GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs Iris Xe Graphics MAX

CPU

GPU

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

2024Core: 1042 MHzBoost: 1470 MHz

Popular choices:

•••••••••

Iris Xe Graphics MAX

2020Boost: 1650 MHz

Popular choices:

•••••••••

Performance Spectrum - GPU

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

6 GB 70

10,749

+445.1%

GeForce GTX 770

GeForce GTX 1650 (móvel)

GeForce GTX Titan

GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile

GeForce RTX 4050 Mobile

GeForce RTX 2070 Super Mobile

1,972

0.0%

Arc A530M

Arc A770M

Arc B580

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 RTX 3050 6GB

2024

Why buy it

✅+445.1% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Delivers 77.4% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 35.9 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs $55 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅100+% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs Unknown).
✅More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌180% higher power demand at 70W vs 25W.

Iris Xe Graphics MAX

2020

Why buy it

✅Costs $114 less on MSRP ($55 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).
✅Draws 25W instead of 70W, a 45W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (1,972 vs 10,749).
❌Less VRAM, with Unknown vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌Very weak future-proofing: 2020-era hardware with Unknown of VRAM is already obsolete for modern gaming and is hard to recommend today.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 35.9 vs 63.6 G3D/$ ($55 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

2024

Iris Xe Graphics MAX

2020

Why buy it

✅+445.1% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Delivers 77.4% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 35.9 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs $55 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅100+% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs Unknown).
✅More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Why buy it

✅Costs $114 less on MSRP ($55 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).
✅Draws 25W instead of 70W, a 45W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌180% higher power demand at 70W vs 25W.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (1,972 vs 10,749).
❌Less VRAM, with Unknown vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌Very weak future-proofing: 2020-era hardware with Unknown of VRAM is already obsolete for modern gaming and is hard to recommend today.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 35.9 vs 63.6 G3D/$ ($55 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB better than Iris Xe Graphics MAX?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is clearly the better overall GPU here. You are also looking at 10,749 vs 1,972 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is a 2024 card with DLSS Super Resolution, while Iris Xe Graphics MAX is a 2020 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?

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2024 generation instead of 2020, 445.1% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 6 GB instead of Unknown, and better upscaling support with DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack. That leaves it with more room for heavier textures, tougher ray tracing loads, and higher-end 1440p or 4K gaming over the next few years.

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

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the smarter buy by a wide margin. GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is about 207.3% more expensive on MSRP at $169 MSRP versus $55 MSRP, and you are getting 445.1% higher G3D Mark. Iris Xe Graphics MAX really only makes sense now as a very cheap stopgap or a used-market placeholder.

Is Iris Xe Graphics MAX still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

No, not for a fresh gaming build. Iris Xe Graphics MAX is 2020 hardware with Unknown of VRAM, 1,972 in G3D Mark, and no meaningful modern upscaling stack. That is simply too far behind to be an easy modern recommendation.

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 RTX 3050 6GB Benchmark Check

Iris Xe Graphics MAX Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	Iris Xe Graphics MAX
1080p
low	85 FPS	44 FPS
medium	72 FPS	31 FPS
high	60 FPS	22 FPS
ultra	40 FPS	11 FPS
1440p
low	74 FPS	35 FPS
medium	64 FPS	22 FPS
high	47 FPS	12 FPS
ultra	30 FPS	6 FPS
4K
low	27 FPS	11 FPS
medium	25 FPS	8 FPS
high	17 FPS	4 FPS
ultra	15 FPS	3 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Open Iris Xe Graphics MAX

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	Iris Xe Graphics MAX
1080p
low	174 FPS	89 FPS
medium	149 FPS	71 FPS
high	118 FPS	48 FPS
ultra	87 FPS	34 FPS
1440p
low	129 FPS	67 FPS
medium	106 FPS	41 FPS
high	83 FPS	29 FPS
ultra	62 FPS	21 FPS
4K
low	74 FPS	33 FPS
medium	62 FPS	22 FPS
high	48 FPS	17 FPS
ultra	34 FPS	12 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Open Iris Xe Graphics MAX

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	Iris Xe Graphics MAX
1080p
low	484 FPS	89 FPS
medium	387 FPS	71 FPS
high	322 FPS	59 FPS
ultra	242 FPS	44 FPS
1440p
low	363 FPS	67 FPS
medium	290 FPS	53 FPS
high	242 FPS	44 FPS
ultra	181 FPS	33 FPS
4K
low	242 FPS	44 FPS
medium	193 FPS	35 FPS
high	161 FPS	30 FPS
ultra	121 FPS	22 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Open Iris Xe Graphics MAX

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	Iris Xe Graphics MAX
1080p
low	243 FPS	89 FPS
medium	210 FPS	71 FPS
high	171 FPS	59 FPS
ultra	144 FPS	44 FPS
1440p
low	185 FPS	67 FPS
medium	166 FPS	53 FPS
high	131 FPS	44 FPS
ultra	109 FPS	33 FPS
4K
low	104 FPS	44 FPS
medium	87 FPS	35 FPS
high	69 FPS	30 FPS
ultra	55 FPS	22 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Open Iris Xe Graphics MAX

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3050 6GB and Iris Xe Graphics MAX

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in February 2 2024. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1042 MHz to 1470 MHz. It has 2304 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 70W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 18 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 10,749 points. Launch price was $179.

Iris Xe Graphics MAX

The Iris Xe Graphics MAX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in October 31 2020. It features the Generation 12.1 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1650 MHz. It has 768 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 25W. Manufactured using 10 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,972 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB scores 10,749 versus the Iris Xe Graphics MAX's 1,972 — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB leads by 445.1%. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is built on Ampere while the Iris Xe Graphics MAX uses Generation 12.1, both on 8 nm vs 10 nm. Shader units: 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 768 (Iris Xe Graphics MAX). Raw compute: 6.774 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 2.534 TFLOPS (Iris Xe Graphics MAX). Boost clocks: 1470 MHz vs 1650 MHz.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	Iris Xe Graphics MAX
G3D Mark Score	10,749+445%	1,972
Architecture	Ampere	Generation 12.1
Process Node	8 nm	10 nm
Shading Units	2304+200%	768
Compute (TFLOPS)	6.774 TFLOPS+167%	2.534 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1470 MHz	1650 MHz+12%
ROPs	32+33%	24
TMUs	72+50%	48

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The Iris Xe Graphics MAX relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	Iris Xe Graphics MAX
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2 Super Resolution	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	Standard

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB comes with 6 GB of VRAM, while the Iris Xe Graphics MAX has 0 MB. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 100+% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 96-bit vs System.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	Iris Xe Graphics MAX
VRAM Capacity	6 GB	Shared System RAM
Memory Type	GDDR6	Shared
Memory Bandwidth	168 GB/s	System
Bus Width	96-bit	System

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 12.1 (Iris Xe Graphics MAX). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.0. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	Iris Xe Graphics MAX
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12.1
Vulkan	1.3+30%	1.0
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs QuickSync (Iris Xe Graphics MAX). Decoder: NVDEC (7th Gen) vs QuickSync. Supported codecs: H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Iris Xe Graphics MAX).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	Iris Xe Graphics MAX
Encoder	NVENC (5th Gen)	QuickSync
Decoder	NVDEC (7th Gen)	QuickSync
Codecs	H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only)	H.264,HEVC,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB draws 70W versus the Iris Xe Graphics MAX's 25W — a 94.7% difference. The Iris Xe Graphics MAX is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 1W (Iris Xe Graphics MAX). Power connectors: None vs Integrated. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 85°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	Iris Xe Graphics MAX
TDP	70W	25W-64%
Recommended PSU	300W	1W-100%
Power Connector	None	Integrated
Length	160mm	—
Slots	2	—
Temp (Load)	75°C-12%	85°C
Perf/Watt	153.6+95%	78.9

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB launched at $169 MSRP, while the Iris Xe Graphics MAX launched at $55. The Iris Xe Graphics MAX costs 67.5% less ($114 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 63.6 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 35.9 (Iris Xe Graphics MAX) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 77.2% better value. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the newer GPU (2024 vs 2020).