Intel HD Graphics P4600 vs NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Comparison

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 and Intel HD Graphics P4600 represent two entirely different approaches to graphics processing: a dedicated, discrete add-in card versus an integrated processor graphics solution. The benchmark data available provides a clear, albeit narrow, comparison, with the GTX 1050 demonstrating a decisive performance advantage. While the P4600 is limited to a single OpenCL benchmark entry, that single data point is sufficient to establish the massive gap in compute capability between these two end-of-life products.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only directly comparable benchmark between the two products is the Geekbench OpenCL test, and the results are stark. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 scores 15,233 points, while the Intel HD Graphics P4600 scores 3,389 points. This gives the GTX 1050 a commanding lead of 349.5% over the Intel part. In practical terms, this indicates that the GTX 1050 is over four and a half times faster in this general-purpose compute workload, which is a massive gulf in raw processing power.

This single head-to-head result is the entire basis of the comparison, and it sets the tone for the rest of the analysis. The GTX 1050’s score is not just a slight improvement; it is an order-of-magnitude jump in capability. When placed in the context of its own average benchmark score of 3,629, the GTX 1050’s OpenCL result is a significant outlier, showing strong compute performance relative to its overall profile. The Intel HD Graphics P4600’s OpenCL score of 3,389 is nearly identical to its average benchmark score of 3,389, indicating that this single test is representative of its overall limited performance ceiling.

The deltaPct values from the nearestRivals lists further contextualize the performance tier of each product. The GTX 1050 is a marginal 0.4% faster than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 735M, and 0.9% faster than the NVIDIA RTX 5000 Mobile Ada Generation, showing it sits in a specific performance bracket. Conversely, the Intel HD Graphics P4600 is 1.2% slower than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 740 and 1.7% faster than the Intel HD Graphics 530. These comparisons show that while the GTX 1050 is a low-end discrete GPU, it operates in a completely different performance league than the integrated P4600, which is bundled with other entry-level integrated and low-end mobile graphics solutions.

Architecture Differences

The architectural chasm between these two processors explains their divergent performance. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 is built on the Pascal architecture, using the GP107 chip fabricated on a 14 nm process at Samsung. This modern, efficient process node allows the chip to pack 3,300 million transistors into a 132 mm² die, resulting in a transistor density of 25.0M / mm². In contrast, the Intel HD Graphics P4600 is based on the much older Generation 7.5 architecture, using the Haswell GT2 chip produced on Intel's 22 nm process. The older process node and integrated design philosophy mean it has a significantly less complex and powerful compute core.

The disparity in core configuration is the primary driver of the performance gap. The GTX 1050 is equipped with 640 shading units, 40 texture mapping units (TMUs), and 32 raster output pipelines (ROPs). This configuration yields a pixel rate of 46.56 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 58.20 GTexel/s. The Intel HD Graphics P4600, by contrast, has only 160 shading units, 20 TMUs, and a mere 2 ROPs. Its pixel rate is 2.400 GPixel/s and its texture rate is 24.00 GTexel/s. The GTX 1050's pixel rate is more than 19 times higher, and its texture rate is nearly 2.5 times higher, demonstrating a massive advantage in fill-rate capabilities.

Memory architecture is another major differentiator. The GTX 1050 is a discrete card with its own dedicated 2 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 112.1 GB/s. This dedicated, high-speed memory is crucial for holding textures and frame buffers. The P4600, as an integrated graphics processor (IGP), relies on System Shared memory. Its bus width and bandwidth are listed as "System Shared" and "System Dependent," respectively. This means its performance is heavily dependent on the speed and configuration of the host system's main memory, which is typically far slower than dedicated GDDR5, creating a significant bottleneck for graphics workloads.

The feature sets also differ, reflecting their respective generations. The GTX 1050 supports DirectX 12 (12_1), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4. The Intel HD Graphics P4600 supports DirectX 12 (11_1), OpenGL 4.3, and Vulkan 1.0. The GTX 1050's adherence to newer API revisions means it is better equipped to handle modern game engines and graphics effects, while the P4600 is limited to older feature levels. The GTX 1050's FP32 performance is 1.862 TFLOPS, dwarfing the P4600's 384.0 GFLOPS, which is a direct measure of their respective compute throughput.

Where Each One Wins

Given the benchmark data, there is a clear winner in every measurable category. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 wins the only head-to-head benchmark, the Geekbench OpenCL test, and it holds a significant advantage in every architectural specification that contributes to performance. The Intel HD Graphics P4600 has no benchmark wins. Its single result is a distant second to the GTX 1050, and its hardware specifications suggest it is only suitable for the most basic of tasks.

The GTX 1050 is the clear choice for any workload that requires GPU acceleration. Its dedicated video memory, high fill rates, and substantial compute throughput make it suitable for gaming, video editing, and 3D rendering, albeit at the entry-level tier of the discrete GPU market. The data shows its average benchmark score of 3,629 places it in the 21st percentile of all GPUs, indicating it is a capable entry-level performer when compared to the broader market.

The Intel HD Graphics P4600, on the other hand, is a part of the HD Graphics-W (Haswell) generation. Its core architecture is designed primarily for basic display output and light media acceleration, not heavy compute. Its 20th percentile ranking is nearly identical to the GTX 1050's 21st percentile, but this is a misleading indicator of parity. The percentile rank is a measure of position, while the benchmark scores are a measure of absolute performance. The P4600's absolute performance is so low that it is only useful for 2D applications, basic video playback, and running legacy or very light games. Its use of System Shared memory and low ROP count makes it fundamentally unsuitable for modern 3D applications.

The Verdict

From the data, the selection between these two is unambiguous. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 is the superior product in all aspects of performance. It is a dedicated graphics card with its own memory and a robust core configuration, enabling it to achieve a 349.5% higher score in the only shared benchmark. The Intel HD Graphics P4600 is an integrated solution with a fraction of the shading units, ROPs, and compute throughput, and it is hamstrung by its reliance on system memory.

For any user who needs to run 3D applications, play games, or accelerate creative workloads, the GTX 1050 is the only viable option based on the data. Its 2 GB of GDDR5 memory and 112.1 GB/s of bandwidth provide the necessary resources for a playable experience at 1080p with low to medium settings in most titles. The P4600, with its 2.400 GPixel/s pixel rate and 384.0 GFLOPS FP32 performance, would be unable to provide a similar experience.

The GTX 1050 is an entry-level dGPU that delivers a legitimate, albeit modest, gaming experience. The P4600 is a basic IGP intended for office productivity and media consumption. The choice is not a matter of preference but of necessity: the GTX 1050 is for anyone who needs actual graphics processing power, while the P4600 is for systems where no such power is required. The data shows a complete and total victory for the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050.

FAQ

Q: How much faster is the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 than the Intel HD Graphics P4600 in the Geekbench OpenCL test?

A: The GTX 1050 scores 15,233 points, while the P4600 scores 3,389 points, resulting in a 349.5% higher score for the NVIDIA product.

Q: What are the major architectural differences between the two GPUs?

A: The GTX 1050 uses the Pascal architecture on a 14 nm process with 640 shading units, while the P4600 uses the Generation 7.5 architecture on a 22 nm process with 160 shading units. The GTX 1050 also has 32 ROPs compared to the P4600's 2 ROPs.

Q: Which GPU has better memory bandwidth?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 has a dedicated 2 GB GDDR5 memory on a 128-bit bus, offering 112.1 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel HD Graphics P4600 uses System Shared memory, with its bandwidth being System Dependent.

Q: Does the Intel HD Graphics P4600 win any benchmarks?

A: No. The data shows the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 wins the only head-to-head benchmark available, with the P4600 having zero wins.

Q: What is the FP32 compute performance of each GPU?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 has an FP32 performance of 1.862 TFLOPS, while the Intel HD Graphics P4600 has an FP32 performance of 384.0 GFLOPS.

Q: What is the average benchmark score and percentile for each product?

A: The GTX 1050 has an average benchmark score of 3,629 and is in the 21st percentile. The P4600 has an average benchmark score of 3,389 and is in the 20th percentile.