Arc 8-Core iGPU vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

Intel

Arc 8-Core iGPU

2023Boost: 2300 MHz
Similar parts
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VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

2024Core: 1042 MHzBoost: 1470 MHz
RTX family
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Arc 8-Core iGPU vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB 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 RTX 3050 6GB: 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

  • Draws 45W instead of 70W, a 25W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark G3D performance (3,500 vs 10,749).
  • Less VRAM, with Unknown vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
  • 2023 hardware with Unknown of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
  • 197.6% HIGHER MSRP
    $503 MSRPvs$169 MSRP

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

2024

Why buy it

  • +207.1% higher PassMark G3D performance.
  • Costs $334 less on MSRP ($169 MSRP vs $503 MSRP).
  • Delivers 814.1% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 7.0 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs $503 MSRP).
  • Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
  • 100+% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs Unknown).

Trade-offs

  • 55.6% higher power demand at 70W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 207.1% in PassMark G3D (10,749 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?
GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 6 GB vs Unknown of VRAM, the newer upscaling stack, DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, 18 vs 0 ray-tracing units, and a newer 2024 generation instead of 2023. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
GeForce RTX 3050 6GB makes the most sense to buy today. It is $334 cheaper on MSRP at $169 vs $503, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 814.1% (63.6 vs 7.0), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

Arc 8-Core iGPU vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB 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 RTX 3050 6GB

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in February 2 2024. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1042 MHz to 1470 MHz. It has 2304 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 70W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 18 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 10,749 points. Launch price was $179.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the Arc 8-Core iGPU scores 3,500 versus the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB's 10,749 — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB leads by 207.1%. The Arc 8-Core iGPU is built on Xe LPG while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB uses Ampere, both on 5 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 8 (Arc 8-Core iGPU) vs 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Boost clocks: 2300 MHz vs 1470 MHz.

FeatureArc 8-Core iGPUGeForce RTX 3050 6GB
G3D Mark Score
3,500
10,749+207%
Architecture
Xe LPG
Ampere
Process Node
5 nm
8 nm
Shading Units
8
2304+28700%
Boost Clock
2300 MHz+56%
1470 MHz
L1 Cache
1.5 MB
2.3 MB+53%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB 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 RTX 3050 6GB
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 8-Core iGPU has 0 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB carries 6 GB. GeForce RTX 3050 6GB 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 96-bit on the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB.

FeatureArc 8-Core iGPUGeForce RTX 3050 6GB
VRAM Capacity
Shared
6 GB
Memory Type
Shared
GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth
System
168 GB/s
Bus Width
System
96-bit
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.2 (Arc 8-Core iGPU) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 3 vs 4.

FeatureArc 8-Core iGPUGeForce RTX 3050 6GB
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 8-Core iGPU) vs NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Decoder: Xe Media Engine vs NVDEC (7th Gen). Supported codecs: H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1,H.266 (Arc 8-Core iGPU) vs H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB).

FeatureArc 8-Core iGPUGeForce RTX 3050 6GB
Encoder
Xe Media Engine
NVENC (5th Gen)
Decoder
Xe Media Engine
NVDEC (7th Gen)
Codecs
H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1,H.266
H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only)
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Arc 8-Core iGPU draws 45W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB's 70W — a 43.5% difference. The Arc 8-Core iGPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Arc 8-Core iGPU) vs 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs None. Card length: 0mm vs 160mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 75°C.

FeatureArc 8-Core iGPUGeForce RTX 3050 6GB
TDP
45W-36%
70W
Recommended PSU
350W
300W-14%
Power Connector
PCIe-powered
None
Length
0mm
160mm
Height
0mm
Slots
0-100%
2
Temp (Load)
85°C
75°C-12%
Perf/Watt
77.8
153.6+97%
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Arc 8-Core iGPU came in at $503, while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB launched at $169. On MSRP, GeForce RTX 3050 6GB was 66.4% cheaper ($334 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 7.0 (Arc 8-Core iGPU) vs 63.6 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 808.6% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB (2024 vs 2023).

FeatureArc 8-Core iGPUGeForce RTX 3050 6GB
MSRP
$503
$169-66%
Performance per Dollar
7.0
63.6+809%
Codename
Meteor Lake iGPU
GA107
Release
December 14 2023
February 2 2024
Ranking
#362
#252

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