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Can you tell which one is which?Just how good is Intel's integrated graphics on Haswell (codenamed GT3), the successor to Ivy Bridge? In due time, we'll answer that question with some numbers and a hands-on evaluation, but in the meantime, we've put together a little challenge for our readers. Maximum PC Deputy Editor Gordon Mah Ung captured on video a pair of systems running DiRT Showdown. One was equipped with a Haswell part running integrated GT3 graphics, and the other was rocking an Intel Core i7 Ivy Bridge processor paired with a discrete Nvidia GeForce GT 650M GPU. Let's see if you can tell the difference.
There are two monitors in the video, one hooked up to the Haswell system and the other running Nvidia's discrete graphics. As you watch the video, pay no attention to which one loads first. The slight delay between the left and right monitors isn't because of the GPU, it's due to hitting play on one before the other, so that's not going to help figure out which is which.
Instead, pay attention to the graphics and gameplay footage. As Gordon notes in the video, "it looks pretty close." Have a look for yourself:
So, which one do you think is Haswell and which is running the GeForce GT 650M? Post your guess in the comments section below and we'll reveal the answer later today!
We know we said we'd update this post last night, but the guesses kept coming so we decided to hold off a little bit on revealing the answer. So, which is which?
LEFT: Intel Haswell with integrated GT-3 (codename) graphics
RIGHT: Inte Core i7 with Nvidia GeForce GT 650M
The responses we received were fairly split, which is very encouraging for Haswell/GT-3.
Comments are closed on this article
lordfirefox
January 14, 2013 at 12:58pm
It's the one on the left I noticed a bit of horizontal tearing. It was hard to notice at first until the car came up on some trees on the track.
nbrowser
January 11, 2013 at 10:14pm
whoohoo I was right first ! c'mon let someone have a victory of sorts once in a while !
beta212
January 12, 2013 at 12:39pm
Yay! I was right too! the one on the left had a bit of horizontal tearing.
PCWolf
January 11, 2013 at 4:39pm
Doesn't matter. I still don't trust integrated graphics of any sort.
Laptop Manufacturers need to stop this BS & start making Laptops with graphics cards that can be updated. They need to to create a PG-PCI-E slot (Portable Graphics) So we can update older Graphics cards like we do on a PC.
lordfirefox
January 14, 2013 at 12:59pm
If I could thumbs up your comment I would. I agree the IGP's need to die off and be forgotten. Using system memory for graphics memory is unacceptable in today's technology.
evilanimator
January 11, 2013 at 11:41am
The one on the right for sure. It had the game launched and ready to go well ahead of the one on the left.
Day late, I know. But I didn't look at the comments on purpose before taking the challenge. Intel's getting mighty impressive with their integrated GPUs. As some people noted, there was a visual difference between the two and I was favoring the left a bit more. Could've been the camera swaying things a bit too.
Paul_Lilly
January 11, 2013 at 9:36am
The answer:
LEFT: Intel Haswell with integrated GT-3 (codename) graphics
RIGHT: Intel Core i7 with Nvidia GeForce GT 650M graphics
Okidog
January 11, 2013 at 8:38am
I think that the one to the left has better color, more lighting effects, better snow effects, and sharper detail. It seems that the detail and display options had to be reduced substantially on the one on the right to be able to match the frame rates of the one on the left.
Given that, I would assume the discrete graphics is the one on the left and integrated is on the right.
nbrowser
January 10, 2013 at 8:56pm
Ok Mr. Lilly, it's now much later in the day, I think it's time to um spill the beans !
Mastercheese
January 10, 2013 at 4:24pm
Intel has shown a video displaying integrated gpu power before using VLC! I want to be able to run diablo3 dota2 on max. I know these games are not that demanding as let's say crysis. An ultrabook with HD5000 will sell well.
Mediziner
January 10, 2013 at 4:15pm
Will the integrated graphics for Haswell be the same on the mobile and desktop parts and is the gt3 the top-end igt? Anyways, I think that the left is the igt and the right is the 650M
drayzen
January 10, 2013 at 3:21pm
Fine detail clarity and colours are definitely better on the left. The right looks faded and a little blurry.
beta212
January 10, 2013 at 4:24pm
I agree, maybe the one on the left is the 650m? As or frame rates they seem to be no different.
beta212
January 12, 2013 at 12:42pm
Damn it, I was thinking the one on the right and wrote down the one on the left without thinking.....
Peanut Fox
January 10, 2013 at 8:27pm
I couldn't be sure if the detail seems blurry because of the camera not focusing on both screens evenly, or if it's due to the difference in processing.
drayzen
January 11, 2013 at 2:06am
Possibly, I viewed it again and noticed when you first see the back of the car on the grid you can read the 'energy drink' under 'Rockstar' on the bumper on the left screen but not on the right, too blurry.
I'm betting it's integrated on the right, or maybe they've pulled a swifty putting the laptop on the right, is so then Itel have achieved great IQ and props to them.
I'm expecting my guess its still correct and Intel will struggle to catch the other guys on IQ unless they can license patents from them...
rbrtolzo
January 10, 2013 at 3:15pm
I put all my money on Intel being on the left and Nvidia on the right. The one on the left has a lower FPS then the one on the right.
Keatah
January 10, 2013 at 2:38pm
Stupid contest. He said haswell mobile. And the laptop is on the right. Uhmm, duhhh?
Peanut Fox
January 10, 2013 at 3:11pm
Except that the Haswell part is in the desktop machine behind the monitor on the left. Either way it's possible they switched the inputs.
Keatah
January 10, 2013 at 10:36pm
Right. A new chip would be showcased in an engineering patched-together desktop, not a finished retail product.
cpotter73
January 10, 2013 at 2:29pm
I think the 650m is on the left and the new Haswell is on the right, but very impressive either way for integrated graphics.
vrmlbasic
January 10, 2013 at 2:29pm
Makes me question further why Apple put the 650M in its highest-end Retina display Macbook Pros :(
I know many people with current Intel integrated graphics and they are eternally frustrated by its lackluster performance and the revelation that even games like Faster than Light (FTL), games with no graphical requirements of which to speak, mention on their Steam pages that they most likely won't run on Intel's HD 3000 or 4000 series GPUs. These graphics aren't earth-shattering, but they're a helluva lot better than the current stuff.
CHR15x94
January 10, 2013 at 1:56pm
Assuming the 650M is the quicker one, I'd say the left is the 650M, but its really close.
Its nice to see integrated GPUs get this quick. I've never wanted a "gaming" laptop, but I could always see myself occasionally wanting to play a game or do something GPU intensive on my laptop.
Integrated graphics never cut it, and dedicated graphics always seemed to be power hogs, and were only available in bulky or rather cheap feeling laptops (I know there are exceptions, but generally speaking).
Its nice knowing I'll be able to get a new laptop this summer foor university without having to worry much about getting a dedicated GPU in it (assuming Haswell is good in all other respects, too).
Also, off topic, just got a Dell U2713HM yesterday and holy shit, if you're on the fence about buying a higher end IPS panel, I'd strongly suggest getting one if you can afford it. The extra workspace and detail this thing gives me is fantastic. Games look much better, and I can comfortably work on multiple things on screen at the same time. Just fucking awesome!
pratikrawankar
January 10, 2013 at 1:19pm
what was quality settings ?
it is hard to tell
but left one looks smoother and whiter haha
is there is any feature so that we can combine the power of Haswel's integrated-gpu with desktop's descrete gpu to Maximgaming ???finally after 5-6 years intel made unique kind of gpu which can easily feel hunger of todays average-normal gamers
but for me and all other hardcore -elite gamers descrete gpu is only option (i have hd7950 oc soon upgrade to HD 8950 or HD 8970)
soon 3x display gaming eyefinity-surroudning gaming will be common
so intel keep working hard
more challenges are on the way
dherrick12
January 10, 2013 at 12:51pm
I wonder if the 7w (or whatever TDP they are) tablet chips will ship with GT3 graphics. I have heard that the low power parts will have the lower spec'ed GT2 graphics in order to be low power.
Modred189
January 10, 2013 at 12:15pm
Left is haswell, but just a guess. I THOUGHT i noticed some shadow differences.
Chewieshmoo
January 10, 2013 at 12:13pm
First time I am seeing levels of performance even I would be happy with!
monkiga
January 10, 2013 at 12:12pm
I'm going to guess the left one is GeFroce GT 650M as the screen is more smooth with more detail.
asherrna
January 10, 2013 at 11:54am
The left seems to have a lower level of antialiasing, but other than that, I couldn't tell any real difference. Great job to the integrated graphics! Might just get a laptop now. :P
goodtime
January 10, 2013 at 11:53am
I'm gonna guess that the more detailed one on the left is intel just because it would seem very anti-climatic otherwise.
Budman_NC
January 10, 2013 at 11:37am
Car on the left looks more metallic/shiny/realistic...I am going with the 650 on the left. But wow, integrated graphics is making progress!
benicoletti
January 10, 2013 at 11:29am
If the integrated isn't as good which has been a safe assumption I am going to with the 650 on the left it does seem to be a little cleaner detail wise. If the integrated is better well throw everything off.
Peanut Fox
January 10, 2013 at 11:35am
Well the laptop is on the right, which would lead me to believe that's the one that has the 650m.
Also the one on the left is stuttering quite a bit. There is some noticeable taring in there too.
Watching it again, there is some nasty slowdown on the left a minute into the game.
EDIT: It's great that they're even comparable to some extent. What where the game settings and resolution?
AETAaAS
January 10, 2013 at 11:25am
Very impressive performance. If they keep the low power consumption and still achieve that, AMD is going to have some serious thinking to do. Drop x86 and go forth as a graphics company? Or milk that ARM licence?
quickone
January 10, 2013 at 11:21am
Left is the 650, looks smoother and less lag/stuttering at the start. More detail in the tracks as well
