AMD Radeon HD 8950M vs Intel Iris Xe MAX Graphics Comparison

Intel Iris Xe MAX Graphics and AMD Radeon HD 8950M represent two very different eras of mobile graphics, separated by seven years of architectural evolution. The Intel part is a 10 nm Generation 12.1 design from 2020, while the AMD part is a 28 nm GCN 2.0 chip from 2013. The benchmark data shows a narrow victory for Intel in the single available OpenCL test, but the underlying specifications reveal a more complex story about how each GPU handles different types of workloads.

Where Each One Wins

The data shows a clear split in utility. The Intel Iris Xe MAX Graphics wins the only head-to-head benchmark available, the Geekbench OpenCL test, scoring 14315 against the AMD Radeon HD 8950M’s 13772. That is a 3.9% margin, which is modest but consistent with Intel’s overall percentile ranking of 56 versus AMD’s 54. However, the AMD part has a unique advantage in its benchmark portfolio: it includes a Geekbench Vulkan score of 12979, while the Intel part has no Vulkan result listed. This suggests the AMD GPU can be evaluated across multiple API environments, whereas Intel’s data is limited to OpenCL.

For raw compute throughput, the Intel part wins decisively. Its FP32 performance is 2.534 TFLOPS, compared to 1.651 TFLOPS for AMD, a difference of roughly 53%. Intel also leads in pixel fill rate at 39.60 GPixel/s versus 17.20 GPixel/s, and texture rate at 79.20 GTexel/s versus 51.60 GTexel/s. The AMD card, however, fights back in memory bandwidth, delivering 88.00 GB/s over a 128-bit bus compared to Intel’s 68.26 GB/s. This suggests AMD might hold an edge in bandwidth-sensitive scenarios, though no direct benchmark confirms that.

Where each one wins depends on the workload. Intel wins in compute-heavy OpenCL tasks, pixel throughput, and texture processing. AMD wins in memory bandwidth and API versatility, with a Vulkan result that Intel cannot match in the data. The Intel part also benefits from a much lower TDP of 25 W versus 100 W, making it the clear choice for power-constrained systems, though the AMD part’s MXM Module form factor implies a different class of mobile workstation.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two GPUs is substantial. Intel’s Iris Xe MAX is built on a 10 nm process at Intel’s own foundry, while AMD’s Radeon HD 8950M uses a 28 nm process at TSMC. This explains the die size disparity: Intel’s DG1 chip measures 95 mm², while AMD’s Saturn chip is 160 mm². AMD lists 2,080 million transistors and a density of 13.0M / mm²; Intel does not provide transistor counts in the fact pack. The larger, older process node for AMD means more physical space for fewer features relative to Intel’s denser design.

Both GPUs share the same shading unit count of 768 and the same TMU count of 48, but they diverge on ROPs. Intel has 24 ROPs, AMD has 16. This explains Intel’s higher pixel rate of 39.60 GPixel/s versus 17.20 GPixel/s, though the clock speeds also play a role. Intel runs at a base of 300 MHz and boosts to 1650 MHz; AMD lists no base or boost clock in the data, only a memory clock of 1375 MHz. The architectures themselves are generations apart: Intel uses Generation 12.1 (Xe Graphics), while AMD uses GCN 2.0 from the Solar System (HD 8900M) generation.

Memory architecture differs significantly. Intel uses 4 GB of LPDDR4X at 2133 MHz (4.3 Gbps effective), while AMD uses 2 GB of GDDR5 at 1375 MHz (5.5 Gbps effective). Despite the lower effective data rate, AMD achieves higher bandwidth (88.00 GB/s) than Intel (68.26 GB/s) because of its memory type. The bus width is the same at 128-bit. Intel supports DirectX 12 (12_1) and Vulkan 1.4, while AMD supports DirectX 12 (12_0) and Vulkan 1.2.170. Both support OpenGL 4.6. Intel has no display outputs, while AMD’s outputs are described as "Portable Device Dependent."

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only direct comparison available is the Geekbench OpenCL test, where Intel scores 14315 and AMD scores 13772. Intel wins by 3.9%. This margin places Intel slightly ahead of its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon Vega 11, which averages 14352 and a delta of -0.3% relative to Intel. Intel also edges out the NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN (14373, -0.4%) and the AMD Radeon RX Vega 11 (14385, -0.5%), while trailing the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti (14277, +0.3%). These deltas are all within half a percent, indicating that Intel’s OpenCL score sits in a tightly packed performance cluster.

AMD’s Radeon HD 8950M, by contrast, sits in a different cluster. Its OpenCL score of 13772 is 0.2% above the AMD Radeon RX 5500M (13356) and 0.2% above the AMD FirePro M6100 (13354), while trailing the AMD Radeon Pro 555 (13407, -0.2%) and beating the AMD Radeon Pro 555X (13321, +0.4%). The 14315-to-13772 gap between Intel and AMD is 543 points, which is larger than the differences within each rival cluster. This suggests that while both GPUs are mid-pack performers, Intel holds a consistent, if narrow, edge in raw OpenCL compute.

The absence of a Vulkan benchmark for Intel is notable. AMD’s Vulkan score of 12979 is lower than its OpenCL score of 13772, indicating that the AMD card performs worse under Vulkan than OpenCL. Without Intel data, it is impossible to say whether Intel would maintain its lead under Vulkan. The fact pack provides no head-to-head Vulkan comparison, so the analysis must remain open-ended on this point.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has a higher OpenCL benchmark score?

A: The Intel Iris Xe MAX Graphics scores 14315, while the AMD Radeon HD 8950M scores 13772. Intel wins by 3.9%.

Q: Does the AMD Radeon HD 8950M support Vulkan?

A: Yes, it supports Vulkan 1.2.170, and it has a Geekbench Vulkan score of 12979. The Intel Iris Xe MAX supports Vulkan 1.4, but no Vulkan benchmark score is listed for it.

Q: How do the memory bandwidth figures compare?

A: The AMD Radeon HD 8950M has higher memory bandwidth at 88.00 GB/s, using 2 GB of GDDR5 over a 128-bit bus. The Intel Iris Xe MAX has 68.26 GB/s, using 4 GB of LPDDR4X over the same 128-bit bus width.

Q: Which GPU has more shading units?

A: Both GPUs have exactly 768 shading units. They also both have 48 texture mapping units, but Intel has 24 ROPs while AMD has 16.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The Intel Iris Xe MAX is rated at 25 W TDP, while the AMD Radeon HD 8950M is rated at 100 W TDP. Intel also has a suggested PSU of 200 W, while AMD lists no suggested PSU.

Q: Which GPU is newer?

A: The Intel Iris Xe MAX was released on 2020-10-30, while the AMD Radeon HD 8950M was released on 2013-05-13. Both are marked as end-of-life.

Specification Differences

The two GPUs differ across nearly every major specification category. The process node is 10 nm for Intel versus 28 nm for AMD. Intel’s die size is 95 mm², AMD’s is 160 mm². AMD lists 2,080 million transistors and a density of 13.0M / mm²; Intel provides neither. Clock speeds differ in that Intel has a base of 300 MHz and a boost of 1650 MHz, while AMD lists no base or boost clock, only a memory clock of 1375 MHz. Memory size differs at 4 GB for Intel and 2 GB for AMD. Memory type is LPDDR4X for Intel and GDDR5 for AMD. Memory bandwidth is 68.26 GB/s for Intel and 88.00 GB/s for AMD.

Compute rates differ significantly. Intel’s FP32 performance is 2.534 TFLOPS, AMD’s is 1.651 TFLOPS. Intel also lists FP16 performance of 5.069 TFLOPS (2:1), while AMD lists no FP16 data. Pixel rate is 39.60 GPixel/s for Intel versus 17.20 GPixel/s for AMD. Texture rate is 79.20 GTexel/s for Intel versus 51.60 GTexel/s for AMD. ROP count is 24 for Intel and 16 for AMD. TDP is 25 W for Intel and 100 W for AMD. Slot width is IGP for Intel and MXM Module for AMD. Bus interface is PCIe 4.0 x8 for Intel and PCIe 3.0 x16 for AMD. Display outputs are "No outputs" for Intel and "Portable Device Dependent" for AMD. API support differs on DirectX (12_1 vs 12_0) and Vulkan (1.4 vs 1.2.170), with OpenGL 4.6 shared. The bus interface also differs: PCIe 4.0 x8 versus PCIe 3.0 x16.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear but narrow victory for the Intel Iris Xe MAX Graphics in compute performance. Its 3.9% OpenCL lead over the AMD Radeon HD 8950M, combined with a 53% advantage in FP32 throughput and roughly double the pixel rate, makes it the stronger choice for OpenCL-based workloads. The 25 W TDP versus 100 W is a massive efficiency win, suggesting Intel’s part can deliver comparable or better performance at a fraction of the power draw. A user prioritizing compute benchmarks and power efficiency should pick the Intel part.

The AMD Radeon HD 8950M, however, retains relevance in specific scenarios. Its higher memory bandwidth of 88.00 GB/s versus 68.26 GB/s could benefit memory-bound tasks, even though no benchmark in the pack confirms this. Its Vulkan support, with a measurable score of 12979, gives it a software compatibility edge that Intel cannot demonstrate from the available data. For users requiring Vulkan performance or operating in a system that relies on an MXM Module form factor, the AMD part is the only option between the two. The AMD card also has a longer track record, having been released in 2013 compared to Intel’s 2020 debut.

The benchmark data shows Intel winning the only direct comparison, but the analysis is limited by the absence of Vulkan results for Intel and the absence of any gaming or synthetic graphics tests beyond OpenCL. The percentile rankings (56 for Intel, 54 for AMD) reinforce the narrowness of the gap. In absolute terms, both GPUs sit near the same performance tier, surrounded by rivals within a single percentage point. For any user who values OpenCL compute and power efficiency, the Intel Iris Xe MAX is the data-backed winner. For users who need Vulkan support or higher memory bandwidth, the AMD Radeon HD 8950M remains a defensible pick, albeit one with a much higher power draw and older architecture.