The Intel HD Graphics 520 was a popular integrated graphics processing unit (iGPU) found in many laptops and ultrabooks released around 2015-2016. While it’s certainly not a powerhouse by today’s standards, understanding its capabilities and limitations requires comparing it to other GPUs, both integrated and dedicated. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the Intel HD Graphics 520, exploring its performance benchmarks and equivalents to help you gauge its suitability for various tasks.
Understanding The Intel HD Graphics 520
The Intel HD Graphics 520 is an integrated GPU that’s part of Intel’s Skylake generation of processors. It shares the system’s RAM and CPU resources, making it a shared-memory architecture. This means its performance is heavily influenced by the amount and speed of the system’s RAM.
The HD 520 features 24 Execution Units (EUs), which are essentially mini-processors that handle the graphics workload. These EUs operate at a base frequency, with the ability to boost higher under optimal conditions. The exact clock speeds can vary slightly depending on the specific CPU it’s paired with.
Because it’s an integrated solution, it lacks dedicated video memory (VRAM). Instead, it dynamically allocates system RAM as needed, typically impacting overall system performance when under heavy graphical load.
The HD 520 supports DirectX 12, OpenGL 4.4, and OpenCL 2.0, enabling compatibility with a wide range of applications and games released during its era. It also supports hardware video decoding for formats like H.264, HEVC, and VP9, making it suitable for smooth video playback.
Performance Benchmarks And Comparisons
To understand what the Intel HD Graphics 520 is equivalent to, we need to delve into its performance in various benchmarks and compare it to other GPUs.
Benchmark Scores
While synthetic benchmarks aren’t the ultimate measure of real-world performance, they provide a valuable baseline for comparison. The Intel HD Graphics 520 typically scores around 300-400 in 3DMark Fire Strike, and slightly lower in more demanding tests like Time Spy.
These scores are significantly lower than those of dedicated graphics cards, even entry-level models. However, they are competitive with other integrated graphics solutions from the same era.
Comparing To Other Integrated Graphics
Within Intel’s own lineup, the HD Graphics 520 offers a noticeable improvement over the previous generation HD Graphics 5500 found in Broadwell processors. The increase in Execution Units and architectural enhancements contribute to a performance boost of around 20-30%.
However, it’s noticeably less powerful than the Intel Iris Graphics 540 and 550, which were also part of the Skylake generation and featured significantly more Execution Units and eDRAM. The Iris graphics offered a considerable performance advantage, especially in gaming.
Compared to AMD’s integrated graphics from the same period, the HD 520 is generally competitive with AMD’s Radeon R5 series iGPUs found in some of their mobile processors. AMD’s R7 series offered better performance, but were often found in higher-end laptops.
Comparing To Dedicated Graphics Cards
This is where the limitations of the Intel HD Graphics 520 become apparent. It’s significantly less powerful than even entry-level dedicated graphics cards.
For instance, it’s roughly comparable to a very old, low-end dedicated card like the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 or the AMD Radeon HD 6450. These cards offered a small performance advantage in some scenarios due to their dedicated VRAM, but they were hardly gaming powerhouses themselves.
Modern integrated graphics solutions, such as those found in AMD’s Ryzen APUs (e.g., Vega 8 graphics) or Intel’s newer Iris Xe graphics, offer significantly better performance than the HD 520, often approaching or even exceeding the performance of low-end dedicated cards from a few years ago.
Real-World Performance And Use Cases
Benchmark scores only tell part of the story. It’s crucial to understand how the Intel HD Graphics 520 performs in real-world scenarios.
Gaming
The HD 520 is not a gaming GPU. It can handle older, less demanding games at low settings and resolutions (e.g., 720p or lower). Games like Minecraft, League of Legends, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and older titles from the early 2010s might be playable with tweaked settings.
However, demanding modern AAA games are generally unplayable on the HD 520, even at the lowest settings. Frame rates would be too low for a enjoyable experience.
Video Playback And Streaming
The HD 520 excels at video playback. It can smoothly handle 1080p video playback and even supports 4K video playback, thanks to its hardware video decoding capabilities. Streaming services like Netflix and YouTube will work without issues.
Productivity Tasks
For everyday productivity tasks like web browsing, word processing, and spreadsheet editing, the HD 520 is perfectly adequate. It can handle these tasks without any noticeable lag or slowdown.
Photo And Video Editing
The HD 520 is suitable for basic photo and video editing tasks, but it’s not recommended for professional use. Rendering times will be slow, and complex effects may cause performance issues. For serious photo and video editing, a dedicated graphics card is highly recommended.
Factors Affecting Performance
Several factors can influence the performance of the Intel HD Graphics 520:
- System RAM: Since it shares system RAM, the amount and speed of RAM significantly impact performance. 8GB of RAM or more is recommended, and faster RAM speeds (e.g., DDR4-2400 or higher) can provide a noticeable boost.
- CPU: The CPU it’s paired with also affects performance. A faster CPU can help the HD 520 perform better, especially in CPU-bound tasks.
- Driver Updates: Keeping the Intel graphics drivers updated is essential for optimal performance and compatibility.
- Thermal Throttling: Laptops are prone to thermal throttling, which can reduce the performance of the CPU and GPU under heavy load. Ensuring adequate cooling can help prevent throttling.
Conclusion
The Intel HD Graphics 520 is an integrated GPU that was common in laptops from around 2015-2016. While it’s capable of handling basic tasks like video playback, web browsing, and light productivity work, it’s not suitable for demanding gaming or professional content creation. It’s roughly equivalent to a very old, low-end dedicated card like the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710, but significantly less powerful than modern integrated graphics solutions or dedicated graphics cards. Its performance is heavily dependent on the system’s RAM and CPU, and keeping the drivers updated is crucial for optimal operation. Understanding its limitations is key to making informed decisions about its suitability for specific tasks.
What Dedicated Graphics Card Is Closest In Performance To Intel HD Graphics 520?
The Intel HD Graphics 520 is an integrated graphics processor, meaning it shares system memory and is not as powerful as dedicated graphics cards. However, in terms of raw performance, it’s roughly comparable to the NVIDIA GeForce 920M or the AMD Radeon R5 M330, though the specific experience can vary based on the game and system configuration.
Keep in mind that this comparison refers to low-end dedicated cards from several years ago. Modern integrated graphics, such as those found in newer Intel Iris Xe or AMD Radeon Vega integrated solutions, offer significantly better performance. The HD Graphics 520 is primarily suitable for older or less demanding games at lower resolutions and settings.
What Types Of Games Can The Intel HD Graphics 520 Handle?
The Intel HD Graphics 520 is capable of running older or less graphically intensive games at lower settings. Titles like *League of Legends*, *Counter-Strike: Global Offensive*, and *Minecraft* are playable with adjusted resolutions and graphical details. It’s best suited for games released prior to 2015, or those specifically optimized for low-end hardware.
Expect frame rates to fluctuate depending on the game and the system’s other components, such as the CPU and RAM. Modern AAA titles will likely be unplayable or require extremely low settings, rendering the experience less than ideal. Therefore, it’s recommended to temper expectations and prioritize games with minimal graphical demands.
How Does The Intel HD Graphics 520 Compare To Newer Integrated Graphics Solutions?
The Intel HD Graphics 520 is significantly less powerful than modern integrated graphics solutions like Intel Iris Xe or AMD Radeon Vega integrated graphics. These newer integrated GPUs boast considerable improvements in processing power, memory bandwidth, and overall graphical capabilities, allowing them to handle more demanding games and applications at higher settings.
For example, the Intel Iris Xe found in some recent Intel processors can deliver performance comparable to entry-level dedicated graphics cards, making it a far superior option for gamers and content creators alike. The HD Graphics 520 represents an older generation of integrated graphics, and users seeking better performance should consider upgrading to a system with a newer integrated GPU or a dedicated graphics card.
What Factors Affect The Performance Of The Intel HD Graphics 520?
Several factors influence the performance of the Intel HD Graphics 520. System RAM is crucial, as the integrated GPU shares system memory. Having sufficient RAM, and particularly dual-channel memory, can significantly improve performance. The CPU also plays a role, as it offloads some of the processing burden.
Furthermore, the cooling system and the overall thermal design of the laptop or desktop can impact performance. If the system overheats, the GPU may throttle its performance to maintain stability, leading to lower frame rates and a less responsive experience. Driver updates are also important for optimizing performance and addressing compatibility issues.
Is The Intel HD Graphics 520 Suitable For Video Editing Or Other Creative Tasks?
The Intel HD Graphics 520 can handle basic video editing and other light creative tasks, but it’s not ideal for professional or intensive workflows. Tasks like simple video trimming, basic color correction, and light photo editing are within its capabilities. However, rendering complex video projects or working with large image files will be slow and potentially frustrating.
For more demanding creative tasks, a dedicated graphics card or a newer integrated GPU with more processing power and memory bandwidth is highly recommended. Software like Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve will benefit greatly from a more capable GPU, resulting in faster rendering times and a smoother editing experience. The HD Graphics 520 is better suited for casual users with minimal video editing needs.
Can The Intel HD Graphics 520 Be Upgraded?
The Intel HD Graphics 520 is an integrated graphics processor, which means it is embedded within the CPU and cannot be upgraded independently. Unlike dedicated graphics cards that can be swapped out, the HD Graphics 520 is a fixed component of the processor. Therefore, there is no direct upgrade path for the graphics processor itself.
The only way to improve graphics performance would be to upgrade the entire CPU, assuming the motherboard is compatible. However, this can be a costly and complex process, and it’s often more practical to consider purchasing a new system with a more powerful integrated GPU or a dedicated graphics card. Simply put, the HD Graphics 520 is not designed for upgrades.
What Are The Key Specifications Of The Intel HD Graphics 520?
The Intel HD Graphics 520 features 24 execution units (EUs), a base clock speed around 300 MHz, and a boost clock speed that can reach up to 900-1050 MHz depending on the specific processor model. It supports DirectX 12 and OpenGL 4.4, allowing it to run a wide range of applications and games. The GPU shares system memory, meaning its performance is tied to the speed and amount of RAM available.
This integrated graphics solution is designed for low-power devices, prioritizing efficiency over raw performance. Its thermal design power (TDP) is typically low, making it suitable for laptops and other mobile devices. While its specifications are modest compared to dedicated graphics cards, it provided a reasonable level of performance for basic tasks and light gaming in its era.