GeForce GTX 960M vs Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs

CPU

GPU

GeForce GTX 960M

2015Core: 1096 MHzBoost: 1176 MHz

Popular choices:

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Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs

2020Core: 400 MHzBoost: 1350 MHz

Popular choices:

•••••••••

Performance Spectrum - GPU

GeForce GTX 960M

4 GB 75

3,375

+1.9%

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop GPU

GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER

GeForce RTX 5060

Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs

Shared System RAM 28

3,311

0.0%

Arc A530M

Arc A580

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 960M

2015

Why buy it

✅100+% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (4 GB vs Unknown).
✅Less risky long-term buy than Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs: it remains the more sensible modern option while Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs is already obsolete for modern gaming.

Trade-offs

❌Very weak future-proofing: 2015-era hardware with 4 GB of VRAM is already obsolete for modern gaming and is hard to recommend today.
❌167.9% higher power demand at 75W vs 28W.

Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs

2020

Why buy it

✅Draws 28W instead of 75W, a 47W reduction.
✅More future proof: Gen. 11 Ice Lake (2019−2022) on 10nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with Unknown vs 4 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Very weak future-proofing: 2020-era hardware with Unknown of VRAM is already obsolete for modern gaming and is hard to recommend today.

GeForce GTX 960M

2015

Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs

2020

Why buy it

✅100+% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (4 GB vs Unknown).
✅Less risky long-term buy than Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs: it remains the more sensible modern option while Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs is already obsolete for modern gaming.

Why buy it

✅Draws 28W instead of 75W, a 47W reduction.
✅More future proof: Gen. 11 Ice Lake (2019−2022) on 10nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Very weak future-proofing: 2015-era hardware with 4 GB of VRAM is already obsolete for modern gaming and is hard to recommend today.
❌167.9% higher power demand at 75W vs 28W.

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with Unknown vs 4 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Very weak future-proofing: 2020-era hardware with Unknown of VRAM is already obsolete for modern gaming and is hard to recommend today.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce GTX 960M better than Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs?

Yes, but this is not really about a huge raw performance gap. The broader synthetic picture is also very close at 3,375 vs 3,311 in G3D Mark. The bigger reason to prefer GeForce GTX 960M is the overall package: you are getting no meaningful modern upscaling stack.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce GTX 960M is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more VRAM at 4 GB instead of Unknown. That extra memory headroom makes it the safer pick for newer games, heavier textures, and higher settings over time.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?

GeForce GTX 960M can still make sense if you find it at the right price, especially around Unknown MSRP. GeForce GTX 960M is still the smarter buy for most people, though, because the raw performance is close while the overall package is cleaner. GeForce GTX 960M is priced in an unclear MSRP range at an unclear MSRP versus an unclear MSRP, and you are getting 1.9% higher G3D Mark. Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs is the newer 2020 card, so it still has a real case if you care more about newer architecture and lower power draw (28W vs 75W) than about squeezing out the strongest gaming value today.

When does Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs make more sense than GeForce GTX 960M?

Yes. Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs is still an excellent gaming GPU in 2026: it is still fine for 1080p, but 1440p and especially 4K require more compromise. It makes more sense if your priority is newer architecture, lower power draw (28W vs 75W), and staying closer to an unclear MSRP more than squeezing out the extra headroom of GeForce GTX 960M. The trade-off is that GeForce GTX 960M currently gives you 1.9% higher G3D Mark. G3D-per-dollar is basically tied between them.

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.

GeForce GTX 960M Benchmark Check

Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce GTX 960M	Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs
1080p
low	27 FPS	78 FPS
medium	17 FPS	69 FPS
high	11 FPS	49 FPS
ultra	6 FPS	31 FPS
1440p
low	13 FPS	65 FPS
medium	7 FPS	57 FPS
high	4 FPS	36 FPS
ultra	2 FPS	23 FPS
4K
low	5 FPS	24 FPS
medium	3 FPS	23 FPS
high	2 FPS	14 FPS
ultra	1 FPS	12 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 960M Open Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce GTX 960M	Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs
1080p
low	79 FPS	86 FPS
medium	49 FPS	58 FPS
high	37 FPS	40 FPS
ultra	22 FPS	27 FPS
1440p
low	37 FPS	58 FPS
medium	27 FPS	34 FPS
high	17 FPS	25 FPS
ultra	12 FPS	19 FPS
4K
low	12 FPS	28 FPS
medium	10 FPS	18 FPS
high	8 FPS	14 FPS
ultra	5 FPS	11 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 960M Open Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce GTX 960M	Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs
1080p
low	152 FPS	149 FPS
medium	122 FPS	119 FPS
high	101 FPS	99 FPS
ultra	76 FPS	74 FPS
1440p
low	114 FPS	112 FPS
medium	91 FPS	89 FPS
high	76 FPS	74 FPS
ultra	57 FPS	56 FPS
4K
low	76 FPS	74 FPS
medium	61 FPS	60 FPS
high	51 FPS	50 FPS
ultra	38 FPS	37 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 960M Open Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce GTX 960M	Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs
1080p
low	152 FPS	137 FPS
medium	121 FPS	107 FPS
high	101 FPS	87 FPS
ultra	76 FPS	68 FPS
1440p
low	111 FPS	102 FPS
medium	91 FPS	81 FPS
high	76 FPS	64 FPS
ultra	57 FPS	50 FPS
4K
low	63 FPS	62 FPS
medium	49 FPS	48 FPS
high	38 FPS	39 FPS
ultra	30 FPS	29 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 960M Open Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 960M and Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs

GeForce GTX 960M

The GeForce GTX 960M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 13 2015. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 1096 MHz to 1176 MHz. It has 640 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,375 points.

Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs

The Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs is manufactured by Intel. It was released in August 15 2020. It features the Gen. 11 Ice Lake architecture. The core clock ranges from 400 MHz to 1350 MHz. It has 96 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 28W. Manufactured using 10 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,311 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 960M scores 3,375 and the Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs reaches 3,311 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.9% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 960M is built on Maxwell while the Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs uses Gen. 11 Ice Lake, both on 28 nm vs 10 nm. Shader units: 640 (GeForce GTX 960M) vs 96 (Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs). Boost clocks: 1176 MHz vs 1350 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 960M	Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs
G3D Mark Score	3,375+2%	3,311
Architecture	Maxwell	Gen. 11 Ice Lake
Process Node	28 nm	10 nm
Shading Units	640+567%	96
Boost Clock	1176 MHz	1350 MHz+15%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce GTX 960M gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

Feature	GeForce GTX 960M	Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs
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 960M comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs has 0 MB. The GeForce GTX 960M offers 100+% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs System.

Feature	GeForce GTX 960M	Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs
VRAM Capacity	4 GB	Shared System RAM
Memory Type	GDDR5	Shared
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	System
Bus Width	128-bit	System

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 960M) vs 12.1 (Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 960M	Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs
DirectX	12 (11_0)	12.1
Vulkan	1.3+8%	1.2
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (4th Gen) (GeForce GTX 960M) vs QuickSync (Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs). Decoder: NVDEC (1st Gen) vs QuickSync. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264,H.265 (GeForce GTX 960M) vs H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs).

Feature	GeForce GTX 960M	Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs
Encoder	NVENC (4th Gen)	QuickSync
Decoder	NVDEC (1st Gen)	QuickSync
Codecs	MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264,H.265	H.264,HEVC,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 960M draws 75W versus the Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs's 28W — a 91.3% difference. The Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 960M) vs 1W (Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs Integrated. Typical load temperature: 82 vs 85°C.