GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs Iris Xe MAX Graphics

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

2024Core: 1042 MHzBoost: 1470 MHz
RTX family
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VS
Intel

Iris Xe MAX Graphics

2020Core: 300 MHzBoost: 1650 MHz
Similar parts
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GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs Iris Xe MAX Graphics 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 RTX 3050 6GB vs Iris Xe MAX Graphics: 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 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).
  • Better long-term bet: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

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

Iris Xe MAX Graphics

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.
  • 2020 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 35.9 vs 63.6 G3D/$ ($55 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 445.1% in PassMark G3D (10,749 vs 1,972), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 6 GB vs Unknown of VRAM, the newer upscaling stack, DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, a 8nm process instead of 10nm, and 18 vs 0 ray-tracing units. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
GeForce RTX 3050 6GB makes the most sense to buy today. It is $114 more expensive on MSRP at $169 vs $55, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 77.4% (63.6 vs 35.9), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs Iris Xe MAX Graphics Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

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.

Intel

Iris Xe MAX Graphics

The Iris Xe MAX Graphics is manufactured by Intel. It was released in October 31 2020. It features the Generation 12.1 architecture. The core clock ranges from 300 MHz to 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 MAX Graphics'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 MAX Graphics uses Generation 12.1, both on 8 nm vs 10 nm. Shader units: 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 768 (Iris Xe MAX Graphics). Raw compute: 6.774 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 2.534 TFLOPS (Iris Xe MAX Graphics). Boost clocks: 1470 MHz vs 1650 MHz.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBIris Xe MAX Graphics
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
L2 Cache
2 MB+100%
1 MB

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The Iris Xe MAX Graphics leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBIris Xe MAX Graphics
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 has 6 GB of VRAM, while the Iris Xe MAX Graphics carries 0 MB. GeForce RTX 3050 6GB gives you 100+% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 96-bit on the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB and System on the Iris Xe MAX Graphics. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 1 MB (Iris Xe MAX Graphics) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBIris Xe MAX Graphics
VRAM Capacity
6 GB
Shared System RAM
Memory Type
GDDR6
Shared
Memory Bandwidth
168 GB/s
System
Bus Width
96-bit
System
L2 Cache
2 MB+100%
1 MB
🖥️

Display & API Support

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

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBIris Xe MAX Graphics
DirectX
12 Ultimate
12.1
Vulkan
1.3
1.3
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
4
4
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs QuickSync (Iris Xe MAX Graphics). Decoder: NVDEC (7th Gen) vs QuickSync. Supported codecs: H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1 (Iris Xe MAX Graphics).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBIris Xe MAX Graphics
Encoder
NVENC (5th Gen)
QuickSync
Decoder
NVDEC (7th Gen)
QuickSync
Codecs
H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only)
H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB draws 70W versus the Iris Xe MAX Graphics's 25W — a 94.7% difference. The Iris Xe MAX Graphics is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 1W (Iris Xe MAX Graphics). Power connectors: None vs Integrated. Card length: 160mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 80.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBIris Xe MAX Graphics
TDP
70W
25W-64%
Recommended PSU
300W
1W-100%
Power Connector
None
Integrated
Length
160mm
0mm
Height
0mm
Slots
2
0-100%
Temp (Load)
75°C-6%
80
Perf/Watt
153.6+95%
78.9
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB came in at $169, while the Iris Xe MAX Graphics launched at $55. On MSRP, Iris Xe MAX Graphics was 67.5% cheaper ($114 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 63.6 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 35.9 (Iris Xe MAX Graphics) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 77.2% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB (2024 vs 2020).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBIris Xe MAX Graphics
MSRP
$169
$55-67%
Performance per Dollar
63.6+77%
35.9
Codename
GA107
DG1
Release
February 2 2024
October 31 2020
Ranking
#252
#686

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