Arc 7-Cores iGPU vs GeForce RTX 3060

Intel

Arc 7-Cores iGPU

2023Boost: 2200 MHz
Similar parts
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VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060

2021Core: 1320 MHzBoost: 1777 MHz
RTX family
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Arc 7-Cores iGPU vs GeForce RTX 3060 Performance Spectrum

About G3D Mark

G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.

Arc 7-Cores iGPU vs GeForce RTX 3060: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

Arc 7-Cores iGPU

2023

Why buy it

  • Draws 15W instead of 170W, a 155W reduction.
  • More future proof: Xe LPG (2023) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark G3D performance (9,349 vs 16,995).
  • Less VRAM, with Unknown vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
  • Older hardware, Unknown of VRAM, and weaker feature support mean it will age faster in newer AAA releases.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 51.7 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3060

2021

Why buy it

  • +81.8% higher PassMark G3D performance.
  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 0 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
  • 100+% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs Unknown).
  • Better long-term bet: Ampere on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • 1033.3% higher power demand at 170W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce RTX 3060 is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 81.8% in PassMark G3D (16,995 vs 9,349), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce RTX 3060 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 12 GB vs Unknown of VRAM, the newer upscaling stack, DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, and 28 vs 0 ray-tracing units. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
GeForce RTX 3060 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup.

Arc 7-Cores iGPU vs GeForce RTX 3060 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Intel

Arc 7-Cores iGPU

The Arc 7-Cores iGPU is manufactured by Intel. It was released in December 14 2023. It features the Xe LPG architecture. The boost clock speed is 2200 MHz. It has 7 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 15W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 9,349 points.

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060

The GeForce RTX 3060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 12 2021. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1320 MHz to 1777 MHz. It has 3584 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 170W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 28 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 16,995 points. Launch price was $329.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the Arc 7-Cores iGPU scores 9,349 versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 16,995 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 81.8%. The Arc 7-Cores iGPU is built on Xe LPG while the GeForce RTX 3060 uses Ampere, both on 5 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 7 (Arc 7-Cores iGPU) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060). Boost clocks: 2200 MHz vs 1777 MHz.

FeatureArc 7-Cores iGPUGeForce RTX 3060
G3D Mark Score
9,349
16,995+82%
Architecture
Xe LPG
Ampere
Process Node
5 nm
8 nm
Shading Units
7
3584+51100%
Boost Clock
2200 MHz+24%
1777 MHz

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3060 gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The Arc 7-Cores iGPU leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

FeatureArc 7-Cores iGPUGeForce RTX 3060
Upscaling Tech
Upscaling support
DLSS 2 Super Resolution
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
Standard
NVIDIA Reflex
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The Arc 7-Cores iGPU has 0 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 carries 12 GB. GeForce RTX 3060 gives you 100+% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is System on the Arc 7-Cores iGPU and 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 3060.

FeatureArc 7-Cores iGPUGeForce RTX 3060
VRAM Capacity
Shared
12 GB
Memory Type
Shared
GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth
System
360 GB/s
Bus Width
System
192-bit
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.2 (Arc 7-Cores iGPU) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 3 vs 4.

FeatureArc 7-Cores iGPUGeForce RTX 3060
DirectX
12.2+2%
12 Ultimate
Vulkan
1.3
1.3
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
3
4+33%
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: Xe Media Engine (Arc 7-Cores iGPU) vs NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060). Decoder: Xe Media Engine vs NVDEC 5th Gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1,H.266 (Arc 7-Cores iGPU) vs AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060).

FeatureArc 7-Cores iGPUGeForce RTX 3060
Encoder
Xe Media Engine
NVENC 7th Gen
Decoder
Xe Media Engine
NVDEC 5th Gen
Codecs
H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1,H.266
AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Arc 7-Cores iGPU draws 15W versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 170W — a 167.6% difference. The Arc 7-Cores iGPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (Arc 7-Cores iGPU) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 3060). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 8-pin. Card length: 0mm vs 242mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 75.

FeatureArc 7-Cores iGPUGeForce RTX 3060
TDP
15W-91%
170W
Recommended PSU
500W-9%
550W
Power Connector
PCIe-powered
8-pin
Length
0mm
242mm
Height
0mm
112mm
Slots
0-100%
2
Temp (Load)
85°C
75-12%
Perf/Watt
623.3+523%
100.0
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Arc 7-Cores iGPU came in at $0, while the GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329. On MSRP, Arc 7-Cores iGPU was 100+% cheaper ($329 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): Infinity (Arc 7-Cores iGPU) vs 51.7 (GeForce RTX 3060) — the Arc 7-Cores iGPU offers Infinity% better value. The newer card here is Arc 7-Cores iGPU (2023 vs 2021).

FeatureArc 7-Cores iGPUGeForce RTX 3060
MSRP
$0-100%
$329
Performance per Dollar
Infinity
51.7
Codename
Meteor Lake iGPU
GA106
Release
December 14 2023
January 12 2021
Ranking
#377
#114

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