The Intel HD Graphics 5500 has been in many laptops since 2014. It came with Intel’s 5th Gen Core U-series chips using Broadwell design. This built-in GPU balances power use with decent speed for daily tasks. While other graphics cards have grown much better over the last eleven years, millions of devices still use this built-in option. But can the Intel HD Graphics 5500 still handle tasks in 2025? Let’s look at the specs, real-world use, and limits to help you know what to expect from this common built-in GPU!
Key Specs and Tech Details
Are you trying to find out what makes the Intel HD Graphics 5500 tick? This built-in GPU from Intel runs on the Broadwell design. It has modest specs but can still handle basic tasks in 2025. Let’s break down the key specs so you know exactly what this graphics chip offers.
- Design: Broadwell (14 nm process)
- Work Units (EUs): 24
- Speed: 300–900 MHz (changes based on need)
- Memory: Uses shared DDR3 system RAM (64-bit bus)
- 3DMark 11 Score: ~950 (Performance Mode)
- Pixel Fill Rate: 7.2 GPixel/s
- DirectX Support: DirectX 11.2
- OpenGL Support: Up to 4.3
- Screen Size: Up to 4K (3840×2160)
The Intel HD 5500 graphics chip uses 24 work units and shares memory with your system RAM. This helps keep costs down but limits how well it can handle heavy tasks.
Also Read: Intel Arc A380 Review: The Budget GPU Challenger in 2025
Speed in Daily Tasks
Wondering how the Intel HD Graphics 5500 handles everyday work in 2025? For most basic tasks, this aging GPU still gets the job done. It works well for office apps, web browsing, and watching videos. But it does show its age with newer apps that need more graphics power.
- Video Watching and Media Use
- Plays 4K videos smoothly with hardware help
- Works with many screens (up to 3 based on your system)
- Good hardware help for H.264 videos
- Has trouble with newer HEVC/H.265 formats in 4K
- Work Apps
- Good for office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Handles web use with many tabs open
- Works well for basic photo edits in apps like Photoshop
- Limited for video editing (only basic 1080p projects)
- Tests and Match-ups
- Better than older models like HD 4400 by 20-25% in tests
- Shows age next to newer built-in options like UHD Graphics or Iris Xe
- Gets about 950 in 3DMark 11 (Performance Mode)
For daily tasks like email, web browsing, and office work, the HD 5500 still holds up well in 2025. Just don’t expect it to handle heavy video editing or new 3D apps.
Gaming Ability and What It Can Run
Can you game on Intel HD Graphics 5500 in 2025? The short answer is yes, but with clear limits. This GPU was never made for serious gaming, even when it was new. Now, it’s best for older games and titles that don’t need much graphics power.
- Gaming Options in 2025
- Struggles with new AAA games but runs older games on low settings
- Can play games like Minecraft, CS:GO, and other less heavy titles
- Best at 720p for good frame rates in most games
- How Games Run
- Assassin’s Creed 2, Brotherhood, Revelations: Smooth play at normal settings (24+ FPS)
- Batman: Arkham City: Playable at low settings with lower screen size
- Tomb Raider (2013): Runs at medium settings with steady FPS
- Skyrim: 20–35 FPS at 768p/low settings, even with mods
- FIFA 18: Made to work with Intel HD GPUs; 30 FPS at medium settings
- Compared to Stand-alone GPUs
- Much weaker than even basic stand-alone options
- Tests show it falls behind GPUs like the Nvidia GT 840M (2,450 vs. 950 in 3DMark 11)
- The gap grows much bigger with newer games
If you want to game on HD Graphics 5500, stick to games from 2014 or earlier, or go for less demanding indie games. Modern AAA titles from 2020-2025 will not run well, if at all.
Also Read: Intel Arc A770 Review 2025: A Comprehensive GPU Analysis
Common Issues and Fixes
Using Intel HD Graphics 5500 in 2025 means you might face some common problems. Many of these issues come from old drivers or Windows updates. Here are the main problems users face and how to fix them.
- High GPU Use Problems
- Users report 100% GPU use even when idle, causing lag
- Apps running in the background may use up limited GPU power
- Fix: Close background apps and check Task Manager for odd GPU usage
- Driver Support Limits
- Intel stopped updates after 2020, with the last driver being version 15.40
- Problems with newer apps and games
- Fix: Try using the last official driver (15.40.45.5126) or Windows basic display driver
- Screen and Speed Fixes
- Screen flicker and odd shape fixes: Try lower refresh rates
- Hardware speed-up fails: Turn off hardware boost in video players
- Fix for blocked driver install: Use the device manager to uninstall current driver first
Most issues with the HD 5500 stem from its age and lack of new driver updates. In 2025, you might need to use older software versions for best results.
Matching Up to Other Built-in Graphics
How does the Intel HD Graphics 5500 compare to other built-in GPUs in 2025? The gap between the HD 5500 and newer options has grown wide. Here’s how it stacks up against other graphics options you might find.
- Intel HD Graphics 5500 vs. Intel HD Graphics 6000
- HD 6000 is better than HD 5500 in specs and real use
- HD 6000 has 48 EUs while HD 5500 has 24 EUs
- 3DMark Time Spy: HD 6000 gets 374 vs. HD 5500’s 289 (29% higher)
- HD 6000 is 30% faster in 1080p gaming
- Intel HD Graphics 5500 vs. Modern Built-in Options
- Falls far behind Intel Iris Xe and UHD Graphics in all tests
- Modern AMD Radeon built-in graphics are 3-4 times faster
- Still works for basic web and office tasks in 2025
| GPU | 3DMark 11 Score | Class |
|---|---|---|
| Intel HD 5500 | 950 | Basic built-in |
| Nvidia GT 840M | 2,450 | Budget stand-alone |
| AMD Radeon R7 M260 | 1,750 | Mid-range stand-alone |
| Intel Iris Xe | 3,000+ | Top built-in |
The HD Graphics 5500 shows its age when put next to newer GPUs. Even other built-in options from 2020-2025 offer much better speed and features.
Also Read: Intel Core i5-8500 Review: A 2025 Performance Analysis & Gaming Guide
4K Video Play Skills
Want to use your Intel HD Graphics 5500 for 4K videos in 2025? It can work, but with some key limits. The HD 5500 does have basic 4K support, but how well it works depends on the video format and your setup.
- Hardware Help for 4K
- Built-in help for 4K H.264/H.265 decoding via HDMI
- HDMI: Up to 4K@24Hz (3840×2160)
- DisplayPort: 4K@60Hz (3840×2160)
- Format Speed
- H.264 (AVC): Smooth play in 4K using good players
- H.265 (HEVC): Some hardware help with some stutters
- Older formats like MPEG-2 run best at 1080p
- Fixing 4K Play
- Use video players with hardware boost like MPC-HC or VLC
- Make sure you have at least 8GB of RAM in your system
- Try lower quality 4K if you see stutters or freezes
For basic 4K video watching in 2025, the HD Graphics 5500 can still work if you stick with H.264 formats and use the right apps. But for the best 4K viewing, a newer GPU would help a lot.
Is It Still Good in 2025?
In 2025, the Intel HD Graphics 5500 is now 11 years old. That’s ages in tech terms. But is it still worth using? The answer depends on what you need it for and your budget for upgrades.
- Best Uses for HD Graphics 5500
- Budget laptops for work tasks like email and web
- Extra machines for media watching and light use
- School computers for basic apps and learning
- Thin clients for office work
- When to Think About an Upgrade
- When you see lag in basic apps or web browsing
- If you need to run any modern games from 2020-2025
- When doing creative work like video editing
- If you want to use VR or other new tech
- Getting the Most from What You Have
- Keep your system clean and free of extra apps
- Add more RAM to help shared graphics memory
- Use light apps made for older systems
- Keep your drivers at the last stable version
The HD Graphics 5500 works best in 2025 for users with light needs or tight budgets. If you just need a system for web, email, and basic office work, it can still serve you well.
Wrap-up
For basic work and light media use, the Intel HD Graphics 5500 is still okay in 2025, though its limits are more clear now. While it can handle daily tasks and some older games, users who need serious graphics power for games or work should look at systems with stand-alone GPUs or newer built-in options. That said, with good tune-ups and fair hopes, the HD Graphics 5500 can still work as a useful graphics option for many users on a tight budget.
If you’re using a laptop or PC with Intel HD Graphics 5500 in 2025, know its strengths and limits. It works for basic tasks, some light media, and older games. For anything more, you might want to look at newer options. In the fast world of computer tech, 11 years is a long time – but for the right user, this old GPU still has some life left in it.
