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Arc 8-Core iGPU vs GeForce RTX 3060

CPUCPUGPUGPU
Intel

Arc 8-Core iGPU

2023Boost: 2300 MHz
Buy on Amazon
VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060

2021Core: 1320 MHzBoost: 1777 MHz
Buy on Amazon

Arc 8-Core iGPU vs GeForce RTX 3060 Performance Spectrum

Arc 8-Core iGPU
Shared 45
3,500
0.0%
brand logoArc A530M
brand logoArc A750
GeForce RTX 3060
12 GB 170
16,995
+385.6%
brand logoGeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile
brand logoGeForce RTX 2060 (Mobile)
brand logoGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
brand logoRTX 2000 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
brand logoTITAN V
brand logoGeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB
brand logoGeForce RTX 5070 Ti Mobile
brand logoGeForce RTX 5070

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 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 8-Core iGPU

2023

Why buy it

  • ✅Draws 45W instead of 170W, a 125W reduction.
  • ✅More future proof: Xe LPG (2023) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (3,500 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.
  • ❌2023 hardware with Unknown of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
  • ❌
    52.9% HIGHER MSRP
    $503 MSRPvs$329 MSRP

GeForce RTX 3060

2021

Why buy it

  • ✅+385.6% higher PassMark G3D performance.
  • ✅Costs $174 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $503 MSRP).
  • ✅Delivers 642.4% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 7.0 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $503 MSRP).
  • ✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
  • ✅100+% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs Unknown).

Trade-offs

  • ❌277.8% higher power demand at 170W vs 45W.

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 385.6% in PassMark G3D (16,995 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 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 to buy today. It is $174 cheaper on MSRP at $329 vs $503, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 642.4% (51.7 vs 7.0), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

Arc 8-Core iGPU vs GeForce RTX 3060 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 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 8-Core iGPU scores 3,500 versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 16,995 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 385.6%. The Arc 8-Core iGPU is built on Xe LPG while the GeForce RTX 3060 uses Ampere, both on 5 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 8 (Arc 8-Core iGPU) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060). Boost clocks: 2300 MHz vs 1777 MHz.

FeatureArc 8-Core iGPUGeForce RTX 3060
G3D Mark Score
3,500
16,995+386%
Architecture
Xe LPG
Ampere
Process Node
5 nm
8 nm
Shading Units
8
3584+44700%
Boost Clock
2300 MHz+29%
1777 MHz
L1 Cache
1.5 MB
3.5 MB+133%
✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3060 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 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 8-Core 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 8-Core iGPU and 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 3060.

FeatureArc 8-Core 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 8-Core 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 8-Core 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 8-Core 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 8-Core iGPU) vs AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060).

FeatureArc 8-Core 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 8-Core iGPU draws 45W versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 170W — a 116.3% difference. The Arc 8-Core iGPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Arc 8-Core 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 8-Core iGPUGeForce RTX 3060
TDP
45W-74%
170W
Recommended PSU
350W-36%
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
77.8
100.0+29%
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Arc 8-Core iGPU came in at $503, while the GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329. On MSRP, GeForce RTX 3060 was 34.6% cheaper ($174 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 7.0 (Arc 8-Core iGPU) vs 51.7 (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 638.6% better value. The newer card here is Arc 8-Core iGPU (2023 vs 2021).

FeatureArc 8-Core iGPUGeForce RTX 3060
MSRP
$503
$329-35%
Performance per Dollar
7.0
51.7+639%
Codename
Meteor Lake iGPU
GA106
Release
December 14 2023
January 12 2021
Ranking
#362
#114
Search Arc 8-Core iGPU on AmazonSearch GeForce RTX 3060 on Amazon

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