GeForce RTX 3060 vs Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060

2021Core: 1320 MHzBoost: 1777 MHz
RTX family
·······
VS
Intel

Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)

2023Boost: 1950 MHz
Similar parts
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GeForce RTX 3060 vs Graphics 4-Cores 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 RTX 3060 vs Graphics 4-Cores 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 RTX 3060

2021

Why buy it

  • +209% higher PassMark G3D performance.
  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 0 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
  • 200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 4 GB).
  • Better long-term bet: Ampere on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • 1033.3% higher power demand at 170W vs 15W.

Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)

2023

Why buy it

  • Draws 15W instead of 170W, a 155W reduction.
  • More future proof: Xe LPG (2023) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark G3D performance (5,500 vs 16,995).
  • Less VRAM, with 4 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
  • GeForce RTX 3060 is the safer long-term pick here because the hardware is newer and the feature stack is stronger.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 51.7 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce RTX 3060 is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 209% in PassMark G3D (16,995 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?
GeForce RTX 3060 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 12 GB vs 4 GB of VRAM, the newer upscaling stack, DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, and 28 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 3060 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup.

GeForce RTX 3060 vs Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc) Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060

The GeForce RTX 3060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 12 2021. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1320 MHz to 1777 MHz. It has 3584 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 170W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 28 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 16,995 points. Launch price was $329.

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

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)'s 5,500 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 209%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc) uses Xe LPG, both on 8 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 4 (Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1950 MHz.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)
G3D Mark Score
16,995+209%
5,500
Architecture
Ampere
Xe LPG
Process Node
8 nm
5 nm
Shading Units
3584+89500%
4
Boost Clock
1777 MHz
1950 MHz+10%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3060 gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc) leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)
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 3060 has 12 GB of VRAM, while the Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc) carries 4 GB. GeForce RTX 3060 gives you 200% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 3060 and System on the Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)
VRAM Capacity
12 GB+200%
4 GB
Memory Type
GDDR6
Shared
Memory Bandwidth
360 GB/s
System
Bus Width
192-bit
System
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 12_2 (Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)
DirectX
12 Ultimate
12_2
Vulkan
1.3
1.3
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
4
4
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060) vs QuickSync (Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)). Decoder: NVDEC 5th Gen vs QuickSync. Supported codecs: AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs MPEG2,AVC,VP9,HEVC,AV1 (Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)
Encoder
NVENC 7th Gen
QuickSync
Decoder
NVDEC 5th Gen
QuickSync
Codecs
AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9
MPEG2,AVC,VP9,HEVC,AV1
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)'s 15W — a 167.6% difference. The Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc) is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 350W (Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)). Power connectors: 8-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 242mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)
TDP
170W
15W-91%
Recommended PSU
550W
350W-36%
Power Connector
8-pin
PCIe-powered
Length
242mm
0mm
Height
112mm
Slots
2
0-100%
Temp (Load)
75
Perf/Watt
100.0
366.7+267%
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 3060 came in at $329, while the Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc) launched at $0. On MSRP, Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc) was 100+% cheaper ($329 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 51.7 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs Infinity (Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)) — the Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc) offers Infinity% better value. The newer card here is Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc) (2023 vs 2021).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060Graphics 4-Cores iGPU (Arc)
MSRP
$329
$0-100%
Performance per Dollar
51.7
Infinity
Codename
GA106
Meteor Lake iGPU
Release
January 12 2021
December 14 2023
Ranking
#114
#494

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