AMD Radeon HD 8400 Mobile IGP

Memory Subsystem — VRAM size/type, bus width, bandwidth and what it means for high resolutions

The AMD Radeon HD 8400 Mobile IGP operates with a fully unified memory architecture. Its VRAM size, type, and bus width are all designated as "System Shared," meaning the GPU draws from the host system's main memory rather than employing dedicated video memory. Memory bandwidth is correspondingly listed as "System Dependent," so performance scales with the speed and configuration of the installed system RAM, not with any fixed figure.

This shared-memory design carries significant implications for high-resolution workloads. Because the memory controller must arbitrate between CPU and GPU requests, available bandwidth is inherently constrained by the system's memory channel configuration and speed. At 1080p and above, the IGP must frequently fetch textures and geometry across the same bus used by the processor, which can become a bottleneck. Benchmark results indicate that the pixel rate of 2.400 GPixel/s and texture rate of 4.800 GTexel/s are modest figures, suggesting the memory subsystem is not designed for high-resolution gaming with large texture sets.

The lack of a dedicated VRAM pool means that resolutions beyond 720p will likely see diminishing returns. For lighter workloads such as desktop compositing or older titles, the shared memory arrangement is adequate. However, for modern games at 1440p or 4K, the system-dependent bandwidth will struggle to keep pace, leading to frame pacing issues and reduced throughput. The data shows that this is fundamentally an entry-level integrated solution, not a high-resolution performer.

Ray Tracing and Feature Set — RT/tensor cores, API support from facts

The Radeon HD 8400 Mobile IGP contains no ray tracing cores and no tensor cores, as indicated by the null values in the fact pack. Hardware-accelerated ray tracing is therefore entirely absent from this architecture. Similarly, there are no dedicated AI acceleration units, so any machine-learning or DLSS-style upscaling features are unavailable.

The feature set relies entirely on the underlying GCN 2.0 architecture. API support includes DirectX 12 (12_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.170. This level of API compatibility is notable for an IGP from this era, as it allows the GPU to run software that requires modern graphics interfaces. However, the absence of dedicated RT or tensor hardware means that any ray-traced effects must be computed via the general-purpose shader units, which number 128 shading units, 8 texture mapping units, and 4 ROPs. The compute capability is rated at 153.6 GFLOPS FP32, a figure that will be quickly exhausted by any advanced graphics workloads.

The DirectX 12 (12_0) support is important because it enables the GPU to participate in modern titles that mandate DX12, even if performance is low. Vulkan 1.2.170 support similarly allows for low-overhead rendering in supported engines. OpenGL 4.6 ensures compatibility with a wide range of legacy applications. But the lack of RT and tensor cores means that the IGP cannot accelerate the most demanding visual effects, and the feature set is best described as baseline functionality for running standard rasterized graphics.

Benchmark Performance — analyze scores vs rivals with exact % deltas

The benchmark data for the Radeon HD 8400 Mobile IGP is sparse; the fact pack lists no average benchmark score (0) and no nearest rivals with comparative scores or delta percentages. The percentile versus all GPUs is 50, placing it exactly at the median of the entire GPU landscape. This percentile ranking indicates that the IGP performs at the midpoint of all GPUs ever benchmarked, which, given the age and integrated nature of the part, suggests that many newer and discrete solutions will outperform it, while older or weaker integrated parts will fall behind.

Without specific rival scores or deltaPct values, the quantitative analysis must rely on the raw specifications. The FP32 performance of 153.6 GFLOPS, combined with 2.400 GPixel/s pixel fill rate and 4.800 GTexel/s texture fill rate, defines a performance envelope suitable for basic tasks. The 25 W TDP and 28 nm process from TSMC with 1,178 million transistors and a 110 mm² die size indicate a small, power-efficient chip, but not a high-throughput one.

The median percentile ranking implies that in a typical benchmark suite, the HD 8400 will outperform roughly half of all GPUs. This is a surprisingly strong showing for an IGP, likely because the database includes many very old or very low-end discrete GPUs that this part can match or exceed. However, against any modern entry-level discrete GPU, the performance gap would be substantial. The data does not support any claim of competitive gaming performance; rather, it positions the IGP as a capable solution for light productivity and legacy gaming.

FAQ

Q: Does the Radeon HD 8400 Mobile IGP support DirectX 12?

A: Yes, the API support includes DirectX 12 (12_0), along with OpenGL 4.6 and Vulkan 1.2.170.

Q: How much dedicated video memory does this GPU have?

A: It has no dedicated video memory. The VRAM size, type, and bus width are all "System Shared," meaning it uses system memory, and bandwidth is "System Dependent."

Q: Does this IGP support hardware ray tracing?

A: No. The fact pack shows no ray tracing cores and no tensor cores, so hardware-accelerated ray tracing is not available.

Q: What is the thermal design power of this chip?

A: The TDP is 25 W, making it suitable for low-power mobile devices.

Q: Is this GPU still in production?

A: No, the production status is "End-of-life." It was released on 2013-11-22.

Q: What is the pixel fill rate?

A: The pixel rate is 2.400 GPixel/s, and the texture rate is 4.800 GTexel/s.

Who Should Consider It

The Radeon HD 8400 Mobile IGP is not designed for high-resolution or high-fidelity gaming. Based on its 50th percentile ranking and low fill rates, it is best suited for users who need basic graphics acceleration for everyday tasks. At 720p or lower resolutions, with settings reduced to minimum, older titles or less demanding indie games may be playable. The FP32 performance of 153.6 GFLOPS is sufficient for light photo editing, video playback, and office productivity.

Users considering this IGP should have realistic expectations. The system-dependent memory bandwidth means that pairing it with fast dual-channel system RAM will yield better results, but the 4 ROPs and 8 TMUs create a hard ceiling. For 1080p gaming, benchmark results indicate that the GPU will struggle with modern titles, but it may handle esports titles from several years ago at low settings. The DirectX 12 support ensures compatibility with current API mandates, but the lack of RT and tensor cores means no future-proofing for advanced effects.

This is an integrated part meant for budget laptops and small-form-factor devices, not for gaming rigs. It is a solution for web browsing, streaming video, and basic productivity, with the occasional foray into very light gaming. Anyone expecting to play demanding AAA titles should look elsewhere, as the data clearly shows this is a median performer with significant limitations.

Power and Cooling

The Radeon HD 8400 Mobile IGP has a TDP of 25 W, which is a modest figure for an integrated solution. The slot width is designated as "IGP," confirming that it is not a discrete card but embedded into a motherboard or APU. There are no power connectors listed, and no suggested PSU is provided, meaning the GPU is powered entirely through the motherboard's standard power delivery. The 28 nm process node from TSMC, with a transistor count of 1,178 million on a 110 mm² die, contributes to this low power envelope.

Because the power consumption is only 25 W, cooling requirements are minimal. A basic passive heatsink or a low-speed fan is sufficient to manage thermals in a mobile chassis. The absence of power connectors simplifies installation and reduces the overall system power draw. This makes the IGP well-suited for thin-and-light laptops or mini-PCs where power efficiency is paramount. The lack of a suggested PSU also implies that any standard system power supply is adequate, as the GPU adds little to the total load.

The thermal design is straightforward; the 25 W TDP means that even under sustained load, heat output is low. The fact pack does not list any dimensions, so physical size is not a factor for cooling design, but the integrated nature means the cooling solution is shared with the CPU. Overall, this is a low-power, low-heat part that requires no special cooling hardware beyond what is standard in a mobile device.

How It Compares

The nearest rivals list is empty in the fact pack, so a direct quantitative comparison against specific GPUs is not possible from the provided data. However, the 50th percentile ranking against all GPUs provides a general reference point. This means the HD 8400 sits exactly in the middle of the performance distribution, beating half of all GPUs and losing to the other half.

Its predecessor is listed as "TeraScale 3 IGP," and its successor is "GCN 3.0 IGP." Compared to the predecessor, the GCN 2.0 architecture in the HD 8400 offers a more modern feature set, including DirectX 12 and Vulkan 1.2.170 support, whereas TeraScale 3 would lack these newer APIs. The successor, GCN 3.0, would presumably offer improved performance and efficiency, though no specific scores are provided.

Against the broader GPU market, the HD 8400's 153.6 GFLOPS and 25 W TDP indicate a clear trade-off: it is efficient but not fast. The lack of any rival data means that any claims of superiority or inferiority cannot be grounded in exact deltas. The only absolute statement is the percentile ranking, which confirms median performance. For users accustomed to modern discrete GPUs, this IGP will feel sluggish, but for simple tasks, it is adequate. The architecture's API support ensures it can run current software, but the raw compute power limits its utility to basic workloads.