AMD Radeon 860M

The AMD Radeon 860M, built on the 4 nm process at TSMC using the RDNA 3.5 architecture and the Krackan Point chip, posts an average benchmark score of 26401, placing it at the 70th percentile of all GPUs. This integrated graphics processor (IGP) from the Navi III IGP generation delivers performance that lands squarely between dedicated desktop cards from several generations ago, making it a surprisingly potent option for thin-and-light systems. The data shows a GPU that trades blows with discrete solutions, with its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT 50th Anniversary, matching its average score almost exactly at 26403.

Benchmark Performance

The core metric from the benchmark data is the average score of 26401, which is derived from two specific tests: 22759 in Geekbench OpenCL and a notably stronger 30043 in Geekbench Vulkan. This discrepancy suggests the architecture's strengths are more fully realized through the Vulkan API, which is common for modern RDNA-based designs. When positioned against its nearest rivals, the 860M's performance is remarkably consistent. It sits a mere 0% delta from the AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT 50th Anniversary, meaning the integrated chip effectively matches that older desktop card's output in these synthetic workloads.

Further analysis shows a 1.1% advantage over the AMD Radeon R9 M290X, a mobile discrete GPU from a previous era, and a 2% lead over the AMD Radeon R9 370X. While these deltas are small, they are consistent, indicating the 860M does not just compete with, but slightly edges out, these older discrete parts. The only rival it trails is the NVIDIA RTX A4000, which sits 1.2% ahead. This is a professional workstation card, so the margin is contextually significant; the 860M is within striking distance of a much more expensive and power-hungry component. The near-parity with the RX 5700 XT 50th Anniversary is the headline result here, as it demonstrates that modern integrated graphics have closed the gap with mid-range desktop hardware from roughly five years ago, at least in compute-centric benchmarks.

Memory Subsystem

The memory configuration for the Radeon 860M is entirely system-dependent. It uses "System Shared" memory for its size, type, and bus width, meaning it has no dedicated VRAM of its own. Consequently, the bandwidth is also listed as "System Dependent," which is a critical caveat for performance. The GPU will rely on the laptop's main system memory (typically DDR5 or LPDDR5) for all frame buffer operations, and the speed and channel configuration of that system RAM will directly dictate the available bandwidth.

For high-resolution gaming, this presents a significant bottleneck. While the compute performance (3.072 TFLOPS FP32) is sufficient to drive modern games at 1080p, the lack of dedicated high-bandwidth memory means that performance at 1440p or 4K will likely degrade more sharply than it would on a discrete GPU with its own VRAM. The IGP's 8 ROPs and 32 TMUs are also limited, with a pixel rate of 24.00 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 96.00 GTexel/s. These figures, while adequate for 1080p, will struggle to fill a 4K frame buffer, especially when combined with the shared memory bandwidth. The data suggests that the 860M is best positioned as a 1080p performer, where the shared memory bandwidth is less likely to throttle the GPU's compute capabilities.

Ray Tracing and Feature Set

The Radeon 860M includes 8 dedicated ray tracing cores, marking its place in the RDNA 3.5 generation with hardware-accelerated ray tracing capabilities. While the raw RT core count is modest, its presence means the GPU can handle ray-traced effects, albeit likely at reduced resolutions or with lower quality settings compared to its rasterized performance. The API support confirms its modern feature set: it supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), which is the baseline for current and upcoming AAA titles, alongside OpenGL 4.6 and Vulkan 1.4.

This combination of hardware and API support ensures broad compatibility with all modern game releases. The Vulkan 1.4 support is particularly relevant, as the benchmark data shows a significant performance uplift in the Vulkan test (30043) compared to OpenCL (22759), suggesting that titles leveraging Vulkan will see better frame rates than those using older or more generic compute APIs. The inclusion of ray tracing cores, even in limited number, distinguishes this IGP from older integrated solutions and positions it as a viable option for playing games with some level of RT enabled, provided the resolution and settings are tuned appropriately.

Power and Cooling

Operating at a 15 W TDP, the Radeon 860M is an extraordinarily efficient part. This low power envelope means it requires no external power connectors, as indicated by the "None" field for its power connectors. The slot width is listed as "IGP," which confirms it is designed to be soldered directly onto a motherboard, not installed in a PCIe slot. The bus interface is PCIe 4.0 x8, which provides ample bandwidth for an integrated solution that shares system memory.

The thermal implications are straightforward: a 15 W GPU is far easier to cool than a discrete card. This allows system manufacturers to design thinner and lighter laptops without the need for elaborate cooling solutions or large heatsinks. There is no suggested PSU listed in the data, which is logical given that the GPU draws its power from the motherboard's power delivery system, not a separate PSU. The lack of a dedicated power connector and the minimal power draw are the defining characteristics here, enabling the 860M to be a high-performance IGP in a power-constrained environment.

How It Compares

AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT 50th Anniversary: The most direct comparison shows a 0% delta in average benchmark score (26401 vs 26403). This indicates that the integrated 860M matches the performance of this desktop GPU, which is a remarkable feat given the differences in power consumption and physical size. The 860M essentially replicates the compute performance of this older flagship in synthetic tests.

AMD Radeon R9 M290X: The 860M holds a 1.1% advantage over this mobile discrete GPU. The R9 M290X was a high-end laptop part in its day, and the fact that an IGP can outperform it by a slight margin shows the generational leap in integrated graphics. This delta, while small, is a clear win for the 860M.

NVIDIA RTX A4000: This is the only rival ahead of the 860M, with a 1.2% higher average score (26714 vs 26401). The RTX A4000 is a professional workstation card with much higher power requirements and a dedicated memory bus. The 860M's near-parity with this card, despite the massive differences in design goals, underscores the efficiency and capability of the RDNA 3.5 architecture.

AMD Radeon R9 370X: The 860M leads this desktop card by 2%. The R9 370X was a mid-range desktop GPU, and the 860M's clear, albeit modest, victory over it demonstrates that modern integrated solutions have surpassed the performance of older discrete desktop parts, making them viable for entry-level gaming.

Who Should Consider It

The benchmark data positions the Radeon 860M squarely at 1080p gaming. Given its compute scores, which rival the RX 5700 XT 50th Anniversary, it can handle most modern titles at 1080p with medium to high settings. Users should avoid targeting 1440p or 4K resolutions, as the system-shared memory architecture and limited ROP count (8) will create a severe bottleneck, leading to sub-optimal frame rates. The strong Vulkan performance (30043) suggests that gamers playing Vulkan-based titles will have a better experience than those playing DirectX 12 games, though both are supported via the 12 Ultimate API.

This is a chip for users who need a single, power-efficient solution for light gaming and general productivity. The 15 W TDP means it is ideal for ultraportable laptops where battery life is paramount, but where the user still wants the flexibility to play games at 1080p on the go. It is not a high-refresh-rate or high-resolution gaming part, but as a jack-of-all-trades IGP, the data shows it punches far above its weight class, delivering discrete-class performance in an integrated package.

FAQ

Q: How does the AMD Radeon 860M perform compared to the AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT 50th Anniversary?

A: The benchmark data shows a 0% delta in average scores, with the 860M scoring 26401 and the RX 5700 XT 50th Anniversary scoring 26403, indicating essentially identical performance.

Q: What is the TDP of the Radeon 860M and what are its power requirements?

A: The TDP is 15 W, and it requires no external power connectors, drawing all its power from the motherboard as an IGP.

Q: Does the Radeon 860M support hardware ray tracing?

A: Yes, it includes 8 dedicated ray tracing cores, providing hardware support for ray-traced effects, though performance will be limited by its overall compute power.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of the Radeon 860M?

A: The memory bandwidth is listed as "System Dependent" because the GPU uses System Shared memory for its VRAM, making performance reliant on the laptop's system RAM configuration.

Q: What APIs are supported by the Radeon 860M?

A: It supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4.

Q: What is the average benchmark score of the Radeon 860M and what percentile does it fall into?

A: The average benchmark score is 26401, which places it in the 70th percentile of all GPUs.