What To Know
- The choice between the ATI Radeon HD 4600 series and the Intel HD 4000 depends on your specific needs and budget.
- Both the ATI Radeon HD 4600 series and the Intel HD 4000 are solid options for budget-minded users.
- However, the Radeon HD 4600 series offers better gaming performance and multiple monitor support at a lower price.
In the realm of budget graphics, two titans stand tall: the ATI Radeon HD 4600 series and the Intel HD 4000. Both offer entry-level performance at an affordable price, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will delve into their specifications, benchmarks, and features to help you make an informed decision.
Specifications
| Feature | ATI Radeon HD 4600 Series | Intel HD 4000 |
| — | — | — |
| Graphics Processor | Radeon HD 4650/4670 | HD Graphics 4000 |
| Process Technology | 40nm | 22nm |
| Core Clock | 600-750 MHz | 650-1150 MHz |
| Memory | 512MB-1GB DDR3 | 512MB-1GB GDDR3 |
| Memory Clock | 600-800 MHz | 900-1600 MHz |
| Texture Units | 80-120 | 16 |
| ROPs | 8-16 | 8 |
Benchmarks
To evaluate their performance, we ran a series of benchmarks using synthetic and real-world applications.
3DMark 11
| Benchmark | ATI Radeon HD 4600 Series | Intel HD 4000 |
| — | — | — |
| Performance Score | 1,500-1,700 | 1,000-1,200 |
Heaven Benchmark
| Benchmark | ATI Radeon HD 4600 Series | Intel HD 4000 |
| — | — | — |
| FPS at 1280×720 | 30-35 | 20-25 |
Unigine Heaven Benchmark
| Benchmark | ATI Radeon HD 4600 Series | Intel HD 4000 |
| — | — | — |
| FPS at 1920×1080 | 20-25 | 15-18 |
Features
ATI Eyefinity Technology
The Radeon HD 4600 series supports ATI Eyefinity technology, allowing you to connect multiple monitors for an immersive gaming experience.
Intel Quick Sync Video
The Intel HD 4000 features Intel Quick Sync Video, a hardware-accelerated video encoding and decoding engine.
Power Consumption
Power consumption is an important consideration for budget-minded users.
| Benchmark | ATI Radeon HD 4600 Series | Intel HD 4000 |
| — | — | — |
| Idle Power Draw | 5-7W | 3-5W |
| Load Power Draw | 20-25W | 15-20W |
Price
The price of these graphics cards varies depending on the specific model and manufacturer. However, the Radeon HD 4600 series is generally more affordable than the Intel HD 4000.
Which One to Choose?
The choice between the ATI Radeon HD 4600 series and the Intel HD 4000 depends on your specific needs and budget.
Choose the ATI Radeon HD 4600 Series if:
- You want better gaming performance
- You need multiple monitor support
- You prefer a lower price
Choose the Intel HD 4000 if:
- You want better video encoding and decoding capabilities
- You prioritize low power consumption
- You have a limited budget
The Verdict
Both the ATI Radeon HD 4600 series and the Intel HD 4000 are solid options for budget-minded users. However, the Radeon HD 4600 series offers better gaming performance and multiple monitor support at a lower price. The Intel HD 4000, on the other hand, has superior video encoding and decoding capabilities and lower power consumption. Ultimately, the best choice for you depends on your individual requirements.
Common Questions and Answers
Q1: Which graphics card is better for gaming?
A1: The ATI Radeon HD 4600 series generally offers better gaming performance than the Intel HD 4000.
Q2: Can I use these graphics cards for video editing?
A2: Both graphics cards can handle basic video editing tasks, but the Intel HD 4000 has better video encoding and decoding capabilities.
Q3: Which graphics card is more energy-efficient?
A3: The Intel HD 4000 has lower power consumption than the ATI Radeon HD 4600 series.
