Intel’s latest Core Ultra 200S processors have surprised users with their integrated graphics performance. Powered by the Xe “Alchemist” architecture, these processors demonstrate impressive capabilities that can rival even budget discrete graphics cards.
Particularly noteworthy is the flagship model, the Core Ultra 9 285K. Its integrated graphics core, featuring four Xe cores, has delivered performance comparable to the GTX 1050 Ti, which was once the benchmark for budget gamers.
This means that users can enjoy modern games comfortably at medium settings in 1080p resolution.
| Core Ultra 200S Game Performance | ||
|---|---|---|
| Games | Graphics Presets | Average FPS |
| Doom Eternal | 1080p, Med, Dynamic Scale On | 68 |
| OG SKYRIM | 1080p, Med | 60 |
| Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart | 1080p, Med | 42/60+ (FSR Frame Gen) |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | 1080p, Med, XeSS Performance | 40 |
| Fallout 4 | 1080p, Med | 60 |
| Overwatch 2 | 1080, Med/Low | 120+ |
| Spider-Man Remastered | 1080p, Med | 40+/80+ (FSR Frame Gen) |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 1080p, Low, Xess Performance | 42 |
Another pleasant surprise is the energy efficiency of the new processors. Even under maximum load during gaming, the power consumption of the Core Ultra 200S remains relatively low, making them suitable for compact systems or laptops.
Despite these achievements, the Intel Core Ultra 200S still lags behind the gaming performance of AMD Ryzen 8000G processors. However, considering the higher price of the Ryzen 8000G, Intel offers a more attractive price-to-performance ratio, especially for users not willing to invest heavily in a discrete graphics card.
Intel has made significant strides in integrated graphics, but there is still potential for further development. In the future, we can expect even more powerful and energy-efficient iGPUs that can compete with high-performance discrete graphics cards.
The Intel Core Ultra 200S is an exciting addition to the market, providing users with respectable gaming performance without the need for a separate graphics card. While these processors may not be the ideal choice for the most demanding gamers, they are well-suited for everyday tasks, video playback, and even some less demanding games.
