Intel Iris Pro Graphics 5200 vs NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Comparison

The Intel Iris Pro Graphics 5200 and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti represent two vastly different approaches to graphics processing, separated by process technology, architectural design, and intended use case. The data places the GTX 1050 Ti firmly ahead in raw compute, but the Iris Pro 5200’s position as an integrated processor with a specific feature set warrants a closer look at where each part excels. This analysis breaks down the benchmark results, architectural differences, and specification gaps to determine which GPU is suitable for which workload.

Where Each One Wins

The head-to-head benchmark data provides a clear, albeit narrow, picture of the performance split between these two parts. The dataset includes only two direct comparison tests: Geekbench OpenCL and Geekbench Vulkan. In both instances, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti emerges as the clear winner, leaving the Intel Iris Pro Graphics 5200 with zero wins in this head-to-head matchup.

The GTX 1050 Ti dominates the OpenCL workload, scoring 18,129 compared to the Intel’s 5,042. This represents a massive 72.2% advantage in favor of the NVIDIA card, indicating that compute-heavy tasks that leverage OpenCL will see a substantial performance boost on the discrete GPU. Similarly, in the Vulkan API test, the GTX 1050 Ti scores 10,001 versus the Iris Pro 5200’s 3,677, a 63.2% lead. This suggests that modern graphics APIs, which are increasingly common in current game engines, are far better served by the Pascal-based NVIDIA part.

The Intel Iris Pro 5200, therefore, does not win any benchmark in the provided head-to-head dataset. Its only path to relevance lies in its role as an integrated solution, where its performance is secondary to its low power envelope and lack of a separate card requirement. The data does not provide any synthetic test where the Intel part outperforms the GTX 1050 Ti. The wins for the GTX 1050 Ti are comprehensive and significant, reinforcing its position as a dedicated graphics solution for gaming and compute, while the Iris Pro 5200 serves as a basic integrated option for systems where a discrete GPU is neither desired nor feasible.

Architecture Differences

The architectural chasm between these two GPUs is vast, stemming from different design philosophies and manufacturing processes. The Intel Iris Pro Graphics 5200 is built on the Haswell GT3e chip, utilizing Intel’s Generation 7.5 architecture with a 22 nm process node. In contrast, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti is based on the GP107 chip, employing the newer Pascal architecture on a 14 nm process node manufactured by Samsung. This process advantage alone gives the GTX 1050 Ti a significant efficiency and density edge.

The core configurations differ drastically. The Intel part houses 320 shading units, 40 texture mapping units (TMUs), and only 4 raster output units (ROPs). The NVIDIA card, meanwhile, is equipped with 768 shading units, 48 TMUs, and 32 ROPs. This disparity in ROPs is particularly telling, as it directly impacts pixel fill rate, which is a critical metric for high-resolution rendering. The GTX 1050 Ti also benefits from a dedicated 4 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 128-bit bus, delivering 112.1 GB/s of bandwidth. The Iris Pro 5200 relies on system shared memory, with bandwidth described as "System Dependent," which is a fundamental limitation for graphics-intensive workloads.

Clock speeds further separate the two. The Intel GPU has a base clock of 200 MHz and a boost clock of 1150 MHz, while the GTX 1050 Ti operates at a 1291 MHz base and 1392 MHz boost. This, combined with the higher core counts, results in the NVIDIA part achieving a pixel rate of 44.54 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 66.82 GTexel/s, dwarfing the Intel’s 4.60 GPixel/s and 46.00 GTexel/s. The FP32 compute performance is also lopsided: 2.138 TFLOPS for the GTX 1050 Ti versus 736.0 GFLOPS for the Iris Pro 5200. These architectural differences are not incremental; they represent a fundamental gap in capability and purpose.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results offer a stark quantitative comparison, with the GTX 1050 Ti asserting dominance in both available tests. The first test, Geekbench OpenCL, shows the NVIDIA card scoring 18,129 against the Intel’s 5,042. The delta percentage of -72.2% (from the perspective of the Intel part) means the GTX 1050 Ti is roughly 3.6 times faster in this compute workload. This is not a marginal victory; it is a generational leap in raw processing power.

The second test, Geekbench Vulkan, reinforces this trend. The GTX 1050 Ti scores 10,001, while the Iris Pro 5200 manages 3,677. The -63.2% delta indicates the NVIDIA part is about 2.7 times faster. Vulkan is a low-overhead API designed to maximize GPU utilization, and the results suggest the Pascal architecture handles it far more efficiently than the older Haswell integrated solution. The GTX 1050 Ti’s support for DirectX 12 (12_1) and Vulkan 1.4, compared to the Intel’s DirectX 12 (11_1) and Vulkan 1.0, further cements its readiness for modern software.

Looking at the broader benchmark suite for the GTX 1050 Ti, its Passmark G3D score of 6,340 and Passmark GPU Compute score of 2,652 highlight its general-purpose strength. The Intel part lacks these specific tests in the data, but its average benchmark score of 4,360, compared to the GTX 1050 Ti’s 4,193, is misleading. This average is skewed by the limited number of tests for the Intel chip, whereas the NVIDIA card’s average includes a wider range of workloads, including the demanding 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 test where it scores 305. The head-to-head data is unambiguous: the GTX 1050 Ti is the superior performer in every measurable compute and graphics metric provided.

FAQ

Q: How much faster is the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti in OpenCL performance?

A: The GTX 1050 Ti scores 18,129 in Geekbench OpenCL, while the Intel Iris Pro 5200 scores 5,042. This results in a 72.2% performance advantage for the NVIDIA card.

Q: Does the Intel Iris Pro 5200 win any head-to-head benchmark against the GTX 1050 Ti?

A: No. In the provided head-to-head dataset, the GTX 1050 Ti wins both tests (Geekbench OpenCL and Geekbench Vulkan), leaving the Intel part with zero wins.

Q: What is the memory configuration difference between the two GPUs?

A: The GTX 1050 Ti has 4 GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory on a 128-bit bus with 112.1 GB/s bandwidth. The Iris Pro 5200 uses system shared memory, with its bandwidth being system dependent.

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

A: The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti supports Vulkan 1.4, whereas the Intel Iris Pro 5200 supports Vulkan 1.0.

Q: How do the pixel rates compare between the two cards?

A: The GTX 1050 Ti has a pixel rate of 44.54 GPixel/s, while the Iris Pro 5200 has a pixel rate of 4.60 GPixel/s. The NVIDIA card is nearly ten times faster in this regard.

Q: What are the transistor counts and die sizes for the GTX 1050 Ti?

A: The GTX 1050 Ti has 3,300 million transistors on a 132 mm² die, with a transistor density of 25.0M per mm².

Specification Differences

The specification sheets reveal fundamental disparities that explain the benchmark outcomes. The most obvious difference is the process node: the Intel chip uses 22 nm, while the NVIDIA chip uses 14 nm. This leads to the GTX 1050 Ti having a dedicated memory subsystem with 4 GB GDDR5, a 128-bit bus, and 112.1 GB/s bandwidth, whereas the Intel part relies on system shared memory with system-dependent bandwidth.

Core counts are a major differentiator. The GTX 1050 Ti has 768 shading units, 48 TMUs, and 32 ROPs, compared to the Intel’s 320 shading units, 40 TMUs, and 4 ROPs. This translates to a pixel rate of 44.54 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 66.82 GTexel/s for the NVIDIA card, versus 4.60 GPixel/s and 46.00 GTexel/s for the Intel. FP32 performance is similarly lopsided: 2.138 TFLOPS versus 736.0 GFLOPS.

Clock speeds also differ, with the GTX 1050 Ti running at 1291 MHz base and 1392 MHz boost, while the Intel chip runs at 200 MHz base and 1150 MHz boost. The GTX 1050 Ti is a dual-slot card with a 75 W TDP and requires no power connectors, while the Iris Pro 5200 is an IGP with a 45 W TDP. The bus interface is PCIe 3.0 x16 for the NVIDIA card versus Ring Bus for the Intel. Display outputs are 1x DVI, 1x HDMI 2.0, and 1x DisplayPort 1.4a for the GTX 1050 Ti, while the Intel is motherboard dependent. Finally, the GTX 1050 Ti supports DirectX 12 (12_1), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4, whereas the Intel supports DirectX 12 (11_1), OpenGL 4.3, and Vulkan 1.0.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the data provided, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti is the overwhelmingly superior graphics processor. It wins both head-to-head benchmarks by substantial margins, and its architectural advantages in core count, memory bandwidth, and process technology are decisive. For any user seeking to run modern games, perform GPU-accelerated compute, or utilize the latest graphics APIs, the GTX 1050 Ti is the only viable option between the two. Its 63.2% lead in Vulkan and 72.2% lead in OpenCL are not trivial; they represent a completely different class of performance.

The Intel Iris Pro 5200, conversely, offers no performance advantage in any measured test. Its value proposition lies solely in its integration into a CPU, eliminating the need for a separate graphics card. This makes it suitable for basic display output, office productivity, and legacy applications that do not demand significant GPU resources. The data shows it is end-of-life, with a release date of 2013, compared to the GTX 1050 Ti’s 2016 release. The GTX 1050 Ti also has a launch MSRP of 139 USD, indicating its market positioning as an entry-level discrete card. In summary, the verdict is clear: choose the GTX 1050 Ti for any performance-oriented task, and consider the Iris Pro 5200 only when its integrated nature is the primary requirement.