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ARM Mali-T720 vs Qualcomm Adreno 506 vs Qualcomm Adreno 540

ARM Mali-T720

► remove from comparison ARM Mali-T720

The ARM Mali-T720 is a mobile graphics solution that can be found in ARM SoCs. The chip is available since 2014. Besides OpenGL ES 3.1, the GPU supports OpenCL 1.1 as well as DirectX 11 FL9_3. According to ARM, the Mali-T720 can be scaled from 1 - 8 cores/clusters (MP1, MP2, ... MP) and clocks up to 650 MHz.

Sometimes the SoC does not specifies the number of cores, therefore this generic page / GPU for the single cluster variant is used and the benchmarks may differ. See e.g. the Mali-T720 MP2 and T720 MP4 pages for comparison.

The MP1 variant is only as fast as the older Mali-400 MP4 graphics card and therefore only suited for low demanding 3D games (Android based). However, the power consumption on the other hand is rather low and therefore the GPU is also suited for small smartphones.

Qualcomm Adreno 506

► remove from comparison

The Qualcomm Adreno 506 is a mobile graphics card for mid-range smartphones and tablets (mostly Android based). It is included in the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 SoCs and based on the Adreno 500 architecture (like the Adreno 520 in the S820, which should be fully compatible in software).

The GPU supports modern standards like Vulkan 1.0 (according to Wikipedia), OpenGL ES 3.1 + AE (3.2 in other sources), OpenCL 2.0 and DirectX 12 (FL 12.1 according to Wikipedia, 11.1 according to Qualcomm). Furthermore, the GPU supports Universal Bandwidth Compression (UBWC) to save memory bandwidth.

Qualcomm Adreno 540

► remove from comparison

The Qualcomm Adreno 540 is an integrated graphics card in the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 SoC for smartphones. It was introduced in early 2017 and can be found in high-end Android smartphones. 

The integrated GPU is based on the optimized architecture of the Adreno 530, but features clearly improved clock speeds (710 versus 624 MHz according to Anandtech) and better thermal stability. This is also thanks to the new 10 nm process the Snapdragon 835 is produced in. In the reference smartphone from Qualcomm, the Adreno 540 is able to beat or perform at a similar level as the fastest smartphone graphics cards on the market (e.g. the ARM Mali-T880MP12, ARM Mali-G71MP8 or Apple A10 GPU). Therefore, it should be perfectly suited for demanding 3D gaming and also mobile VR and 4K displays.

ARM Mali-T720Qualcomm Adreno 506Qualcomm Adreno 540
Adreno 500 Series
Mali-T760 MP8 8 @ 0.7 - 0.77 GHz
Mali-T760 MP6 6 @ 0.7 GHz
Mali-T760 MP4 4 @ 0.6 GHz
Mali-T760 MP2 2 @ 0.7 GHz
Mali-T720 MP4 4 @ 0.6 GHz
Mali-T720 MP2 2 @ 0.65 GHz
Mali-T720 1 @ 0.6 GHz
Adreno 540 @ 0.71 GHz
Adreno 530 @ 0.62 GHz
Adreno 512
Adreno 510
Adreno 509
Adreno 508 @ 0.65 GHz
Adreno 506 @ 0.65 GHz
Adreno 505 @ 0.45 GHz
Adreno 504 @ 0.45 GHz
Adreno 540 @ 0.71 GHz
Adreno 530 @ 0.62 GHz
Adreno 512
Adreno 510
Adreno 509
Adreno 508 @ 0.65 GHz
Adreno 506 @ 0.65 GHz
Adreno 505 @ 0.45 GHz
Adreno 504 @ 0.45 GHz
CodenameMidgard (3rd Generation)
ArchitectureMidgard (3rd-gen)Adreno 500
Pipelines1 - unified
Core Speed600 MHz650 MHz710 MHz
Shared Memorynoyesyes
APIDirectX 9.3, OpenGL ES 3.1DirectX 12.1, OpenGL ES 3.2, VulkanDirectX 12, OpenGL ES 3.2
FeaturesOpenGL ES 3.1, OpenCL 1.1, DirectX 11.1, Renderscript, FSAA/MSAAOpenGL ES 3.2, OpenCL 2.0, Direct3D 12 (FL 12_1)OpenGL ES 3.2, OpenCL 2.0, DirectX 12
Date of Announcement01.03.2015 15.12.2015 22.03.2017
Link to Manufacturer Pagewww.arm.com
technology14 nm10 nm
CPU in Mali-T720GPU Base SpeedGPU Boost / Turbo
Mediatek MT67354 x 1500 MHz? MHz600 MHz
Mediatek MT87354 x 1300 MHz? MHz? MHz
Mediatek MT6735P4 x 1000 MHz? MHz600 MHz
min. - max.? MHz? - 600 MHz
CPU in Adreno 506GPU Base SpeedGPU Boost / Turbo
Qualcomm Snapdragon 6328 x 1800 MHz? MHz? MHz
Qualcomm Snapdragon 6268 x 2200 MHz? MHz? MHz
Qualcomm Snapdragon 6258 x 2000 MHz? MHz? MHz
Qualcomm Snapdragon 4508 x 1800 MHz? MHz? MHz
min. - max.? MHz? - 600 MHz
CPU in Adreno 540GPU Base SpeedGPU Boost / Turbo
Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 (8998)8 x 2450 MHz? MHz710 MHz

Benchmarks

Performance Rating - 3DMark 11 + Fire Strike + Time Spy - Adreno 540
0.2 pt (1%)
0.06787 -71%
0.1025 -56%
Qualcomm Adreno 540
0.2337
...
0.2337 0%
max:
33.3 14149%
0%
100%
min: 7668     avg: 13091     median: 13240 (2%)     max: 14741 Points
min: 16794     avg: 53776     median: 56046.5 (6%)     max: 58360 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Extreme Graphics
min: 1375     avg: 1636     median: 1653 (0%)     max: 2008 Points
min: 7040     avg: 7261     median: 7309 (1%)     max: 7435 Points
17290 Points (2%)
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Score
2359 Points (3%)
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Graphics
4259 Points (1%)
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Score
min: 451     avg: 452     median: 452 (1%)     max: 453 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Graphics
min: 508     avg: 513     median: 513 (1%)     max: 518 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Graphics
min: 2265     avg: 3255     median: 3387 (0%)     max: 4050 Points
12169 Points (1%)
17180 Points (2%)
3DMark - 3DMark Sling Shot (ES 3.0) Unlimited
min: 148     avg: 189.6     median: 169.5 (1%)     max: 284 Points
min: 533     avg: 847     median: 851 (4%)     max: 951 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Sling Shot (ES 3.0) Unlimited Graphics
min: 120     avg: 157.1     median: 143 (0%)     max: 237 Points
min: 440     avg: 732     median: 734 (2%)     max: 814 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Sling Shot Extreme (ES 3.1) Unlimited
min: 91     avg: 135.8     median: 116 (1%)     max: 287 Points
min: 488     avg: 524     median: 510.5 (3%)     max: 882 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Sling Shot Extreme (ES 3.1) Unlimited Graphics
min: 73     avg: 91.7     median: 87 (0%)     max: 120 Points
min: 403     avg: 433.9     median: 421.5 (1%)     max: 761 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Wild Life Unlimited
0 Points (0%)
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Score
min: 826     avg: 831     median: 831 (1%)     max: 836 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance GPU
min: 786     avg: 791     median: 791 (1%)     max: 796 Points
GFXBench - GFXBench 5.0 Aztec Ruins High Tier Offscreen
min: 1.1     avg: 1.2     median: 1.2 (0%)     max: 1.4 fps
min: 9.3     avg: 9.7     median: 9.7 (2%)     max: 9.9 fps
GFXBench - GFXBench 5.0 Aztec Ruins Normal Tier Offscreen
min: 3.3     avg: 3.6     median: 3.6 (0%)     max: 3.9 fps
min: 25     avg: 25.6     median: 26 (2%)     max: 26 fps
GFXBench - GFXBench Car Chase Offscreen
1.8 fps (0%)
min: 3.3     avg: 3.6     median: 3.5 (0%)     max: 3.9 fps
min: 3.5     avg: 6.5     median: 6.4 (0%)     max: 14 fps
min: 3.1     avg: 9.6     median: 9.8 (1%)     max: 11 fps
GFXBench (DX / GLBenchmark) 2.7
GFXBench T-Rex HD Offscreen C24Z16 + ARM Mali-T720
GFXBench T-Rex HD Offscreen C24Z16 + Qualcomm Adreno 506
min: 21     avg: 22.7     median: 23 (0%)     max: 25 fps
GFXBench T-Rex HD Offscreen C24Z16 + Qualcomm Adreno 540
Basemark ES 2.0 - Basemark ES 2.0
min: 20.86     avg: 32.2     median: 27.8 (46%)     max: 52.1 fps
44 fps (73%)
Basemark X 1.1 - Basemark X 1.1 High Quality
min: 1485     avg: 2119     median: 1837 (4%)     max: 4005 Points
10438 Points (24%)
min: 38752     avg: 38763     median: 38762.5 (88%)     max: 38773 Points
Basemark X 1.1 - Basemark X 1.1 Medium Quality
min: 3159     avg: 4471     median: 3911 (9%)     max: 8103 Points
21210 Points (47%)
44696 Points (99%)
NenaMark2 - NenaMark2 Score
min: 46.6     avg: 48.2     median: 46.9 (70%)     max: 51 fps
PassMark PerformanceTest Mobile V1 - PerformanceTest Mobile V1 2D Graphics Tests
min: 1568     avg: 2323     median: 2320 (2%)     max: 3158 Points
min: 2337     avg: 3197     median: 3197 (3%)     max: 4057 Points
8356 Points (8%)
PassMark PerformanceTest Mobile V1 - PerformanceTest Mobile V1 3D Graphics Tests
min: 457     avg: 652     median: 577.5 (1%)     max: 1115 Points
min: 1371     avg: 1472     median: 1472 (3%)     max: 1573 Points
3409 Points (6%)
Smartbench 2012 - Smartbench 2012 Gaming Index
min: 3088     avg: 3261     median: 3183 (69%)     max: 3537 Points
3466 Points (75%)

Average Benchmarks ARM Mali-T720 → 100% n=15

Average Benchmarks Qualcomm Adreno 506 → 411% n=15

Average Benchmarks Qualcomm Adreno 540 → 2116% n=15

- Range of benchmark values for this graphics card
- Average benchmark values for this graphics card
* Smaller numbers mean a higher performance
1 This benchmark is not used for the average calculation

Game Benchmarks

The following benchmarks stem from our benchmarks of review laptops. The performance depends on the used graphics memory, clock rate, processor, system settings, drivers, and operating systems. So the results don't have to be representative for all laptops with this GPU. For detailed information on the benchmark results, click on the fps number.

League of Legends: Wild Rift

League of Legends: Wild Rift

2020
low
Adreno 506:
53.5  fps
Adreno 540:
60  fps
high
Adreno 506:
48  fps
Adreno 540:
60  fps
ultra
Adreno 540:
60  fps
PUBG Mobile

PUBG Mobile

2018
low
100%
Mali-T720:
12  fps
233%
Adreno 506:
25 26 26 29 30 30 ~ 28 fps
med.
Adreno 506:
23 25 26 26 30 ~ 26 fps
high
Adreno 540:
40  fps
World of Tanks Blitz

World of Tanks Blitz

2018
low
Adreno 540:
91  fps
high
Adreno 540:
91  fps
Arena of Valor

Arena of Valor

2018
low
100%
Mali-T720:
30  fps
103%
Adreno 506:
30 31 31 31 31 32 ~ 31 fps
203%
Adreno 540:
60 62 ~ 61 fps
ultra
100%
Mali-T720:
28  fps
111%
Adreno 506:
30 30 30 31 31 31 31 31 ~ 31 fps
218%
Adreno 540:
60 61 ~ 61 fps
Shadow Fight 3

Shadow Fight 3

2018
low
Adreno 506:
54 57 60 ~ 57 fps
Adreno 540:
30 60 ~ 45 fps
high
Adreno 506:
50 53 54 60 60 ~ 55 fps
Adreno 540:
60 60 ~ 60 fps
Battle Bay

Battle Bay

2018
low
100%
Mali-T720:
38   fps
318%
Adreno 540:
121  fps
high
100%
Mali-T720:
35   fps
346%
Adreno 540:
121  fps
Dead Trigger 2

Dead Trigger 2

2013
high
100%
Mali-T720:
26 29 29 30 30 ~ 29 fps
141%
Adreno 506:
30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 53 55 56 56 57 58 ~ 41 fps
203%
Adreno 540:
55 59 59 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 ~ 59 fps
Asphalt 8: Airborne

Asphalt 8: Airborne

2013
low
100%
Mali-T720:
16 20 22 28 30 ~ 23 fps
130%
Adreno 506:
29 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 ~ 30 fps
130%
Adreno 540:
30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 ~ 30 fps
high
100%
Mali-T720:
10 11 12 12 13 23 ~ 14 fps
207%
Adreno 506:
24 28 28 28 29 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 ~ 29 fps
214%
Adreno 540:
29 29 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 ~ 30 fps
Asphalt 9: Legends

Asphalt 9: Legends

2013
low
100%
Mali-T720:
14 18 ~ 16 fps
181%
Adreno 506:
26 27 28 30 30 30 ~ 29 fps
high
100%
Mali-T720:
10  fps
230%
Adreno 506:
15 21 24 28 28.5 ~ 23 fps
295%
Adreno 540:
29.5  fps
low 1280x720
Adreno 540:
20.4  fps
med. 1366x768
Adreno 540:
14.2  fps
high 1366x768
Adreno 540:
12.6  fps
Real Racing 3

Real Racing 3

2013
low
100%
Mali-T720:
15  fps
high
Adreno 540:
60  fps
Temple Run 2

Temple Run 2

2013
high
100%
Mali-T720:
59  fps
102%
Adreno 506:
60 60 ~ 60 fps
102%
Adreno 540:
60  fps

Average Gaming ARM Mali-T720 → 100%

Average Gaming 30-70 fps → 100%

Average Gaming Qualcomm Adreno 506 → 160%

Average Gaming 30-70 fps → 114%

Average Gaming Qualcomm Adreno 540 → 226%

Average Gaming 30-70 fps → 182%

Qualcomm Adreno 506lowmed.highultraQHD4K
League of Legends: Wild Rift53.548
PUBG Mobile2826
Arena of Valor3131
Shadow Fight 35755
Dead Trigger 241
Asphalt 8: Airborne3029
Asphalt 9: Legends2923
Temple Run 260
< 30 fps
< 60 fps
< 120 fps
≥ 120 fps
2
4

1


2
3
1

1







Qualcomm Adreno 540lowmed.highultraQHD4K
League of Legends: Wild Rift606060
PUBG Mobile40
World of Tanks Blitz9191
Arena of Valor6161
Shadow Fight 34560
Battle Bay121121
Dead Trigger 259
Asphalt 8: Airborne3030
Asphalt 9: Legends29.5
BioShock Infinite20.414.212.6
Real Racing 360
Temple Run 260
< 30 fps
< 60 fps
< 120 fps
≥ 120 fps
1
2
3
1
1


2
3
5
1


2






ARM Mali-T720lowmed.highultraQHD4K
PUBG Mobile12
Arena of Valor3028
Battle Bay3835
Dead Trigger 229
Asphalt 8: Airborne2314
Asphalt 9: Legends1610
Real Racing 315
Temple Run 259
< 30 fps
< 60 fps
< 120 fps
≥ 120 fps
4
2




3
2

1








For more games that might be playable and a list of all games and graphics cards visit our Gaming List

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Redaktion, 2017-09- 8 (Update: 2023-07- 1)