GPU Performance

Once again, since this is likely the last Skylake Ultrabook to be tested here, it’s also likely our last look at Intel’s HD 520 GPU. It’s been a nice improvement over Broadwell, even though the elusive Iris version has not made it’s way here. With 24 EUs in the GT2 GPU, it ends up being reasonable for low end games, and Intel seems to be promoting integrated GPU performance with more effort recently.

The X1 Yoga was run through the standard GPU suite, with a few synthetic tests, as well as Dota 2 for a low end game that can be played on an iGPU.

3DMark

Futuremark 3DMark (2013)

Futuremark 3DMark (2013)

Futuremark 3DMark (2013)

Futuremark 3DMark (2013)

Futuremark 3DMark (2013)

Futuremark 3DMark (2013)

Futuremark 3DMark 11

Once again, there are no surprises with the HD 520, and the X1 Yoga falls in-line with the other Skylake GT2 units.

GFXBench

GFXBench 3.0 Manhattan Offscreen 1080p

GFXBench 3.0 T-Rex Offscreen 1080p

Much like 3DMark, the X1 Yoga scores similarly to the other Skylake devices tested.

Dota 2 Reborn

Valve recreated Dota 2 with a new gaming engine, which limits our selection of devices to compare against since the new Reborn version was launched. As an online game, it is also constantly updated.

Dota 2 Reborn - Value

Dota 2 Reborn - Mainstream

The X1 Yoga outscored the Razer Blade Stealth in the lightest test, but was unable to pass it in the higher quality tests. Due to the nature of it being an online game, with frequent updates, this could be due to game engine changes as well as driver differences between the tests (typically notebooks are only short-term review units, so it can be difficult to maintain consistency). The margins are not huge though, and although the game is somewhat playable on our medium test, it really can only be played well at the lightest settings.

CPU and Storage Performance LCD Display Analysis
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  • mooninite - Thursday, September 29, 2016 - link

    $1800 and no Iris graphics? I'll pass.
  • ddriver - Thursday, September 29, 2016 - link

    Knock yourself out.
  • JoeyJoJo123 - Thursday, September 29, 2016 - link

    After you, ma'am.
  • ddriver - Thursday, September 29, 2016 - link

    U his boyfriend?

    The device scores in the top of its class as it is. Iris graphics won't make it more useful in its intended usage context, only more expensive. But I guess the important part here is that your boyfriend won't be buying a device cuz it didn't have a component that makes no sense having. Good to know.
  • JoeyJoJo123 - Thursday, September 29, 2016 - link

    Another *simply epic* post by ddriver!
  • forgot2yield28 - Friday, September 30, 2016 - link

    You're joking, right? I run procurement for an architecture office. I wouldn't order this over an XPS 13 because you can get the XPS with Iris. They're not the workhorse of our office, but for getting some work done on an airplane and giving a presentation while manipulating CAD drawings, something with Iris or discrete graphics is critical. I can appreciate that the niche for professional ultrabook users who demand higher graphics performance is small, but to say that it wouldn't make the product more useful to professionals is simply shortsighted.
  • close - Friday, September 30, 2016 - link

    ddriver is usually here for two purposes:
    -some pseudo-engineering rants that are laughable until you realize he might actually believe them (then it feels like you're laughing at an autistic kid).
    -make some sort of homophobic remark, or any kind of insult really. The kind that suggests he was raised and educated by 4chan.
  • ddriver - Friday, September 30, 2016 - link

    I am glad you finally found a purpose in life. As pathetic as it may be, that's a huge step up for you LOL, your peak lifetime achievement really.
  • ddriver - Friday, September 30, 2016 - link

    You are joking, right? This is a convertible device that can be used as a tablet and comes with a stylus while the xps 13 is an ultrabook without tablet mode or stylus support. Which explains why the xps in a matching configuration is 100$ cheaper.

    If you are a professional and need to work with CAD you don't get a "business class" generic ultrabook, you get a laptop with dedicated professional graphics, or the very least, something with a decent discrete graphics, like the xps 15

    Iris critical for CAD - that's laughable to say the least. But wait, since you did say "drawings" I can only assume you mean 2D in autocad, which, and I hate to break it to you, will show exactly ZERO advantage for iris over the plain integrated graphics. It will be marginally better for 3D, but nowhere near the 960m in the xps 15, which also has a bigger display at the same price point. Or maybe now you are also going to tell me that a smaller screen is also critical to working with cad and making presentations?
  • LordOfTheBoired - Friday, September 30, 2016 - link

    *doesn't know CAD workload or terminology*
    *is qualified to dictate CAD hardware demands*

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