GPU Comparison

The NVIDIA GeForce GT 1010 and the Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 represent two very different approaches to entry-level graphics, and the benchmark data shows a clear performance hierarchy. The GT 1010 is the decisive winner in raw compute, posting a Geekbench OpenCL score of 6698 against the Iris Pro's 4556, a massive 47% advantage. However, the Intel part is not without its own merits, particularly in API compatibility and power efficiency, making the choice between them heavily dependent on the specific use case and system constraints.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce GT 1010 has a significantly higher average benchmark score of 6698, compared to the Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200's average of 6117.

Q: What is the performance difference in the OpenCL benchmark?

A: In the Geekbench OpenCL test, the NVIDIA GeForce GT 1010 scores 6698, while the Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 scores 4556. This gives the GT 1010 a 47% lead in performance.

Q: Which GPU is more power-efficient based on TDP?

A: The Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 has a lower TDP of 15 W, making it more power-efficient than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 1010, which has a TDP of 30 W.

Q: How do their DirectX and Vulkan support compare?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce GT 1010 supports DirectX 12 (12_1) and Vulkan 1.4, while the Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 supports DirectX 12 (11_1) and Vulkan 1.0. The GT 1010 has a higher feature level for both APIs.

Q: Which GPU has a higher transistor count?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce GT 1010 has 1,800 million transistors on a 74 mm² die, whereas the transistor count for the Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 is not listed in the data.

Q: What is the memory configuration difference?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce GT 1010 features 2 GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory with a 64-bit bus and 48.06 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 uses System Shared memory, with its bandwidth being System Dependent.

Architecture Differences

The two GPUs are built on fundamentally different architectural philosophies. The NVIDIA GeForce GT 1010 is based on the Pascal architecture and uses the GP108 chip, manufactured by Samsung on a 14 nm process. It features a dedicated 2 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 64-bit bus, providing 48.06 GB/s of bandwidth. Its die size is 74 mm², which houses 1,800 million transistors, resulting in a transistor density of 24.3M per mm².

In contrast, the Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 is an integrated GPU based on the Generation 8.0 architecture, using the Broadwell GT3e chip fabricated by Intel on the same 14 nm process node. As an IGP, it relies on System Shared memory, meaning its bandwidth is System Dependent rather than a fixed figure. The Intel part does not have a listed die size or transistor count, but it compensates with a higher number of shading units (384 vs 256) and texture mapping units (48 vs 16), which contributes to its texture rate of 52.80 GTexel/s versus the GT 1010's 23.49 GTexel/s.

The NVIDIA chip counters with a higher pixel rate of 11.74 GPixel/s, compared to the Intel's 6.600 GPixel/s, a direct result of having 8 ROPs versus just 6. The GT 1010 also boasts a discrete card form factor with a single-slot design and a PCIe 3.0 x4 interface, while the Iris Pro is an IGP that connects via a Ring Bus and is Motherboard Dependent for its display outputs. Finally, the GT 1010 supports more advanced API versions, including DirectX 12 (12_1) and Vulkan 1.4, whereas the Intel part is limited to DirectX 12 (11_1) and Vulkan 1.0.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only head-to-head benchmark available is the Geekbench OpenCL test, and the results are starkly in favor of the NVIDIA GeForce GT 1010. The GT 1010 scored 6698, while the Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 managed 4556. This represents a 47% delta, a substantial margin that underscores the computational advantage of the discrete NVIDIA solution. In this test, the GT 1010's dedicated memory and Pascal architecture deliver a clear performance victory.

Looking at the broader benchmark landscape, the GT 1010's average score of 6698 places it at the 38th percentile of all GPUs, while the Iris Pro's average of 6117 (calculated from its OpenCL, Metal, and Vulkan scores) puts it at the 35th percentile. This confirms that the GT 1010's lead is consistent, not just a one-off result. Notably, the Iris Pro's best score comes from the Geekbench Metal test at 7764, but since the GT 1010 has no corresponding Metal result, the OpenCL comparison remains the only direct measure. The data shows that in the one test where both are measured, the GT 1010 is unequivocally faster.

Specification Differences

The two GPUs differ across nearly every specification category. The most fundamental divergence is in memory: the NVIDIA GeForce GT 1010 has 2 GB of dedicated GDDR5, while the Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 uses System Shared memory. This leads to a bandwidth figure of 48.06 GB/s for the NVIDIA card, whereas the Intel part's bandwidth is System Dependent.

Clock speeds also differ, with the GT 1010 running at a base of 1228 MHz and a boost of 1468 MHz, while the Iris Pro has a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost of 1100 MHz. The memory clock is 1502 MHz (6 Gbps effective) for the GT 1010, but is listed as System Shared for the Intel part. In terms of processing units, the Intel GPU has more shading units (384 vs 256) and TMUs (48 vs 16), but fewer ROPs (6 vs 8).

The form factor is another differentiator: the GT 1010 is a single-slot, 147 mm (5.8 inches) long discrete card with no power connectors and a suggested PSU of 200 W, while the Iris Pro is an IGP with no physical dimensions or power connector requirements. The TDP is also lower for the Intel chip at 15 W, versus 30 W for the NVIDIA card. Finally, the API support differs, with the GT 1010 offering DirectX 12 (12_1), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4, while the Iris Pro offers DirectX 12 (11_1), OpenGL 4.4, and Vulkan 1.0.

Where Each One Wins

The NVIDIA GeForce GT 1010 wins decisively in raw compute performance, as evidenced by its 47% higher OpenCL score and its superior average benchmark result. This makes it the better choice for any workload that leverages general-purpose GPU compute, such as OpenCL-accelerated applications. Its dedicated 2 GB of GDDR5 memory also provides a tangible advantage over shared system memory, as it offers consistent bandwidth without competing with the CPU for system resources. The GT 1010's higher pixel rate (11.74 GPixel/s) also suggests better performance in fill-rate-bound scenarios.

The Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200, while losing the compute battle, wins in efficiency. Its 15 W TDP is half that of the GT 1010, making it a far better fit for ultra-portable and low-power systems where energy consumption is a priority. As an IGP, it also requires no additional card slot or power connectors, simplifying system integration. The Iris Pro's higher texture rate (52.80 GTexel/s) indicates a potential advantage in texture-heavy workloads, despite its overall lower compute score. Its support for the Metal API, where it scores 7764, also makes it a viable option in Apple-centric environments that rely on Metal for graphics acceleration.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the NVIDIA GeForce GT 1010 is the superior performer in head-to-head compute benchmarks, offering a 47% advantage in OpenCL and a higher overall average score. For users who need maximum graphics processing power from a low-profile discrete card, the GT 1010 is the clear winner. Its dedicated memory, higher clock speeds, and more advanced API support (DirectX 12_1 and Vulkan 1.4) make it the better option for running demanding applications or games that can utilize these features.

However, the Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 is the better choice for scenarios where power consumption is the primary constraint. Its 15 W TDP is critically lower than the GT 1010's 30 W, making it ideal for thin-and-light laptops or systems with very limited thermal headroom. It also holds a niche advantage in texture rate and Metal performance, which could be relevant for specific software. The GT 1010 sits at the 38th percentile of all GPUs, while the Iris Pro rests at the 35th, but the performance gap in their shared benchmark is far larger than that percentile difference suggests. Ultimately, the GT 1010 is the performance pick, while the Iris Pro wins on efficiency and integration simplicity.