GPU Comparison

The benchmark data places the Intel HD Graphics P4600 and the Intel HD Graphics 530 in the same performance tier, both resting at the 20th percentile among all GPUs. The P4600, a Haswell-era part, averages 3389 points across its benchmark runs, while the newer Skylake-based HD Graphics 530 averages 3332 points. The head-to-head comparison, however, tells a slightly different story than the averages suggest. In the single shared benchmark test, the HD Graphics 530 outperforms the P4600, scoring 3550 to 3389, a delta of 4.5 percent. This is a modest but measurable victory for the newer architecture in raw compute throughput.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only directly comparable data point between these two integrated graphics processors is the Geekbench OpenCL test. The Intel HD Graphics 530 records a score of 3550, while the Intel HD Graphics P4600 trails at 3389. This translates to a 4.5 percent advantage for the HD Graphics 530, marking its sole win in the head-to-head comparison. The P4600 does not win any benchmark in the direct matchup, with the win tally standing at zero for the P4600 and one for the HD Graphics 530.

When placed against their nearest rivals, the picture becomes more nuanced. The P4600’s average score of 3389 places it 1.2 percent ahead of the NVIDIA GeForce GT 740 (3431) and 1.3 percent ahead of the NVIDIA Quadro 2000M (3434). It also sits 1.7 percent above the HD Graphics 530’s average and 2.2 percent above the NVIDIA GeForce GT 730M (3316). The HD Graphics 530, by contrast, has an average of 3332, which is 0.5 percent ahead of the GeForce GT 730M and 1.4 percent ahead of the NVIDIA GeForce 920M (3287). Its average is 1.7 percent below the P4600 and 2.9 percent below the GeForce GT 740.

The discrepancy between the head-to-head result and the average scores is worth noting. The HD Graphics 530 wins the direct OpenCL comparison by 4.5 percent, yet its overall average is dragged down by its performance in other tests, including a Geekbench Metal score of 5025 and a Vulkan score of 1422. The P4600, having only a single OpenCL benchmark, has an average that matches that one result. This suggests that while the HD Graphics 530 has a higher peak compute score in OpenCL, its performance across different APIs is less consistent, pulling its aggregate down.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel HD Graphics P4600 has the higher average benchmark score at 3389, compared to the Intel HD Graphics 530’s average of 3332. This represents a 1.7 percent advantage for the P4600.

Q: What is the result of the direct OpenCL benchmark between the two?

A: The Intel HD Graphics 530 wins the Geekbench OpenCL test with a score of 3550, beating the Intel HD Graphics P4600’s score of 3389 by 4.5 percent.

Q: How does each GPU compare to the NVIDIA GeForce GT 740?

A: The Intel HD Graphics P4600 is 1.2 percent behind the NVIDIA GeForce GT 740, which scores 3431. The Intel HD Graphics 530 is 2.9 percent behind the same rival.

Q: Does the HD Graphics 530 have any benchmark results beyond OpenCL?

A: Yes, the Intel HD Graphics 530 also has a Geekbench Metal score of 5025 and a Geekbench Vulkan score of 1422. The Intel HD Graphics P4600 only has an OpenCL result.

Q: Which GPU is closer to the NVIDIA GeForce GT 730M?

A: The Intel HD Graphics 530 is closer, with an average score of 3332 that is 0.5 percent ahead of the GeForce GT 730M’s 3316. The Intel HD Graphics P4600 is 2.2 percent ahead of the same rival.

Q: What are the percentile rankings of both GPUs?

A: Both the Intel HD Graphics P4600 and the Intel HD Graphics 530 rank at the 20th percentile among all GPUs, indicating they occupy the same performance tier.

The Verdict

The data indicates a split decision. The Intel HD Graphics P4600 holds the higher average benchmark score, edging out the HD Graphics 530 by 1.7 percent. This is driven by its consistent performance in its single OpenCL test. On the other hand, the Intel HD Graphics 530 demonstrates a higher peak score in the direct head-to-head OpenCL comparison, winning by 4.5 percent. However, its overall average is reduced by its additional Metal and Vulkan results, which likely reflect lower performance in those specific APIs.

For a user prioritizing raw compute in OpenCL, the HD Graphics 530 has the edge in the direct comparison. For someone looking at the aggregate performance across available benchmarks, the P4600 appears slightly more consistent. The HD Graphics 530 also offers additional API support, including Vulkan 1.3 and DirectX 12 (12_1), which may be relevant for software compatibility. Neither GPU is a clear victor; the choice depends on whether the user values the single-test peak of the HD Graphics 530 or the higher average of the P4600.

Specification Differences

The two integrated graphics processors differ in several key specifications. The Intel HD Graphics P4600 is built on the Haswell GT2 chip with a 22 nm process node, while the Intel HD Graphics 530 uses Skylake GT2 on a 14 nm+ node. The P4600 has a base clock of 350 MHz and a boost clock of 1200 MHz; the HD Graphics 530 matches the 350 MHz base clock but boosts to only 950 MHz.

Shading unit counts differ, with the P4600 featuring 160 shading units, 20 texture mapping units (TMUs), and 2 render output units (ROPs). The HD Graphics 530 has 192 shading units, 24 TMUs, and 3 ROPs. The pixel rate of the HD Graphics 530 is higher at 2.850 GPixel/s versus 2.400 GPixel/s for the P4600. Conversely, the texture rate is higher on the P4600 at 24.00 GTexel/s, compared to 22.80 GTexel/s on the HD Graphics 530. FP32 performance is also higher on the P4600 at 384.0 GFLOPS, while the HD Graphics 530 delivers 364.8 GFLOPS. The HD Graphics 530 additionally supports FP16 at 729.6 GFLOPS (2:1), a capability the P4600 lacks.

The thermal design power (TDP) differs significantly: the P4600 is rated at 84 W, while the HD Graphics 530 is rated at just 15 W. The HD Graphics 530 also has a die size of 123 mm², a specification not listed for the P4600. Both use System Shared memory and have a Ring Bus interface. Their display outputs are both listed as Motherboard Dependent.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two GPUs is generational. The Intel HD Graphics P4600 is based on the Haswell GT2 chip, belonging to Generation 7.5 architecture, also referred to as HD Graphics-W (Haswell). The Intel HD Graphics 530 is built on the Skylake GT2 chip, using Generation 9.0 architecture, or HD Graphics (Skylake). The process node shrinks from 22 nm on the P4600 to 14 nm+ on the HD Graphics 530, representing a significant manufacturing advancement.

The shading unit count increases from 160 on the P4600 to 192 on the HD Graphics 530, and the ROP count rises from 2 to 3. Despite these increases, the boost clock is lower on the HD Graphics 530 (950 MHz vs 1200 MHz), which results in lower peak FP32 throughput. The API support also reflects the newer architecture: the HD Graphics 530 supports DirectX 12 (12_1), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.3, while the P4600 supports DirectX 12 (11_1), OpenGL 4.3, and Vulkan 1.0. The HD Graphics 530’s support for FP16 computation is a notable feature absent from the P4600.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel HD Graphics 530 wins in the direct OpenCL benchmark, delivering a 4.5 percent higher score than the P4600. This makes it the better choice for workloads that rely specifically on OpenCL compute performance. Its higher pixel rate of 2.850 GPixel/s also suggests an advantage in fill-rate-bound tasks. Additionally, the HD Graphics 530’s support for Vulkan 1.3 and DirectX 12 (12_1) gives it broader API compatibility, which could be decisive for applications that require these newer interfaces. Its 15 W TDP is also far lower, indicating greater efficiency.

The Intel HD Graphics P4600 wins in terms of average benchmark score, sitting 1.7 percent above the HD Graphics 530. Its higher boost clock of 1200 MHz contributes to a higher texture rate of 24.00 GTexel/s and higher FP32 performance of 384.0 GFLOPS. For users running legacy applications or those that favor higher clock speeds and texture throughput, the P4600 may perform better. Its position relative to rivals also shows it is 1.2 percent behind the GeForce GT 740, whereas the HD Graphics 530 is 2.9 percent behind the same GPU, indicating the P4600 is closer to that discrete-class performance level.