Intel UHD Graphics 710 vs NVIDIA GeForce 930M Comparison

The NVIDIA GeForce 930M and Intel UHD Graphics 710 are two integrated and entry-level mobile graphics solutions from different eras. The data shows a clear split in performance depending on the workload, with the older NVIDIA part dominating in OpenCL compute while the newer Intel part leads in Vulkan graphics. This analysis breaks down where each GPU excels, their architectural differences, and the benchmark results that define their positioning.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce 930M has a higher average benchmark score of 4388, compared to the Intel UHD Graphics 710's 3792. This places the 930M in the 26th percentile of all GPUs, while the Intel part sits in the 22nd percentile.

Q: How significant is the NVIDIA GeForce 930M's lead in OpenCL?

A: In the geekbench_opencl test, the 930M scores 5046 versus 3496 for the Intel UHD Graphics 710, a substantial 44.3% advantage. This is the largest single benchmark delta between the two.

Q: Does the Intel UHD Graphics 710 win any benchmark tests?

A: Yes, the Intel UHD Graphics 710 wins the geekbench_vulkan test with a score of 4088, which is 8.8% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce 930M's score of 3729.

Q: What is the process node difference between the two GPUs?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce 930M is built on a 28 nm process at TSMC, while the Intel UHD Graphics 710 is fabricated on a 10 nm process at Intel. The Intel part also has a significantly higher boost clock of 1300 MHz versus 549 MHz for the NVIDIA GPU.

Q: How do their shading unit counts compare?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce 930M has 384 shading units, which is three times the 128 shading units found in the Intel UHD Graphics 710. The NVIDIA part also has 24 texture mapping units versus 8 on the Intel part, though both have 8 ROPs.

Q: What is the memory configuration for each GPU?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce 930M uses 2 GB of dedicated DDR3 memory on a 64-bit bus, providing 12.80 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel UHD Graphics 710 uses System Shared memory, with its bandwidth listed as System Dependent.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results indicate a workload-dependent split. The NVIDIA GeForce 930M is the clear winner in OpenCL compute tasks, leveraging its higher shading unit count and dedicated memory to achieve a 44.3% higher score. This suggests an advantage in general-purpose compute applications and older DirectX 11-era workloads that rely on traditional shader throughput.

Conversely, the Intel UHD Graphics 710 wins the Vulkan test by 8.8%, despite having far fewer shading units. This points to better driver optimization for modern graphics APIs and a more efficient architecture for draw-call-heavy tasks. The Intel part's higher boost clock of 1300 MHz and its newer Generation 12.2 architecture likely contribute to this result.

For users focused on compute-heavy tasks, the NVIDIA GeForce 930M is the superior choice. For those running Vulkan-based games or applications, the Intel UHD Graphics 710 holds the edge. The win count is even at one each, making the choice entirely dependent on the software environment.

Architecture Differences

The NVIDIA GeForce 930M is based on the GM108S chip using the Maxwell architecture, manufactured on a 28 nm process at TSMC. It packs 1,020 million transistors into a 77 mm² die. Its memory subsystem is dedicated, with 2 GB of DDR3 on a 64-bit bus. The Intel UHD Graphics 710 uses the Alder Lake chip with Generation 12.2 architecture, built on a 10 nm process at Intel. It relies on System Shared memory, with bandwidth dependent on the host system.

The NVIDIA GPU features 384 shading units, 24 TMUs, and 8 ROPs, with a base and boost clock of 549 MHz. Its FP32 performance is 421.6 GFLOPS, and it has a texture rate of 13.18 GTexel/s. The Intel part has 128 shading units, 8 TMUs, and 8 ROPs, with a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 1300 MHz. Its FP32 performance is 332.8 GFLOPS, with a texture rate of 10.40 GTexel/s. Notably, the Intel GPU has a higher pixel rate of 10.40 GPixel/s versus 4.392 GPixel/s for the NVIDIA part.

The Intel UHD Graphics 710 supports DirectX 12 (12_1), while the NVIDIA GeForce 930M supports DirectX 12 (11_0). Both support OpenGL 4.6 and Vulkan 1.4. The Intel part also has FP16 support at 665.6 GFLOPS (2:1), a feature the NVIDIA GPU lacks. The bus interface differs: the NVIDIA GPU uses PCIe 3.0 x8, while the Intel part uses a Ring Bus.

Specification Differences

The key specification differences are stark. The NVIDIA GeForce 930M has a 28 nm process node, 1,020 million transistors, and a die size of 77 mm². The Intel UHD Graphics 710 uses a 10 nm process with no transistor or die size data recorded. The NVIDIA GPU's base and boost clocks are both 549 MHz, while the Intel part has a base of 300 MHz and a boost of 1300 MHz.

Memory configurations differ fundamentally. The NVIDIA part has 2 GB of DDR3 with a 64-bit bus and 12.80 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel part has System Shared memory, type, and bus width, with System Dependent bandwidth. The NVIDIA GPU has 384 shading units and 24 TMUs versus 128 shading units and 8 TMUs on the Intel part. Both have 8 ROPs.

The NVIDIA GPU achieves a pixel rate of 4.392 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 13.18 GTexel/s. The Intel part achieves a pixel rate of 10.40 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 10.40 GTexel/s. FP32 performance is 421.6 GFLOPS for the NVIDIA GPU and 332.8 GFLOPS for the Intel part. The Intel part has FP16 performance of 665.6 GFLOPS, which is not listed for the NVIDIA GPU. The TDP is 33 W for the NVIDIA GPU and 15 W for the Intel part.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The two recorded benchmarks tell a story of contrasting strengths. In geekbench_opencl, the NVIDIA GeForce 930M scores 5046 against 3496 for the Intel UHD Graphics 710, a delta of 44.3%. This is a dominant win for the older Maxwell-based GPU, driven by its 384 shading units and dedicated memory bandwidth.

In geekbench_vulkan, the tables turn. The Intel UHD Graphics 710 scores 4088, while the NVIDIA GeForce 930M scores 3729, giving the Intel part an 8.8% advantage. This result is notable because the Intel GPU has only a third of the shading units, yet it outperforms the NVIDIA GPU in this modern API test. The Intel part's higher boost clock and newer architecture likely play a role.

The average benchmark scores reflect these individual results. The NVIDIA GeForce 930M averages 4388, while the Intel UHD Graphics 710 averages 3792. The NVIDIA GPU sits at the 26th percentile of all GPUs, with its nearest rival being the NVIDIA GeForce GT 645M at a 0.5% delta. The Intel part is at the 22nd percentile, with its closest rival being the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 at a 0.8% delta.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear recommendation based on workload. The NVIDIA GeForce 930M is the choice for compute-intensive tasks, given its 44.3% lead in OpenCL and its higher average benchmark score of 4388. Its 384 shading units and dedicated 2 GB of DDR3 memory provide a significant advantage in traditional shader-based workloads.

The Intel UHD Graphics 710 is the pick for Vulkan-based applications, where its 8.8% lead demonstrates superior driver optimization and architectural efficiency for modern APIs. Its 10 nm process and higher boost clock of 1300 MHz contribute to this win, despite having only 128 shading units.

Users with legacy software stacks that favor OpenCL should opt for the NVIDIA GeForce 930M. Those running current-generation games or applications built on Vulkan will find the Intel UHD Graphics 710 to be the faster option. The even split in benchmark wins means there is no universal winner, only the right tool for the right job.