Intel Arc A530M vs NVIDIA N1 20SM Comparison

Intel Arc A530M and NVIDIA N1 20SM represent two distinct approaches to integrated and mobile graphics. The Arc A530M is an Alchemist-generation part built on Intel’s Xe-HPG architecture, while the N1 20SM is a Blackwell 2.0 IGP from NVIDIA. The recorded data shows that the two GPUs are not directly comparable in every metric, as the N1 20SM has no benchmark entries in the database, while the Arc A530M has two recorded scores. The analysis below relies strictly on the specification fields and the benchmark results available for the Intel part.

Where Each One Wins

The Arc A530M wins in any workload that depends on its recorded benchmark results. The database contains two entries for this GPU: a Geekbench OpenCL score of 49735 and a Geekbench Vulkan score of 43492. These scores place the Arc A530M at the 85th percentile among all GPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 46614. The N1 20SM, by contrast, has no benchmark entries and an average benchmark score of zero, placing it at the 50th percentile by default. In practical terms, the Arc A530M is the only one of the two that can be assessed through measured performance data.

The N1 20SM wins in sheer compute throughput based on the specification fields. Its FP32 throughput is 12.01 TFLOPS, which is roughly three times the Arc A530M’s 3.994 TFLOPS. The N1 20SM also delivers 12.01 TFLOPS for FP16 at a 1:1 ratio, whereas the Arc A530M reaches 7.987 TFLOPS for FP16 at a 2:1 ratio. Texture rate favors the NVIDIA part as well: 375.4 GTexel/s versus 124.8 GTexel/s for the Intel GPU. However, the N1 20SM has no measured benchmark results, so these specification advantages do not translate into recorded scores.

Pixel rate is one area where the Arc A530M leads. The Intel part achieves 62.40 GPixel/s, while the N1 20SM records 56.30 GPixel/s. The Arc A530M also has more ROPs at 48 versus 24 on the NVIDIA part. The N1 20SM counters with more shading units (2560 vs 1536), more TMUs (160 vs 96), more ray tracing cores (20 vs 12), and 80 tensor cores, which the Arc A530M does not list. The N1 20SM also offers a much larger memory pool of 128 GB LPDDR5X on a 256-bit bus, yielding 273.2 GB/s of bandwidth, compared to 8 GB GDDR6 on a 128-bit bus with 224.0 GB/s for the Arc A530M.

Architecture Differences

The two GPUs come from different architectural lineages. The Arc A530M uses Intel’s Xe-HPG architecture, specifically the DG2-256 chip, and belongs to the Alchemist generation within the Arc 5 Mobile family. The N1 20SM uses NVIDIA’s Blackwell 2.0 architecture, built on the GB20B chip, and belongs to the Blackwell IGP (N1x) generation. Both are fabricated by TSMC, but on different nodes: the Arc A530M uses a 6 nm process, while the N1 20SM uses a 5 nm process. The die size differs substantially, with the N1 20SM at 382 mm² and the Arc A530M at 269 mm². Transistor counts are only listed for the Intel part at 11,500 million, giving a transistor density of 42.8M per mm²; the N1 20SM’s transistor count is listed as unknown.

Memory architecture separates the two clearly. The Arc A530M uses 8 GB of GDDR6 with a 128-bit bus and 224.0 GB/s bandwidth. The N1 20SM uses 128 GB of LPDDR5X with a 256-bit bus and 273.2 GB/s bandwidth. The memory clock differs as well: the Intel part runs at 1750 MHz with 14 Gbps effective, while the NVIDIA part runs at 1067 MHz with 8.5 Gbps effective. The higher bus width on the N1 20SM compensates for the lower memory clock, resulting in higher total bandwidth.

Feature support also diverges. The Arc A530M lists DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4. The N1 20SM lists N/A for DirectX, OpenGL, and Vulkan. The N1 20SM includes 80 tensor cores and 20 ray tracing cores, while the Arc A530M lists 12 ray tracing cores and no tensor core field. The bus interface differs: the Arc A530M uses PCIe 4.0 x8, while the N1 20SM uses PCIe 5.0 x16. The N1 20SM has no power connectors and a single HDMI display output, while the Arc A530M has display outputs listed as portable device dependent.

Clock behavior shows a notable difference in boost strategy. The Arc A530M has a base clock of 900 MHz and a boost clock of 1300 MHz. The N1 20SM has a lower base clock of 741 MHz but a much higher boost clock of 2346 MHz. The power draw is listed as 65 W for the Arc A530M, while the N1 20SM’s TDP is unknown. Both are integrated-class parts with an IGP slot width.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Arc A530M has an average benchmark score of 46614, while the N1 20SM has an average benchmark score of 0, as no benchmark entries are recorded for it.

Q: How do the FP32 performance figures compare?

A: The N1 20SM delivers 12.01 TFLOPS of FP32 throughput, while the Arc A530M delivers 3.994 TFLOPS. The NVIDIA part is roughly three times higher in this metric.

Q: What memory configurations do the two GPUs use?

A: The Arc A530M uses 8 GB of GDDR6 on a 128-bit bus with 224.0 GB/s bandwidth. The N1 20SM uses 128 GB of LPDDR5X on a 256-bit bus with 273.2 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Are there any API differences between the two?

A: Yes. The Arc A530M supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4. The N1 20SM lists N/A for DirectX, OpenGL, and Vulkan.

Q: Which GPU has more shading units?

A: The N1 20SM has 2560 shading units, while the Arc A530M has 1536 shading units.

Q: What is the pixel rate for each GPU?

A: The Arc A530M achieves 62.40 GPixel/s, and the N1 20SM achieves 56.30 GPixel/s. The Intel part is higher in this specific metric.

Specification Differences

The recorded data shows differences in almost every major specification category. The process node differs: 6 nm for the Arc A530M versus 5 nm for the N1 20SM. Die size is 269 mm² for the Intel part and 382 mm² for the NVIDIA part. Transistor count is 11,500 million for the Arc A530M and unknown for the N1 20SM. Transistor density is 42.8M per mm² for the Intel part and not listed for the NVIDIA part.

Clock speeds differ in both base and boost. The Arc A530M runs at 900 MHz base and 1300 MHz boost. The N1 20SM runs at 741 MHz base and 2346 MHz boost. Memory clock is 1750 MHz with 14 Gbps effective for the Intel part, versus 1067 MHz with 8.5 Gbps effective for the NVIDIA part.

Memory capacity and type differ: 8 GB GDDR6 for the Arc A530M, 128 GB LPDDR5X for the N1 20SM. Bus width is 128 bit versus 256 bit. Bandwidth is 224.0 GB/s versus 273.2 GB/s. Shading units are 1536 versus 2560. TMUs are 96 versus 160. ROPs are 48 versus 24. Ray tracing cores are 12 versus 20. Tensor cores are not listed for the Intel part and are 80 for the NVIDIA part.

Pixel rate is 62.40 GPixel/s for the Arc A530M and 56.30 GPixel/s for the N1 20SM. Texture rate is 124.8 GTexel/s versus 375.4 GTexel/s. FP32 is 3.994 TFLOPS versus 12.01 TFLOPS. FP16 is 7.987 TFLOPS (2:1) versus 12.01 TFLOPS (1:1). TDP is 65 W for the Intel part and unknown for the NVIDIA part. Power connectors are not listed for the Intel part and are none for the NVIDIA part. Bus interface is PCIe 4.0 x8 versus PCIe 5.0 x16. Display outputs are portable device dependent for the Arc A530M and 1x HDMI for the N1 20SM. API support lists DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4 for the Intel part, while the NVIDIA part lists N/A for all three.

Release dates differ: the Arc A530M released in 2023, and the N1 20SM released in 2026. Both are marked as active in production status. Neither part has a recorded launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database has no head-to-head benchmark entries for these two GPUs, and the N1 20SM has no individual benchmark scores. The only measured performance data comes from the Arc A530M. Its Geekbench OpenCL score is 49735, and its Geekbench Vulkan score is 43492. These two scores average to 46614, which places the Arc A530M at the 85th percentile among all GPUs. The nearest rivals to the Arc A530M in the database are the AMD Radeon RX 5600M with an average score of 46601 and a delta of 0 percent, the AMD Radeon RX 6550M with an average score of 46702 and a delta of -0.2 percent, the NVIDIA RTX A2000 with an average score of 46043 and a delta of 1.2 percent, and the NVIDIA RTX 5880 Ada Generation with an average score of 45972 and a delta of 1.4 percent. This means the Arc A530M sits within a narrow band of comparable GPUs, effectively tied with the RX 5600M and within 1.4 percent of the others.

The N1 20SM cannot be placed in the same comparison because its average benchmark score is zero and its nearest rivals list is empty. Its percentile ranking of 50 is derived from the absence of benchmark data rather than from measured results. The specification sheet suggests high compute capability, particularly in FP32, FP16, texture rate, and memory bandwidth, but without recorded scores, the database cannot confirm how those specifications translate into real-world benchmark performance. The Arc A530M, by contrast, has verified scores in two API tests, giving it a concrete performance profile that the N1 20SM lacks.

The largest specification-side win for the N1 20SM is FP32 throughput. At 12.01 TFLOPS, it is 200.7 percent higher than the Arc A530M’s 3.994 TFLOPS. Texture rate is similarly lopsided: 375.4 GTexel/s versus 124.8 GTexel/s, a 200.8 percent advantage. Memory bandwidth favors the N1 20SM by 21.9 percent, at 273.2 GB/s versus 224.0 GB/s. The Arc A530M’s only clear specification wins are pixel rate (62.40 GPixel/s versus 56.30 GPixel/s, a 10.8 percent advantage) and ROP count (48 versus 24). The N1 20SM also has a substantially higher boost clock at 2346 MHz versus 1300 MHz, though its base clock is lower at 741 MHz versus 900 MHz.

The Verdict

The Arc A530M is the only one of the two GPUs with recorded benchmark data. Its Geekbench OpenCL score of 49735 and Vulkan score of 43492 place it at the 85th percentile, with an average score of 46614. The nearest rival data shows it sits within 1.4 percent of the RTX 5880 Ada Generation and effectively tied with the Radeon RX 5600M. Any selection between these two GPUs based on measured performance must favor the Arc A530M, simply because it has verifiable results and the N1 20SM has none.

The N1 20SM presents a strong specification profile. Its 12.01 TFLOPS FP32, 12.01 TFLOPS FP16, 375.4 GTexel/s texture rate, 273.2 GB/s memory bandwidth, 128 GB memory capacity, and 80 tensor cores all exceed the corresponding values for the Arc A530M. The NVIDIA part also uses a newer 5 nm process, a larger die at 382 mm², and a PCIe 5.0 x16 interface. However, none of these specifications are validated by benchmark scores in the database.

The Arc A530M counters with a higher pixel rate of 62.40 GPixel/s, more ROPs at 48, a lower TDP of 65 W, and full API support for DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4. The N1 20SM lists N/A for all three APIs, which limits its applicability for standard graphics workloads. The Intel part also has an established release date in 2023, while the N1 20SM is dated 2026.

For users who rely on measured benchmark data, the Arc A530M is the only option with recorded scores. For users who prioritize specification-level compute throughput, memory capacity, and bandwidth, the N1 20SM offers higher numbers in those fields. The database cannot confirm the N1 20SM’s real-world performance because no benchmark entries exist for it. The verdict from the data is straightforward: the Arc A530M has verified performance, and the N1 20SM has unverified specifications.