The strongest integrated graphics APU can play games?

Watching the WeChat partner last week, I noticed that Xiaobian has already had access to the latest APU testing platform. In fact, the Ryzen processor core used in the APU is well-known for its performance, and it still delivers a reassuring level of power. However, what many users are more interested in is the built-in graphics card—what games can it actually run? Instead of just talking about benchmarks or scores, Xiao Bian decided to test the APU's graphical performance using real games.

3D Online Games? APU Takes You to Fly

Xiao Bian categorized 3D online games into three levels. First, older games like League of Legends and Dota 2, which are well-optimized, can achieve over 60fps at full HD resolution with maximum settings. The frame rate remains stable throughout, with no issues. For games such as Storm Hero, Watch Pioneer, and Tank World, which require higher 3D performance, the APU can maintain at least 40fps at full HD with medium quality. While this may not be ideal for competitive esports, it's more than enough for casual gaming. If you want better performance, you can lower the graphics settings to increase frame rates.

Finally, when it comes to popular open-world FPS games, the APU’s integrated graphics struggle. At 720p and low settings, it can reach over 40fps, but the visual quality is significantly compromised. At full HD, even with ultra-low settings, the frame rate drops below 40fps, making it nearly unplayable. It’s clear that entry-level platforms aren’t suitable for these demanding titles, which explains the recent surge in PC upgrades.

Stand-Alone Masterpieces? APU Can Still Fight

When it comes to stand-alone game masterpieces, many people assume that integrated graphics won't cut it. Although the new generation of APUs can't fully change this perception, they have made significant improvements. We also divided the stand-alone games into three categories. First, titles like Rainbow Six: Siege, Call of Duty: WWII, Dust: Rally, and Killer 6, which use slightly older engines, can run smoothly at full HD with medium or high settings, achieving over 40fps.

Rainbow 6 full HD resolution, high quality test results

Next, games like Tomb Raider: Rise, Assassin’s Creed: Titan, and Far Cry 4, which demand higher 3D performance, struggle to hit 40fps at full HD even with the lowest settings. However, at 720p with medium quality, the frame rate becomes playable.

Tomb Raider 720P, medium quality test results

Finally, newer graphics-intensive games like "The Ashes of Singularity" completely exceed the APU's capabilities. Even at the lowest resolution and settings, the average frame rate only reaches 30fps, often dropping to single digits, making the game unplayable.

During the test, we found that compared to the Ryzen 5 2400G, the Ryzen 3 2200G showed a much smaller gap in 3D gaming performance than what theoretical benchmarks suggested. The actual frame rate difference was only around 10%, meaning their gaming abilities are very similar.

Entry-Level PCs, Boost Performance

To make the most out of a new APU, especially its integrated graphics, certain hardware requirements must be met. For example, choosing high-frequency, high-capacity dual-channel memory is essential (for more details, refer to previous articles). Here's a recommended configuration for those interested:

When building a system, focus on matching the APU with the right memory. The motherboard should have four memory slots for future expansion, and the memory frequency should be above 3000 MHz. This mid-range gaming setup costs under 4,000 yuan. If you're not interested in standalone games, you can replace the CPU with the Ryzen 3 2200G and reduce the memory requirements, bringing the total cost down to around 3,000 yuan. Though this price is similar to entry-level computers, it offers office performance comparable to an Intel Core i3 and can run most mainstream online games at high settings.