Intel Arc A550M vs Intel Arc A730M
On raw speed the Intel Arc A730M comes out ahead: far and away the quicker card, about 64% ahead of the Intel Arc A550M.
Maximum Capacity Reached. Remove a model to add another. (2/2)
Comparable or lower specs
Intel Arc A730M vs Intel Arc A550M: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: Intel Arc A730M vs Intel Arc A550M
The Intel Arc A730M is dramatically faster, around 64% ahead of the Intel Arc A550M. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the Intel Arc A730M is comfortable at 1080p, while the Intel Arc A550M is better matched to entry-level 1080p. The Intel Arc A730M packs 3,072 shading units versus 1,792 on the Intel Arc A550M. The Intel Arc A730M also has more RT cores (24 vs 14) and more AI cores (384 vs 224), strengthening its ray-tracing and AI-upscaling performance.
Power & Efficiency
On power, the Intel Arc A550M is the gentler choice at 80W versus 120W. The Intel Arc A730M is more efficient per watt because it's faster, but its higher 120W draw means more heat and a bigger PSU.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
VRAM favors the Intel Arc A730M at 12GB versus 8GB on the Intel Arc A550M — that extra 4GB matters most at 4K, with high-res texture packs, and for content-creation/local-AI work. The Intel Arc A730M's memory is also faster — 336 GB/s versus 224 GB/s (192-bit vs 128-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Which should you buy: Intel Arc A550M or Intel Arc A730M?
The Intel Arc A730M is the faster card by about 64%. With live pricing limited for this pair, base your decision on the spec differences above — particularly VRAM and power draw — and check current stock before buying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Intel Arc A730M better than the Intel Arc A550M?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the Intel Arc A550M or the Intel Arc A730M?
Does the Intel Arc A730M have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which is better for ray tracing, the Intel Arc A730M or the Intel Arc A550M?
Which should you buy: Intel Arc A550M or Intel Arc A730M?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | Intel Arc A550M | Intel Arc A730M |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Alchemist | Alchemist |
| Process Node | TSMC N6 | TSMC N6 |
| CUDA Cores (Shading Units / Shading Units) | 1,792 | 3,072✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 14 | 24✓ |
| Tensor / AI Cores | 224 | 384✓ |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | Intel Arc A550M | Intel Arc A730M |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,300 MHz✓ | 1,100 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 2,050 MHz | 2,050 MHz |
Memory
| Specification | Intel Arc A550M | Intel Arc A730M |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB | 12 GB✓ |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 128-bit | 192-bit✓ |
| Memory Speed | 14 Gbps | 14 Gbps |
| Bandwidth | 224 GB/s | 336 GB/s✓ |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | Intel Arc A550M | Intel Arc A730M |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x8 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| TDP | 80 W✓ | 120 W |
| Power Connectors | — | None |
| Released | Aug 2023 | Mar 2022 |