GPU Comparison

The Intel Arc A750 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Mobile represent two fundamentally different approaches to graphics hardware: a desktop-oriented, high-power discrete GPU versus a mobile-first, efficiency-focused part. The data shows a split decision, with the Arc A750 dominating compute-oriented and legacy API benchmarks, while the RTX 4050 Mobile counters with superior performance in several DirectX and modern gaming workloads. The Arc A750 holds a 7.4% lead in average benchmark score (20582 vs 19049) and a higher percentile ranking (66th vs 63rd), yet the RTX 4050 Mobile wins five of the nine head-to-head comparisons. This analysis examines the architectural underpinnings and measured performance deltas to determine which GPU suits specific workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Arc A750 leads with an average benchmark score of 20582, compared to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Mobile's 19049, a difference of approximately 7.4% in favor of Intel.

Q: How do the two compare in raw compute performance?

A: The Arc A750 delivers 17.20 TFLOPS of FP32 compute, nearly double the RTX 4050 Mobile's 8.986 TFLOPS. This is reflected in the Geekbench OpenCL score, where Intel wins 98554 to 74748, a 31.8% advantage.

Q: Which GPU performs better in DirectX 11 workloads?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Mobile wins decisively in Passmark DirectX 11, scoring 130 versus Intel's 72. This represents a 44.6% delta in NVIDIA's favor, the largest margin in any head-to-head test.

Q: What is the memory configuration difference?

A: The Arc A750 uses 8 GB of GDDR6 on a 256-bit bus, yielding 512.0 GB/s bandwidth. The RTX 4050 Mobile has 6 GB of GDDR6 on a 96-bit bus, providing 192.0 GB/s bandwidth, the Intel card offers 2 GB more capacity and 2.67x the memory bandwidth.

Q: Which GPU has higher transistor density?

A: The RTX 4050 Mobile's AD107 chip achieves 118.9M transistors per mm² on a 5 nm process, significantly higher than the Arc A750's 53.4M per mm² on a 6 nm process. This reflects the newer manufacturing node despite the NVIDIA chip having fewer total transistors (18,900 million vs 21,700 million).

Q: How do the GPUs compare in DirectX 12 performance?

A: The Intel Arc A750 wins Passmark DirectX 12 with a score of 70 versus NVIDIA's 61, a 14.8% advantage. However, both support DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2) according to the API specifications.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Arc A750 is built on the Xe-HPG architecture with the DG2-512 chip, fabricated on a 6 nm process at TSMC. This is a large die measuring 406 mm² and containing 21,700 million transistors, resulting in a transistor density of 53.4M per mm². The RTX 4050 Mobile uses NVIDIA's Ada Lovelace architecture with the AD107 chip, manufactured on a 5 nm process. Its die is substantially smaller at 159 mm², yet packs 18,900 million transistors for a density of 118.9M per mm², more than double Intel's density.

The compute configurations differ dramatically. Intel's GPU features 3584 shading units, 224 texture mapping units, and 112 ROPs, alongside 28 ray tracing cores. NVIDIA counters with 2560 shading units, 80 TMUs, and 48 ROPs, plus 20 RT cores and 80 tensor cores. The Arc A750 has no dedicated tensor core count listed, while the RTX 4050 Mobile's tensor cores enable AI-accelerated features. Clock speeds also diverge: Intel runs at a 2050 MHz base and 2400 MHz boost, whereas NVIDIA operates at a lower 1455 MHz base and 1755 MHz boost.

Memory architecture is a major differentiator. The Arc A750 uses an 8 GB GDDR6 configuration with a 256-bit bus, achieving 512.0 GB/s bandwidth. The RTX 4050 Mobile has 6 GB GDDR6 on a 96-bit bus, delivering 192.0 GB/s, one-third of Intel's bandwidth. Both use 2000 MHz memory with 16 Gbps effective speed, but the bus width difference is decisive. Compute throughput follows suit: Intel offers 17.20 TFLOPS FP32 and 34.41 TFLOPS FP16 (2:1 ratio), while NVIDIA provides 8.986 TFLOPS for both FP32 and FP16 (1:1 ratio).

Power and physical characteristics reflect their intended markets. The Arc A750 consumes 225 W TDP, requires a dual-slot cooler with 1x 6-pin and 1x 8-pin power connectors, and needs a 550 W suggested PSU. The RTX 4050 Mobile is an IGP (integrated graphics processor) with a mere 50 W TDP, no power connectors, and no suggested PSU. The bus interface also differs: Intel uses PCIe 4.0 x16, while NVIDIA uses PCIe 4.0 x8. Both support DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4, but the Arc A750 offers 1x HDMI 2.1 and 3x DisplayPort 2.0 outputs, whereas the RTX 4050 Mobile's display outputs are listed as "Portable Device Dependent."

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Geekbench OpenCL test shows the largest performance gap, with Intel winning 98554 to 74748, a 31.8% advantage. This aligns with the Arc A750's 1.91x higher FP32 compute throughput. The Vulkan benchmark follows a similar pattern: Intel scores 85631 versus NVIDIA's 75235, a 13.8% lead. These compute-oriented tests highlight the Arc A750's raw processing power, enabled by its larger die, more shading units, and wider memory bus.

NVIDIA's strongest showing comes in Passmark DirectX 11, where it scores 130 against Intel's 72, a 44.6% victory. This is a striking reversal given Intel's hardware advantage, suggesting driver maturity or architectural efficiency favors NVIDIA in this legacy API. The DirectX 10 test also goes to NVIDIA (79 vs 65, a 17.7% delta), and the DirectX 9 test is nearly tied, with NVIDIA edging ahead 184 to 181 (a 1.6% margin).

Passmark G3D, a general 3D graphics benchmark, goes to NVIDIA 14423 versus 12534, a 13.1% lead. This is notable because it suggests real-world gaming performance favors the RTX 4050 Mobile despite its lower compute specs. The GPU compute test also favors NVIDIA, with a score of 5947 versus Intel's 5368, a 9.7% advantage, an unexpected result given Intel's FP32 dominance, possibly reflecting NVIDIA's tensor core acceleration in compute workloads.

Intel reclaims ground in Passmark DirectX 12 with a 14.8% win (70 vs 61), demonstrating that modern API performance is competitive. The 2D performance test also goes to Intel: 732 versus 633, a 15.6% margin. Overall, Intel wins four tests (OpenCL, Vulkan, DirectX 12, G2D) while NVIDIA wins five (DirectX 10, DirectX 11, DirectX 9, G3D, GPU compute). The average benchmark score reflects Intel's larger wins in compute tests, giving it a 7.4% aggregate lead.

Specification Differences

The two GPUs differ across nearly every specification category. The process node is 6 nm for Intel versus 5 nm for NVIDIA, with die sizes of 406 mm² and 159 mm² respectively. Transistor counts are 21,700 million for Intel and 18,900 million for NVIDIA, but transistor density is 53.4M per mm² versus 118.9M per mm². Base clocks are 2050 MHz (Intel) and 1455 MHz (NVIDIA), with boost clocks of 2400 MHz and 1755 MHz.

Memory specifications diverge significantly: 8 GB versus 6 GB capacity, 256-bit versus 96-bit bus width, and 512.0 GB/s versus 192.0 GB/s bandwidth. Compute units show 3584 shading units, 224 TMUs, 112 ROPs, and 28 RT cores for Intel; NVIDIA has 2560 shading units, 80 TMUs, 48 ROPs, 20 RT cores, and 80 tensor cores. FP32 throughput is 17.20 TFLOPS versus 8.986 TFLOPS, and FP16 is 34.41 TFLOPS (2:1) versus 8.986 TFLOPS (1:1).

Power requirements are starkly different: 225 W TDP versus 50 W, dual-slot versus IGP form factor, 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin connectors versus none, and a 550 W suggested PSU versus none. The bus interface is PCIe 4.0 x16 for Intel and PCIe 4.0 x8 for NVIDIA. Display outputs are 1x HDMI 2.1 and 3x DisplayPort 2.0 for Intel, while NVIDIA lists "Portable Device Dependent." Production status is end-of-life for Intel (released 2022-10-11) and active for NVIDIA (released 2023-01-02). Intel's launch MSRP is 289 USD; NVIDIA has no listed launch MSRP.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear tradeoff between compute horsepower and efficiency. The Intel Arc A750 is the choice for users prioritizing raw compute throughput, as evidenced by its 31.8% lead in Geekbench OpenCL and 13.8% lead in Vulkan. Its 512.0 GB/s memory bandwidth and 17.20 TFLOPS FP32 performance make it suitable for compute-heavy tasks, and it holds a 7.4% average benchmark score advantage. The card's DirectX 12 win (14.8%) also indicates solid modern API support.

However, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Mobile wins in the gaming-oriented Passmark G3D benchmark by 13.1%, suggesting better real-world graphics performance despite lower theoretical specs. Its 44.6% DirectX 11 advantage is decisive for older titles, and the 1:1 FP16 ratio (8.986 TFLOPS) indicates balanced compute. The 50 W TDP versus 225 W makes it the only viable option for portable devices, and its active production status contrasts with Intel's end-of-life designation.

For desktop users with power budget and physical space for a dual-slot card, the Arc A750 offers superior compute performance and memory bandwidth at a 289 USD launch MSRP. For mobile users or those prioritizing gaming performance per watt, the RTX 4050 Mobile is the data-backed choice, offering better DirectX 11 and G3D scores while consuming one-fifth the power. The RTX 4050 Mobile's tensor cores also provide AI acceleration capabilities that the Arc A750 lacks. Ultimately, the decision hinges on workload: compute density favors Intel, while efficiency and gaming consistency favor NVIDIA.