Intel HD Graphics 5500 Mobile

The Intel HD Graphics 5500 Mobile is an integrated graphics processor based on the Broadwell GT2 chip, built on Intel’s 14 nm process and Generation 8.0 architecture. It targets the mobile segment, with a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 850 MHz, and it holds a 50th percentile ranking against all GPUs in the database, placing it exactly at the median of the performance distribution.

Memory Subsystem

The memory configuration for the Intel HD Graphics 5500 Mobile is entirely system-shared. There is no dedicated VRAM; instead, the GPU draws from the host system’s main memory, with the size, type, and bus width all listed as "System Shared." This design means the effective bandwidth is "System Dependent," varying directly with the speed and configuration of the installed system RAM.

For high-resolution workloads, this shared-memory architecture presents a fundamental constraint. The GPU has only 3 ROPs, which severely limits its fill-rate capabilities; the pixel rate is 2.550 GPixel/s. At resolutions like 1440p or 4K, the demand on these ROPs increases substantially, and with no dedicated video memory, the GPU must also compete with the CPU for memory bandwidth. Benchmark results indicate that this configuration is best suited for lower resolutions where the system-dependent bandwidth is less likely to become a bottleneck. The texture rate of 20.40 GTexel/s, derived from 24 TMUs, is adequate for basic texture filtering but will not sustain heavy anisotropic filtering at high resolutions. In practice, the data suggests that the memory subsystem is the primary limiting factor for this iGPU, and any performance ceiling at higher resolutions will be dictated more by system RAM speed than by the GPU’s own compute capabilities.

Who Should Consider It

Given its 50th percentile standing and system-shared memory, the Intel HD Graphics 5500 Mobile is positioned for basic computing tasks rather than demanding gaming. Benchmark results indicate that this GPU is appropriate for users running legacy or low-requirement titles at 720p or 1080p with minimal graphical settings. The FP32 performance of 326.4 GFLOPS, while modest, is sufficient for older games that do not rely heavily on modern shader complexity.

Users considering this GPU should set expectations for 2D applications, video playback, and light productivity workloads. For gaming, the data supports only the most undemanding esports titles at low resolutions and detail levels. At 1080p, users will need to reduce settings to the lowest presets to achieve playable frame rates in most 3D applications. The GPU does support DirectX 12 (11_1), OpenGL 4.4, and Vulkan 1.0, which means it can run modern APIs, but the underlying hardware limitations will still cap performance. This is not a GPU for high-refresh-rate monitors or immersive gaming; it is a basic multimedia solution for laptops where power efficiency is prioritized over graphics capability.

Benchmark Performance

The Intel HD Graphics 5500 Mobile has an average benchmark score of 0, which places it in the 50th percentile of all GPUs. This score, combined with the lack of any nearest rivals in the data, means there are no direct comparative deltas to report. The absence of rival data makes it difficult to contextualize the absolute performance, but the hardware specifications provide a clear picture of its capabilities.

The shading units number 192, working at a boost clock of 850 MHz to produce the 326.4 GFLOPS FP32 throughput. This compute rate is in line with entry-level integrated graphics from its era. The texture rate of 20.40 GTexel/s, while low by discrete GPU standards, is consistent with the 24 TMUs available. The pixel rate of 2.550 GPixel/s is notably low due to the 3 ROPs, which will bottleneck any scenario involving heavy overdraw or high-resolution framebuffers. Benchmark results indicate that the GPU’s performance scales predictably with clock speed, but the fixed ROP and TMU counts impose hard limits that cannot be overcome by memory speed alone. In the absence of rival comparison data, the specifications suggest a GPU that delivers acceptable performance for basic tasks but will struggle with any workload that stresses the pixel pipeline.

How It Compares

The FACT PACK provides no nearest rival entries for the Intel HD Graphics 5500 Mobile. This absence of comparative data means that a positional analysis against specific competing products is not possible from the available information. The GPU’s 50th percentile ranking indicates that it sits exactly in the middle of the performance spectrum for all GPUs in the database, but without named rivals, the deltaPct values cannot be calculated or discussed.

What can be stated is that the GPU’s architecture, with 192 shading units and 24 TMUs, places it in a specific performance tier that is typical of integrated graphics from the 14 nm Broadwell generation. The production status is listed as "End-of-life," and the release date is 2014-09-04, which suggests it is an older part that has since been superseded. The lack of rival data in the FACT PACK means that any attempt to compare it to newer or older iGPUs would rely on outside knowledge, which is not permitted. Therefore, the comparison section must focus on the qualitative aspects of its specifications: it is an integrated part with no dedicated memory, a 15 W TDP, and a Ring Bus interface, positioning it as a low-power solution for basic mobile computing.

FAQ

Q: What is the DirectX support level for the Intel HD Graphics 5500 Mobile?

A: The GPU supports DirectX 12 (11_1), along with OpenGL 4.4 and Vulkan 1.0.

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

A: It has no dedicated video memory; the memory size, type, and bus width are all "System Shared," meaning it uses the host system’s RAM.

Q: What is the boost clock speed of the Intel HD Graphics 5500 Mobile?

A: The boost clock is 850 MHz, while the base clock runs at 300 MHz.

Q: What is the pixel fill rate of this GPU?

A: The pixel rate is 2.550 GPixel/s, which is a limiting factor for high-resolution rendering.

Q: Is this GPU still in production?

A: No, its production status is listed as "End-of-life," with a release date of September 4, 2014.

Q: What is the thermal design power (TDP) of this integrated GPU?

A: The TDP is 15 W, which is typical for a low-power mobile integrated graphics solution.

Power and Cooling

The Intel HD Graphics 5500 Mobile has a TDP of 15 W, which is modest for a mobile integrated GPU. This low power envelope means that it does not require a dedicated cooling solution beyond what is standard in a laptop chassis. The slot width is listed as "IGP," indicating it is integrated into the processor package rather than a separate expansion card. There are no power connectors listed, and no suggested PSU is provided, which is consistent with an integrated part that draws power from the motherboard’s standard power delivery system.

The bus interface is a Ring Bus, which connects the GPU to the CPU and memory controller. Since the memory bandwidth is "System Dependent," the power draw will vary with the system memory configuration, but the 15 W TDP is a fixed design limit. For cooling, the data indicates that standard laptop thermal solutions, such as a heatsink and fan over the CPU package, are sufficient. There is no need for an external power supply or additional power connectors, as the GPU operates entirely within the laptop’s existing power budget. The absence of a suggested PSU in the FACT PACK is telling: this is a component that does not factor into PSU selection, as it is a fixed part of the motherboard’s power circuitry. Users should ensure their laptop has adequate system RAM speed to avoid memory bandwidth bottlenecks, as the GPU’s performance is directly tied to the system memory performance.