Intel Arc A380E x2 vs Intel Arc Graphics 128EU Mobile Comparison

FAQ

Q: What are the two GPUs compared in this analysis?

A: The Intel Arc A380E x2 and the Intel Arc Graphics 128EU Mobile. The A380E x2 is a discrete, single-slot add-in card from the Alchemist (Arc 3) generation, while the 128EU Mobile is an integrated GPU within the Meteor Lake platform.

Q: How do the architectures differ?

A: The A380E x2 uses the Xe-HPG architecture on a 6 nm TSMC process with the DG2-128 chip. The 128EU Mobile uses the Xe-LPG architecture on a 10 nm Intel process with the Meteor Lake chip. Both have 1024 shading units, 64 TMUs, and 32 ROPs.

Q: What are the memory configurations?

A: The A380E x2 has 6 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 96-bit bus, delivering 186.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The 128EU Mobile uses System Shared memory, with bandwidth listed as System Dependent.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption?

A: The A380E x2 has a TDP of 130 W and requires a 1x 6-pin power connector with a suggested 300 W power supply. The 128EU Mobile has a TDP of 28 W and is an integrated GPU with no separate power connectors.

Q: Which GPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The 128EU Mobile has a higher boost clock at 2250 MHz compared to the A380E x2's 2000 MHz. However, the A380E x2 has a much higher base clock at 2000 MHz versus the 128EU Mobile's 300 MHz.

Q: What is the production status of each?

A: The A380E x2 is End-of-life, with a release date of 2024-03-31. The 128EU Mobile is Active, with a release date of 2023-12-13.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Arc A380E x2 and Intel Arc Graphics 128EU Mobile belong to different architecture families despite sharing the same core counts. The A380E x2 is built on the Xe-HPG architecture, the foundation for Intel's discrete Arc 3 discrete graphics. This architecture is implemented on a 6 nm process at TSMC, using the DG2-128 chip. The die size is 157 mm² and contains 7,200 million transistors, yielding a transistor density of 45.9M per mm². This is a dedicated graphics processor designed for standalone operation.

The 128EU Mobile, in contrast, uses the Xe-LPG architecture, which is a low-power variant optimized for integration into mobile processors. It is manufactured on a 10 nm process at Intel's own fabs, using the Meteor Lake chip. The database does not list transistor count or die size for this chip. This architecture is designed to share system resources, particularly memory, rather than carrying its own dedicated VRAM.

Both GPUs feature the same execution resource counts: 1024 shading units, 64 texture mapping units, and 32 raster operation units. However, the A380E x2 includes 8 dedicated ray tracing cores, while the 128EU Mobile does not list ray tracing cores. This suggests the discrete part carries dedicated hardware for ray-traced workloads, whereas the integrated part relies on other methods or omits the feature.

Clock behavior differs substantially. The A380E x2 operates at a flat 2000 MHz for both base and boost, indicating a steady-state clock under load. The 128EU Mobile has a low 300 MHz base clock but boosts up to 2250 MHz, reflecting a power-adaptive design that idles low and ramps up when needed. Memory architecture is divergent: the A380E x2 uses 6 GB of GDDR6 on a 96-bit bus at 1937 MHz (15.5 Gbps effective), while the 128EU Mobile uses System Shared memory with System Dependent bandwidth.

API support shows a difference in DirectX version. The A380E x2 supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), while the 128EU Mobile supports DirectX 12 (12_1). Both support OpenGL 4.6 and Vulkan 1.4. This indicates the discrete GPU supports more advanced DirectX 12 features, potentially affecting compatibility with the latest game titles.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records no direct head-to-head benchmark results between these two GPUs, and neither has any individual benchmark scores or nearest rivals listed. Both share the same percentile ranking of 50 against all GPUs, and both have an average benchmark score of 0 in the current records. This absence of measured data means the comparison must rely on the specification differences and architectural characteristics.

The 128EU Mobile holds a theoretical advantage in raw compute throughput. Its FP32 rate is 4.608 TFLOPS versus 4.096 TFLOPS for the A380E x2, a difference of approximately 12.5%. Similarly, its FP16 rate is 9.216 TFLOPS versus 8.192 TFLOPS, also about 12.5% higher. The texture rate follows the same pattern: 144.0 GTexel/s versus 128.0 GTexel/s. The pixel rate is 72.00 GPixel/s versus 64.00 GPixel/s, which is about 12.5% higher.

The A380E x2 counters with its dedicated memory subsystem. It provides 186.0 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while the 128EU Mobile's bandwidth is System Dependent, meaning it varies based on the host system's memory configuration. In practice, a discrete 6 GB GDDR6 solution typically provides more predictable and often higher bandwidth than shared system memory, though the database does not provide a specific number for the integrated part.

The A380E x2 also has the advantage of a higher base clock at 2000 MHz versus 300 MHz. This suggests the discrete card can sustain consistent performance under sustained load, whereas the integrated GPU may throttle based on thermal and power limits in a mobile chassis. The discrete card's 130 W TDP allows it to maintain its clocks; the 28 W TDP of the integrated part indicates a much tighter power envelope.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two GPUs:

• Process Node: 6 nm (A380E x2) versus 10 nm (128EU Mobile)
• Foundry: TSMC versus Intel
• Chip: DG2-128 versus Meteor Lake
• Architecture: Xe-HPG versus Xe-LPG
• Generation: Alchemist (Arc 3) versus Arc Graphics-M (Meteor Lake)
• Transistors: 7,200 million versus not listed
• Die Size: 157 mm² versus not listed
• Transistor Density: 45.9M / mm² versus not listed
• Base Clock: 2000 MHz versus 300 MHz
• Boost Clock: 2000 MHz versus 2250 MHz
• Memory Clock: 1937 MHz 15.5 Gbps effective versus System Shared
• Memory Size: 6 GB versus System Shared
• Memory Type: GDDR6 versus System Shared
• Memory Bus Width: 96 bit versus System Shared
• Memory Bandwidth: 186.0 GB/s versus System Dependent
• RT Cores: 8 versus not listed
• Pixel Rate: 64.00 GPixel/s versus 72.00 GPixel/s
• Texture Rate: 128.0 GTexel/s versus 144.0 GTexel/s
• FP32: 4.096 TFLOPS versus 4.608 TFLOPS
• FP16: 8.192 TFLOPS versus 9.216 TFLOPS
• TDP: 130 W versus 28 W
• Slot Width: Single-slot versus IGP
• Power Connectors: 1x 6-pin versus none
• Suggested PSU: 300 W versus none
• Bus Interface: PCIe 4.0 x8 versus Ring Bus
• Display Outputs: 8x mini-DisplayPort 2.0 versus Portable Device Dependent
• DirectX: 12 Ultimate (12_2) versus 12 (12_1)
• Production Status: End-of-life versus Active
• Release Date: 2024-03-31 versus 2023-12-13
• Predecessor: Xe Graphics versus HD Graphics-M
• Successor: Battlemage versus not listed

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Arc A380E x2 wins in scenarios that benefit from dedicated graphics memory and consistent sustained clocks. Its 6 GB GDDR6 configuration with 186.0 GB/s bandwidth provides a fixed memory pool that does not compete with the system's main memory. This is advantageous for workloads that require large textures or datasets to remain resident on the GPU. The 2000 MHz base clock indicates the card can maintain full speed without waiting for boost ramping, which suits long-duration rendering or compute tasks. The 8 ray tracing cores enable hardware-accelerated ray tracing, a feature not listed for the integrated part. The discrete card also offers 8x mini-DisplayPort 2.0 outputs, supporting multi-display professional setups, and uses the PCIe 4.0 x8 interface for direct attachment to the host.

The Intel Arc Graphics 128EU Mobile wins in power-sensitive and space-constrained environments. Its 28 W TDP is dramatically lower than the 130 W of the discrete card, making it suitable for thin-and-light laptops where thermal and battery constraints are paramount. The higher boost clock of 2250 MHz and higher FP32 throughput of 4.608 TFLOPS indicate that in short bursts, the integrated GPU can deliver more raw compute than the discrete card, provided the system can supply adequate power and cooling. The integrated design uses the Ring Bus, which reduces latency for CPU-GPU communication in a unified memory architecture. Its Active production status means it is currently available in new systems, whereas the A380E x2 is End-of-life.

The Verdict

The recorded data shows two GPUs with identical execution unit counts but fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Arc A380E x2 is a discrete, single-slot card with its own 6 GB GDDR6 memory, 8 ray tracing cores, and a flat 2000 MHz clock. It consumes 130 W and carries a 1x 6-pin power connector. This part is End-of-life and has a successor named Battlemage.

The Intel Arc Graphics 128EU Mobile is an integrated GPU within the Meteor Lake processor, using shared system memory and operating at 28 W. It has a higher peak clock of 2250 MHz and higher theoretical throughput across FP32, FP16, texture, and pixel rates. It is currently Active in production.

For users who need a dedicated graphics card with fixed memory capacity, multi-display output via 8x mini-DisplayPort 2.0, and hardware ray tracing, the A380E x2 is the only option with those features. For mobile devices where power draw and physical space are limited, the 128EU Mobile is the appropriate choice, accepting its System Dependent memory bandwidth and lower base clock. The absence of direct benchmark results means the performance comparison rests on the specification sheet, which favors the integrated part in raw compute rates but the discrete part in memory determinism and feature set.