Gaming On A Budget: Intel Uhd Graphics 630 Vs. Radeon R7 240 – Which Gpu Gives You The Edge?

Integrated graphics have come a long way in recent years, offering impressive performance for everyday tasks and even some light gaming. In this blog post, we’ll compare two of the most popular integrated GPUs on the market: the Intel UHD Graphics 630 and the Radeon R7 240. We’ll look at their specs, performance, and features to help you decide which one is right for you.

Before we dive into the comparison, let’s briefly discuss integrated graphics. Integrated graphics are graphics processing units (GPUs) that are built into the same chip as the central processing unit (CPU). This design allows for a more compact and power-efficient system, making it ideal for laptops, small form-factor PCs, and other space-constrained devices.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Intel UHD Graphics 630 vs Radeon R7 240

1. Specs and Architecture

The Intel UHD Graphics 630 is a 7th-generation integrated GPU based on Intel’s Kaby Lake architecture. It features 24 execution units (EUs) with a base clock speed of 350 MHz and a turbo boost speed of 1100 MHz. The Radeon R7 240, on the other hand, is a 2nd-generation integrated GPU based on AMD’s GCN architecture. It has 128 stream processors with a base clock speed of 730 MHz and a turbo boost speed of 800 MHz.

In terms of memory, the Intel UHD Graphics 630 can utilize up to 16GB of system memory, while the Radeon R7 240 can use up to 2GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory.

2. Performance

When it comes to performance, the Intel UHD Graphics 630 and Radeon R7 240 offer similar capabilities for basic tasks such as web browsing, video playback, and office productivity. However, the Radeon R7 240 has a slight edge in gaming performance due to its dedicated GDDR5 memory and higher clock speeds.

In synthetic benchmarks like 3DMark, the Radeon R7 240 consistently outperforms the Intel UHD Graphics 630. However, in real-world gaming tests, the difference in performance is less noticeable, especially at lower resolutions and graphics settings.

3. Features

Both the Intel UHD Graphics 630 and Radeon R7 240 support DirectX 12 and OpenGL 4.5, making them compatible with most modern games and applications. However, the Intel UHD Graphics 630 has a few additional features that the Radeon R7 240 lacks.

These features include:

• Quick Sync Video: Hardware-accelerated video encoding and decoding for faster video editing and transcoding.
• HEVC 10-bit Decode: Support for high-quality HEVC video playback.
• VP9 8-bit Decode: Support for VP9 video playback.

4. Power Consumption and Thermals

The Intel UHD Graphics 630 is more power-efficient than the Radeon R7 240, consuming around 15 watts compared to the Radeon R7 240’s 25 watts. This makes the Intel UHD Graphics 630 a better choice for laptops and other devices where battery life is a concern.

In terms of thermals, the Intel UHD Graphics 630 also runs cooler than the Radeon R7 240. This means that it is less likely to throttle under heavy loads, resulting in more consistent performance.

Which One Should You Choose?

The Intel UHD Graphics 630 and Radeon R7 240 are both capable integrated GPUs that offer good performance for everyday tasks and light gaming. However, if you’re looking for slightly better gaming performance and don’t mind the higher power consumption and thermals, the Radeon R7 240 is the better choice.

On the other hand, if you prioritize power efficiency, thermal performance, and additional features like Quick Sync Video, the Intel UHD Graphics 630 is the way to go.

The Verdict: A Balanced Approach

Ultimately, the best integrated GPU for you depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you’re a casual gamer who values power efficiency and additional features, the Intel UHD Graphics 630 is a great choice. If you’re looking for slightly better gaming performance and don’t mind the higher power consumption and thermals, the Radeon R7 240 is a solid option.

Alternatives to Consider

If you’re looking for even better integrated graphics performance, you may want to consider the following alternatives:

• Intel Iris Xe Graphics
• AMD Radeon Vega 8
• NVIDIA GeForce MX450

These GPUs offer dedicated graphics memory and higher clock speeds, resulting in significantly better gaming performance than the Intel UHD Graphics 630 and Radeon R7 240. However, they are also more expensive and consume more power.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a casual gamer, a content creator, or simply looking for a reliable integrated GPU for everyday tasks, the Intel UHD Graphics 630 and Radeon R7 240 are both solid options. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs and preferences.

Questions You May Have

Q1. Which integrated GPU is better for gaming, the Intel UHD Graphics 630 or the Radeon R7 240?

A1. The Radeon R7 240 has a slight edge in gaming performance due to its dedicated GDDR5 memory and higher clock speeds. However, the difference in performance is not significant, especially at lower resolutions and graphics settings.

Q2. Which integrated GPU is more power-efficient, the Intel UHD Graphics 630 or the Radeon R7 240?

A2. The Intel UHD Graphics 630 is more power-efficient than the Radeon R7 240, consuming around 15 watts compared to the Radeon R7 240’s 25 watts.

Q3. Which integrated GPU has more features, the Intel UHD Graphics 630 or the Radeon R7 240?

A3. The Intel UHD Graphics 630 has a few additional features that the Radeon R7 240 lacks, including Quick Sync Video, HEVC 10-bit Decode, and VP9 8-bit Decode.

Q4. Which integrated GPU is better for video editing and transcoding, the Intel UHD Graphics 630 or the Radeon R7 240?

A4. The Intel UHD Graphics 630 is better for video editing and transcoding due to its Quick Sync Video feature, which provides hardware-accelerated video encoding and decoding.

Q5. Which integrated GPU is better for laptops and other devices where battery life is a concern, the Intel UHD Graphics 630 or the Radeon R7 240?

A5. The Intel UHD Graphics 630 is better for laptops and other devices where battery life is a concern due to its lower power consumption.