Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is still one of the most popular smartphones among gamers and media enthusiasts due to its powerful hardware. But many users do not fully understand which video accelerator is responsible for graphics performance in this model, how it compares with modern chips and whether it can be “overclocked” for better performance in games or video rendering. In this article, we will discuss in detail the Mali-G76 MC4 GPU, its architecture, real benchmark tests and give practical tips for optimization.
If you are planning to buy the Redmi Note 8 Pro in 2026 or already own it, but want to squeeze the most out of the device, this information will be useful. We will also answer frequent questions: why the smartphone warms up in games, how to check the state of the video accelerator and what settings will help improve FPS without harming the system.
What is the hardware in the Redmi Note 8 Pro?
At the heart of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is the MediaTek Helio G90T processor, the flagship chipset for mid-range gaming smartphones at the time of release (2019). Unlike many competitors that used Qualcomm Snapdragon chips, MediaTek has relied on its own architecture with an emphasis on graphics performance, which is why it pairs with the CPU with the ARM Mali-G76 MC4 video accelerator.
What does the MC4 mean in the title? That indicates the number of computing units (shader processors) — in this case, there are four. For comparison, the top smartphones of the time (like the Huawei P30 Pro) used the Mali-G76 MP16 with 16 blocks. However, the Redmi Note 8 Pro compensates for this with higher clock speeds and optimization for games.
- 🔹 Architecture: Bifrost (second generation after Midgard)
- 🔹 Process: 12 nm (obsolete by 2026 standards, but effective for its time)
- 🔹 Frequency GPU: up to 800 MHz (may vary depending on firmware)
- 🔹 Support API: OpenGL ES 3.2, Vulkan 1.1, OpenCL 2.0
Important: Mali-G76 MC4 in Redmi Note 8 Pro does not support ray tracing, but does a great job of rendering 3D- graphics in mobile games thanks to ARM Frame Buffer Compression (AFBC) technology, which reduces memory load.
Comparison of Mali-G76 MC4 with other GPUs in smartphones
To see how good the video accelerator is in the Redmi Note 8 Pro, compare it to other devices in the same price segment. For objectivity, take data from benchmark tests (Antutu, 3DMark) and real-world tests in games.
| Smartphone model | GPU | Antutu 9 (graphics) | 3DMark Wild Life | FPS support in PUBG Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro | Mali-G76 MC4 | ~120 000 | ~1 800 | 60 FPS (HDR + Ultra) |
| Realme 6 Pro | Adreno 618 (Snapdragon 720G) | ~110 000 | ~1 650 | 60 FPS (HDR + High) |
| Samsung Galaxy A51 | Mali-G72 MP3 | ~85 000 | ~1 200 | 40 FPS (Balanced) |
| POCO X3 NFC | Adreno 616 (Snapdragon 732G) | ~130 000 | ~1 900 | 60 FPS (HDR + Ultra) |
As you can see from the table, the Mali-G76 MC4 is confidently overtaken by the Mali-G72 (which stood in the more expensive Samsung smartphones), but slightly inferior to the Adreno 618/616 in synthetic tests.
Fun fact: The Redmi Note 8 Pro uses a heated pipe, which allows the GPU to keep the high frequency longer without trottling, which gives an advantage in long gaming sessions over competitors with passive cooling.
How to check the work of the video accelerator on the Redmi Note 8 Pro
If you suspect that the GPU is not working at full capacity (for example, games are lagging, although everything was normal before), there are several ways to diagnose, using both built-in tools and third-party utilities.
Method 1: Through the Developer Menu
Activate Developer Mode by going to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times).
- Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
- Find the CPU Monitor or GPU- rendering.
- Turn on the GPU debugging option (not recommended to leave it on all the time!).
- Run a game or benchmark (e.g. 3DMark).
- Go back to the developer menu and see the GPU load schedule.
Method 2: Monitoring applications
- 📊 CPU Monitor - shows the download GPU in real time.
- 🎮 GameBench - Analyzing FPS And the temperature during the games.
- 🔍 AIDA64 - provides complete information about the iron, including the pattern GPU and its frequencies.
⚠️ Warning: If AIDA64 or CPU-Z shows a GPU frequency below 600 MHz when loaded, this could indicate trottling (performance restriction due to overheating) or firmware issues. Try resetting to factory settings or updating MIUI.
☑️ Diagnosis GPU before overclocking
Can I overclock the video accelerator in the Redmi Note 8 Pro?
Technically, GPU overclocking on the MediaTek Helio G90T is possible, but there are risks. Unlike PCs where overclocking is controlled by the BIOS, smartphones do it through engineering menus or custom cores.
- ⚡ Overclocking pros: +10-15% FPS in games, smoother graphics.
- ⚠️ Cons: increased heating, shortened chip life, risk of "brick" if the settings are wrong.
- 🔧 Methods: Using the MTK Engineering Mode (code ##36446337## or #4636##. Install a custom kernel (requires root and unlocked bootloader). Using applications like Kernel Adiutor (power users only!).
⚠️ Warning: Overclocking GPU on the Redmi Note 8 Pro automatically removes the device from warranty. Furthermore, MediaTek does not provide official tools for overclocking, so you do all the manipulations at your own risk. If after overclocking the smartphone began to reboot - reset the settings GPU to the factory through the engineering menu!
The alternative to overclocking is to optimize existing settings:
- 🔄 Install Game Turbo (built-in software from Xiaomi for gamers).
- 🖥️ Enable High Performance Mode in Battery Settings.
- ❄️ Use a cooling stand or fan for your smartphone.
💡
Before overclocking, back up your data via Settings → System → Backup. In case of a crash, this will help you recover your phone without losing files.
Frequent GPU issues in Redmi Note 8 Pro and their solutions
Even 4-5 years after the release of the Redmi Note 8 Pro remains functional, but users sometimes face graphical glitches.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Games fly out or show artifacts | GPU overheating, damaged drivers | Clear the game cache, lower the graphic settings, check the temperature |
| The screen flashes or stripes appear | Failure of the plume, problems with firmware | Reflash the phone, check the connection of the display (in the service) |
| Low FPS with high GPU load | Trottling due to overheating or weak battery | Replace the battery, use cooling, roll back the firmware |
| 4K video slows down | Lack of performance for decoding | Use hardware-accelerated players (MX Player, VLC) |
If you have graphics problems after the MIUI update, try to roll back to the previous firmware version.
- Download the desired version of MIUI from the official website (link).
- Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Dots → Select a firmware file.
- Select the downloaded file and wait for the process to be completed.
What if the game has lost sound after the update?
How to extend the life of a video accelerator in Redmi Note 8 Pro
The GPU is one of the most loaded components of a smartphone. To make the Mali-G76 MC4 last longer without losing performance, follow these recommendations:
- 🔋 Battery: Do not allow a discharge below 15% - low charge forces GPU to operate at lower frequencies.
- 🌡️ Temperature: Avoid gaming when charging (especially fast) and don't leave your phone in direct sunlight.
- 🗑️ Clean: Clean the cache regularly through Settings → Storage → Cleanup.
- 🛠️ Firmware: Update MIUI, but avoid beta versions — they may contain bugs in GPU drivers.
⚠️ Warning: If you use custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), note that they often have unoptimized drivers for Mali-G76. This can result in FPS decreases by 20-30% compared to stock MIUI.
For advanced users, if you notice that the GPU has started to “brake” for no apparent reason, check its frequencies through AIDA64. If they are below the standard 800 MHz, perhaps the degradation mechanism (common for 12 nm chips) worked, in which case only a replacement motherboard will help.
💡
Regular dust cleaning (especially in the area of the speaker and charging connector) improves heat sink and prevents overheating of the GPU.
Redmi Note 8 Pro Alternatives With Best GPU in 2026
If you’re looking for a smartphone with a more powerful video accelerator than the Mali-G76 MC4, consider the following models (in the same or close-range price segment):
| Model | GPU | Advantages | Price (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| POCO X5 Pro 5G | Adreno 642L | 120Hz support, best optimization for gaming | ~25 000 ₽ |
| Realme GT Neo 3 | Adreno 660 | Flagship GPU 2021, 144 Hz screen | ~30 000 ₽ |
| Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | Adreno 642L | AMOLED- screen, best cooling | ~28 000 ₽ |
| Samsung Galaxy A54 | Mali-G68 MP4 | More energy efficient, 4 years of updates | ~35 000 ₽ |
However, if you need a smartphone exclusively for gaming, pay attention to specialized models:
- 🎮 Black Shark 5 (Adreno 660+ physical triggers)
- 🎮 RedMagic 7 (built-in fan, Adreno 730)
But remember: Redmi Note 8 Pro is still one of the best options for price/performance ratio for non-artificial tasks (emulators, mid-settings in games, video editing).