Intel HD Graphics P4600 vs NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M Comparison

The NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M and the Intel HD Graphics P4600 represent two fundamentally different approaches to mobile graphics: a dedicated discrete GPU versus an integrated processor graphics solution. The benchmark data shows a clear performance hierarchy, with the NVIDIA part holding a decisive edge in raw compute workloads, though the Intel part counters with a newer API feature set and a different power envelope. This analysis quantifies those differences based solely on the provided benchmark results and specifications.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only direct head-to-head benchmark available is the Geekbench OpenCL test, and it produces a decisive result. The NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M scores 3974 points, while the Intel HD Graphics P4600 scores 3389 points. This represents a 17.3% advantage for the NVIDIA part, which is a significant margin in synthetic compute performance. The data shows the GT 740M delivering substantially higher raw throughput in this OpenCL workload, a gap that would likely translate to better performance in compute-heavy applications and some gaming scenarios.

Contextualizing these scores against their nearest rivals reinforces the positioning of each part. The GT 740M's average benchmark score of 3717 places it at the 22nd percentile of all GPUs. Its closest competitor is the NVIDIA Quadro 3000M, which averages 3718 points, a negligible 0% delta. The GT 740M also edges out the GeForce 825M (3694 points, 0.6% delta) and the AMD Radeon HD 6770 (3649 points, 1.9% delta). However, it trails the GeForce GT 635M, which scores 3740 points, a -0.6% delta. This tight cluster of scores indicates the GT 740M is positioned in a very competitive mid-range segment of older discrete GPUs, with its performance being essentially interchangeable with several similarly aged parts.

The Intel HD Graphics P4600, by contrast, sits at the 20th percentile with an average benchmark score of 3389. Its nearest rivals are all slightly above or below this mark. The NVIDIA GeForce GT 740 scores 3431 points, putting the Intel part 1.2% behind. The Quadro 2000M scores 3434, a 1.3% deficit for the Intel. Looking in the other direction, the Intel HD Graphics 530 scores 3332 points, which the P4600 beats by 1.7%. The NVIDIA GeForce GT 730M scores 3316, a 2.2% gap in favor of the P4600. This data shows the P4600 performing in a similar range to entry-level discrete GPUs, but its 17.3% deficit against the GT 740M is the most significant comparison point.

The performance delta between the two parts is substantial. The GT 740M's OpenCL score is not just higher; it is higher by a margin that represents a full tier of performance separation. In practical terms, this suggests the NVIDIA part would handle more demanding workloads with noticeably better fluidity, while the Intel part would be limited to lighter tasks.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gulf between these two processors is substantial and explains the performance disparity. The GT 740M is built on NVIDIA's Kepler 2.0 architecture, utilizing the GK208 chip manufactured on a 28 nm process at TSMC. This process node is larger than Intel's, but the dedicated design allows for a transistor count of 1,020 million packed into an 87 mm² die. The Intel HD Graphics P4600, conversely, is a Generation 7.5 architecture (Haswell GT2) built on Intel's 22 nm process. The Intel part's transistor count and die size are not listed in the data, but its integrated nature means it shares the CPU die.

The compute resources differ sharply. The GT 740M features 384 shading units, 32 texture mapping units (TMUs), and 8 render output units (ROPs). The P4600 is configured with 160 shading units, 20 TMUs, and only 2 ROPs. This is a fundamental mismatch in processing capacity. The pixel rate for the GT 740M is 8.264 GPixel/s, versus 2.400 GPixel/s for the Intel part, a 3.4x advantage for NVIDIA. Texture rate is 33.06 GTexel/s for the GT 740M versus 24.00 GTexel/s for the P4600. The FP32 compute throughput tells a similar story: 793.3 GFLOPS for the GT 740M versus 384.0 GFLOPS for the Intel.

Clock behavior also differentiates the two. The GT 740M has a base clock of 980 MHz and a boost clock of 1033 MHz, with memory running at 900 MHz (1800 Mbps effective). The P4600 has a much lower base clock of 350 MHz but a boost of 1200 MHz. This low base clock is typical for integrated graphics, which scale down aggressively to save power when idle. The maximum boost is higher than the NVIDIA part, but the massive difference in shading units and ROPs means the Intel part cannot compete in raw throughput.

Memory architecture is another major divider. The GT 740M comes with 2 GB of dedicated DDR3 memory on a 64-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 14.40 GB/s. The P4600 uses System Shared memory, with its bandwidth listed as System Dependent. This is a critical difference: the NVIDIA part has its own private memory pool, while the Intel part must contend with the CPU for memory access, which can severely bottleneck performance.

The API support shows a notable twist. The GT 740M supports DirectX 12 (11_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.175. The P4600 supports DirectX 12 (11_1), OpenGL 4.3, and Vulkan 1.0. While the Intel part has a slightly higher DirectX feature level (11_1 vs 11_0), the NVIDIA part has significantly newer OpenGL and Vulkan versions, which could provide better compatibility with modern applications that leverage these APIs.

The Verdict

The data is unequivocal: the NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M is the superior performer. Its 17.3% lead in the OpenCL benchmark, combined with its 793.3 GFLOPS of FP32 compute versus the Intel's 384.0 GFLOPS, and its vastly higher pixel and texture rates, make it the clear choice for any workload that leverages GPU compute power.

The GT 740M also offers more predictable performance due to its dedicated 2 GB of DDR3 memory with 14.40 GB/s of bandwidth. The P4600's reliance on System Shared memory introduces variability that is dependent on the rest of the system, meaning its real-world performance could be even lower than the benchmark suggests if system memory is slow or heavily utilized.

However, the Intel HD Graphics P4600 is not without its merits. Its 22 nm process node and 84 W TDP (which includes the entire CPU package) versus the GT 740M's 33 W TDP for the GPU alone, suggest a different power profile. The Intel solution is an IGP, meaning it is integrated into the processor and requires no separate MXM module, as indicated by the GT 740M's MXM Module slot width. For a system builder prioritizing a simple, low-power, space-efficient solution, the P4600 offers a baseline level of graphics capability that is competitive with entry-level discrete GPUs like the GeForce GT 730M, which it beats by 2.2%.

Nevertheless, for pure performance, the GT 740M wins all categories. It wins the only head-to-head benchmark, it has more shading units, more ROPs, higher pixel fill rate, and higher texture rate. The Intel part's only advantage in the spec sheet is a slightly higher DirectX feature level (11_1 vs 11_0) and a smaller process node. For a user who needs to run 3D applications, games, or GPU-accelerated compute, the GT 740M is the only rational choice based on this data. The P4600 is a fallback option for basic display output and light 2D workloads.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two parts:

| Specification | NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M | Intel HD Graphics P4600 |

|---|---|---|

| Architecture | Kepler 2.0 | Generation 7.5 |

| Process Node | 28 nm | 22 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 1,020 million | Not specified |

| Die Size | 87 mm² | Not specified |

| Base Clock | 980 MHz | 350 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 1033 MHz | 1200 MHz |

| Memory Type | DDR3 | System Shared |

| Memory Size | 2 GB | System Shared |

| Memory Bus Width | 64 bit | System Shared |

| Memory Bandwidth | 14.40 GB/s | System Dependent |

| Shading Units | 384 | 160 |

| TMUs | 32 | 20 |

| ROPs | 8 | 2 |

| Pixel Rate | 8.264 GPixel/s | 2.400 GPixel/s |

| Texture Rate | 33.06 GTexel/s | 24.00 GTexel/s |

| FP32 | 793.3 GFLOPS | 384.0 GFLOPS |

| TDP | 33 W | 84 W |

| Slot Width | MXM Module | IGP |

| Bus Interface | PCIe 3.0 x8 | Ring Bus |

| Display Outputs | Portable Device Dependent | Motherboard Dependent |

| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.3 |

| Vulkan | 1.2.175 | 1.0 |

| DirectX | 12 (11_0) | 12 (11_1) |

| Geekbench OpenCL | 3974 | 3389 |

| Avg Benchmark Score | 3717 | 3389 |

| Percentile | 22 | 20 |

FAQ

Q: Which GPU performs better in OpenCL compute workloads?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M is significantly faster. It scores 3974 in the Geekbench OpenCL test, which is 17.3% higher than the Intel HD Graphics P4600's score of 3389.

Q: Does the Intel HD Graphics P4600 have any performance advantage over the GT 740M?

A: In the single available head-to-head benchmark, no. The NVIDIA part wins the only direct comparison. The Intel part does beat some of its own nearest rivals, such as the Intel HD Graphics 530 by 1.7% and the NVIDIA GeForce GT 730M by 2.2%, but it trails the GT 740M by a wide margin.

Q: How does the memory configuration differ between the two?

A: The GT 740M has a dedicated 2 GB of DDR3 memory on a 64-bit bus with a bandwidth of 14.40 GB/s. The P4600 uses System Shared memory, meaning its bandwidth is System Dependent and shared with the CPU.

Q: Which GPU supports a newer version of the Vulkan API?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M supports Vulkan 1.2.175, while the Intel HD Graphics P4600 only supports Vulkan 1.0.

Q: What is the difference in shading unit count?

A: The GT 740M has 384 shading units, while the P4600 has only 160. This is a 2.4x difference in raw shader processing capacity.

Q: Which GPU has a higher pixel fill rate?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M has a pixel rate of 8.264 GPixel/s, which is over three times higher than the Intel HD Graphics P4600's 2.400 GPixel/s.