuous evaluation to ensure optimal user experiences.

Glossary

  • NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 [GPU]: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 is a high-end laptop GPU launched in early 2023, based on the Ada Lovelace architecture. It features significant performance capabilities for gaming and professional applications, making it suitable for users seeking top-tier graphics performance.
  • NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 [GPU]: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 is a mid-range laptop GPU also introduced in early 2023. It provides a balance of performance and power efficiency, ideal for gamers looking for a capable yet budget-friendly option.
  • Intel Arc A570M [GPU]: The Intel Arc A570M is a dedicated mid-range GPU for laptops, designed to compete in the gaming market. It offers a decent performance tier for mainstream gaming and is an option for users interested in Intel's latest graphics technology.

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