Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 vs Radeon HD 7870M

Intel

Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200

2014Core: 300 MHzBoost: 1100 MHz
VS
AMD

Radeon HD 7870M

2012Core: 800 MHz

Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 vs Radeon HD 7870M Performance Spectrum

About G3D Mark

G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.

Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 vs Radeon HD 7870M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200

2014

Why buy it

  • Draws 15W instead of 45W, a 30W reduction.
  • More future proof: Generation 8.0 (2014−2015) on 14nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • Less VRAM, with Unknown vs 2 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • 2014 hardware with Unknown of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.

Radeon HD 7870M

2012

Why buy it

  • 100+% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (2 GB vs Unknown).
  • Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 is already obsolete for modern gaming, so Radeon HD 7870M is the less risky modern option long term.

Trade-offs

  • 2012 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • 200% higher power demand at 45W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 2.1% in PassMark G3D (1,538 vs 1,507), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
Radeon HD 7870M is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 2 GB vs Unknown of VRAM and the newer upscaling stack, FSR Upscaling / FSR 4 (2025) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p, Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, Radeon HD 7870M has the stronger long-term case.

Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 vs Radeon HD 7870M Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Intel

Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200

The Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in September 5 2014. It features the Generation 8.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 300 MHz to 1100 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 15W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,538 points.

AMD

Radeon HD 7870M

The Radeon HD 7870M is manufactured by AMD. It was released in April 24 2012. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 800 MHz. It has 640 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 45W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,507 points.

Graphics Performance

The Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 scores 1,538 and the Radeon HD 7870M reaches 1,507 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 is built on Generation 8.0 while the Radeon HD 7870M uses GCN 1.0, both on 14 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 384 (Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200) vs 640 (Radeon HD 7870M). Raw compute: 0.8448 TFLOPS (Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200) vs 1.024 TFLOPS (Radeon HD 7870M).

FeatureIntel Iris Pro Graphics 6200Radeon HD 7870M
G3D Mark Score
1,538+2%
1,507
Architecture
Generation 8.0
GCN 1.0
Process Node
14 nm
28 nm
Shading Units
384
640+67%
Compute (TFLOPS)
0.8448 TFLOPS
1.024 TFLOPS+21%
ROPs
6
16+167%
TMUs
48+20%
40

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureIntel Iris Pro Graphics 6200Radeon HD 7870M
Upscaling Tech
Upscaling support
FSR Upscaling / FSR 4
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
Standard
AMD Anti-Lag
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 has 0 MB of VRAM, while the Radeon HD 7870M carries 2 GB. Radeon HD 7870M gives you 100+% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is System on the Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 and System on the Radeon HD 7870M.

FeatureIntel Iris Pro Graphics 6200Radeon HD 7870M
VRAM Capacity
Shared System RAM
2 GB
Memory Type
Shared
Shared
Memory Bandwidth
System
System
Bus Width
System
System
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 draws 15W versus the Radeon HD 7870M's 45W — a 100% difference. The Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 1W (Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200) vs 350W (Radeon HD 7870M). Power connectors: Integrated vs 1x 6-pin.

FeatureIntel Iris Pro Graphics 6200Radeon HD 7870M
TDP
15W-67%
45W
Recommended PSU
1W-100%
350W
Power Connector
Integrated
1x 6-pin
Perf/Watt
102.5+206%
33.5
💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 (2014 vs 2012).

FeatureIntel Iris Pro Graphics 6200Radeon HD 7870M
MSRP
$0
Codename
Broadwell GT3e
Heathrow
Release
September 5 2014
April 24 2012
Ranking
#763
#765

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