Intel vs. Modesetting X.Org DDX Performance Impact
The 3D/OpenGL performance between the latest xf86-video-intel and xf86-video-modesetting drivers is about the same. The generic mode-setting DDX driver has improved a lot over 2016 with DRI3 support and other features needed so this generic X.Org driver isn't slower, at least for 3D use-cases.