Our goal is to compare the generation-over-generation performance of Intel’s top mobile processors in the 15W TDP category, with a specific focus on graphics. We’re also once again including the Ryzen 7 3700U, not only to compare Intel’s and AMD’s top currently available 15W platforms, but also to better understand the state of the market for low power integrated graphics prior to Ice Lake’s launch, since AMD’s Picasso-based systems have been on the market since the beginning of the year.

Comparison to Earlier Ice Lake vs. Picasso Benchmarks

First, a quick note for those who read our initial coverage on the Ice Lake benchmarks. Shortly after the release of that article, several software and driver updates were released. Both our Dell and Lenovo test systems received Windows 10 updates, and both Intel and AMD released graphics driver updates.

Since we were adding the Whiskey Lake system into the mix, and considering the reader feedback we received on the type of benchmarks we included, we chose to simply retest everything on the latest updates. Therefore, all tests for this article were run with the latest Windows, system firmware, and driver updates as of September 12, 2019.

It’s also worth noting that for some tests, specifically games, we’re using a different testing method. Our initial Ice Lake benchmarks reported minimum, maximum, and average frame rates. Reader feedback requested instead a focus on frame times, which is understandable in any case, but especially with lower power graphics. So, aside from a few built-in benchmarks, we now report average frame rate and average, 99th percentile, and 99.9th percentile frame times.

We further added some games that were requested (Fortnite, Overwatch) and removed a few games that couldn’t reach reasonably playable frame rates on this hardware (Far Cry 5, F1 2018). That’s a long way of saying that results between these two articles aren’t necessarily comparable.

The Test Systems

We tested three laptops: the aforementioned Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (Ice Lake) and Lenovo ThinkPad T495 (Picasso), as well as the HP Spectre x360 13t (Whiskey Lake).

Note: our ThinkPad T495 specifically uses a Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U processor. This is part of AMD’s PRO line of mobile and desktop processors that offer additional enterprise-related security features and longer warranties. However, it has the same technical specifications and performance characteristics as the non-PRO 3700U. Since none of our tests are related to the chip’s unique enterprise features, we will refer to it as simply the “3700U” going forward.

As we mentioned in our initial Ice Lake coverage, comparing mobile processor platforms can be tricky, since a measurable amount of performance can depend on the choices made by the laptop manufacturer in terms of cooling and memory configuration. And, especially in this lower power, thin-and-light “Ultrabook-style” market range, the ability to match system configuration via upgrades or modifications is extremely limited, if that. Ideally, you’d want to compare platforms in the same exact chassis, such as a Dell XPS 15 that has options for two different processor types.

Unfortunately, the limited availability of Ice Lake processors just after launch, as well as the limited (but growing!) availability of Ryzen 3000 mobile options prevents this. Therefore, while we kept the testing conditions (ambient temperature, power status, testing order, etc.) the same, our results must carry the caveat of all laptop reviews: that performance is affected by the laptop design itself.

Another issue that came up in our initial Ice Lake benchmarks is memory. Some readers argued that the comparison between the Ice Lake and Picasso systems was invalid, since the i7-1065G7 uses LPDDR4-3733 while the 3700U is limited to DDR4-2400. The reality is that these are the speeds that Intel and AMD chose for these platforms. Unlike desktops, it’s generally not possible to use faster memory in a laptop than the platform supports. So, because AMD designed its Zen+ Ryzen 3000 mobile platform to use 2400MHz memory, that’s what we’re stuck with.

As to whether that makes the comparison “fair,” especially considering that memory speed has a greater effect on overall performance for Ryzen compared to Intel, our position is that these are the systems that consumers will buy. There is no Ryzen 3000 mobile system running DDR4 at 3733MHz, and there is no Ice Lake system running DDR4 at 2400MHz. We can’t compare hypotheticals; with laptops especially, we must evaluate the system as it will be available to consumers.

The other memory-related question dealt with confusion over the AMD system’s memory frequency. The manufacturers of several Picasso-based systems, including our ThinkPad T495, list the memory as DDR4-2666 on the device’s product page, leading some to believe that the 3700U and its counterparts could run its memory at a faster frequency. Unfortunately, this is an error on the part of the system makers and marketers.