In a recent video, YouTube star SkatterBencher revealed how overclocking Alder Lake’s iGPU can result in significant performance benefits. The iGPU clocked in at 2,378 MHz, outperforming the CPU by over 60% in certain tasks.
The UHD Graphics 770 engine, based on the Xe-LP architecture and 10nm technology, is included in Intel’s 12th Generation Alder Lake K-series processors. With up to 32 Execution Units, the Alder Lake GT1 is at the heart of the UHD Graphics 770 system (EUs). Because each EU has eight ALUs, the UHD Graphics 770 has a total of 256 ALUs.
Intel Iris Xe MAX graphics, built on Intel’s 10nm SuperFin process, introduces Intel Deep Link technology, which unlocks creativity in thin-and-light laptops by aggregating multiple processing engines and a common software framework and graphics driver. It was introduced Oct. 31, 2020. (Credit: Intel Corporation)
The base rate of the UHD Graphics 770 engine is 300 MHz, while the boost clock differs amongst Alder Lake chips. The Core i5-12600K and Core i7-12700K, for example, feature iGPUs that can boost to 1,450 MHz and 1,500 MHz, respectively, although the Core i9-12900iGPU K’s can only go up to 1,550 MHz. SkatterBencher clocked his Core i9-12900iGPU K’s to an astonishing 2,378 MHz, delivering a 53 percent gain in boost clock speed.
The YouTuber tried a variety of ways to get the most out of the iGPU on the Core i9-12900K. Enabling Asus’ Multi-Core Enhancement (MCE) option, which maxes out the power and current restrictions, XMP 3.0, and boosting the BCLK to 116 to overclock the processor and GPU were the most fruitful and aggressive.
In numerous simulated benchmarks, the overclocked GPU showed over 40% performance increases, with the Spaceship benchmark, which uses the Unity engine, reaching 61 percent. SkatterBencher was only able to test two games: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Final Fantasy XV.
In Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, the iGPU increased frame rates by 49 percent, from 52.79 to 78.49 frames per second. Final Fantasy XV saw a 41% boost in frame rate, although the GPU fell short of the 30 FPS target. The YouTuber utilized the normal setting at a resolution of 1080p (1920 x 1080).
We only witnessed a 15% performance gain in a real-world application like HandBrake. If you’re a casual gamer who prefers to play at 720p or 1080p with minimal eye candy, the UHD Graphics 770 engine might suffice. Unfortunately, even with a significant overclock, the GPU does not perform well outside of synthetic benchmarks, as SkatterBencher has demonstrated. However, with a 15W power budget, there’s only so much you can do with the UHD Graphics 770.
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