GeForce GTX 680 vs Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 680

2012Core: 1006 MHzBoost: 1058 MHz

Popular choices:

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VS
Intel

Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)

2023Boost: 1950 MHz

Popular choices:

β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, raw graphics performance, VRAM, feature set, power efficiency, pricing context, and long-term value so you can see which GPU actually makes more sense.

GeForce GTX 680

2012

Why buy it

  • βœ…Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 11.2 vs 0 G3D/$ ($499 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • ❌Very weak future-proofing: 2012-era hardware with 4 GB of VRAM is already obsolete for modern gaming and is hard to recommend today.
  • ❌1200% higher power demand at 195W vs 15W.

Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)

2023

Why buy it

  • βœ…More future proof: Xe LPG (2023) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.
  • βœ…Draws 15W instead of 195W, a 180W reduction.
  • βœ…More future proof: Xe LPG (2023) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 11.2 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $499 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce GTX 680 better than Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)?
Yes. GeForce GTX 680 is clearly the better overall GPU here. You are also looking at 5,609 vs 5,500 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce GTX 680 is a 2012 card with no meaningful modern upscaling stack, while Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc) is a 2023 model from an older generation with no meaningful modern upscaling stack. So this is not really a tight same-tier comparison. It is more a modern card against an older, weaker alternative.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc) is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2023 generation instead of 2012 and a 5nm process instead of 28nm. That makes it the safer long-run choice for modern games.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?
GeForce GTX 680 can still make sense if you find it at the right price, especially around $499 MSRP. GeForce GTX 680 is still the smarter buy for most people, though, because the raw performance is close while the overall package is cleaner. GeForce GTX 680 is priced in an unclear MSRP range at $499 MSRP versus an unclear MSRP, and you are getting 2.0% higher G3D Mark. Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc) is the newer 2023 card, so it still has a real case if you care more about newer architecture, lower power draw (15W vs 195W), and future-proofing than about squeezing out the strongest gaming value today.
When does Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc) make more sense than GeForce GTX 680?
Yes. Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc) is still an excellent gaming GPU in 2026: it is still comfortable for 1080p and decent for 1440p, though 4K is more situational. It makes more sense if your priority is newer architecture, lower power draw (15W vs 195W), future-proofing, and staying closer to an unclear MSRP more than squeezing out the extra headroom of GeForce GTX 680. The trade-off is that GeForce GTX 680 currently gives you 2.0% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 100+%.

Games Benchmarks

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 9800X3D 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.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetGeForce GTX 680Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)
1080p
low78 FPS85 FPS
medium66 FPS74 FPS
high53 FPS54 FPS
ultra35 FPS35 FPS
1440p
low68 FPS69 FPS
medium60 FPS60 FPS
high42 FPS40 FPS
ultra27 FPS25 FPS
4K
low25 FPS26 FPS
medium23 FPS25 FPS
high15 FPS16 FPS
ultra13 FPS14 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetGeForce GTX 680Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)
1080p
low116 FPS121 FPS
medium86 FPS85 FPS
high66 FPS58 FPS
ultra43 FPS39 FPS
1440p
low64 FPS80 FPS
medium44 FPS48 FPS
high32 FPS35 FPS
ultra23 FPS26 FPS
4K
low24 FPS38 FPS
medium17 FPS25 FPS
high13 FPS20 FPS
ultra9 FPS14 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetGeForce GTX 680Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)
1080p
low252 FPS248 FPS
medium202 FPS198 FPS
high168 FPS165 FPS
ultra126 FPS124 FPS
1440p
low189 FPS186 FPS
medium151 FPS148 FPS
high126 FPS124 FPS
ultra95 FPS93 FPS
4K
low126 FPS124 FPS
medium101 FPS99 FPS
high84 FPS78 FPS
ultra63 FPS57 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetGeForce GTX 680Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)
1080p
low126 FPS141 FPS
medium101 FPS109 FPS
high86 FPS88 FPS
ultra73 FPS72 FPS
1440p
low97 FPS104 FPS
medium78 FPS81 FPS
high67 FPS64 FPS
ultra52 FPS51 FPS
4K
low57 FPS63 FPS
medium44 FPS49 FPS
high35 FPS40 FPS
ultra25 FPS30 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 680 and Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 680

The GeForce GTX 680 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 22 2012. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 1006 MHz to 1058 MHz. It has 1536 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 195W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,609 points. Launch price was $499.

Intel

Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)

The Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc) is manufactured by Intel. It was released in December 14 2023. It features the Xe LPG architecture. The boost clock speed is 1950 MHz. It has 4 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 15W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,500 points.

⚑

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 680 scores 5,609 and the Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc) reaches 5,500 in the G3D Mark benchmark β€” just a 2% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 680 is built on Kepler while the Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc) uses Xe LPG, both on 28 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 1,536 (GeForce GTX 680) vs 4 (Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)). Boost clocks: 1058 MHz vs 1950 MHz.

FeatureGeForce GTX 680Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)
G3D Mark Score
5,609+2%
5,500
Architecture
Kepler
Xe LPG
Process Node
28 nm
5 nm
Shading Units
1536+38300%
4
Boost Clock
1058 MHz
1950 MHz+84%
✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce GTX 680 gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc) relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

FeatureGeForce GTX 680Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)
Upscaling Tech
Upscaling support
Upscaling support
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
Standard
πŸ’Ύ

Video Memory (VRAM)

Both cards feature 4 GB of video memory. Bus width: 256-bit vs System.

FeatureGeForce GTX 680Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)
VRAM Capacity
4 GB
4 GB
Memory Type
GDDR5
Shared
Memory Bandwidth
192.2 GB/s
System
Bus Width
256-bit
System
πŸ–₯️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (FL 11_0) (GeForce GTX 680) vs 12_2 (Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce GTX 680Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)
DirectX
12 (FL 11_0)
12_2
Vulkan
1.1
1.3+18%
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
4
4
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 1st gen (GeForce GTX 680) vs QuickSync (Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)). Decoder: PureVideo VP5 vs QuickSync. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 680) vs MPEG2,AVC,VP9,HEVC,AV1 (Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)).

FeatureGeForce GTX 680Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)
Encoder
NVENC 1st gen
QuickSync
Decoder
PureVideo VP5
QuickSync
Codecs
H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2
MPEG2,AVC,VP9,HEVC,AV1
πŸ”Œ

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 680 draws 195W versus the Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)'s 15W β€” a 171.4% difference. The Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc) is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce GTX 680) vs 350W (Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)). Power connectors: 2x 6-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 256mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots.

FeatureGeForce GTX 680Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)
TDP
195W
15W-92%
Recommended PSU
550W
350W-36%
Power Connector
2x 6-pin
PCIe-powered
Length
256mm
0mm
Height
111mm
β€”
Slots
2
0-100%
Temp (Load)
98Β°C
β€”
Perf/Watt
28.8
366.7+1173%
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 680 launched at $499 MSRP, while the Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc) launched at $0. The Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc) costs 100+% less ($499 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 11.2 (GeForce GTX 680) vs Infinity (Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)) β€” the Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc) offers Infinity% better value. The Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc) is the newer GPU (2023 vs 2012).

FeatureGeForce GTX 680Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)
MSRP
$499
$0-100%
Performance per Dollar
11.2
Infinity
Codename
GK104
Meteor Lake iGPU
Release
March 22 2012
December 14 2023
Ranking
#410
#494