GeForce GTX 485M SLI vs Iris Graphics 550

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 485M SLI

2011Core: 575 MHz
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Iris Graphics 550

2015Core: 300 MHzBoost: 1000 MHz
Similar parts
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GeForce GTX 485M SLI vs Iris Graphics 550 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.

GeForce GTX 485M SLI vs Iris Graphics 550: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

GeForce GTX 485M SLI

2011

Why buy it

  • 100+% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (2 GB vs Unknown).
  • Iris Graphics 550 is already obsolete for modern gaming, so GeForce GTX 485M SLI is the less risky modern option long term.

Trade-offs

  • 2011 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • 566.7% higher power demand at 100W vs 15W.

Iris Graphics 550

2015

Why buy it

  • Draws 15W instead of 100W, a 85W reduction.
  • More future proof: Generation 9.0 (2015−2016) on 14nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • Less VRAM, with Unknown vs 2 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • 2015 hardware with Unknown of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce GTX 485M SLI is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 1.5% in PassMark G3D (3,360 vs 3,311), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce GTX 485M SLI is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 2 GB vs Unknown of VRAM. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
GeForce GTX 485M SLI makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup.

GeForce GTX 485M SLI vs Iris Graphics 550 Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 485M SLI

The GeForce GTX 485M SLI is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 6 2011. It features the Fermi architecture. The core clock speed is 575 MHz. It has 768 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 100W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,360 points.

Intel

Iris Graphics 550

The Iris Graphics 550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in September 1 2015. It features the Generation 9.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 300 MHz to 1000 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 15W. Manufactured using 14 nm+ process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,311 points.

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 485M SLI scores 3,360 and the Iris Graphics 550 reaches 3,311 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.5% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 485M SLI is built on Fermi while the Iris Graphics 550 uses Generation 9.0, both on 40 nm vs 14 nm+. Shader units: 768 (GeForce GTX 485M SLI) vs 384 (Iris Graphics 550).

FeatureGeForce GTX 485M SLIIris Graphics 550
G3D Mark Score
3,360+1%
3,311
Architecture
Fermi
Generation 9.0
Process Node
40 nm
14 nm+
Shading Units
768+100%
384

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce GTX 485M SLI gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The Iris Graphics 550 leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

FeatureGeForce GTX 485M SLIIris Graphics 550
Upscaling Tech
Upscaling support
Upscaling support
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
Standard
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 485M SLI has 2 GB of VRAM, while the Iris Graphics 550 carries 0 MB. GeForce GTX 485M SLI gives you 100+% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 128-bit on the GeForce GTX 485M SLI and System on the Iris Graphics 550.

FeatureGeForce GTX 485M SLIIris Graphics 550
VRAM Capacity
2 GB
Shared System RAM
Memory Type
GDDR5
Shared
Memory Bandwidth
Unknown
System
Bus Width
128-bit
System
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 485M SLI) vs 12 (12_1) (Iris Graphics 550). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.0 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 3.

FeatureGeForce GTX 485M SLIIris Graphics 550
DirectX
12 (11_0)
12 (12_1)
Vulkan
1.2
1.3+8%
OpenGL
4.0
4.6+15%
Max Displays
2
3+50%
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: PureVideo HD VP4 (GeForce GTX 485M SLI) vs Quick Sync Video (Iris Graphics 550). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP4 vs Quick Sync Video. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 ASP (GeForce GTX 485M SLI) vs H.264,H.265,VP8,VP9,JPEG (Iris Graphics 550).

FeatureGeForce GTX 485M SLIIris Graphics 550
Encoder
PureVideo HD VP4
Quick Sync Video
Decoder
PureVideo HD VP4
Quick Sync Video
Codecs
H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 ASP
H.264,H.265,VP8,VP9,JPEG
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 485M SLI draws 100W versus the Iris Graphics 550's 15W — a 147.8% difference. The Iris Graphics 550 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 485M SLI) vs 1W (Iris Graphics 550). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs Integrated.

FeatureGeForce GTX 485M SLIIris Graphics 550
TDP
100W
15W-85%
Recommended PSU
350W
1W-100%
Power Connector
1x 6-pin
Integrated
Slots
0
Temp (Load)
92°C
Perf/Watt
33.6
220.7+557%
💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is Iris Graphics 550 (2015 vs 2011).

FeatureGeForce GTX 485M SLIIris Graphics 550
MSRP
$0
Codename
N11E-GTX-A1
Skylake GT3e
Release
January 6 2011
September 1 2015
Ranking
#542
#775

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