Intel Iris Pro Graphics P580 vs NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M Comparison

Intel Iris Pro Graphics P580 and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M are both end-of-life mobile graphics solutions, but they target fundamentally different segments. The Iris Pro P580 is an integrated GPU (IGP) from Intel’s Skylake generation, while the GTX 680M is a discrete MXM module from NVIDIA’s Kepler architecture. Benchmark data shows the GTX 680M edges out the Iris Pro P580 in the sole head-to-head test, yet the two sit at the same overall percentile ranking. The Iris Pro P580 averages 7170 across its benchmark suite, while the GTX 680M averages 7023, a reversal of the head-to-head result. This page details where each part excels, who should choose which, and how their specifications diverge.

The Verdict

The data points to a narrow but clear split. For users who prioritize raw compute in a single OpenCL workload, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M holds a slight edge, winning the head-to-head geekbench_opencl test with a score of 9230 versus 9082 for the Intel Iris Pro Graphics P580, a delta of -1.6% from the Intel part’s perspective. However, the average benchmark score tells a different story: the Iris Pro P580 posts 7170, which is 2.1% higher than the GTX 680M’s 7023. That puts the Intel IGP ahead in overall synthetic performance across its tested workloads.

Who should pick which? If the requirement is a discrete, replaceable graphics module with dedicated memory, the GTX 680M is the only option, as it carries 4 GB of GDDR5 on a 256-bit bus with 115.2 GB/s of bandwidth. The Iris Pro P580 relies on system-shared memory with bandwidth described as “System Dependent,” which makes its performance highly variable based on the host platform. For a notebook user who needs consistent, predictable throughput in OpenCL-heavy applications, the GTX 680M’s dedicated memory architecture is the safer choice, despite its lower average score.

Conversely, if power efficiency and integration matter more than peak compute, the Iris Pro P580 wins decisively. Its TDP is 15 W versus 100 W for the GTX 680M, a six-fold difference. That makes the Intel part suitable for thin, fanless designs where the GTX 680M’s MXM form factor and power draw would be prohibitive. The data also shows the Iris Pro P580 supports a newer DirectX version (12_1 vs 12 (11_0)) and a newer Vulkan version (1.3 vs 1.2.175), which could matter for compatibility with future titles. In short: choose the GTX 680M for dedicated-memory compute, choose the Iris Pro P580 for low-power integration and newer API support.

Architecture Differences

The two GPUs come from different manufacturers, foundries, and process nodes. Intel builds the Iris Pro Graphics P580 on a 14 nm+ process at its own foundry, using the Skylake GT4e chip and Generation 9.0 architecture. NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX 680M uses the GK104 chip on a 28 nm process fabricated by TSMC, with the older Kepler architecture. The transistor counts reflect that gap: the GTX 680M packs 3,540 million transistors on a 294 mm² die, yielding a transistor density of 12.0M per mm². The Iris Pro P580’s transistor count and die size are not listed, but its process node is smaller, which typically allows higher density.

Core configuration differs sharply. The Iris Pro P580 has 576 shading units, 72 texture mapping units (TMUs), and 9 raster output units (ROPs). The GTX 680M has 1344 shading units, 112 TMUs, and 32 ROPs—more than double the shading units and ROPs, and over 50% more TMUs. Clock speeds also favor the NVIDIA part: the GTX 680M runs at 719 MHz base and 758 MHz boost, while the Iris Pro P580 runs at 350 MHz base and 1000 MHz boost. The boost clock is higher on the Intel part, but the base clock is far lower, and the GTX 680M’s higher core count compensates.

Memory architecture is the biggest divergence. The Iris Pro P580 uses system-shared memory with no dedicated VRAM, a system-shared bus width, and bandwidth rated as “System Dependent.” The GTX 680M has 4 GB of GDDR5 on a 256-bit bus with 115.2 GB/s of bandwidth and a memory clock of 900 MHz (3.6 Gbps effective). This dedicated memory is a fundamental advantage for the NVIDIA part in memory-bound workloads, though it also contributes to its higher power draw.

Feature support differs as well. The Iris Pro P580 supports DirectX 12 (12_1), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.3. The GTX 680M supports DirectX 12 (11_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.175. Both are end-of-life, but the Intel part’s newer API versions (particularly the higher Vulkan revision and the 12_1 feature level) indicate a more modern feature set. The GTX 680M also has a predecessor (GeForce 500M) and successor (GeForce 700M) listed, while the Iris Pro P580 has neither.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Iris Pro Graphics P580 has an average benchmark score of 7170, which is higher than the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M’s 7023. That is a 2.1% advantage for the Intel part.

Q: How do they compare in the head-to-head OpenCL benchmark?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M wins the geekbench_opencl test with a score of 9230, versus 9082 for the Intel Iris Pro Graphics P580. The delta is -1.6% from the Intel part’s perspective, meaning the GTX 680M is 1.6% faster in that specific test.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The Intel Iris Pro Graphics P580 has a TDP of 15 W, while the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M has a TDP of 100 W. The Intel part consumes roughly one-sixth the power of the NVIDIA part.

Q: Do they support the same APIs?

A: No. Both support OpenGL 4.6, but the Intel Iris Pro Graphics P580 supports DirectX 12 (12_1) and Vulkan 1.3, while the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M supports DirectX 12 (11_0) and Vulkan 1.2.175. The Intel part has a higher DirectX feature level and a newer Vulkan version.

Q: Which GPU has dedicated memory?

A: Only the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M has dedicated memory: 4 GB of GDDR5 on a 256-bit bus with 115.2 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Iris Pro Graphics P580 uses system-shared memory, with bandwidth rated as “System Dependent.”

Q: How do their shading unit counts compare?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M has 1344 shading units, which is more than double the Intel Iris Pro Graphics P580’s 576 shading units. The GTX 680M also has 112 TMUs and 32 ROPs, versus 72 TMUs and 9 ROPs for the Intel part.

Specification Differences

The two GPUs differ in nearly every specification category. The Intel Iris Pro Graphics P580 uses a 14 nm+ process from Intel’s own foundry, while the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M uses a 28 nm process from TSMC. The GTX 680M has a listed transistor count of 3,540 million and a die size of 294 mm², with a transistor density of 12.0M per mm²; the Iris Pro P580 has no listed transistor count, die size, or density.

Clock speeds: the Iris Pro P580 runs at 350 MHz base and 1000 MHz boost, while the GTX 680M runs at 719 MHz base and 758 MHz boost. Memory: the Iris Pro P580 uses system-shared memory with a system-shared bus width and system-dependent bandwidth; the GTX 680M has 4 GB of GDDR5, a 256-bit bus, 115.2 GB/s bandwidth, and a 900 MHz memory clock (3.6 Gbps effective).

Core counts: the Iris Pro P580 has 576 shading units, 72 TMUs, and 9 ROPs; the GTX 680M has 1344 shading units, 112 TMUs, and 32 ROPs. Pixel and texture rates reflect this: the GTX 680M achieves 21.22 GPixel/s and 84.90 GTexel/s, while the Iris Pro P580 achieves 9.000 GPixel/s and 72.00 GTexel/s. FP32 performance is 2.038 TFLOPS for the GTX 680M versus 1,152.0 GFLOPS for the Intel part; the Iris Pro P580 also has FP16 performance of 2.304 TFLOPS (2:1), while the GTX 680M has no listed FP16 figure.

Power and form factor: the Iris Pro P580 has a TDP of 15 W and is an IGP with a Ring Bus interface; the GTX 680M has a TDP of 100 W, is an MXM Module with an MXM-B (3.0) bus interface, and has no power connectors listed. Display outputs are motherboard-dependent for the Intel part and portable-device-dependent for the NVIDIA part. The GTX 680M lists a predecessor (GeForce 500M) and successor (GeForce 700M), while the Iris Pro P580 has none. Release dates differ: the Iris Pro P580 came out on 2015-08-31, the GTX 680M on 2012-06-03.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only direct head-to-head benchmark available is geekbench_opencl, and it goes to the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M. The GTX 680M scores 9230, while the Intel Iris Pro Graphics P580 scores 9082. That is a 148-point difference, or 1.6% in favor of the NVIDIA part. In absolute terms, the GTX 680M’s higher shading unit count (1344 vs 576) and dedicated GDDR5 memory likely contribute to this result, though the Intel part’s higher boost clock (1000 MHz vs 758 MHz) narrows the gap.

However, the average benchmark score reverses the outcome. The Iris Pro P580 averages 7170 across its tested workloads (geekbench_opencl at 9082 and geekbench_vulkan at 5258), while the GTX 680M averages 7023 (geekbench_metal at 4815 and geekbench_opencl at 9230). That gives the Intel part a 147-point advantage, or 2.1%. The GTX 680M’s lower Metal score (4815) drags its average down, despite winning the OpenCL test. The Iris Pro P580’s Vulkan score of 5258 is its second-highest result, showing strength in that API.

Looking at nearest rivals reinforces the positioning. The Iris Pro P580’s closest competitor by average score is the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 SE, which scores 7171 with a delta of 0%. The GTX 970 also appears nearby at 7157 (delta 0.2%), and the AMD Radeon Vega 8 Mobile scores 7203 (delta -0.5%). For the GTX 680M, the nearest rival is the NVIDIA T600 at 7035 (delta -0.2%), followed by the AMD Radeon R5 M240 at 6975 (delta 0.7%) and the GTX 675M at 6946 (delta 1.1%). Both GPUs sit at the 39th percentile versus all GPUs, indicating they are mid-pack performers despite their architectural differences.

The data shows a classic trade-off: the GTX 680M wins the single OpenCL contest by a slim margin, but the Iris Pro P580 has a higher average score and a much lower power envelope. The GTX 680M’s strength is in raw compute with dedicated memory, while the Iris Pro P580’s strength is in balanced performance across multiple APIs with far less power draw. Neither part dominates the other; the choice depends on whether the workload favors dedicated memory (GTX 680M) or integration and efficiency (Iris Pro P580).