Introduction
Intel UHD graphics 620 is the successor to Intel HD graphics 620. Intel decided to rename the old integrated graphics processor, instead of giving it a new name. Before we dive into the main question, let’s talk about the graphics processors.
Integrated graphics are not well known for gaming as they don’t have their memory. These are simply used to watch videos and other smaller non-demanding tasks. When it comes to gaming, many titles require a high-end GPU to run. Nevertheless, integrated GPUs can also run some demanding games at low resolution.
With each iteration of the integrated graphics processor, it has been getting better and better. There have been numerous incremental changes, which have resulted in overall better performance.
Intel UHD graphics 620
We are interested in the Intel UHD graphics 620. This graphics processor is found paired with Intel’s 8th generation processors. Although it is not meant for gaming, it can run most titles on the low resolution at decent frames. As of now, this integrated graphics processor is present in the following Kaby Lake Refresh processors from Intel:
- i7-8650U
- i7-8550U
- i5-8350U
- i5-8250U
- i3-8130U
Specifications
Let’s talk about the technical aspects of the Intel UHD graphics 620. This graphics processor is based on 14nm. It is an integrated processor with a base frequency of 300 MHz and a maximum frequency of 1.10 to 1.15 GHz.
It can support 4k videos at a smooth 60fps. Its TDP is rated at 15 Watt, and can support three displays maximum at a time. The Intel UHD 620 for gaming supports the DirectX version of 12 and the OpenGL version of 4.4.
How many GB is intel UHD graphics 620
Now coming to the main question. The Intel UHD graphics 620 does not have any memory of its own. It means that it has no virtual memory of its own.
Well, you may be thinking that how does it function if it does not have its own memory?
Intel UHD graphics 620 functions by sharing a memory from the systems RAM. We can say that the memory of the integrated graphics processor is the same as the systems RAM.
Let’s look into it deeper to understand the working of memory and how much GB does Intel UHD graphics 620 has.
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Explanation
A dedicated graphics processor works totally different from an integrated graphics processor. A dedicated graphics processing unit has its own virtual memory and functions by utilizing its own virtual memory, which is marginally faster than the speed of systems RAM. The data is loaded into the virtual memory, and the graphics processor processes the data and outputs the result on the screen. This is very fast as all the processing is done on the graphics processor itself using the virtual memory.
On the contrary, an integrated graphics processing unit has no virtual memory. This means that it has no memory of its own. The integrated graphics processor works by sharing a memory from the systems RAM. A small portion of the systems RAM is reserved for the integrated processor to use.
The data is loaded into the RAM, and the integrated processor works on it, and finally outputs the result on the screen. As RAM is slower than virtual memory, the processing is also slow.
The Intel UHD graphics 620 works in a similar fashion. It works by sharing a memory from the systems RAM.
But there must be a limit to how much memory it can share? There definitely is.
The maximum amount of memory that can be accessed by the Intel UHD graphics 620 is 32 GB.
The simple answer; Intel UHD graphics 620 is capable of sharing a maximum of 32 GB of memory.
This is hardly ever achieved as most games don’t demand so much memory. Even if the Intel UHD graphics 620 uses 32 GB of memory, it can’t handle it. This graphics processor was designed to handle moderate tasks. If you throw complex and demanding tasks at the Intel UHD graphics 620, the performance starts to crumble.
Now let’s talk about how much of the RAM it can share. A typical system running Windows 10 utilizes about 2 to 3 GB of RAM on idle as you add more tasks the RAM consumption increases.
So, the whole RAM can’t be shared by the integrated graphics unit. Half of the RAM can be shared by the integrated graphics processor.
Suppose your laptop has 16 GB of RAM, the Intel UHD graphics 620 will be able to use up to 8 GB of RAM. The rest half is reserved for the system to function correctly.
Conclusion
The right way to put the question is, how much GB can be shared by Intel UHD graphics 620, instead of how many GB is Intel UHD graphics 620, and the answer is 32 GB.