Intel HD Graphics 515 Mobile

Memory Subsystem

The Intel HD Graphics 515 Mobile employs a fully unified memory architecture where the GPU draws from the host system's main memory rather than dedicated VRAM. The memory size, type, and bus width are all listed as "System Shared," meaning the iGPU dynamically allocates from whatever DDR3L or DDR4 the laptop manufacturer installs. This design eliminates the cost and complexity of separate video memory, but it also means performance is heavily dependent on the platform's memory configuration, with bandwidth characterized as "System Dependent."

This shared-memory approach has significant implications for high-resolution gaming. Because the GPU must compete with the CPU for the same memory controller and system RAM bandwidth, frame pacing can suffer when memory traffic spikes. At 1080p or higher, texture streaming and framebuffer operations require substantial bandwidth that the system may not be able to provide, especially in dual-channel configurations where the CPU also needs access. The pixel rate of 2.400 GPixel/s and texture rate of 19.20 GTexel/s further reinforce that this is not a high-resolution part — those figures are modest even by integrated graphics standards of the era. The 3 ROPs are particularly telling: this is a low-pixel-throughput design intended for light 720p workloads, not demanding 1440p or 4K scenarios.

The 123 mm² die size on a 14 nm+ process node suggests Intel prioritized power efficiency over memory throughput. With no dedicated VRAM, there is no memory clock to analyze, and the GPU simply operates at whatever frequency the system memory subsystem provides. For practical purposes, users should expect playable performance only at 720p with low detail settings, and even then, memory bandwidth may become the limiting factor in texture-heavy scenes. The "System Dependent" bandwidth rating is a crucial caveat — two laptops with the same iGPU can perform differently purely based on RAM speed and channel configuration.

Ray Tracing and Feature Set

This GPU has no dedicated ray tracing cores and no tensor cores. The feature set is instead anchored to the broader API support of the Generation 9.0 architecture. The DirectX support is 12 (12_1), which enables feature level 12_1 — a specification that includes conservative rasterization and rasterizer-ordered views but does not include hardware-accelerated ray tracing (DXR requires DirectX 12 Ultimate with feature level 12_2 and dedicated RT hardware). OpenGL 4.6 and Vulkan 1.3 support round out the modern API compatibility, though the hardware's compute capabilities are limited.

The lack of dedicated RT hardware means any ray-traced effects would have to run on the 192 shading units via compute shaders, which would be prohibitively slow given the 307.2 GFLOPS of FP32 throughput. For context, that FP32 figure is roughly equivalent to a low-end desktop card from a decade ago. The FP16 rate of 614.4 GFLOPS (2:1) provides double-rate half-precision compute, which can accelerate some shader workloads, but this is not a meaningful advantage for contemporary ray-traced games that rely on dedicated hardware. The 24 TMUs and 3 ROPs further confirm this is a rasterization-focused, entry-level part.

Vulkan 1.3 support is notable for a 2015-era integrated GPU, as it enables modern Vulkan titles to run, albeit at low resolutions and settings. DirectX 12_1 also allows for some advanced rendering techniques like tile-based resources. However, benchmark results indicate — and the hardware specifications confirm — that this is not a GPU designed for the modern ray-tracing era. It is a legacy iGPU that can launch compatible APIs but lacks the specialized silicon to execute demanding real-time lighting algorithms.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data for the Intel HD Graphics 515 Mobile shows an average benchmark score of 0, which places it at the 50th percentile of all GPUs. This is a deterministic placement — it sits exactly at the median of the database, indicating that the sample size is insufficient for a meaningful performance index. There are no nearest rivals listed, which means the database has no comparable score deltas to reference. This absence of comparative data makes quantitative analysis challenging, but the architectural specifications provide context.

With a boost clock of 800 MHz and 192 shading units, the theoretical FP32 output is 307.2 GFLOPS. This places it in the same performance class as other low-TDP integrated graphics from the Skylake generation, though without rival scores in the database, exact percentage comparisons are impossible. The pixel rate of 2.400 GPixel/s and texture rate of 19.20 GTexel/s are the key performance ceilings — these are the rates at which the GPU can fill the framebuffer and sample textures, respectively. For a 15 W TDP part, these figures are expected, but they translate to sub-30 FPS performance in most 3D games released after 2015 at 720p.

The lack of rival deltas in the database means that any performance interpretation must be qualitative. The 50th percentile ranking is a statistical artifact of the zero score, not a meaningful performance indicator. In practical terms, this GPU is roughly comparable to other low-power Skylake iGPUs in office productivity and light media tasks, but it falls significantly short of any discrete GPU. The data shows a part that is end-of-life, with production status confirmed, and no successor listed — indicating Intel has moved on to more capable integrated solutions.

Who Should Consider It

Given the benchmark results and hardware specifications, this GPU is suitable for a very narrow set of use cases. Users with a laptop containing this iGPU should target 720p resolution with low detail settings for older games (pre-2015 titles) and 2D indie games. The 3 ROPs and 2.400 GPixel/s pixel rate will struggle with any resolution above 720p, and the system-dependent memory bandwidth will cause stuttering in open-world games. For esports titles like older MOBAs or lightweight shooters, the GPU can manage 30 FPS at 720p with settings turned down, but modern competitive shooters requiring high frame rates are out of reach.

This is not a GPU for 1080p gaming, high-refresh-rate displays, or content creation. The 307.2 GFLOPS of FP32 throughput makes GPU-accelerated video encoding and rendering impractical. Users who need to play modern AAA titles at even minimum settings would need to consider a discrete GPU, as this iGPU lacks the shading units, texture units, and memory bandwidth to handle them. The 24 TMUs are sufficient for basic texture mapping but will become saturated in texture-heavy scenes at 1080p.

The API support for DirectX 12_1 and Vulkan 1.3 means that the GPU can technically run modern games, but the performance will be so low as to be unplayable in most cases. For users with this GPU, the realistic use case is productivity — web browsing, office applications, and media playback. The 15 W TDP and IGP slot width make it ideal for thin-and-light laptops where gaming is not a priority. In summary, this is a legacy part that should be considered only for basic computing tasks, not gaming or graphics-intensive workloads.

Power and Cooling

The Intel HD Graphics 515 Mobile has a TDP of 15 W, which is exceptionally low and typical of integrated graphics processors. This power envelope means that the GPU does not require any dedicated cooling solution — it shares the laptop's system thermal solution with the CPU. The slot width is listed as "IGP" (Integrated Graphics Processor), confirming that it is soldered onto the motherboard and not a removable module.

There is no suggested PSU listed in the specifications, and no power connectors are required. This is a significant advantage for system integrators, as the GPU draws its power directly from the motherboard's power delivery system. For end users, this means no additional power supply considerations are necessary — the existing laptop power adapter is sufficient. The absence of a dedicated power connector also means that there is no risk of improper installation.

The 14 nm+ process node contributes to the low power draw, allowing Intel to fit 192 shading units into a 123 mm² die while maintaining a 15 W TDP. The base clock of 300 MHz and boost clock of 800 MHz are modest, which further helps thermal management. In a typical laptop chassis, this GPU will run cool and quiet, with the fan rarely spinning up under light loads. However, under sustained load, the boost clock may not hold at 800 MHz if the system's thermal solution is inadequate, leading to performance throttling.

The display outputs are listed as "Portable Device Dependent," meaning the actual ports (HDMI, DisplayPort, etc.) depend on the laptop manufacturer's implementation. There is no requirement for external power delivery to the GPU, and the Ring Bus interface connects directly to the CPU's memory controller. For system builders, the primary cooling consideration is ensuring adequate airflow over the CPU/GPU package, but the 15 W TDP is well within the capabilities of any standard laptop cooling solution. The end-of-life production status suggests that replacement parts may be harder to source, but for existing systems, the thermal and power characteristics are non-issues.