GeForce GTX 690 vs Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc)

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 690

2012Core: 915 MHzBoost: 1019 MHz
VS
Intel

Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc)

2023Core: 300 MHzBoost: 1950 MHz

GeForce GTX 690 vs Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc) 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 690 vs Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc): 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 690

2012

Why buy it

  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 5.5 vs 0 G3D/$ ($999 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 4 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • 2012 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • 1900% higher power demand at 300W vs 15W.

Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc)

2023

Why buy it

  • 100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (4 GB vs 2 GB).
  • Better long-term bet: Xe LPG (2023) on 5nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.
  • Draws 15W instead of 300W, a 285W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 5.5 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $999 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce GTX 690 is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 0.7% in PassMark G3D (5,536 vs 5,500), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc) is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 4 GB vs 2 GB of VRAM, a 5nm process instead of 28nm, and a newer 2023 generation instead of 2012. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
GeForce GTX 690 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GeForce GTX 690 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc) has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce GTX 690 vs Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc) Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 690

The GeForce GTX 690 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 3 2012. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 915 MHz to 1019 MHz. It has 3072 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 300W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,536 points. Launch price was $999.

Intel

Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc)

The Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc) is manufactured by Intel. It was released in December 14 2023. It features the Xe LPG architecture. The core clock ranges from 300 MHz to 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 690 scores 5,536 and the Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc) reaches 5,500 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.7% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 690 is built on Kepler while the Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc) uses Xe LPG, both on 28 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 3,072 (GeForce GTX 690) vs 4 (Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc)). Boost clocks: 1019 MHz vs 1950 MHz.

FeatureGeForce GTX 690Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc)
G3D Mark Score
5,536
5,500
Architecture
Kepler
Xe LPG
Process Node
28 nm
5 nm
Shading Units
3072 ×2+76700%
4
Boost Clock
1019 MHz
1950 MHz+91%
L1 Cache
128 KB
768 KB+500%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce GTX 690 gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc) leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

FeatureGeForce GTX 690Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc)
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 690 has 2 GB of VRAM, while the Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc) carries 4 GB. Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc) 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 x2 on the GeForce GTX 690 and System on the Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc).

FeatureGeForce GTX 690Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc)
VRAM Capacity
2 GB
4 GB+100%
Memory Type
GDDR5
Shared
Memory Bandwidth
192.2 GB/s x2
System
Bus Width
256-bit x2
System
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12_0 (GeForce GTX 690) vs 12_2 (Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc)). Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce GTX 690Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc)
DirectX
12_0
12_2
Max Displays
4
4
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 1st Gen (GeForce GTX 690) vs QuickSync (Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc)). Decoder: VP5 vs QuickSync.

FeatureGeForce GTX 690Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc)
Encoder
NVENC 1st Gen
QuickSync
Decoder
VP5
QuickSync
Codecs
MPEG2,AVC,VP9,HEVC,AV1
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 690 draws 300W versus the Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc)'s 15W — a 181% difference. The Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc) is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 650W (GeForce GTX 690) vs 350W (Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc)). Power connectors: 2x 8-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 279mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots.

FeatureGeForce GTX 690Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc)
TDP
300W
15W-95%
Recommended PSU
650W
350W-46%
Power Connector
2x 8-pin
PCIe-powered
Length
279mm
0mm
Slots
2
0-100%
Perf/Watt
18.5
366.7+1882%
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce GTX 690 came in at $999, while the Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc) launched at $0. On MSRP, Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc) was 100+% cheaper ($999 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 5.5 (GeForce GTX 690) vs Infinity (Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc)) — the Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc) offers Infinity% better value. The newer card here is Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc) (2023 vs 2012).

FeatureGeForce GTX 690Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc)
MSRP
$999
$0-100%
Performance per Dollar
5.5
Infinity
Codename
GK104
Meteor Lake iGPU
Release
May 3 2012
December 14 2023
Ranking
#414
#495

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