Intel Core Ultra iGPU Crushes AMD in Cyberpunk 2077 Benchmark
▼ Summary
– AMD’s Strix Halo APU is criticized as being significantly overpriced since its launch.
– The product offers little to no gaming advantage over a mobile RTX 5060 GPU.
– Its high price is not justified by its ability to run large language models, which it does poorly.
– AMD likely markets it as an expensive niche product because it couldn’t manufacture it cheaply enough to compete in the mainstream.
– The author argues Intel has become a strong competitor in the GPU space, while AMD has underestimated them and is facing consequences.
When it comes to integrated graphics performance in demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Intel’s Core Ultra processors are delivering a surprising and decisive lead over AMD’s current offerings. This shift in the competitive landscape highlights a significant change in where raw graphical power resides within a modern laptop or compact desktop system. The benchmark results are clear, signaling that Intel has made substantial architectural improvements with its latest iGPU designs.
The conversation often turns to AMD’s approach with its high-performance APUs, such as the Strix Halo. Critics point out that the performance margins between CPUs are generally vast, but the pricing strategy for these advanced APUs appears disconnected from their real-world gaming value. When compared to a dedicated mobile GPU like a GeForce RTX 5060, the gaming advantage of such an APU is minimal or non-existent. This raises questions about the premium price tag, which seems difficult to justify solely on the basis of slightly better AI or large language model performance, especially when that performance is still considered lackluster for professional workloads.
It suggests that AMD’s positioning of Strix Halo may have been a strategic compromise. The company likely faced manufacturing challenges that prevented a cost-effective mass-market launch. Instead of competing directly with mainstream gaming laptops, the product was funneled into a premium niche segment. This move, while understandable from a business perspective, has left an opening in the market for a compelling integrated graphics solution.
This is precisely where Intel has capitalized. The company’s renewed focus on GPU technology within its Core Ultra chips is yielding impressive results. Intel has transformed into a legitimate contender in the graphics space, a statement that would have seemed improbable just a few years ago. While AMD’s integrated graphics are not failing, the company appears to have underestimated the pace of Intel’s progress. The current benchmark data, particularly in a graphically intensive game, serves as a wake-up call. The competitive dynamics are shifting, and AMD may need to reassess its strategy and pricing to respond effectively to this new challenge from its longtime rival.
(Source: TECH POWER UP)
