Intel UHD Graphics vs Radeon R9 255

Intel

Intel UHD Graphics

2021Core: 350 MHzBoost: 750 MHz
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VS
AMD

Radeon R9 255

2014Core: 918 MHz
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Intel UHD Graphics vs Radeon R9 255 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 UHD Graphics vs Radeon R9 255: 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

2021

Why buy it

  • Radeon R9 255 is already obsolete for modern gaming, so Intel UHD Graphics is the less risky modern option long term.
  • Draws 10W instead of 190W, a 180W reduction.
  • More future proof: Generation 11.0 (2019−2021) on 10nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • Less VRAM, with Unknown vs 2 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • 2021 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 10.8 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $139 MSRP).

Radeon R9 255

2014

Why buy it

  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 10.8 vs 0 G3D/$ ($139 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • 100+% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (2 GB vs Unknown).

Trade-offs

  • 2014 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • 1800% higher power demand at 190W vs 10W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
Intel UHD Graphics is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 0.7% in PassMark G3D (1,511 vs 1,501), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
Intel UHD Graphics is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a 10nm process instead of 28nm and a newer 2021 generation instead of 2014. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
Radeon R9 255 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, Radeon R9 255 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p headroom, Intel UHD Graphics has the stronger long-term case.

Intel UHD Graphics vs Radeon R9 255 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Intel UHD Graphics

The Intel UHD Graphics is manufactured by Intel. It was released in January 11 2021. It features the Generation 11.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 350 MHz to 750 MHz. It has 256 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 10W. Manufactured using 10 nm+ process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,511 points.

AMD

Radeon R9 255

The Radeon R9 255 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in September 2 2014. It features the GCN 3.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 918 MHz. It has 1792 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 190W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,501 points. Launch price was $249.

Graphics Performance

The Intel UHD Graphics scores 1,511 and the Radeon R9 255 reaches 1,501 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.7% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Intel UHD Graphics is built on Generation 11.0 while the Radeon R9 255 uses GCN 3.0, both on 10 nm+ vs 28 nm. Shader units: 256 (Intel UHD Graphics) vs 1,792 (Radeon R9 255). Raw compute: 0.384 TFLOPS (Intel UHD Graphics) vs 3.29 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 255).

FeatureIntel UHD GraphicsRadeon R9 255
G3D Mark Score
1,511
1,501
Architecture
Generation 11.0
GCN 3.0
Process Node
10 nm+
28 nm
Shading Units
256
1792+600%
Compute (TFLOPS)
0.384 TFLOPS
3.29 TFLOPS+757%
ROPs
8
32+300%
TMUs
16
112+600%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureIntel UHD GraphicsRadeon R9 255
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 UHD Graphics has 0 MB of VRAM, while the Radeon R9 255 carries 2 GB. Radeon R9 255 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 and 128-bit on the Radeon R9 255.

FeatureIntel UHD GraphicsRadeon R9 255
VRAM Capacity
Shared System RAM
2 GB
Memory Type
Shared
GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth
System
Unknown
Bus Width
System
128-bit
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Intel UHD Graphics draws 10W versus the Radeon R9 255's 190W — a 180% difference. The Intel UHD Graphics is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 1W (Intel UHD Graphics) vs 400W (Radeon R9 255). Power connectors: Integrated vs 1x 6-pin.

FeatureIntel UHD GraphicsRadeon R9 255
TDP
10W-95%
190W
Recommended PSU
1W-100%
400W
Power Connector
Integrated
1x 6-pin
Perf/Watt
151.1+1813%
7.9
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Intel UHD Graphics came in at $0, while the Radeon R9 255 launched at $139. On MSRP, Intel UHD Graphics was 100+% cheaper ($139 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): Infinity (Intel UHD Graphics) vs 10.8 (Radeon R9 255) — the Intel UHD Graphics offers Infinity% better value. The newer card here is Intel UHD Graphics (2021 vs 2014).

FeatureIntel UHD GraphicsRadeon R9 255
MSRP
$0-100%
$139
Performance per Dollar
Infinity
10.8
Codename
Jasper Lake GT1
Tonga
Release
January 11 2021
September 2 2014
Ranking
#666
#365

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