First Hybrid Intel-AMD Chip Benchmarks With Dell XPS 15 Show Vega M Obliterating Intel UHD And MX 150 Graphics

Earlier this year at CES 2018, Dell introduced its new XPS 15 2-In-1 convertible laptop, which it considers to be the world's most powerful hybrid machine. In this case, all of its computing muscle is coming from Intel's new 8th Generation Core i5 and Core i7 processors that feature an on-package AMD Radeon RX Vega M GL GPU with 4GB of HBM2. While we previously gave you a hands-on look at the new XPS 15 2-in-1 at the Dell booth, what we have today is a bit more tantalizing. Bear in mind that this is a very early look at the product, however.


We've got some results from multiple Rise of the Tomb Raider benchmark runs to give you all a taste of what the Radeon RX Vega M GL GPU can do. The XPS 15 2-In-1 we tested here was configured with a Core i7-8705G processor (3.1GHz base, 4.1GHz boost), the aforementioned Radeon RX Vega M GL graphics engine, 16GB of DDR4 memory, and an ultra-fast NVMe SSD.

Running at 1920x1080 resolution, the XPS 15 2-in-1 was able to maintain an average frame rate of nearly 35 frames per second with High image quality settings dialed in (29.69 on Very High in the video above). Not bad, for a roughly 4.5 pound machine that measures only 16 mm thick. Compared to a similar 8th Gen Core system with Intel's own integrated UHD 620 graphics, it was no contest. Even on Medium quality settings, the Intel UHD 620 was only able to manage about 8 frames per second. In fact, Intel's own 8th Gen IGP can't even run the game on High IQ because it runs out of frame buffer memory.

In our video above, we're fairly certain that the 29.69 frames per second run on the XPS 15 2-in-1 was accomplished using the Very High IQ setting (re-confirming with Dell). For further comparison, an 8th Gen Core processor paired with an NVIDIA MX 150 GPU was able to put up an average frame rate of around 23 frames per second in the same benchmark but at High IQ settings.

Needless to say, graphics performance definitely looks promising for these new 8th Gen Intel Core processors with AMD graphics. We don't know how long this AMD partnership will last, but the bitter rivals should be commended for likely hitting it out of the park on the first try here.

In addition to the brawny but efficient processor and GPU combination, we should also mention that the XPS 15 2-in-1 can be had with a 15.6-inch UltraSharp 4K UHD InfinityEdge display and up to a 1TB NVMe SSD. A 75 WHr battery gives you up to 15 hours of runtime and everything is wrapped up in a stylish CNC-machined aluminum chassis with that premium hybrid carbon fiber goodness we've come to know and love in Dell's XPS line.

The XPS 15 2-in-1 will begin shipping in the Spring with a starting price of $1,299.