Dell XPS 15 with Intel + Vega graphics obliterates GeForce MX 150

HotHardware had the opportunity to test the new XPS 15 2-in-1 convertible laptop from Dell. What makes this machine special is that it's one of the first to feature the Intel Kaby Lake-G multi-chip module with AMD Radeon RX Vega graphics.

This test was performed at CES 2018 on a system with the Core i7-8705G processor (3.1GHz base, 4.1GHz Turbo), the Radeon RX Vega M GL GPU, 16GB DDR4, and a fast NVMe SSD.

In a Rise of the Tomb Raider benchmark run, the Radeon RX Vega M GL GPU achieved almost 35 frames per second with image quality settings on High. For comparison, a comparable system with the NVIDIA GeForce MX 150 achieves just 23 frames per second. You can check the results over here.

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 generation 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.