GeForce GTX 590 vs Iris Xe Graphics G7

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 590

2011Core: 607 MHz
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VS
Intel

Iris Xe Graphics G7

2020
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GeForce GTX 590 vs Iris Xe Graphics G7 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 590 vs Iris Xe Graphics G7: 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 590

2011

Why buy it

  • 100+% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (3 GB vs Unknown).
  • Iris Xe Graphics G7 is already obsolete for modern gaming, so GeForce GTX 590 is the less risky modern option long term.

Trade-offs

  • 2011 hardware with 3 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • 249.5% HIGHER MSRP
    $699 MSRPvs$200 MSRP
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 4.8 vs 16.6 G3D/$ ($699 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
  • 1116.7% higher power demand at 365W vs 30W.

Iris Xe Graphics G7

2020

Why buy it

  • Costs $499 less on MSRP ($200 MSRP vs $699 MSRP).
  • Delivers 246.4% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 16.6 vs 4.8 G3D/$ ($200 MSRP vs $699 MSRP).
  • Draws 30W instead of 365W, a 335W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Less VRAM, with Unknown vs 3 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • 2020 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 590 is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 0.9% in PassMark G3D (3,341 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 590 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 3 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?
Iris Xe Graphics G7 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $499 cheaper on MSRP at $200 vs $699, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 246.4% (16.6 vs 4.8), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. If you are mainly targeting 1080p, Iris Xe Graphics G7 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, GeForce GTX 590 has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce GTX 590 vs Iris Xe Graphics G7 Technical Specifications

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

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 Xe Graphics G7

The Iris Xe Graphics G7 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in August 15 2020. It features the Gen. 11 Ice Lake architecture. It has 96 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 30W. Manufactured using 10 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,311 points.

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 590 scores 3,341 and the Iris Xe Graphics G7 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 Xe Graphics G7 uses Gen. 11 Ice Lake, both on 40 nm vs 10 nm. Shader units: 1,024 (GeForce GTX 590) vs 96 (Iris Xe Graphics G7).

FeatureGeForce GTX 590Iris Xe Graphics G7
G3D Mark Score
3,341
3,311
Architecture
Fermi 2.0
Gen. 11 Ice Lake
Process Node
40 nm
10 nm
Shading Units
1024 ×2+967%
96

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce GTX 590 gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The Iris Xe Graphics G7 leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

FeatureGeForce GTX 590Iris Xe Graphics G7
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 590 has 3 GB of VRAM, while the Iris Xe Graphics G7 carries 0 MB. GeForce GTX 590 gives you 100+% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 256-bit on the GeForce GTX 590 and System on the Iris Xe Graphics G7.

FeatureGeForce GTX 590Iris Xe Graphics G7
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 12.1 (Iris Xe Graphics G7). OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce GTX 590Iris Xe Graphics G7
DirectX
12 (11_0)
12.1
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
4
4
🎬

Media & Encoding

Decoder: PureVideo HD (VP5) vs QuickSync. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 590) vs H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Iris Xe Graphics G7).

FeatureGeForce GTX 590Iris Xe Graphics G7
Encoder
QuickSync
Decoder
PureVideo HD (VP5)
QuickSync
Codecs
H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2
H.264,HEVC,AV1
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 590 draws 365W versus the Iris Xe Graphics G7's 30W — a 169.6% difference. The Iris Xe Graphics G7 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 700W (GeForce GTX 590) vs 1W (Iris Xe Graphics G7). Power connectors: 2x 8-pin vs Integrated. Typical load temperature: 90°C vs 85°C.

FeatureGeForce GTX 590Iris Xe Graphics G7
TDP
365W
30W-92%
Recommended PSU
700W
1W-100%
Power Connector
2x 8-pin
Integrated
Slots
2
Temp (Load)
90°C
85°C-6%
Perf/Watt
9.2
110.4+1100%
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce GTX 590 came in at $699, while the Iris Xe Graphics G7 launched at $200. On MSRP, Iris Xe Graphics G7 was 71.4% cheaper ($499 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 4.8 (GeForce GTX 590) vs 16.6 (Iris Xe Graphics G7) — the Iris Xe Graphics G7 offers 245.8% better value. The newer card here is Iris Xe Graphics G7 (2020 vs 2011).

FeatureGeForce GTX 590Iris Xe Graphics G7
MSRP
$699
$200-71%
Performance per Dollar
4.8
16.6+246%
Codename
GF110
Tiger Lake Xe
Release
March 24 2011
August 15 2020
Ranking
#555
#493

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