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6 Key Differences Between Intel Iris Pro, Iris Plus, Iris Xe, and Iris Max

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When we talk about processors, Intel is the market leader, known for producing integrated and discrete GPUs to boost the performance of your personal computers.

Intel Graphics offers a lineup of Iris family including Iris Pro, Plus, X, and Iris Max designed to offer top-notch performance across various sectors. These GPUs can be used for daily tasks to perform complex operations like playing high-end games.

We have compiled a list of 6 major differences between these graphics solutions to help you make your decision-making process easier.

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  1. The Performance Our Processor Deserves

  • Iris Pro was released in 2013 and is generally compatible with Intel Core Processors such as 4th and 5th generation. It was the first graphics unit that provided additional graphics power to your CPU and used it for performing standard tasks like playing low-end games, light video editing, etc.
  • Iris Plus works well with 10th-generation processors with UHD graphics that make it suitable for performing various integrated tasks. It provides a perfect mix of power efficiency and performance.
  • Iris Xe was introduced in 2020 with 11th-generation processors. It uses an L3 cache, which makes it a reliable choice for modern laptops, and it does not need an external GPU. Moreover, these also support gaming up to 1080p
  • Iris Max comes with the support of Deep Link Technology which manages workloads across various GPUs without putting any pressure on the main processor.

  1. Explore The Development Architecture

  • Intel Iris Pro is built on a 9th-generation architecture that makes use of DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), which boosts the network latency and offers a more diversified environment for performing tasks.
  • Iris Plus uses several execution units to provide support for the latest APIs that improve the speed of processors with fewer GPU extensions.
  • Iris Xe comes with the latest Xe architecture that is precisely built from a 10nm Super Fin process. Additionally, it offers support for Direct X, OpenCL, and other solutions for integrated Intel Graphics.
  • Max is also built on Xe architecture, but it is dedicated to discrete GPUs and includes additional video memory such as GDDR5 and GDDR6, which gives it an extra edge over Xe

  1. Increasing Memory and Bandwidth

  • As said, Iris uses DRAM with a small cache unit that improves bandwidth frequency between the GPU and other CPU components. This ultimately improves the performance of dedicated graphics for games and other activities.
  • Plus uses the main memory, RAM, without any graphics memory, reducing bandwidth frequency compared to other processors. However, it also depends on the speed and size of the RAM you are using.
  • Xe uses shared memory from other processors in various i5 and Intel i7 laptops. Memory compression techniques stabilize bandwidth while reducing latency to the lowest possible level.
  • Iris MAX utilizes its own video memory such as GDDR6 that provides much better bandwidth frequencies as compared to the other three.

  1. Utilizing Power Resources

  • Although all intel graphics are designed with power efficiency in mind, Iris makes use of thermal power design to cool down your system while working in extreme conditions.
  • Iris Plus uses relatively low power as compared to other dedicated solutions offering long hours of battery for performing complex operations. This offers good graphics without excessive battery drain.
  • Because of the complex Xe structure, Iris Xe consumes a bit more battery as compared to the other two. It works on performance watt ratio enabling you to check the power consumption at regular intervals.
  • Many laptops with I7 and I9 core processors use Iris Max to allocate efficient power across all the components. However, for its smooth working, you need to have sufficient power sources in the backup.

  1. Meeting High-End Game Requirements

  • To play games with older titles in low graphics settings, you can choose Iris Pro. However, it doesn’t support modern games with high GPU requirements.
  • If you want to play HD games with medium settings such as 1080p, Iris Plus is a great choice as it is compatible with all older gaming titles and a few modern games. It is not an alternative to a dedicated GPU but works well with most of the games.
  • With the introduction of Iris XE, intel graphics noticed an upsurge in gaming performance and it can support gaming up to 1080p and that too at high-resolution settings. Giving good competition to discrete GPUs, it’s a well-equipped gaming machine.
  • Iris Max undoubtedly offers the best gaming experience among all the Intel offerings where you can play all the modern game titles at high resolutions. It uses integrated solutions to improve your game performance without putting extra pressure on the graphic units.

  1. Extending Support For Future Technologies 

  • Iris Pro was released almost 10 years ago and is still compatible with various graphic technologies. However, due to limited API and hardware acceleration tools, it may not be a good choice for future computing operations.
  • Iris Plus extends its support for modern technologies such as HDR and 4k video streaming. Moreover, it also supports software like Vulkan displaying its compatibility with future releases.
  • Talking about Iris Xe, it comes with built-in AI features for video upscaling, encoding and decoding servers, and multiple monitor configurations. It supports modern APIs making it suitable for all gaming titles and applications.
  • Being a discrete GPU, Iris Max is fully compatible with all the existing and upcoming computing technologies. It offers advanced ray tracing support, picture shading, and other AI features to provide efficient performance across all computing operations.

Final Thoughts

In a nutshell, this Intel graphic series offers a range of options from discrete to integrated graphics units to improve your processor performance. Knowing these differences may help in making the right decision for your graphic solution needs.

Read Also : 7 Best-Performing Intel Server CPUs For Your IT Infrastructure

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