Intel CPUs with iGPUs: Iris Plus Graphics G4, G7, and UHD Graphics

[Steve Mosher]

Been driving me nuts trying to find some sort of Lenovo, HP, Dell mini that would support the ability to use here in the office for Plex and things like that.

With the help of robots here is what I found out.

 

Here’s a combined overview of Intel CPUs with integrated GPUs such as Intel Iris Plus Graphics G4, G7, and Intel UHD Graphics, along with their relevance to Apple's macOS ecosystem:

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Intel CPUs with iGPUs: Iris Plus Graphics G4, G7, and UHD Graphics

Intel integrated GPUs like Iris Plus Graphics G4, G7 and UHD Graphics were widely used in Intel’s 10th Generation processors (Ice Lake and Comet Lake families). These GPUs were supported by macOS on Intel-based Macs before Apple transitioned to Apple Silicon.

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Intel Iris Plus Graphics G4 and G7

These iGPUs belong to the Ice Lake (10th Gen) family and are built on Intel’s 10nm process. They deliver improved graphics performance, supporting tasks like light gaming, media editing, and macOS's Metal API for hardware acceleration.

• Processors with Intel Iris Plus Graphics G4:

  • Intel Core i3-1005G1
  • Intel Core i3-10110Y

• Processors with Intel Iris Plus Graphics G7:

  • Intel Core i5-1035G4
  • Intel Core i5-1035G7
  • Intel Core i7-1065G7
  • Intel Core i7-1060G7

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Intel UHD Graphics

These iGPUs are found in both Ice Lake and Comet Lake (10th Gen) processors. They are designed for everyday tasks like office work, media playback, and light multitasking but have less graphical power compared to Iris Plus.

• Processors with Intel UHD Graphics:
  • Intel Core i3-10100
  • Intel Core i3-10100T
  • Intel Core i3-10110U
  • Intel Core i5-10210U
  • Intel Core i5-10300H
  • Intel Core i7-10510U
  • Intel Core i7-10710U
  • Intel Core i9-10980HK

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Relevance to macOS and Apple Devices

1. Supported by Apple: These GPUs were featured in Apple’s Intel-based Macs, such as:

   • MacBook Air (2020): Intel Core i3/i5 with UHD Graphics and Iris Plus G7.
   • MacBook Pro (2020): Intel Core i5/i7 with Iris Plus G7.
   • Mac mini (2018–2020): Intel Core i3/i5 with UHD Graphics.
   • iMac (2019–2020): Intel Core i3/i5/i7 with UHD Graphics or Iris Plus G7.

2. macOS Optimization: macOS supported these GPUs with hardware acceleration and the Metal API, enabling smooth performance for graphical tasks.

3. Legacy and Transition: With the transition to Apple Silicon (M1/M2), macOS optimization shifted focus away from Intel iGPUs. However, Intel-based Macs with these GPUs remain compatible with recent macOS versions, such as macOS Monterey and Ventura.

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Choosing Between Iris Plus and UHD Graphics

• Iris Plus Graphics G4/G7: Recommended for better graphical performance (e.g., photo/video editing, light gaming).
• UHD Graphics: Suitable for general tasks and basic media consumption.

These GPUs provide a reliable experience for macOS users still using Intel-based Macs, but Apple's M-series processors significantly outperform them in both graphics and overall efficiency.

Edited December 24, 2024 by Steve Mosher