State of Integrated Graphics on Laptop CPUs

Bohlin on 03/10/2022 - 12:10

Hi all,

I've been a little bit out of touch on the recent CPU generational leaps, particularly with integrated graphics. I'm planning to invest around $1000-$1200 on a non-bulky laptop which would be capable of standard office/presenting work requirements, as well as some gaming with 2D or low demanding 3D games. I also want to work with 2D game creation engines such as Godot or Unity; in the past I understood that the only real way to get this done was through having a dedicated GPU, which made the laptop bulkier and more power consumptive, but as I understand integrated graphics have become much more capable recently. Would a laptop in my price range be capable of speeding through what I need to do with a powerful CPU alone, considering I'm mostly focusing on 2D game dev? I want to avoid the whole gamer aesthetic, but should I really just be going for a laptop with a mid-tier GPU and a worse CPU if I'm shopping around within this price range?

I'm finding the terminology of integrated graphics and their generational differences a little bit confusing, as sometimes they seem to reuse the same name, despite there being huge differences in performance. As far as I'm aware, AMD seems to be leading the pack here? Is there anything I should be on the look out for in terms of processor family, and/or are there any interesting announcements/price cycles coming up?

Computing Computer Laptop

Comments

  • AndyC1 on 03/10/2022 - 12:19
    +1

    There are big differences between different iGPU families.
    There is also big differences between different CPU families.

    Overall in theory you should be okay for 2D and low end 3D with iGPU with a decent CPU (4+ real cores) as these should have a decent iGPU, but you need to do some research once you figure out which laptop you think may be suitable.

    Watch out as AMD and Intel leap frog one another for being the best in a category. An example of this is that the latest AMD desktop CPU's include a dud iGPU compared to the previous 5600G /5700G.

    • Bohlin on 03/10/2022 - 12:23
      -1

      Thanks so much for the info - as I understand it, the 6800HS and 6800U have the latest iGPU design on AMD’s end for laptops? On top of that, there are different series versions, I’m assuming graphical performance scales with CPU core count because the two components are closely tied? Is there a buyers guide for integrated graphics on laptops out there? Feels like navigating a terminology hurricane, and I’m terrified of accidentally pulling the trigger on something that I’ve misinterpreted to be previous gen or something

      • AndyC1 on 03/10/2022 - 12:26
        +1

        For PC & Laptop hardware check out toms hardware web site (https://www.tomshardware.com/).

      • raisinberry777 on 03/10/2022 - 13:01

        Yes, 6800HD/6800U are the best you can get for integrated on laptops (the graphics component is called the Radeon 680M). AMD (particularly 6XXX series) appear to be much better than Intel 12th gen.

        Measured performance appears to be around 70%(ish) of a 1650Ti, which is a common lower-level dedicated graphics. It will easily handle low-demand 3D games and can even handle high-demand games at lower settings.

  • Kranbone on 03/10/2022 - 12:48

    I think you mean planning to spend, not invest when it comes to graphics/notebooks.

    Don't forget to also consider the battery life if it's going to mobile and how well it can dissipate heat. Hope you find one which really suits you

  • scrimshaw on 03/10/2022 - 12:52
    +1

    Another useful resource is notebookcheck. It has some useful data and performance metrics about mobile processors and GPU's

    https://www.notebookcheck.net/Benchmarks-Tech.123.0.html

    The list may look daunting but use the filtered search to limit results to processors released in the last 12 to 24 months, which should make parsing the list easier.

    • Bohlin on 03/10/2022 - 13:39
      -1

      Forgive my ignorance - last time I built my PC was pre-pandemic and I'm out of touch with lots of the terminology and generational improvements etc. My 'powerful' desktop PC has a Ryzen 5 3600 - when I run benchmark comparisons with some of the newer mobile processors, they outperform my desktop CPU quite well (not to mention that you seem to be able to easily get your hands on a 6-8 core laptop CPU now) - are these benchmarks accurate, and have these CPUs really gotten that good? It was my understanding that TDP draw was always a limiting factor - of course my dedicated power supplied processor can pump out more watts than a mobile CPU. Could I expect consistently better typical performance with a new laptop than my desktop PC?

  • freefall101 on 03/10/2022 - 13:07
    +2

    The new RDNA2 GPUs are really good, it's a proper generational enhancement. It's still not going to come close to something like the 3050, but it means playing a modern game at 30-40fps at 1080p is doable. A lot of that is probably due to the move to DDR5 too.

    Depends what kind of 2D game dev you'll do, and what you consider low demanding on 3D games, a lot of shading and lighting and you'll miss that GPU power still. But you're going to be able to get a lightweight, normal laptop instead of something chunky like the G15.

    • Bohlin on 03/10/2022 - 13:41

      Yeah, I'm worried about bulk - it's my understanding that GPUs are always going to require space for cooling etc, and I don't want to be the person with a blasting fan in a dead quiet staff room

      • Kranbone on 03/10/2022 - 17:08

        See if you can view the models you want on display. It can at least give you a better feel for the weight, build quality.

        I actually made a comment above which should help too.

  • CrispyChrispy on 03/10/2022 - 13:10

    What type of low-end 3D games are we talking about?

    • Bohlin on 03/10/2022 - 13:35
      +1

      Definitely not your typical AAA experiences - I understand higher end games will definitely require resolution/setting adjustments and I won't be getting the type of smooth frame rates I expect from my desktop's 2070 super

  • kingdoofus on 03/10/2022 - 13:31

    Integrated is probably fine for 2D development, but just in case you do want to do more 3d stuff in the future you could get something with a low to medium end dedicated gpu (gtx1650) like a: Swift X

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 03/10/2022 - 15:14
    +1

    You’ve missed the preorder window at $1450 ish but check out GPD win max 2. Beast of a super portable laptop with option for dedicated EGPU support.

  • coffeeinmyveins on 03/10/2022 - 15:22

    You literally just missed two great combo deals

    JBHIFI 25% off laptops and ShopBack 8% back off JBHIFI gift vouchers.

    $1000-$1200 on a non-bulky laptop which would be capable of standard office/presenting work requirements,

    At this price point you can get an (on sale) laptop with a RTX 3050 4GB dedicated gfx card.

    • Bohlin on 03/10/2022 - 15:28
      -1

      Yeah I’m worried about the bulk a dedicated GPU will add - I’ll keep an eye out for laptops with 3050s though, thank you

      • coffeeinmyveins on 03/10/2022 - 15:28
        +1

        I got the Lenovo ideapad 3 and it weighs 2.25kg

        It's heavy but not too heavy

  • nomoneynoproblems on 03/10/2022 - 16:17
    +1

    Intel iris aren’t too bad either. It can run AAA albeit at reduced settings but I was pleasantly surprised my work laptop could actually start games.

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