Intel UHD Graphics 750 vs NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M Comparison

The Verdict

The data presents a clear split decision between the Intel UHD Graphics 750 and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M, with each part claiming a distinct edge. For users prioritizing raw compute throughput in OpenCL workloads, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M is the definitive choice, holding a substantial 26.9% lead over the Intel part in the sole head-to-head benchmark. The GTX 680M’s average benchmark score of 7023 and its 39th percentile ranking among all GPUs place it in a similar tier to the Intel UHD Graphics 750, which sits at the 40th percentile with an average score of 7441. However, the Intel chip’s higher average score is heavily influenced by its Vulkan result, a test the GTX 680M did not participate in.

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M is the pick for users who need dedicated memory bandwidth and a mobile discrete GPU’s throughput, as evidenced by its 115.2 GB/s bandwidth and 2.038 TFLOPS FP32 performance. The Intel UHD Graphics 750, by contrast, is an integrated solution that shares system memory, making it a less capable option for memory-intensive tasks. That said, the Intel part is not without merit: its Vulkan score of 8138 is its strongest benchmark showing, and its 14 nm+++ process node is significantly more modern than the GTX 680M’s 28 nm node. The verdict is straightforward: the GTX 680M wins on raw OpenCL and memory bandwidth, while the UHD 750 wins on API support and modern feature integration.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel UHD Graphics 750 has a higher average benchmark score of 7441 compared to the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M’s 7023. However, the GTX 680M outperforms the Intel part in the only direct head-to-head test, which is Geekbench OpenCL.

Q: What is the performance difference in the head-to-head OpenCL test?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M scores 9230 in Geekbench OpenCL, while the Intel UHD Graphics 750 scores 6743. This gives the GTX 680M a 26.9% advantage over the Intel chip in that specific test.

Q: Which GPU supports the newer version of Vulkan?

A: The Intel UHD Graphics 750 supports Vulkan 1.4, whereas the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M supports Vulkan 1.2.175. The Intel part also has a higher DirectX support level at 12 (12_1) compared to the GTX 680M’s 12 (11_0).

Q: How do their memory configurations differ?

A: The Intel UHD Graphics 750 uses system shared memory with a system-dependent bandwidth. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M has 4 GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing 115.2 GB/s of bandwidth.

Q: Which GPU has a higher pixel fill rate?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M has a pixel rate of 21.22 GPixel/s, which is more than double the Intel UHD Graphics 750’s 10.40 GPixel/s. The GTX 680M also leads in texture rate at 84.90 GTexel/s versus 20.80 GTexel/s.

Q: What are the power consumption figures for each GPU?

A: The Intel UHD Graphics 750 has a TDP of 15 W, while the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M has a TDP of 100 W. The GTX 680M is also a larger MXM module, whereas the Intel part is an integrated graphics processor (IGP).

Architecture Differences

The two GPUs come from different architectural eras and design philosophies. The Intel UHD Graphics 750 is based on the Generation 12.1 architecture, built on Intel’s 14 nm+++ process node. This is a modern integrated graphics solution that ships as part of a Rocket Lake chip, with a Ring Bus interface. In contrast, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M uses the Kepler architecture, fabricated on TSMC’s 28 nm process. The GTX 680M is a discrete mobile GPU with a GK104 chip, featuring 3,540 million transistors on a 294 mm² die, yielding a transistor density of 12.0M per mm².

The feature sets diverge significantly. The Intel part supports DirectX 12 (12_1), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4, indicating broader and more up-to-date API coverage. The NVIDIA GPU supports DirectX 12 (11_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.175, which trails the Intel chip’s API versions. The GTX 680M’s Kepler architecture is older, and its predecessor is the GeForce 500M series, with the GeForce 700M as its successor. The Intel UHD Graphics 750 has no listed predecessor or successor, reflecting its role as an integrated part of a specific chip generation.

Memory architecture is another fundamental difference. The Intel UHD Graphics 750 relies on system shared memory, with no dedicated VRAM and a bus width that is also system shared. The GTX 680M includes 4 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus, with a fixed bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s. This makes the NVIDIA part far more self-sufficient for graphics workloads, as it does not compete with the CPU for memory bandwidth. The Intel part’s memory bandwidth is listed as system dependent, meaning its performance can vary based on the rest of the system configuration.

Specification Differences

The specification tables reveal several key differences between the two GPUs. The Intel UHD Graphics 750 operates at a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 1300 MHz, while the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M runs at 719 MHz base and 758 MHz boost. The memory clock also differs: the Intel part uses system shared memory with no dedicated clock, whereas the GTX 680M has a memory clock of 900 MHz, or 3.6 Gbps effective.

The compute unit counts are starkly different. The Intel UHD Graphics 750 has 256 shading units, 16 texture mapping units (TMUs), and 8 render output units (ROPs). The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M has 1344 shading units, 112 TMUs, and 32 ROPs. This translates to a significant advantage for the GTX 680M in raw pixel throughput (21.22 GPixel/s vs. 10.40 GPixel/s) and texture throughput (84.90 GTexel/s vs. 20.80 GTexel/s). FP32 performance is also lopsided, with the GTX 680M delivering 2.038 TFLOPS compared to the Intel part’s 665.6 GFLOPS.

The Intel UHD Graphics 750 supports FP16 at 1,331.2 GFLOPS (2:1 ratio), while the GTX 680M has no listed FP16 capability. Power consumption is another differentiator: the Intel chip is rated at 15 W TDP, while the GTX 680M is rated at 100 W TDP. The slot width also differs, with the Intel part being an IGP and the NVIDIA part being an MXM module. The bus interface is Ring Bus for Intel and MXM-B (3.0) for NVIDIA. Display outputs are motherboard dependent for Intel and portable device dependent for NVIDIA.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only direct benchmark comparison available is the Geekbench OpenCL test. In this test, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M scores 9230, while the Intel UHD Graphics 750 scores 6743. This results in a 26.9% lead for the NVIDIA part, marking a decisive victory in compute performance. The GTX 680M’s advantage is consistent with its hardware specifications, which include more than five times the shading units (1344 vs. 256) and over double the pixel rate.

Beyond the head-to-head, the Intel UHD Graphics 750 has its own benchmark results that are not matched by the GTX 680M. The Intel part scores 8138 in Geekbench Vulkan, a test the NVIDIA GPU did not run. This Vulkan score is higher than the Intel part’s OpenCL score, suggesting that the UHD 750 performs better in Vulkan workloads. The GTX 680M also has a Geekbench Metal score of 4815, a test that the Intel part does not participate in, likely due to platform differences.

The average benchmark scores paint a nuanced picture. The Intel UHD Graphics 750 has an average score of 7441, while the GTX 680M has an average score of 7023. This puts the Intel part slightly ahead in aggregate, but the head-to-head OpenCL result shows the GTX 680M is superior in that specific workload. The percentile rankings are close, with the Intel part at the 40th percentile and the GTX 680M at the 39th percentile, indicating both are mid-range performers relative to all GPUs.

Where Each One Wins

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M wins decisively in OpenCL compute workloads, as shown by its 26.9% lead in the head-to-head benchmark. Its dedicated 4 GB of GDDR5 memory with 115.2 GB/s bandwidth gives it a massive advantage in memory-bound tasks, and its higher pixel rate (21.22 GPixel/s) and texture rate (84.90 GTexel/s) make it the better choice for traditional graphics rendering. The GTX 680M’s 2.038 TFLOPS FP32 performance is also over three times that of the Intel part, making it the clear winner for any application that relies on raw shader throughput. This GPU is best suited for users who need a mobile discrete solution with consistent memory bandwidth and higher compute capabilities.

The Intel UHD Graphics 750 wins in API support and modern feature integration. It supports Vulkan 1.4 and DirectX 12 (12_1), while the GTX 680M is limited to Vulkan 1.2.175 and DirectX 12 (11_0). For users running applications that leverage newer Vulkan features, the Intel part is the better option, as evidenced by its strong Vulkan score of 8138. The Intel chip also has a significantly lower TDP of 15 W, making it far more power-efficient than the GTX 680M’s 100 W. This makes the UHD 750 ideal for low-power systems where energy consumption is a priority. Additionally, the Intel part’s newer 14 nm+++ process node suggests better architectural efficiency, and its system shared memory design is simpler for integrated setups.

In summary, the GTX 680M is the pick for performance-oriented mobile workloads, particularly those that stress memory bandwidth and compute throughput. The UHD 750 is the pick for users prioritizing power efficiency, modern API support, and integrated simplicity. Each GPU has a clear domain of strength, and the choice depends entirely on the user’s workload requirements.