GPU Comparison

Intel HD Graphics P530 and NVIDIA GeForce 930M are both end-of-life mobile graphics solutions, but they target fundamentally different workloads. The data shows a split decision: NVIDIA wins the OpenCL compute test by a significant margin, while Intel wins the Vulkan graphics test by an even larger margin. The GeForce 930M offers dedicated memory and more raw shader hardware, but the Intel part is more power-efficient and integrates into the CPU. This is not a simple "one is better" scenario; it is a choice between a dedicated GPU with a compute edge and an integrated GPU with a modern API advantage.

The Verdict

The NVIDIA GeForce 930M is the pick for users who prioritize raw compute throughput in OpenCL-based applications. Its Geekbench OpenCL score of 5046 is 9.8% higher than the Intel HD Graphics P530's 4549, which is a substantial lead. If your workflow involves OpenCL acceleration, the 930M's dedicated 2 GB of DDR3 memory and 384 shading units provide a tangible advantage over the Intel part's 192 shading units and system-shared memory. This makes it the better choice for legacy GPU compute tasks or older games that rely on OpenCL.

The Intel HD Graphics P530 is the pick for users who value modern API support, power efficiency, and Vulkan performance. Its Geekbench Vulkan score of 4571 is 22.6% higher than the 930M's 3729, which is a massive win. This indicates that the Intel part is better suited for Vulkan-based titles or future-proofing for newer applications. Furthermore, its 15 W TDP is less than half of the 930M's 33 W, making it the superior choice for thin-and-light laptops where battery life and thermals are critical. If you are building a system where the GPU is secondary and you need the lowest power draw, the P530 is the clear winner.

Neither GPU is a gaming powerhouse. Both sit at the 26th percentile of all GPUs, indicating they are entry-level parts. The 930M's OpenCL win suggests it is the better option for general-purpose compute on older APIs, while the P530's Vulkan win makes it the better option for modern graphics workloads. Choose based on the API you will use most, not on the average score.

Architecture Differences

The Intel HD Graphics P530 is built on Intel's Generation 9.0 architecture, specifically the Skylake GT2 chip, fabricated on a 14 nm+ process at Intel. It uses a Ring Bus interface and has a die size of 123 mm². In contrast, the NVIDIA GeForce 930M is based on the Maxwell architecture, using the GM108S chip, fabricated on a 28 nm process at TSMC. The NVIDIA chip is smaller at 77 mm² but packs 1,020 million transistors, giving it a transistor density of 13.2M / mm².

The most significant architectural difference is memory. The 930M has a dedicated 2 GB of DDR3 memory on a 64-bit bus, providing 12.80 GB/s of bandwidth. The P530 uses "System Shared" memory, meaning its bandwidth is "System Dependent" and it has no dedicated VRAM. This is a critical distinction: dedicated memory is faster and does not compete with the CPU for bandwidth. The 930M also has more execution resources: 384 shading units, 24 texture mapping units (TMUs), and 8 raster output units (ROPs), versus the P530's 192 shading units, 16 TMUs, and just 3 ROPs.

Clock speeds also differ. The 930M runs at a fixed 549 MHz base and boost, while the P530 runs at a 350 MHz base with a 1000 MHz boost. The NVIDIA chip's higher base clock and larger shader count result in a higher peak FP32 performance of 421.6 GFLOPS, though the Intel part's 384.0 GFLOPS is not far behind. The 930M supports DirectX 12 (11_0) and Vulkan 1.4, while the P530 supports DirectX 12 (12_1) and Vulkan 1.3. The Intel part also supports FP16 at a 2:1 ratio, offering 768.0 GFLOPS, while the NVIDIA part has no listed FP16 capability.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has better Vulkan performance?

A: The Intel HD Graphics P530 wins decisively. It scores 4571 in Geekbench Vulkan, which is 22.6% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce 930M's score of 3729.

Q: Which GPU has better OpenCL performance?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce 930M wins. It scores 5046 in Geekbench OpenCL, which is 9.8% higher than the Intel HD Graphics P530's score of 4549.

Q: Which GPU uses less power?

A: The Intel HD Graphics P530 has a TDP of 15 W, which is significantly lower than the NVIDIA GeForce 930M's 33 W TDP. This makes the Intel part much more power-efficient.

Q: Does the NVIDIA GeForce 930M have its own memory?

A: Yes, it has 2 GB of dedicated DDR3 memory on a 64-bit bus with a bandwidth of 12.80 GB/s. The Intel HD Graphics P530 uses system-shared memory with bandwidth that is system dependent.

Q: Which GPU has more shading units?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce 930M has 384 shading units, which is double the 192 shading units found on the Intel HD Graphics P530. It also has more TMUs (24 vs 16) and ROPs (8 vs 3).

Q: Which GPU is newer?

A: The Intel HD Graphics P530 was released on 2015-08-31, while the NVIDIA GeForce 930M was released earlier on 2015-03-12. The Intel part is the newer of the two.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel HD Graphics P530 | NVIDIA GeForce 930M |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Chip | Skylake GT2 | GM108S |

| Architecture | Generation 9.0 | Maxwell |

| Process Node | 14 nm+ | 28 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Die Size | 123 mm² | 77 mm² |

| Transistors | Not listed | 1,020 million |

| Transistor Density | Not listed | 13.2M / mm² |

| Base Clock | 350 MHz | 549 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 1000 MHz | 549 MHz |

| Memory Size | System Shared | 2 GB |

| Memory Type | System Shared | DDR3 |

| Memory Bus Width | System Shared | 64 bit |

| Memory Bandwidth | System Dependent | 12.80 GB/s |

| Shading Units | 192 | 384 |

| TMUs | 16 | 24 |

| ROPs | 3 | 8 |

| Pixel Rate | 3.000 GPixel/s | 4.392 GPixel/s |

| Texture Rate | 16.00 GTexel/s | 13.18 GTexel/s |

| FP32 Performance | 384.0 GFLOPS | 421.6 GFLOPS |

| FP16 Performance | 768.0 GFLOPS (2:1) | Not listed |

| TDP | 15 W | 33 W |

| Bus Interface | Ring Bus | PCIe 3.0 x8 |

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

| Vulkan Support | 1.3 | 1.4 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results show a clear split based on API. In the Geekbench OpenCL test, the NVIDIA GeForce 930M scores 5046, while the Intel HD Graphics P530 scores 4549. This gives the NVIDIA part a 9.8% advantage. This is a significant margin, indicating that the 930M's dedicated memory and higher shader count translate into better compute performance in OpenCL workloads. The 930M's 421.6 GFLOPS FP32 rate compared to the P530's 384.0 GFLOPS supports this, though the difference in theoretical peak is only about 9.8%, which aligns perfectly with the benchmark delta.

In the Geekbench Vulkan test, the tables turn. The Intel HD Graphics P530 scores 4571, while the NVIDIA GeForce 930M scores 3729. This gives the Intel part a massive 22.6% win. This is a much larger margin than the OpenCL difference, and it is surprising given the NVIDIA part's superior hardware specs. The P530's higher boost clock (1000 MHz vs 549 MHz) and support for DirectX 12_1 may contribute to its better Vulkan performance, but the data clearly shows that the Intel architecture handles Vulkan more efficiently. This suggests that the P530 is not just competitive but significantly better for modern graphics APIs.

The average benchmark score tells a different story: the P530 has an average score of 4560, while the 930M has an average of 4388. This means the Intel part is actually 3.9% higher on average, despite losing the OpenCL test. This is because the Vulkan win is so large that it outweighs the OpenCL loss. The two wins cancel out in the head-to-head count (1 win each), but the magnitude of the Vulkan victory gives the Intel part the higher overall average. This is a key takeaway: if you average all workloads, the Intel part is slightly ahead, but the specific API matters more than the average.

Where Each One Wins

The NVIDIA GeForce 930M wins in OpenCL compute scenarios. Its 9.8% lead in the OpenCL test, combined with its dedicated 2 GB of DDR3 memory, makes it the better choice for applications that leverage OpenCL for acceleration. This includes older game engines, some video encoding tools, and scientific compute tasks that rely on this API. The 930M's higher pixel rate (4.392 GPixel/s vs 3.000 GPixel/s) also suggests it is better at fill-rate-bound tasks, even though its texture rate is lower (13.18 GTexel/s vs 16.00 GTexel/s). If your software is stuck on OpenCL, the 930M is the safer bet.

The Intel HD Graphics P530 wins in Vulkan graphics scenarios. Its 22.6% lead in the Vulkan test is its defining feature. This makes it the better choice for modern games and applications that use Vulkan, which is becoming increasingly common. The P530's superior DirectX 12_1 support also positions it better for future DirectX 12 titles. Its lower TDP of 15 W means it is the only realistic choice for ultra-portable devices where the 33 W TDP of the 930M is prohibitive. The P530 also has a higher texture rate (16.00 GTexel/s), which helps in texture-heavy workloads that are not fill-rate limited.

In terms of pure average performance, the Intel part wins with an average benchmark score of 4560 versus the NVIDIA's 4388. This means that if you have a mix of workloads, the P530 is generally faster. However, the 930M is the winner for compute-heavy tasks on older APIs, and the P530 is the winner for modern graphics APIs. The data does not support a single overall winner; it supports a choice based on your primary use case. The 930M is a dedicated GPU with a compute edge, while the P530 is an efficient integrated GPU with a modern API edge.