Intel HD Graphics 630 vs NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M Comparison

Intel HD Graphics 630 and NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M are both end-of-life graphics solutions, yet they represent fundamentally different approaches to mobile computing. The Intel part is an integrated GPU embedded in a 15 W processor package, while the NVIDIA part is a discrete 50 W MXM module. Their average benchmark scores are nearly identical—4075 for the Intel and 4033 for the NVIDIA—placing both at the 24th percentile of all GPUs. However, the data shows they achieve parity through opposite strengths: the Intel chip dominates in Metal workloads, while the NVIDIA chip excels in OpenCL. This split makes the choice between them entirely dependent on the specific application and API in use.

Where Each One Wins

The head-to-head benchmark results paint a clear picture of workload-specific dominance. Intel HD Graphics 630 wins decisively in Geekbench Metal, scoring 5099 against the GT 755M's 3132—a 62.8% advantage. This is a massive margin, indicating that the Intel integrated GPU is far better optimized for Apple's Metal API. For any application leveraging Metal, the HD 630 is the clear performer, despite being an IGP with system-shared memory.

NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M takes the Geekbench OpenCL test outright, scoring 4934 versus Intel's 3587, a 27.3% lead. OpenCL is a cross-platform compute standard, and the GT 755M's discrete design—with 2 GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory and 86.40 GB/s of bandwidth—provides a substantial advantage in raw compute throughput. The data suggests that for OpenCL-accelerated tasks like video encoding, physics simulation, or general-purpose GPU computing, the NVIDIA part is the superior choice.

The split is exactly 1-1 in benchmark wins, meaning neither card is universally faster. The Intel HD 630 wins where API efficiency matters, and the NVIDIA GT 755M wins where raw memory bandwidth and shading power matter. Users should choose based on the dominant API in their workload: Metal users go Intel, OpenCL users go NVIDIA.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two GPUs is generational and fundamental. Intel HD Graphics 630 uses the Generation 9.5 architecture, built on Kaby Lake GT2 silicon at Intel's 14 nm++ process node. NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M uses the Kepler architecture, built on the GK107 chip at TSMC's 28 nm process. The process node difference is significant: 14 nm++ allows Intel to pack more transistors per area, though the GT 755M's 1,270 million transistors on a 118 mm² die gives it a density of 10.8M / mm².

The execution resources differ sharply. Intel HD 630 has 192 shading units, 24 texture mapping units (TMUs), and only 3 raster output units (ROPs). NVIDIA GT 755M has double the shading units at 384, 32 TMUs, and 16 ROPs—more than five times Intel's ROP count. This explains the pixel rate disparity: GT 755M achieves 8.160 GPixel/s versus Intel's 3.000 GPixel/s. Texture rate also favors NVIDIA at 32.64 GTexel/s versus 24.00 GTexel/s.

Memory architecture is where the two diverge most. Intel HD 630 uses system-shared memory with a system-dependent bandwidth—there is no dedicated VRAM. NVIDIA GT 755M has 2 GB of GDDR5 on a 128-bit bus, delivering a fixed 86.40 GB/s. Clock speeds also favor NVIDIA: base 980 MHz boosting to 1020 MHz, while Intel runs at 350 MHz base and 1000 MHz boost. The NVIDIA chip's FP32 throughput of 783.4 GFLOPS is more than double Intel's 384.0 GFLOPS, though Intel supports FP16 at 768.0 GFLOPS (2:1 ratio), which NVIDIA's Kepler architecture does not offer at all.

API support differs as well. Intel HD 630 supports DirectX 12 (12_1), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.3. NVIDIA GT 755M supports DirectX 12 (11_0), OpenGL 4.6, but only Vulkan 1.2.175. The Intel part has a more modern feature set for Vulkan and a higher DirectX feature level, while NVIDIA's OpenCL performance remains superior despite the older API version.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: Intel HD Graphics 630 has an average benchmark score of 4075, which is 1% higher than NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M's 4033. Both sit at the 24th percentile of all GPUs.

Q: Is the Intel HD 630 faster in Metal benchmarks?

A: Yes, significantly. Intel scores 5099 in Geekbench Metal versus NVIDIA's 3132, a 62.8% advantage. This is the largest performance gap in any benchmark between the two.

Q: Does the NVIDIA GT 755M have dedicated memory?

A: Yes, it features 2 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 128-bit bus with 86.40 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel HD 630 uses system-shared memory with system-dependent bandwidth.

Q: What are the TDP requirements for each?

A: Intel HD Graphics 630 has a 15 W TDP as an integrated GPU (IGP), while NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M has a 50 W TDP as an MXM module. The NVIDIA part requires a dedicated cooling solution and power delivery.

Q: Which GPU supports a newer Vulkan version?

A: Intel HD 630 supports Vulkan 1.3, while NVIDIA GT 755M supports Vulkan 1.2.175. Intel also supports DirectX 12 (12_1) versus NVIDIA's DirectX 12 (11_0).

Q: Are both GPUs end-of-life?

A: Yes, both production statuses are listed as end-of-life. Intel HD 630 was released in August 2016, and NVIDIA GT 755M was released in June 2013.

Specification Differences

The two GPUs differ on nearly every specification that matters. Process node: Intel uses 14 nm++ while NVIDIA uses 28 nm. Transistor count: NVIDIA has 1,270 million on a 118 mm² die, while Intel's transistor count is not listed. Clock speeds: NVIDIA runs at 980 MHz base and 1020 MHz boost; Intel runs at 350 MHz base and 1000 MHz boost. Memory: NVIDIA has 2 GB GDDR5 with 128-bit bus and 86.40 GB/s bandwidth; Intel has system-shared memory with system-dependent bandwidth.

Compute resources: NVIDIA has 384 shading units, 32 TMUs, and 16 ROPs; Intel has 192 shading units, 24 TMUs, and 3 ROPs. Pixel rate: NVIDIA achieves 8.160 GPixel/s versus Intel's 3.000 GPixel/s. Texture rate: NVIDIA achieves 32.64 GTexel/s versus Intel's 24.00 GTexel/s. FP32: NVIDIA delivers 783.4 GFLOPS versus Intel's 384.0 GFLOPS. FP16: Intel offers 768.0 GFLOPS (2:1), NVIDIA has no listed FP16 capability.

TDP: Intel is 15 W, NVIDIA is 50 W. Slot width: Intel is IGP, NVIDIA is MXM Module. Bus interface: Intel uses Ring Bus, NVIDIA uses PCIe 3.0 x16. Display outputs: Intel is motherboard dependent, NVIDIA is portable device dependent. Vulkan: Intel supports 1.3, NVIDIA supports 1.2.175. DirectX: Intel supports 12 (12_1), NVIDIA supports 12 (11_0). Memory clock: NVIDIA runs at 1350 MHz with 5.4 Gbps effective, Intel's is system shared.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Geekbench Metal test delivers the most dramatic result. Intel HD Graphics 630 scores 5099, while NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M scores 3132. The 62.8% delta is enormous, showing that Intel's integrated GPU has far better Metal driver optimization. This is counterintuitive given NVIDIA's hardware advantages in shading units and memory bandwidth, but the benchmark data is unambiguous. For Metal-based rendering or compute, the HD 630 is the better choice by a wide margin.

The Geekbench OpenCL test flips the script. NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M scores 4934, beating Intel HD Graphics 630's 3587 by 27.3%. This aligns with the hardware specs: NVIDIA's 384 shading units and 86.40 GB/s dedicated bandwidth provide real compute muscle that Intel's 192 shading units and shared memory cannot match. The OpenCL result is more representative of traditional GPU compute workloads, making the GT 755M the better option for OpenCL-accelerated applications.

The average benchmark scores reflect this split. Intel's average of 4075 is dragged up by its Metal score, while NVIDIA's 4033 average is buoyed by its OpenCL score. The delta between them is just 1% in Intel's favor, but the per-test deltas are massive in opposite directions. This is a textbook case of API-specific optimization outweighing raw hardware capability.

The Verdict

The data supports a split decision. For users running Metal-based applications—primarily Apple ecosystem software—Intel HD Graphics 630 is the clear winner with a 62.8% advantage in Geekbench Metal. Its 15 W TDP and IGP form factor also make it the only option for ultra-portable systems where power draw and space are constrained. The Intel part is the sensible pick for light Metal workloads on thin-and-light laptops.

For OpenCL compute tasks, NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M is the superior choice. Its 27.3% lead in Geekbench OpenCL, combined with 2 GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory and 86.40 GB/s bandwidth, makes it better suited for GPU-accelerated compute in applications that leverage OpenCL. The 50 W TDP and MXM form factor indicate a larger chassis, but the performance payoff in compute is measurable.

The average scores are nearly identical—4075 versus 4033—so neither GPU is a universal winner. The deciding factor must be the software environment. If Metal is the primary API, choose Intel HD Graphics 630 without hesitation. If OpenCL is the primary API, choose NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M. Both GPUs are end-of-life and sit at the 24th percentile of all GPUs, so expectations should be modest, but within their respective API niches, each delivers a clear performance identity. The choice is not about which is better overall—it is about which matches your workload.