Arc 8-Core iGPU vs GeForce GTX 960A

Intel

Arc 8-Core iGPU

2023Boost: 2300 MHz
Similar parts
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VS
NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 960A

2015Core: 1029 MHzBoost: 1085 MHz
Similar parts
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Arc 8-Core iGPU vs GeForce GTX 960A 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 960A: 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

  • GeForce GTX 960A is already obsolete for modern gaming, so Arc 8-Core iGPU is the less risky modern option long term.
  • Draws 45W instead of 75W, a 30W reduction.
  • More future proof: Xe LPG (2023) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • Less VRAM, with Unknown vs 2 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • 2023 hardware with Unknown of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
  • 152.8% HIGHER MSRP
    $503 MSRPvs$199 MSRP
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 7.0 vs 17.4 G3D/$ ($503 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).

GeForce GTX 960A

2015

Why buy it

  • Costs $304 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $503 MSRP).
  • Delivers 150.2% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 17.4 vs 7.0 G3D/$ ($199 MSRP vs $503 MSRP).
  • 100+% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (2 GB vs Unknown).

Trade-offs

  • 2015 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • 66.7% higher power demand at 75W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
Arc 8-Core iGPU is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 1% in PassMark G3D (3,500 vs 3,465), 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 2015. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
GeForce GTX 960A makes the most sense to buy today. It is $304 cheaper on MSRP at $199 vs $503, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 150.2% (17.4 vs 7.0), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GeForce GTX 960A is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p headroom, Arc 8-Core iGPU has the stronger long-term case.

Arc 8-Core iGPU vs GeForce GTX 960A 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 960A

The GeForce GTX 960A is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 13 2015. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 1029 MHz to 1085 MHz. It has 640 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,465 points.

Graphics Performance

The Arc 8-Core iGPU scores 3,500 and the GeForce GTX 960A reaches 3,465 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 960A uses Maxwell, both on 5 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 8 (Arc 8-Core iGPU) vs 640 (GeForce GTX 960A). Boost clocks: 2300 MHz vs 1085 MHz.

FeatureArc 8-Core iGPUGeForce GTX 960A
G3D Mark Score
3,500+1%
3,465
Architecture
Xe LPG
Maxwell
Process Node
5 nm
28 nm
Shading Units
8
640+7900%
Boost Clock
2300 MHz+112%
1085 MHz
L1 Cache
1.5 MB+384%
0.31 MB

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce GTX 960A 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 960A
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 960A carries 2 GB. GeForce GTX 960A 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 960A.

FeatureArc 8-Core iGPUGeForce GTX 960A
VRAM Capacity
Shared
2 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 (GeForce GTX 960A). Maximum simultaneous displays: 3 vs 0.

FeatureArc 8-Core iGPUGeForce GTX 960A
DirectX
12.2+2%
12
Max Displays
3
0
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: Xe Media Engine (Arc 8-Core iGPU) vs NVENC 1st Gen (GeForce GTX 960A). Decoder: Xe Media Engine vs NVDEC 1st Gen.

FeatureArc 8-Core iGPUGeForce GTX 960A
Encoder
Xe Media Engine
NVENC 1st Gen
Decoder
Xe Media Engine
NVDEC 1st Gen
Codecs
H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1,H.266
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Arc 8-Core iGPU draws 45W versus the GeForce GTX 960A's 75W — a 50% difference. The Arc 8-Core iGPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Arc 8-Core iGPU) vs 350W (GeForce GTX 960A). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 1x 6-pin. Card length: 0mm vs 1mm, occupying 0 vs 0 slots.

FeatureArc 8-Core iGPUGeForce GTX 960A
TDP
45W-40%
75W
Recommended PSU
350W
350W
Power Connector
PCIe-powered
1x 6-pin
Length
0mm
1mm
Height
0mm
Slots
0
0
Temp (Load)
85°C
Perf/Watt
77.8+68%
46.2
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Arc 8-Core iGPU came in at $503, while the GeForce GTX 960A launched at $199. On MSRP, GeForce GTX 960A was 60.4% cheaper ($304 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 7.0 (Arc 8-Core iGPU) vs 17.4 (GeForce GTX 960A) — the GeForce GTX 960A offers 148.6% better value. The newer card here is Arc 8-Core iGPU (2023 vs 2015).

FeatureArc 8-Core iGPUGeForce GTX 960A
MSRP
$503
$199-60%
Performance per Dollar
7.0
17.4+149%
Codename
Meteor Lake iGPU
GM107
Release
December 14 2023
March 13 2015
Ranking
#362
#546

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