GeForce GTX 650 vs Iris Plus Graphics 655

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 650

2012Core: 1058 MHz
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Iris Plus Graphics 655

2018Core: 300 MHzBoost: 1050 MHz
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GeForce GTX 650 vs Iris Plus Graphics 655 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 650 vs Iris Plus Graphics 655: 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 650

2012

Why buy it

  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 16.1 vs 0 G3D/$ ($109 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • 100+% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (2 GB vs Unknown).
  • Iris Plus Graphics 655 is already obsolete for modern gaming, so GeForce GTX 650 is the less risky modern option long term.

Trade-offs

  • 2012 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • 333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.

Iris Plus Graphics 655

2018

Why buy it

  • Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.
  • More future proof: Generation 9.5 (2016−2020) 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.
  • 2018 hardware with Unknown of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 16.1 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $109 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce GTX 650 is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 1.6% in PassMark G3D (1,756 vs 1,729), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce GTX 650 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 650 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup.

GeForce GTX 650 vs Iris Plus Graphics 655 Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 650

The GeForce GTX 650 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 6 2012. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock speed is 1058 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 65W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,756 points. Launch price was $109.

Intel

Iris Plus Graphics 655

The Iris Plus Graphics 655 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in April 3 2018. It features the Generation 9.5 architecture. The core clock ranges from 300 MHz to 1050 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 15W. Manufactured using 14 nm+++ process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,729 points.

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 650 scores 1,756 and the Iris Plus Graphics 655 reaches 1,729 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.6% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 650 is built on Kepler while the Iris Plus Graphics 655 uses Generation 9.5, both on 28 nm vs 14 nm+++. Shader units: 384 (GeForce GTX 650) vs 384 (Iris Plus Graphics 655). Raw compute: 0.8125 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 650) vs 0.8064 TFLOPS (Iris Plus Graphics 655).

FeatureGeForce GTX 650Iris Plus Graphics 655
G3D Mark Score
1,756+2%
1,729
Architecture
Kepler
Generation 9.5
Process Node
28 nm
14 nm+++
Shading Units
384
384
Compute (TFLOPS)
0.8125 TFLOPS
0.8064 TFLOPS
ROPs
16+167%
6
TMUs
32
48+50%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce GTX 650 gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The Iris Plus Graphics 655 leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

FeatureGeForce GTX 650Iris Plus Graphics 655
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 650 has 2 GB of VRAM, while the Iris Plus Graphics 655 carries 0 MB. GeForce GTX 650 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 650 and System on the Iris Plus Graphics 655.

FeatureGeForce GTX 650Iris Plus Graphics 655
VRAM Capacity
2 GB
Shared System RAM
Memory Type
GDDR5
Shared
Memory Bandwidth
80 GB/s
System
Bus Width
128-bit
System
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 11_0 (GeForce GTX 650) vs 12 (12_1) (Iris Plus Graphics 655). Maximum simultaneous displays: 3 vs 3.

FeatureGeForce GTX 650Iris Plus Graphics 655
DirectX
11_0
12 (12_1)+9%
Max Displays
3
3
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 2nd Gen (GeForce GTX 650) vs QuickSync (Iris Plus Graphics 655). Decoder: NVDEC 1st Gen vs QuickSync. Supported codecs: H.264 (GeForce GTX 650) vs H.264,H.265,VP9 (Iris Plus Graphics 655).

FeatureGeForce GTX 650Iris Plus Graphics 655
Encoder
NVENC 2nd Gen
QuickSync
Decoder
NVDEC 1st Gen
QuickSync
Codecs
H.264
H.264,H.265,VP9
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 650 draws 65W versus the Iris Plus Graphics 655's 15W — a 125% difference. The Iris Plus Graphics 655 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 300W (GeForce GTX 650) vs 1W (Iris Plus Graphics 655). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs Integrated. Card length: 145mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots.

FeatureGeForce GTX 650Iris Plus Graphics 655
TDP
65W
15W-77%
Recommended PSU
300W
1W-100%
Power Connector
1x 6-pin
Integrated
Length
145mm
0mm
Height
0mm
Slots
2
0-100%
Temp (Load)
85
Perf/Watt
27.0
115.3+327%
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce GTX 650 came in at $109, while the Iris Plus Graphics 655 launched at $0. On MSRP, Iris Plus Graphics 655 was 100+% cheaper ($109 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 16.1 (GeForce GTX 650) vs Infinity (Iris Plus Graphics 655) — the Iris Plus Graphics 655 offers Infinity% better value. The newer card here is Iris Plus Graphics 655 (2018 vs 2012).

FeatureGeForce GTX 650Iris Plus Graphics 655
MSRP
$109
$0-100%
Performance per Dollar
16.1
Infinity
Codename
GK107
Coffee Lake GT3e
Release
September 6 2012
April 3 2018
Ranking
#719
#723

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