Arc 8-Core iGPU vs GeForce GTX 870M

Intel

Arc 8-Core iGPU

2023Boost: 2300 MHz
Similar parts
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VS
NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 870M

2014Core: 941 MHzBoost: 967 MHz
Similar parts
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Arc 8-Core iGPU vs GeForce GTX 870M 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 8-Core iGPU vs GeForce GTX 870M: 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 8-Core iGPU

2023

Why buy it

  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 7.0 vs 0 G3D/$ ($503 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • GeForce GTX 870M is already obsolete for modern gaming, so Arc 8-Core iGPU is the less risky modern option long term.
  • Draws 45W instead of 100W, a 55W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Less VRAM, with Unknown vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • 2023 hardware with Unknown of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.

GeForce GTX 870M

2014

Why buy it

  • 100+% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs Unknown).

Trade-offs

  • 2014 hardware with 6 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 7.0 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $503 MSRP).
  • 122.2% higher power demand at 100W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce GTX 870M is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 1% in PassMark G3D (3,536 vs 3,500), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
Arc 8-Core iGPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a 5nm process instead of 28nm and a newer 2023 generation instead of 2014. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
Arc 8-Core iGPU makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. GeForce GTX 870M still makes more sense if max raw gaming performance matters more than value.

Arc 8-Core iGPU vs GeForce GTX 870M Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Arc 8-Core iGPU

The Arc 8-Core iGPU is manufactured by Intel. It was released in December 14 2023. It features the Xe LPG architecture. The boost clock speed is 2300 MHz. It has 8 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 45W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,500 points.

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 870M

The GeForce GTX 870M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 12 2014. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 941 MHz to 967 MHz. It has 1344 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 100W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,536 points.

Graphics Performance

The Arc 8-Core iGPU scores 3,500 and the GeForce GTX 870M reaches 3,536 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Arc 8-Core iGPU is built on Xe LPG while the GeForce GTX 870M uses Kepler, both on 5 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 8 (Arc 8-Core iGPU) vs 1,344 (GeForce GTX 870M). Boost clocks: 2300 MHz vs 967 MHz.

FeatureArc 8-Core iGPUGeForce GTX 870M
G3D Mark Score
3,500
3,536+1%
Architecture
Xe LPG
Kepler
Process Node
5 nm
28 nm
Shading Units
8
1344+16700%
Boost Clock
2300 MHz+138%
967 MHz
L1 Cache
1.5 MB+1264%
0.11 MB

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce GTX 870M gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The Arc 8-Core iGPU leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

FeatureArc 8-Core iGPUGeForce GTX 870M
Upscaling Tech
Upscaling support
Upscaling support
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
Standard
NVIDIA Reflex
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The Arc 8-Core iGPU has 0 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 870M carries 6 GB. GeForce GTX 870M 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 8-Core iGPU and 128-bit on the GeForce GTX 870M.

FeatureArc 8-Core iGPUGeForce GTX 870M
VRAM Capacity
Shared
6 GB
Memory Type
Shared
GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth
System
Unknown
Bus Width
System
128-bit
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.2 (Arc 8-Core iGPU) vs 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 870M). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 3 vs 4.

FeatureArc 8-Core iGPUGeForce GTX 870M
DirectX
12.2+2%
12 (11_0)
Vulkan
1.3+8%
1.2
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
3
4+33%
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: Xe Media Engine (Arc 8-Core iGPU) vs 1st Gen NVENC (Kepler) (GeForce GTX 870M). Decoder: Xe Media Engine vs PureVideo HD VP5. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1,H.266 (Arc 8-Core iGPU) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 870M).

FeatureArc 8-Core iGPUGeForce GTX 870M
Encoder
Xe Media Engine
1st Gen NVENC (Kepler)
Decoder
Xe Media Engine
PureVideo HD VP5
Codecs
H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1,H.266
H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Arc 8-Core iGPU draws 45W versus the GeForce GTX 870M's 100W — a 75.9% difference. The Arc 8-Core iGPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Arc 8-Core iGPU) vs 350W (GeForce GTX 870M). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs PCIe-powered. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 85°C.

FeatureArc 8-Core iGPUGeForce GTX 870M
TDP
45W-55%
100W
Recommended PSU
350W
350W
Power Connector
PCIe-powered
PCIe-powered
Length
0mm
Height
0mm
Slots
0
0
Temp (Load)
85°C
85°C
Perf/Watt
77.8+120%
35.4
💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is Arc 8-Core iGPU (2023 vs 2014).

FeatureArc 8-Core iGPUGeForce GTX 870M
MSRP
$503
Codename
Meteor Lake iGPU
GK104
Release
December 14 2023
March 12 2014
Ranking
#362
#538

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