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Qualcomm Adreno 540 vs Qualcomm Adreno 506

Qualcomm Adreno 540

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The Qualcomm Adreno 540 is an integrated graphics card in the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 SoC for smartphones. It was introduced in early 2017 and can be found in high-end Android smartphones. 

The integrated GPU is based on the optimized architecture of the Adreno 530, but features clearly improved clock speeds (710 versus 624 MHz according to Anandtech) and better thermal stability. This is also thanks to the new 10 nm process the Snapdragon 835 is produced in. In the reference smartphone from Qualcomm, the Adreno 540 is able to beat or perform at a similar level as the fastest smartphone graphics cards on the market (e.g. the ARM Mali-T880MP12, ARM Mali-G71MP8 or Apple A10 GPU). Therefore, it should be perfectly suited for demanding 3D gaming and also mobile VR and 4K displays.

Qualcomm Adreno 506

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The Qualcomm Adreno 506 is a mobile graphics card for mid-range smartphones and tablets (mostly Android based). It is included in the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 SoCs and based on the Adreno 500 architecture (like the Adreno 520 in the S820, which should be fully compatible in software).

The GPU supports modern standards like Vulkan 1.0 (according to Wikipedia), OpenGL ES 3.1 + AE (3.2 in other sources), OpenCL 2.0 and DirectX 12 (FL 12.1 according to Wikipedia, 11.1 according to Qualcomm). Furthermore, the GPU supports Universal Bandwidth Compression (UBWC) to save memory bandwidth.

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Qualcomm Adreno 540Qualcomm Adreno 506
Adreno 500 Series
Adreno 540 @ 0.71 GHz
Adreno 530 compare @ 0.62 GHz
Adreno 512 compare
Adreno 510 compare
Adreno 509 compare
Adreno 508 compare @ 0.65 GHz
Adreno 506 @ 0.65 GHz
Adreno 505 compare @ 0.45 GHz
Adreno 504 compare @ 0.45 GHz
Adreno 540 @ 0.71 GHz
Adreno 530 compare @ 0.62 GHz
Adreno 512 compare
Adreno 510 compare
Adreno 509 compare
Adreno 508 compare @ 0.65 GHz
Adreno 506 @ 0.65 GHz
Adreno 505 compare @ 0.45 GHz
Adreno 504 compare @ 0.45 GHz
Core Speed710 MHz650 MHz
Shared Memoryyesyes
APIDirectX 12, OpenGL ES 3.2DirectX 12.1, OpenGL ES 3.2, Vulkan
technology10 nm14 nm
FeaturesOpenGL ES 3.2, OpenCL 2.0, DirectX 12OpenGL ES 3.2, OpenCL 2.0, Direct3D 12 (FL 12_1)
Date of Announcement22.03.2017 15.12.2015
ArchitectureAdreno 500
CPU in Adreno 540GPU Base SpeedGPU Boost / Turbo
Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 (8998)8 x 2450 MHz? MHz710 MHz
CPU in Adreno 506GPU Base SpeedGPU Boost / Turbo
Qualcomm Snapdragon 6328 x 1800 MHz? MHz? MHz
Qualcomm Snapdragon 6268 x 2200 MHz? MHz? MHz
Qualcomm Snapdragon 6258 x 2000 MHz? MHz? MHz
Qualcomm Snapdragon 4508 x 1800 MHz? MHz? MHz
min. - max.? MHz? MHz

Benchmarks

Performance Rating - 3DMark 11 + Fire Strike + Time Spy - Adreno 540
0.2 pt (1%)
Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail)
0.05576 -71%
Intel HD Graphics (Cherry Trail)
0.0842 -56%
Qualcomm Adreno 540
0.192
Qualcomm Adreno 642L
0.3143 64%
max:
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
33.3 17244%
0%
100%
Restrict / Search: Model: Max. age: years
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited Graphics
min: 16794     avg: 53776     median: 56046.5 (6%)     max: 58360 Points
min: 7668     avg: 13091     median: 13240 (1%)     max: 14741 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Extreme Graphics
17290 Points (2%)
min: 7040     avg: 7261     median: 7309 (1%)     max: 7435 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Score
2359 Points (2%)
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Graphics
4259 Points (1%)
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Score
min: 451     avg: 452     median: 452 (1%)     max: 453 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Graphics
min: 508     avg: 513     median: 513 (0%)     max: 518 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Graphics
17180 Points (2%)
12169 Points (1%)
3DMark - 3DMark Sling Shot (ES 3.0) Unlimited
min: 3586     avg: 4690     median: 4956 (22%)     max: 5269 Points
min: 533     avg: 847     median: 851 (4%)     max: 951 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Sling Shot (ES 3.0) Unlimited Graphics
min: 3682     avg: 5894     median: 6245.5 (14%)     max: 6475 Points
min: 440     avg: 732     median: 734 (2%)     max: 814 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Sling Shot Extreme (ES 3.1) Unlimited
min: 2866     avg: 3801     median: 3840 (16%)     max: 4101 Points
min: 488     avg: 524     median: 510.5 (2%)     max: 882 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Sling Shot Extreme (ES 3.1) Unlimited Graphics
min: 3324     avg: 4231     median: 4347 (11%)     max: 4490 Points
min: 403     avg: 433.9     median: 421.5 (1%)     max: 761 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Sling Shot (ES 3.0)
min: 3407     avg: 4583     median: 4779 (42%)     max: 5030 Points
min: 476     avg: 836     median: 840.5 (7%)     max: 936 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Sling Shot (ES 3.0) Graphics
min: 3682     avg: 5648     median: 5886 (35%)     max: 6231 Points
min: 390     avg: 719     median: 723.5 (4%)     max: 807 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Sling Shot Extreme (ES 3.1)
min: 2895     avg: 3616     median: 3656 (18%)     max: 3810 Points
min: 438     avg: 464.7     median: 463.5 (2%)     max: 523 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Sling Shot Extreme (ES 3.1) Graphics
min: 3560     avg: 3907     median: 3926 (13%)     max: 4072 Points
min: 349     avg: 381.9     median: 380 (1%)     max: 430 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Wild Life Unlimited
0 Points (0%)
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Score
min: 826     avg: 831     median: 831 (1%)     max: 836 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance GPU
min: 786     avg: 791     median: 791 (1%)     max: 796 Points
GFXBench - GFXBench 5.0 Aztec Ruins High Tier Offscreen
min: 9.3     avg: 9.7     median: 9.7 (2%)     max: 9.9 fps
min: 1.1     avg: 1.2     median: 1.2 (0%)     max: 1.4 fps
GFXBench - GFXBench 5.0 Aztec Ruins Normal Tier Offscreen
min: 25     avg: 25.6     median: 26 (2%)     max: 26 fps
min: 3.3     avg: 3.6     median: 3.6 (0%)     max: 3.9 fps
GFXBench - GFXBench Car Chase Offscreen
min: 22     avg: 24.5     median: 24 (2%)     max: 26 fps
min: 3.3     avg: 3.6     median: 3.5 (0%)     max: 3.9 fps
GFXBench 3.1 - GFXBench Manhattan ES 3.1 Offscreen
min: 21     avg: 37.9     median: 40 (1%)     max: 43 fps
min: 3.5     avg: 6.5     median: 6.4 (0%)     max: 14 fps
GFXBench 3.0 - GFXBench 3.0 Manhattan Offscreen
min: 43     avg: 55.2     median: 54 (2%)     max: 64 fps
min: 3.1     avg: 9.6     median: 9.8 (0%)     max: 11 fps
GFXBench (DX / GLBenchmark) 2.7
GFXBench T-Rex HD Offscreen C24Z16 + Qualcomm Adreno 540
GFXBench (DX / GLBenchmark) 2.7 - GFXBench T-Rex HD Offscreen C24Z16
min: 69     avg: 107     median: 111.5 (1%)     max: 119 fps
GFXBench T-Rex HD Offscreen C24Z16 + Qualcomm Adreno 506
min: 21     avg: 22.7     median: 23 (0%)     max: 25 fps
Basemark ES 2.0 - Basemark ES 2.0
44 fps (73%)
Basemark X 1.1 - Basemark X 1.1 High Quality
min: 38752     avg: 38763     median: 38762.5 (88%)     max: 38773 Points
10438 Points (24%)
Basemark X 1.1 - Basemark X 1.1 Medium Quality
44696 Points (99%)
21210 Points (47%)
PassMark PerformanceTest Mobile V1 - PerformanceTest Mobile V1 2D Graphics Tests
8356 Points (3%)
min: 2337     avg: 3197     median: 3197 (1%)     max: 4057 Points
PassMark PerformanceTest Mobile V1 - PerformanceTest Mobile V1 3D Graphics Tests
3409 Points (6%)
min: 1371     avg: 1472     median: 1472 (2%)     max: 1573 Points
Smartbench 2012 - Smartbench 2012 Gaming Index
3466 Points (75%)

Average Benchmarks Qualcomm Adreno 540 → 100% n=21

Average Benchmarks Qualcomm Adreno 506 → 23% n=21

- Range of benchmark values for this graphics card
red legend - Average benchmark values for this graphics card
* Smaller numbers mean a higher performance
1 This benchmark is not used for the average calculation

Game Benchmarks

The following benchmarks stem from our benchmarks of review laptops. The performance depends on the used graphics memory, clock rate, processor, system settings, drivers, and operating systems. So the results don't have to be representative for all laptops with this GPU. For detailed information on the benchmark results, click on the fps number.

League of Legends: Wild Rift

League of Legends: Wild Rift

2020
low
100%
Adreno 540:
60  fps
89%
Adreno 506:
53.5  fps
high
100%
Adreno 540:
60  fps
80%
Adreno 506:
48  fps
ultra
100%
Adreno 540:
60  fps
PUBG Mobile

PUBG Mobile

2018
low
Adreno 506:
25 26 26 29 30 30 ~ 28 fps
med.
Adreno 506:
23 25 26 26 30 ~ 26 fps
high
100%
Adreno 540:
40  fps
World of Tanks Blitz

World of Tanks Blitz

2018
low
100%
Adreno 540:
91  fps
high
100%
Adreno 540:
91  fps
Arena of Valor

Arena of Valor

2018
low
100%
Adreno 540:
60 62 ~ 61 fps
51%
Adreno 506:
30 31 31 31 31 32 ~ 31 fps
ultra
100%
Adreno 540:
60 61 ~ 61 fps
51%
Adreno 506:
30 30 30 31 31 31 31 31 ~ 31 fps
Shadow Fight 3

Shadow Fight 3

2018
low
100%
Adreno 540:
30 60 ~ 45 fps
127%
Adreno 506:
54 57 60 ~ 57 fps
high
100%
Adreno 540:
60 60 ~ 60 fps
92%
Adreno 506:
50 53 54 60 60 ~ 55 fps
Battle Bay

Battle Bay

2018
low
100%
Adreno 540:
121  fps
high
100%
Adreno 540:
121  fps
Dead Trigger 2

Dead Trigger 2

2013
high
100%
Adreno 540:
55 59 59 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 ~ 59 fps
69%
Adreno 506:
30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 53 55 56 56 57 58 ~ 41 fps
Asphalt 8: Airborne

Asphalt 8: Airborne

2013
low
100%
Adreno 540:
30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 ~ 30 fps
100%
Adreno 506:
29 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 ~ 30 fps
high
100%
Adreno 540:
29 29 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 ~ 30 fps
97%
Adreno 506:
24 28 28 28 29 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 ~ 29 fps
Asphalt 9: Legends

Asphalt 9: Legends

2013
low
Adreno 506:
26 27 28 30 30 30 ~ 29 fps
high
100%
Adreno 540:
29.5  fps
78%
Adreno 506:
15 21 24 28 28.5 ~ 23 fps
BioShock Infinite

BioShock Infinite

2013
low 1280x720
100%
Adreno 540:
20.4  fps
med. 1366x768
100%
Adreno 540:
14.2  fps
high 1366x768
100%
Adreno 540:
12.6  fps
Real Racing 3

Real Racing 3

2013
high
100%
Adreno 540:
60  fps
Temple Run 2

Temple Run 2

2013
high
100%
Adreno 540:
60  fps
100%
Adreno 506:
60 60 ~ 60 fps

Average Gaming Qualcomm Adreno 540 → 100%

Average Gaming 30-70 fps → 100%

Average Gaming Qualcomm Adreno 506 → 85%

Average Gaming 30-70 fps → 82%

Qualcomm Adreno 540Qualcomm Adreno 506
lowmed.highultraQHD4Klowmed.highultraQHD4K
League of Legends: Wild Rift60606053.548
PUBG Mobile402826
World of Tanks Blitz9191
Arena of Valor61613131
Shadow Fight 345605755
Battle Bay121121
Dead Trigger 25941
Asphalt 8: Airborne30303029
Asphalt 9: Legends29.52923
BioShock Infinite20.414.212.6
Real Racing 360
Temple Run 26060
Qualcomm Adreno 540Qualcomm Adreno 506
lowmed.highultraQHD4Klowmed.highultraQHD4K
< 30 fps
< 60 fps
< 120 fps
≥ 120 fps		1
2
3
1		1


2
3
5
1

2






< 30 fps
< 60 fps
< 120 fps
≥ 120 fps		2
4

1


2
3
1

1







For more games that might be playable and a list of all games and graphics cards visit our Gaming List

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v1.33
log 28. 19:45:36

#0 ran 0s before starting gpusingle class +0s ... 0s

#1 checking url part for id 7714 +0s ... 0s

#2 checking url part for id 7443 +0s ... 0s

#3 not redirecting to Ajax server +0s ... 0s

#4 did not recreate cache, as it is less than 5 days old! Created at Mon, 28 Apr 2025 05:17:03 +0200 +0s ... 0s

#5 composed specs +0.016s ... 0.016s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.016s

#7 start showIntegratedCPUs +0s ... 0.016s

#8 getting avg benchmarks for device 7714 +0.019s ... 0.035s

#9 got single benchmarks 7714 +0.014s ... 0.049s

#10 getting avg benchmarks for device 7443 +0s ... 0.05s

#11 got single benchmarks 7443 +0.029s ... 0.079s

#12 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.079s

#13 No cached benchmark found, getting uncached values +0.013s ... 0.092s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.01s ... 0.102s

#15 before gaming benchmark output +0s ... 0.102s

#16 Got 144 rows for game benchmarks. +0.013s ... 0.115s

#17 composed SQL query for gamebenchmarks +0s ... 0.115s

#18 got data and put it in $dataArray +0.001s ... 0.116s

#19 benchmarks composed for output. +0.005s ... 0.121s

#20 calculated avg scores. +0s ... 0.121s

#21 return log +0.001s ... 0.122s

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > Benchmarks / Tech > Graphics Card Comparison - Head 2 Head
Redaktion, 2017-09- 8 (Update: 2023-07- 1)