UHD Graphics 617 vs Radeon HD 3850 X2

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 UHD Graphics 617 vs Radeon HD 3850 X2 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 9800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Intel UHD Graphics 617 vs Radeon HD 3850 X2: 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 UHD Graphics 617

2018

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 254W, a 239W reduction.
✅Measures 1mm instead of 267mm, a 266mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.
✅More future proof: Generation 9.5 (2016−2020) on 14nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with Unknown vs 1 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2018 hardware with Unknown of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 2.4 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $349 MSRP).

Radeon HD 3850 X2

2011

Why buy it

✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 2.4 vs 0 G3D/$ ($349 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅100+% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (1 GB vs Unknown).
✅Intel UHD Graphics 617 is already obsolete for modern gaming, so Radeon HD 3850 X2 is the less risky modern option long term.

Trade-offs

❌2011 hardware with 1 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌1593.3% higher power demand at 254W vs 15W.
❌26600% longer card at 267mm vs 1mm.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

Radeon HD 3850 X2 is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 0.4% in PassMark G3D (822 vs 819), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.

Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?

Radeon HD 3850 X2 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 1 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?

Radeon HD 3850 X2 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup.

Intel UHD Graphics 617 vs Radeon HD 3850 X2 Technical Specifications

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

Intel UHD Graphics 617

The Intel UHD Graphics 617 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in November 7 2018. It features the Generation 9.5 architecture. The core clock ranges from 300 MHz to 1050 MHz. It has 192 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 15W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 819 points.

Radeon HD 3850 X2

The Radeon HD 3850 X2 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in September 19 2011. It features the TeraScale 2 architecture. The core clock speed is 800 MHz. It has 960 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 254W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 822 points.

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Graphics Performance

The Intel UHD Graphics 617 scores 819 and the Radeon HD 3850 X2 reaches 822 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.4% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Intel UHD Graphics 617 is built on Generation 9.5 while the Radeon HD 3850 X2 uses TeraScale 2, both on 14 nm vs 40 nm. Shader units: 192 (Intel UHD Graphics 617) vs 960 (Radeon HD 3850 X2). Raw compute: 0.4032 TFLOPS (Intel UHD Graphics 617) vs 1.536 TFLOPS ×2 (Radeon HD 3850 X2).

Feature	Intel UHD Graphics 617	Radeon HD 3850 X2
G3D Mark Score	819	822
Architecture	Generation 9.5	TeraScale 2
Process Node	14 nm	40 nm
Shading Units	192	960 ×2+400%
Compute (TFLOPS)	0.4032 TFLOPS	1.536 TFLOPS ×2+281%
ROPs	3	32 ×2+967%
TMUs	24	48 ×2+100%

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Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	Intel UHD Graphics 617	Radeon HD 3850 X2
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	FSR Upscaling / FSR 4
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	Standard	AMD Anti-Lag

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Video Memory (VRAM)

The Intel UHD Graphics 617 has 0 MB of VRAM, while the Radeon HD 3850 X2 carries 1 GB. Radeon HD 3850 X2 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 UHD Graphics 617 and 128-bit on the Radeon HD 3850 X2.

Feature	Intel UHD Graphics 617	Radeon HD 3850 X2
VRAM Capacity	Shared System RAM	1 GB
Memory Type	Shared	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	System	Unknown
Bus Width	System	128-bit

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Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12_1 (Intel UHD Graphics 617) vs 10.1 (Radeon HD 3850 X2). Maximum simultaneous displays: 0 vs 2.

Feature	Intel UHD Graphics 617	Radeon HD 3850 X2
DirectX	12_1+19%	10.1
Max Displays	0	2

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Media & Encoding

Decoder: QuickSync vs UVD+.

Feature	Intel UHD Graphics 617	Radeon HD 3850 X2
Encoder	QuickSync	—
Decoder	QuickSync	UVD+
Codecs	—	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2

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Power & Dimensions

The Intel UHD Graphics 617 draws 15W versus the Radeon HD 3850 X2's 254W — a 177.7% difference. The Intel UHD Graphics 617 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 1W (Intel UHD Graphics 617) vs 450W (Radeon HD 3850 X2). Power connectors: Integrated vs 2x 6-pin. Card length: 1mm vs 267mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots.

Feature	Intel UHD Graphics 617	Radeon HD 3850 X2
TDP	15W-94%	254W
Recommended PSU	1W-100%	450W
Power Connector	Integrated	2x 6-pin
Length	1mm	267mm
Slots	0-100%	2
Temp (Load)	—	90°C
Perf/Watt	54.6+1606%	3.2

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Intel UHD Graphics 617 came in at $0, while the Radeon HD 3850 X2 launched at $349. On MSRP, Intel UHD Graphics 617 was 100+% cheaper ($349 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): Infinity (Intel UHD Graphics 617) vs 2.4 (Radeon HD 3850 X2) — the Intel UHD Graphics 617 offers Infinity% better value. The newer card here is Intel UHD Graphics 617 (2018 vs 2011).

Feature	Intel UHD Graphics 617	Radeon HD 3850 X2
MSRP	$0-100%	$349
Performance per Dollar	Infinity	2.4
Codename	Amber Lake GT2	Barts
Release	November 7 2018	September 19 2011
Ranking	#921	#630

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