Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655 vs Intel UHD Graphics 617
Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655
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The Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655 (GT3e) is a processor graphics card announced in September 2017. As the successor to the Intel Iris Graphics 650 (Kaby Lake), the Iris Plus Graphics 655 is used for 28-Watt Coffee Lake-U models. The biggest difference is the doubled eDRAM-cache at 128 MB. There should not be any big changes compared to the Iris Graphics 650.
The so called GT3e version of the Kaby Lake GPU still has 48 Execution Units (EUs), which can reach up to 1200 MHz (previously 1100 MHz) depending on the model. Besides eDRAM cache, the Iris 655 can also access the system memory (2x 64 Bit DDR3L-2133/DDR4-2400) via processor interface.
Compared to the Iris Plus 640 from the 15-Watt models, the Iris 655 only has a slightly higher maximum clock as well as almost twice the TDP, which allows a better utilization of the Turbo Boost potential.
Performance
The exact performance of the Iris Plus Graphics 655 depends on the CPU model, because maximum clock as well as the size of the L3 cache can differ a bit. The system memory (DDR3/DDR4) will influence the performance as well.
The fastest chips are high-clocked Core i7 models like the Core i7-8559U. Depending on the game, the Iris Plus 655 will probably be on par with a dedicated GeForce 930M or GeForce 940MX and can handle smooth gameplay in modern titles in low up to medium settings.
Features
The reworked video engine now fully supports hardware decoding of H.265/HEVC videos. Contrary to Skylake, however, Kaby Lake can now also decode H.265/HEVC Main 10 with a 10-bit color depth as well as Google's VP9 codec. The video output is possible via DP 1.2/eDP 1.3 (up to 3840 x 2160 @60 Hz), whereas HDMI is also supported in the older 1.4a standard. An HDMI 2.0 output can be added via converter from DisplayPort. The GPU can drive up to three displays simultaneously.
Power Consumption
The Iris Plus Graphics 655 is used for 28-Watt processor and therefore small/medium-sized notebooks.
Intel UHD Graphics 617
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The Intel UHD Graphics 617 (GT2) is a low-end integrated graphics unit, which can be found in the Y-series of the Amber-Lake generation. This "GT2" version offers 24 Execution Units (EUs) clocked at up to 1050 MHz (depending on the CPU model). Due to its lack of dedicated graphics memory or eDRAM cache, the UHD 617 has to access the main memory (2x 64bit DDR3L/LPDDR3). Compared to the old HD Graphics 615 in Kaby-Lake-Y CPUs, the UHD 617 is the same GPU with slightly different clock speeds (depending on the model) and slight power/performance improvements due to the improved 14nm++ process. Compared to the similar UHD Graphics 615 in other Amber Lake models, the 617 looks to be higher clocked (+50 MHz) and has more headroom due to the higher TDP of 7 versus 5 Watt.
Performance
The 3D performance of the UHD 617 depends on the CPU model and the cooling / TDP-setting of the laptop. Furthermore, the used main memory (single channel, DDR3(L), amount) is influencing performance. On average the UHD graphics 617 should be very similar to the Kaby-Lake HD Graphics 615 due to the same architecture and similar speeds. That means that only low demanding games like Farming Simulator 17 or Rocket League are playable in lowest detail settings.
Features
The revised video engine in the HD 615 and UHD 615 / 617 now supports H.265/HEVC Main10 profile in hardware with 10 bit colors. Furthermore, Googles VP9 codec can also be hardware decoded. The UHD 617 should support HDCP 2.2 and therefore Netflix 4K. HDMI 2.0 however is still only supported with an external converter chip (LSPCon).
Power Consumption
The UHD Graphics 617 can be found in Y processors with 7 W TDP and is therefore suited for very thin, mostly passively cooled subnotebooks like the MacBook Air 2018.
| Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655 | Intel UHD Graphics 617 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gen. 9.5 Series |
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| Codename | Kaby Lake GT3e | Kaby-Lake GT2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Architecture | Gen. 9.5 Kaby Lake | Gen. 9 Amber Lake | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pipelines | 48 - unified | 24 - unified | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Core Speed | 300 - 1200 (Boost) MHz | 300 - 1150 (Boost) MHz | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Memory Type | DDR3/DDR4 | DDR3L/LPDDR3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shared Memory | yes | yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| API | DirectX 12_1, OpenGL 4.5 | DirectX 12_1, OpenGL 4.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| technology | 14 nm | 14 nm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Features | QuickSync | QuickSync | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of Announcement | 01.09.2017 | 30.10.2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Memory Bus Width | 64/128 Bit |
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Benchmarks
3DM Vant. Perf. total + Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655
specvp12 sw-03 + Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655
Cinebench R15 OpenGL 64 Bit + Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655
GFXBench T-Rex HD Offscreen C24Z16 + Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655
Average Benchmarks Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655 → 100% n=12
Average Benchmarks Intel UHD Graphics 617 → 54% n=12
- 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.
F1 2021
2021
F1 2020
2020
Gears Tactics
2020
Doom Eternal
2020
Escape from Tarkov
2020
Hearthstone
2020
GRID 2019
2019
FIFA 20
2019
Borderlands 3
2019
F1 2019
2019
The Division 2
2019
Dirt Rally 2.0
2019
Far Cry New Dawn
2019
Metro Exodus
2019
Battlefield V
2018
Forza Horizon 4
2018
FIFA 19
2018
Strange Brigade
2018
F1 2018
2018
The Crew 2
2018
Far Cry 5
2018
World of Tanks enCore
2018
X-Plane 11.11
2018
Fortnite
2018
Team Fortress 2
2017
Rocket League
2017
For Honor
2017
Overwatch
2016
The Division
2016
Rainbow Six Siege
2015
Dota 2 Reborn
2015
The Witcher 3
2015
GTA V
2015
BioShock Infinite
2013
Counter-Strike: GO
2012Average Gaming Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655 → 100%
Average Gaming 30-70 fps → 100%
Average Gaming Intel UHD Graphics 617 → 58%
Average Gaming 30-70 fps → 62%
For more games that might be playable and a list of all games and graphics cards visit our Gaming List
