GeForce RTX 3060 vs Iris Plus Graphics

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060

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

Iris Plus Graphics

Boost: 1000 MHz
Similar parts
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GeForce RTX 3060 vs Iris Plus 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 3060 vs Iris Plus 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 3060

2021

Why buy it

  • +850% higher PassMark G3D performance.
  • Delivers 188.7% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 17.9 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
  • Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
  • 100+% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs Unknown).
  • 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.
  • 24100% longer card at 242mm vs 1mm.

Iris Plus Graphics

Why buy it

  • Costs $229 less on MSRP ($100 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
  • Draws 15W instead of 170W, a 155W reduction.
  • Measures 1mm instead of 242mm, a 241mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark G3D performance (1,789 vs 16,995).
  • Less VRAM, with Unknown vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
  • Older 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 17.9 vs 51.7 G3D/$ ($100 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 850% in PassMark G3D (16,995 vs 1,789), 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 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 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 to buy today. It is $229 more expensive on MSRP at $329 vs $100, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 188.7% (51.7 vs 17.9), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce RTX 3060 vs Iris Plus Graphics 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

Iris Plus Graphics

The Iris Plus Graphics is manufactured by Intel. It was released in sem dados. It features the Generation 11.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1000 MHz. It has 512 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 15W. Manufactured using 10 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,789 points.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the Iris Plus Graphics's 1,789 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 850%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the Iris Plus Graphics uses Generation 11.0, both on 8 nm vs 10 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 512 (Iris Plus Graphics). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 1.024 TFLOPS (Iris Plus Graphics). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1000 MHz.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060Iris Plus Graphics
G3D Mark Score
16,995+850%
1,789
Architecture
Ampere
Generation 11.0
Process Node
8 nm
10 nm
Shading Units
3584+600%
512
Compute (TFLOPS)
12.74 TFLOPS+1144%
1.024 TFLOPS
Boost Clock
1777 MHz+78%
1000 MHz
ROPs
48+500%
8
TMUs
112+250%
32

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3060 gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The Iris Plus Graphics leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060Iris Plus 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 3060 has 12 GB of VRAM, while the Iris Plus Graphics carries 0 MB. GeForce RTX 3060 gives you 100+% 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 Iris Plus Graphics.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060Iris Plus Graphics
VRAM Capacity
12 GB
Shared System RAM
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_1 (Iris Plus Graphics). Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 0.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060Iris Plus Graphics
DirectX
12 Ultimate
12_1
Max Displays
4
0
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060) vs QuickSync (Iris Plus Graphics). Decoder: NVDEC 5th Gen vs QuickSync.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060Iris Plus Graphics
Encoder
NVENC 7th Gen
QuickSync
Decoder
NVDEC 5th Gen
QuickSync
Codecs
AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the Iris Plus Graphics's 15W — a 167.6% difference. The Iris Plus Graphics is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 1W (Iris Plus Graphics). Power connectors: 8-pin vs Integrated. Card length: 242mm vs 1mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060Iris Plus Graphics
TDP
170W
15W-91%
Recommended PSU
550W
1W-100%
Power Connector
8-pin
Integrated
Length
242mm
1mm
Height
112mm
Slots
2
0-100%
Temp (Load)
75
Perf/Watt
100.0
119.3+19%
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 3060 came in at $329, while the Iris Plus Graphics launched at $100. On MSRP, Iris Plus Graphics was 69.6% cheaper ($229 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 51.7 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 17.9 (Iris Plus Graphics) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 188.8% better value.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060Iris Plus Graphics
MSRP
$329
$100-70%
Performance per Dollar
51.7+189%
17.9
Codename
GA106
Ice Lake GT2
Release
January 12 2021
sem dados
Ranking
#114
#714

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