Intel Arc A380E x2 vs Intel Arc Graphics 32EU Comparison

Intel Arc A380E x2 and Intel Arc Graphics 32EU represent two very different approaches to Intel graphics. The A380E x2 is a discrete, dual-GPU solution based on the Alchemist architecture, while the 32EU is an integrated graphics unit within the Arrow Lake-S processor. The data shows a clear performance hierarchy, but also distinct use cases defined by their physical and architectural differences.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Arc A380E x2 is the clear performance leader. It is a dual-GPU configuration, meaning two DG2-128 chips operate together. This gives it a massive resource advantage. The A380E x2 has 1024 shading units, 64 texture mapping units, and 32 raster output units. It also includes 8 ray tracing cores, a feature absent from the 32EU. Its 6 GB of dedicated GDDR6 memory on a 96-bit bus provides 186.0 GB/s of bandwidth. This is a dedicated graphics card designed for rendering tasks, and its specifications confirm it operates in a different class than the integrated solution.

The Intel Arc Graphics 32EU wins in the efficiency and integration category. It is an integrated graphics processor, or IGP, built into the CPU package. Its memory is "System Shared," meaning it uses a portion of the system's main memory rather than having its own dedicated VRAM. Its 65 W TDP is significantly lower than the A380E x2's 130 W. This makes it the appropriate choice for systems where a separate graphics card is not needed, such as compact desktops or office machines that only require basic display output. Its physical footprint is not defined by a slot width or dimensions, as it resides on the CPU die.

The core use-case split is straightforward. The A380E x2 is for workloads that demand high throughput, such as gaming or GPU-accelerated content creation. The 32EU is for basic computing, desktop rendering, and video playback where the low power draw and lack of a separate card are the primary advantages.

Architecture Differences

The two GPUs are built on fundamentally different architectures. The A380E x2 uses the Xe-HPG architecture, part of the Alchemist generation. Its chip is the DG2-128, fabricated on a 6 nm process at TSMC. This chip contains 7,200 million transistors on a 157 mm² die, resulting in a transistor density of 45.9 million per square millimeter. The architecture supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4.

The Arc Graphics 32EU uses the newer Xe-LPG architecture, part of the Arc Graphics-M generation for Arrow Lake. Its chip is the Arrow Lake-S itself, fabricated on a 3 nm process. The relevant data shows the chip has 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die, with a density of 73.3 million per square millimeter. This is a much newer and denser process, but the 32EU is not a full implementation of the chip's graphics capabilities. It also supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4.

Key feature differences are evident. The A380E x2 has dedicated ray tracing cores, while the 32EU has none listed. The A380E x2 has a full set of 8 display outputs, specifically 8x mini-DisplayPort 2.0. The 32EU's display outputs are "Motherboard Dependent," meaning they rely on the motherboard's integrated ports. The A380E x2 uses a PCIe 4.0 x8 interface, while the 32EU connects via a "Ring Bus" to the CPU. The A380E x2 has a "Single-slot" width and requires a 1x 6-pin power connector, whereas the 32EU is an IGP with no power connectors of its own.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

Direct head-to-head benchmarks are not available in the database. However, the 32EU has a recorded 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 benchmark score of 733. This score places it in the 3rd percentile of all GPUs, indicating entry-level performance. Its average benchmark score is also 733.

The database provides nearest rival data for the 32EU. It shows a score of 733 for the Intel Arc Graphics 24EU, a 0 percent difference. The Intel Arc Graphics 64EU also scored 733, another 0 percent difference. This indicates that within this architecture, the 24EU and 64EU variants perform identically in this specific test. The AMD Radeon HD 6470M scored 723, which is 1.4 percent lower. The NVIDIA GeForce GT 415M scored 751, which is 2.4 percent higher. This puts the 32EU in a very narrow performance band, essentially tied with its immediate Intel siblings and within a few percentage points of ancient mobile GPUs.

The A380E x2 has no benchmark scores or nearest rivals listed in the database, so a direct numeric comparison is impossible. The specification sheet, however, provides a clear basis for its superiority. The A380E x2's pixel rate is 64.00 GPixel/s, compared to 15.60 GPixel/s for the 32EU. Its texture rate is 128.0 GTexel/s versus 31.20 GTexel/s. Its FP32 compute is 4.096 TFLOPS versus 998.4 GFLOPS. These figures are not from a single benchmark but represent theoretical peak throughput. The A380E x2 has over four times the pixel fill rate, over four times the texture fill rate, and over four times the FP32 shader throughput. This confirms that the A380E x2 is substantially more powerful.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has more shading units?

A: The Intel Arc A380E x2 has 1024 shading units, while the Intel Arc Graphics 32EU has 256.

Q: Does the Intel Arc Graphics 32EU have ray tracing cores?

A: No, the data lists no ray tracing cores for the 32EU. The A380E x2 has 8.

Q: What type of memory does each use?

A: The A380E x2 uses 6 GB of dedicated GDDR6 memory on a 96-bit bus. The 32EU uses System Shared memory, meaning it draws from the system's main memory.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption?

A: The A380E x2 has a TDP of 130 W and requires a 300 W suggested power supply. The 32EU has a TDP of 65 W and has no listed power supply requirement.

Q: Which GPU has a higher FP32 compute performance?

A: The A380E x2 delivers 4.096 TFLOPS of FP32 compute, significantly higher than the 32EU's 998.4 GFLOPS.

Q: What is the production status of each GPU?

A: The A380E x2 is marked as End-of-life, while the 32EU is Active.

The Verdict

The data directs different buyers to different products. The Intel Arc A380E x2 is the only option for users who need dedicated graphics performance. Its specifications confirm it is designed for demanding tasks. It has over four times the pixel rate, texture rate, and FP32 compute of the 32EU. It has dedicated memory and ray tracing support. The presence of 8x mini-DisplayPort 2.0 outputs indicates a professional or multi-display application. Its production status of End-of-life suggests it is a mature product that has been superseded.

The Intel Arc Graphics 32EU is the integrated solution for systems where a discrete graphics card is not necessary. Its 65 W TDP and lack of a power connector make it suitable for standard desktop builds. The benchmark score of 733 in 3DMark Steel Nomad places it in the 3rd percentile, confirming it is only suitable for basic tasks. Its nearest rival data shows it is virtually identical in performance to the 24EU and 64EU variants in that test. This suggests that for this specific workload, the number of execution units does not scale performance. It is a current, active product.

The choice is not about which is better, but which fits the system. The A380E x2 is for a system with a PCIe slot, a 6-pin power connector, and a power supply rated at 300 W. The 32EU is for a system where the CPU itself provides the graphics, requiring no additional hardware.

Specification Differences

The following key specifications differ between the two products.

Architecture and Chip: The A380E x2 uses the Xe-HPG architecture on the DG2-128 chip. The 32EU uses the Xe-LPG architecture on the Arrow Lake-S chip.

Process Node: The A380E x2 is fabricated on a 6 nm process. The 32EU is on a 3 nm process.

Transistors and Die Size: The A380E x2's chip has 7,200 million transistors on a 157 mm² die. The 32EU's chip has 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die.

Clock Speeds: The A380E x2 has a base and boost clock of 2000 MHz. The 32EU has a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 1950 MHz.

Memory: The A380E x2 has 6 GB of GDDR6 with a 96-bit bus and 186.0 GB/s bandwidth. The 32EU uses System Shared memory with System Dependent bandwidth.

Shading Units, TMUs, and ROPs: The A380E x2 has 1024 shading units, 64 TMUs, and 32 ROPs. The 32EU has 256 shading units, 16 TMUs, and 8 ROPs.

Ray Tracing Cores: The A380E x2 has 8 ray tracing cores. The 32EU has none.

Pixel Rate and Texture Rate: The A380E x2 has a pixel rate of 64.00 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 128.0 GTexel/s. The 32EU has a pixel rate of 15.60 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 31.20 GTexel/s.

FP32 and FP16 Performance: The A380E x2 has 4.096 TFLOPS FP32 and 8.192 TFLOPS FP16. The 32EU has 998.4 GFLOPS FP32 and 1.997 TFLOPS FP16.

TDP and Power: The A380E x2 has a 130 W TDP, is Single-slot, and uses a 1x 6-pin power connector. The 32EU has a 65 W TDP, is an IGP, and uses no power connectors.

Bus Interface: The A380E x2 uses PCIe 4.0 x8. The 32EU uses a Ring Bus.

Display Outputs: The A380E x2 has 8x mini-DisplayPort 2.0. The 32EU's outputs are Motherboard Dependent.

Release Date and Status: The A380E x2 was released on 2024-03-31 and is End-of-life. The 32EU was released on 2024-10-23 and is Active.