Intel Arc A380E x2 vs NVIDIA N1 16SM Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows no direct head-to-head benchmark results between the Intel Arc A380E x2 and the NVIDIA N1 16SM. The database lists zero wins for either part in direct comparisons, and the average benchmark score for both is zero. This means the analysis must rely on the architectural specifications and compute metrics provided in the database rather than measured performance deltas.

The most significant numerical gap between the two lies in raw compute throughput. The NVIDIA N1 16SM delivers 9.609 TFLOPS of FP32 performance, which is more than double the Intel Arc A380E x2's 4.096 TFLOPS. In FP16 workloads, the divergence becomes even more pronounced. The N1 16SM sustains 9.609 TFLOPS with a 1:1 ratio, meaning it does not double its throughput for half-precision work. The Arc A380E x2, by contrast, reaches 8.192 TFLOPS in FP16 via a 2:1 ratio, effectively halving its FP32 rate when operating in reduced precision. Despite this advantage in FP16 efficiency for Intel, the absolute FP16 output still favors NVIDIA by roughly 17%.

Texture throughput tells a similar story. The N1 16SM achieves 300.3 GTexel/s, while the Arc A380E x2 manages 128.0 GTexel/s. That is a 2.35x advantage for NVIDIA in texture fill rate. Pixel throughput, however, flips in Intel's favor. The Arc A380E x2 outputs 64.00 GPixel/s compared to the N1 16SM's 56.30 GPixel/s, a 13.7% edge for the Intel part. This suggests the two designs prioritize different stages of the graphics pipeline, with NVIDIA emphasizing texture work and Intel optimizing for raster output.

Memory bandwidth also favors NVIDIA. The N1 16SM has a 256-bit bus with LPDDR5X memory running at 8.5 Gbps effective, yielding 273.2 GB/s. The Arc A380E x2 uses a 96-bit bus with GDDR6 at 15.5 Gbps effective, producing 186.0 GB/s. The NVIDIA part holds a 47% bandwidth advantage. The memory capacity difference is even more stark: 128 GB versus 6 GB. The N1 16SM integrates unified memory at 128 GB, while the Arc A380E x2 carries dedicated 6 GB of GDDR6.

Clock behavior differs substantially. The Arc A380E x2 runs at a flat 2000 MHz for both base and boost, indicating a fixed operating point. The N1 16SM has a base clock of 741 MHz and a boost clock of 2346 MHz, a 3.17x span between the two states. The boost clock on the NVIDIA part exceeds the Intel clock by 17.3%, but the base clock is far lower, suggesting significant power management headroom in the NVIDIA design.

Where Each One Wins

The NVIDIA N1 16SM wins in every compute-heavy category recorded in the database. Its FP32 throughput of 9.609 TFLOPS makes it the clear choice for general-purpose compute tasks, shader-heavy rendering, and any workload that scales with raw ALU count. The 2048 shading units versus 1024 on the Intel part reinforce this advantage. The N1 16SM also holds a decisive lead in texture processing with 128 TMUs and a 300.3 GTexel/s rate, which benefits games and applications that rely on detailed surface mapping.

The NVIDIA part's 128 GB of unified memory and 273.2 GB/s bandwidth position it for large dataset workloads, machine learning inference, and content creation scenarios where memory capacity is the limiting factor. The 64 tensor cores on the N1 16SM provide dedicated hardware for AI acceleration, a feature the Arc A380E x2 lacks entirely in the database listing. The PCIe 5.0 x16 interface doubles the bandwidth available to the NVIDIA part compared to the Arc A380E x2's PCIe 4.0 x8 connection.

The Intel Arc A380E x2 wins in pixel throughput, delivering 64.00 GPixel/s versus 56.30 GPixel/s on the NVIDIA part. This 13.7% advantage in rasterization output makes the Intel card potentially better suited for fill-rate-bound scenarios, such as high-resolution framebuffer operations or multi-viewport rendering. The 32 ROPs on the Intel part outnumber the 24 ROPs on the NVIDIA part, which explains the pixel rate edge.

Intel also holds an advantage in display output flexibility. The Arc A380E x2 features 8x mini-DisplayPort 2.0 outputs, while the N1 16SM offers only a single HDMI port. For multi-display configurations, embedded systems, or digital signage, the Intel card provides far more connectivity options. The Arc A380E x2 also supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4, whereas the N1 16SM lists no API support in the database, indicating it may not be intended for traditional graphics API workloads.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Arc A380E x2 uses the DG2-128 chip built on TSMC's 6 nm process. The die measures 157 mm² and contains 7,200 million transistors, resulting in a transistor density of 45.9M per mm². This is a discrete graphics card design from the Alchemist generation, part of the Arc 3 family. It uses the Xe-HPG architecture and is marked as end-of-life production status. The card was released in early 2024 and has a predecessor in Xe Graphics and a successor in Battlemage.

The NVIDIA N1 16SM uses the GB20B chip built on TSMC's 5 nm process. The die size is 382 mm², which is 2.43x larger than the Intel chip. The transistor count is listed as unknown, so no density comparison is possible. This part belongs to the Blackwell 2.0 architecture, specifically the Blackwell IGP (N1x) generation. It is an integrated graphics processor rather than a discrete card, with a production status of Active and a release date in mid-2026.

The process node difference is one generation: 6 nm for Intel versus 5 nm for NVIDIA. Both use TSMC as the foundry, but the smaller node on the NVIDIA part allows for a substantially larger die while maintaining reasonable power characteristics. The Intel part has a rated TDP of 130 W and requires a single 6-pin power connector with a suggested PSU of 300 W. The NVIDIA part has no listed TDP, no power connectors, and is classified as an IGP, meaning it draws power through the motherboard rather than a dedicated supply.

Memory architecture differs fundamentally. The Arc A380E x2 uses 6 GB of GDDR6 on a 96-bit bus, which is typical for a low-end discrete card. The N1 16SM uses 128 GB of LPDDR5X on a 256-bit bus, reflecting its unified memory design where system RAM and GPU memory share the same pool. The effective memory clock on the Intel part is 15.5 Gbps, while the NVIDIA part runs at 8.5 Gbps. The higher per-pin data rate on Intel partially compensates for the narrower bus, but the NVIDIA part still achieves higher aggregate bandwidth.

The shading configuration differs significantly. The Arc A380E x2 has 1024 shading units, 64 TMUs, 32 ROPs, and 8 ray tracing cores. The N1 16SM has 2048 shading units, 128 TMUs, 24 ROPs, and 16 ray tracing cores. NVIDIA also integrates 64 tensor cores, which Intel does not list. The RT core count doubles on the NVIDIA part, suggesting stronger ray tracing throughput potential, though no benchmark data confirms this.

Interface specifications also diverge. The Intel card uses PCIe 4.0 x8, while the NVIDIA IGP uses PCIe 5.0 x16. The physical form factor differs as well: the Arc A380E x2 is a single-slot card measuring 265 mm in length, 127 mm in height, and 20 mm in width, with 8x mini-DisplayPort 2.0 outputs. The N1 16SM has no listed dimensions and provides a single HDMI output.

The Verdict

The data indicates two fundamentally different products serving different roles. The NVIDIA N1 16SM is an integrated processor with massive memory capacity, high compute throughput, and tensor core support. It is designed for systems where unified memory and AI acceleration take priority over traditional graphics output. The 9.609 TFLOPS FP32 performance, 300.3 GTexel/s texture rate, and 128 GB memory capacity make it the superior choice for compute-intensive applications, machine learning workloads, and large-scale data processing.

The Intel Arc A380E x2 is a discrete graphics card with a fixed 2000 MHz clock, 6 GB of dedicated GDDR6, and extensive display connectivity. Its 64.00 GPixel/s pixel rate exceeds the NVIDIA part, and the 8x mini-DisplayPort 2.0 outputs enable multi-screen configurations that the single HDMI port on the N1 16SM cannot match. The Intel card also supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4, making it compatible with standard graphics APIs that the NVIDIA part does not list.

Both parts sit at the 50th percentile in the database's all-GPU ranking, though this figure carries no weight given the absence of benchmark scores. The production status differs: Intel's part is end-of-life, while NVIDIA's is active. This suggests the Arc A380E x2 is a legacy product, while the N1 16SM represents current or future availability.

Users requiring a discrete GPU for multi-display graphics output, standard API compatibility, and pixel-heavy rendering should select the Intel Arc A380E x2. Users requiring maximum compute throughput, large unified memory, tensor core acceleration, and PCIe 5.0 bandwidth should select the NVIDIA N1 16SM. The choice hinges on whether the workload is graphics-output-centric or compute-centric, as neither part dominates across all measured categories.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has higher FP32 performance?

A: The NVIDIA N1 16SM delivers 9.609 TFLOPS of FP32 throughput, which is 2.35x higher than the Intel Arc A380E x2's 4.096 TFLOPS.

Q: How does memory capacity compare between the two?

A: The NVIDIA N1 16SM has 128 GB of LPDDR5X memory, while the Intel Arc A380E x2 has 6 GB of GDDR6. The NVIDIA part offers over 21x more memory capacity.

Q: Which GPU provides more display outputs?

A: The Intel Arc A380E x2 features 8x mini-DisplayPort 2.0 connectors. The NVIDIA N1 16SM has a single HDMI output.

Q: What is the pixel rate difference?

A: The Intel Arc A380E x2 achieves 64.00 GPixel/s, which is 13.7% higher than the NVIDIA N1 16SM's 56.30 GPixel/s.

Q: Does the NVIDIA N1 16SM support DirectX or Vulkan?

A: The database lists DirectX, OpenGL, and Vulkan support as N/A for the NVIDIA N1 16SM. The Intel Arc A380E x2 supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4.

Q: What are the production statuses of these GPUs?

A: The Intel Arc A380E x2 is marked as end-of-life, while the NVIDIA N1 16SM is listed as active production.