GeForce GTX 590
VS
Iris Graphics 550

GeForce GTX 590 vs Iris Graphics 550

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 590

2011Core: 607 MHz
VS
Intel

Iris Graphics 550

2015Core: 300 MHzBoost: 1000 MHz

Performance Spectrum - GPU

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce GTX 590 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.9% higher G3D Mark score and 100+% more VRAM (3 GB vs 0 MB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Iris Graphics 550.

InsightGeForce GTX 590Iris Graphics 550
Performance
Leading raw performance (+0.9%)
Lower raw frame rates (-0.9%)
Longevity
🛑Obsolete Architecture (2011 / Fermi 2.0 (2010−2014))
🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Generation 9.0 (2015−2016))
Ecosystem
Supports FSR Upscaling
Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM
✅ More VRAM (+100+%)
❌ Less VRAM capacity
Efficiency
⚡ Higher Power Consumption
💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
Case Fit

💎 Value Proposition

While current pricing data is unavailable, the GeForce GTX 590 remains the clear technical winner. Check real-time availability to determine if the performance gap justifies the market price.

Performance Check

Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 7800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.

Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 590 and Iris Graphics 550

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 590

The GeForce GTX 590 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 24 2011. It features the Fermi 2.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 607 MHz. It has 1024 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 365W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,341 points. Launch price was $699.

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 590 scores 3,341 and the Iris Graphics 550 reaches 3,311 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.9% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 590 is built on Fermi 2.0 while the Iris Graphics 550 uses Generation 9.0, both on 40 nm vs 14 nm+. Shader units: 1,024 (GeForce GTX 590) vs 384 (Iris Graphics 550). Raw compute: 1.244 TFLOPS ×2 (GeForce GTX 590) vs 0.768 TFLOPS (Iris Graphics 550).

FeatureGeForce GTX 590Iris Graphics 550
G3D Mark Score
3,341
3,311
Architecture
Fermi 2.0
Generation 9.0
Process Node
40 nm
14 nm+
Shading Units
1024 ×2+167%
384
Compute (TFLOPS)
1.244 TFLOPS ×2+62%
0.768 TFLOPS
ROPs
48 ×2+700%
6
TMUs
64 ×2+33%
48

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureGeForce GTX 590Iris Graphics 550
Upscaling Tech
FSR 2.1 (Compatible)
FSR 1.0 (Software)
Frame Generation
FSR 3 (Compatible)
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
Standard
Standard
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 590 comes with 3 GB of VRAM, while the Iris Graphics 550 has 0 MB. The GeForce GTX 590 offers 100+% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 256-bit vs System.

FeatureGeForce GTX 590Iris Graphics 550
VRAM Capacity
3 GB
Shared System RAM
Memory Type
GDDR5
Shared
Memory Bandwidth
Unknown
System
Bus Width
256-bit
System
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 590) vs 12 (12_1) (Iris Graphics 550). OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 3.

FeatureGeForce GTX 590Iris Graphics 550
DirectX
12 (11_0)
12 (12_1)
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
4+33%
3
🎬

Media & Encoding

Decoder: PureVideo HD (VP5) vs Quick Sync Video. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 590) vs H.264,H.265,VP8,VP9,JPEG (Iris Graphics 550).

FeatureGeForce GTX 590Iris Graphics 550
Encoder
Quick Sync Video
Decoder
PureVideo HD (VP5)
Quick Sync Video
Codecs
H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2
H.264,H.265,VP8,VP9,JPEG
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 590 draws 365W versus the Iris Graphics 550's 15W — a 184.2% difference. The Iris Graphics 550 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 700W (GeForce GTX 590) vs 1W (Iris Graphics 550). Power connectors: 2x 8-pin vs Integrated.

FeatureGeForce GTX 590Iris Graphics 550
TDP
365W
15W-96%
Recommended PSU
700W
1W-100%
Power Connector
2x 8-pin
Integrated
Slots
2
Temp (Load)
90°C
Perf/Watt
9.2
220.7+2299%
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 590 launched at $699 MSRP and currently averages $100, while the Iris Graphics 550 launched at $0 and now averages $0. The Iris Graphics 550 costs 100+% less ($100 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 33.4 (GeForce GTX 590) vs Infinity (Iris Graphics 550) — the Iris Graphics 550 offers Infinity% better value. The Iris Graphics 550 is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2011).

FeatureGeForce GTX 590Iris Graphics 550
MSRP
$699
$0-100%
Avg Price (30d)
$100
$0-100%
Performance per Dollar
33.4
Infinity
Codename
GF110
Skylake GT3e
Release
March 24 2011
September 1 2015
Ranking
#555
#775