Intel’s latest desktop processor, the Core Ultra 9 285K, recently went through some performance tests, particularly focusing on its integrated GPU (iGPU). The results from Geekbench’s OpenCL and Vulkan API benchmarks revealed some impressive performance from the built-in Intel Arc iGPU. Despite being an integrated solution, it managed to closely match the performance of the once-popular NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti, a dedicated GPU with a TDP of 75W.
The Core Ultra 9 285K belongs to Intel’s new Arrow Lake desktop processors, which come equipped with Alchemist iGPUs. These iGPUs feature the Xe-LPG architecture and up to four Xe-Cores. While Intel’s upcoming Battlemage graphics with the more advanced Xe2 architecture are reserved for laptops and future dedicated GPUs, the Arc iGPU in the 285K still shows surprising power for an integrated option.
In the OpenCL API test, the performance of Intel’s iGPU was nearly tied with AMD’s Radeon 760M, another high-performing iGPU. The GeForce GTX 1050 Ti was only 3.3% faster, which is a remarkable result considering that the Intel Arc iGPU draws significantly less power. For the Vulkan API benchmark, the iGPU showed similar results, again almost matching the GTX 1050 Ti with just a 1% difference in performance. However, the Radeon 760M pulled ahead here, with a 30% performance increase over Intel’s offering.
While the GeForce GTX 1050 Ti is no longer considered a high-end GPU, the fact that the Core Ultra 9 285K’s iGPU can match its performance suggests Intel’s integrated graphics are becoming increasingly viable for lighter tasks and less demanding games. This performance level is more than sufficient for basic gaming or tasks like emulation of older games, making the Core Ultra 9 285K a solid choice for users who aren’t ready to invest in a dedicated GPU right away.
The iGPU, running at around 1.85 GHz during testing, was paired with 5,600 MHz DDR5 RAM. While this memory speed isn’t particularly fast, the results hint that upgrading to faster RAM could further boost performance, thanks to the additional bandwidth available to the iGPU.
For users looking for a temporary solution or a backup GPU, the Core Ultra 9 285K’s iGPU offers solid performance. It can keep a system running smoothly in case a dedicated GPU fails or hasn’t yet been installed, providing a flexible and power-efficient option until an upgrade becomes available.
