17. 3DMark05

Using this classic 3D graphics benchmarking tool, we wanted to examine how much slower or faster Intel's integrated graphics subsystem might be, as compared to a typical entry- or mid-level graphics subsystem. For comparison to a Mobility Radeon X300, we chose the recently-reviewed Lenovo Z60m notebook, while the LG LW60 served as a mid-tier reference system with its Mobility Radeon X600 chipset.

3DMark05 Conclusions

If the results from the graphics benchmarks in PCMark05 suggest that the 945GM might be able to handle graphically-intensive 3D games, 3DMark05 patently deflates this false hope. As most well-informed Tom's Hardware Guide readers know, the Mobility Radeon X300 and X600 graphics processors both offer four-pixel pipelines and two programmable vertex shaders. These graphics processors run at a comparatively faster clock speed and also feature a 128-bit memory interface (X300 64 bit). In other words, an integrated graphics solution such as Intel's GMA950, which lacks hardware vertex shaders and has a narrower memory interface, just cannot meet the requirements of 3D games.