GeForce RTX 3060
Iris Xe Graphics MAX
GeForce RTX 3060 vs Iris Xe Graphics MAX 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 Xe Graphics MAX FPS Benchmarks
Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 9800X3D to isolate GPU performance.
Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
GeForce RTX 3060 vs Iris Xe Graphics MAX: 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
2021Why buy it
- ✅+761.8% higher PassMark G3D performance.
- ✅Delivers 44.1% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 35.9 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $55 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
- ❌580% higher power demand at 170W vs 25W.
Iris Xe Graphics MAX
2020Why buy it
- ✅Costs $274 less on MSRP ($55 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 25W instead of 170W, a 145W reduction.
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (1,972 vs 16,995).
- ❌Less VRAM, with Unknown vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
- ❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
- ❌2020 hardware with Unknown of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
- ❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 35.9 vs 51.7 G3D/$ ($55 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
Quick Answers
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GeForce RTX 3060 vs Iris Xe Graphics MAX Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.
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.
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 3060 scores 16,995 versus the Iris Xe Graphics MAX's 1,972 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 761.8%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the Iris Xe Graphics MAX uses Generation 12.1, both on 8 nm vs 10 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 768 (Iris Xe Graphics MAX). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 2.534 TFLOPS (Iris Xe Graphics MAX). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1650 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Iris Xe Graphics MAX |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 16,995+762% | 1,972 |
| Architecture | Ampere | Generation 12.1 |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 10 nm |
| Shading Units | 3584+367% | 768 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 12.74 TFLOPS+403% | 2.534 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1777 MHz+8% | 1650 MHz |
| ROPs | 48+100% | 24 |
| TMUs | 112+133% | 48 |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
The GeForce RTX 3060 gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The Iris Xe Graphics MAX leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | 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 3060 has 12 GB of VRAM, while the Iris Xe Graphics MAX 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 Xe Graphics MAX.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Iris Xe Graphics MAX |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Xe Graphics MAX). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.0. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | 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 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060) vs QuickSync (Iris Xe Graphics MAX). Decoder: NVDEC 5th Gen vs QuickSync. Supported codecs: AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Iris Xe Graphics MAX).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Iris Xe Graphics MAX |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 7th Gen | QuickSync |
| Decoder | NVDEC 5th Gen | QuickSync |
| Codecs | AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 | H.264,HEVC,AV1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the Iris Xe Graphics MAX's 25W — a 148.7% difference. The Iris Xe Graphics MAX is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 1W (Iris Xe Graphics MAX). Power connectors: 8-pin vs Integrated. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 85°C.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Iris Xe Graphics MAX |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 170W | 25W-85% |
| Recommended PSU | 550W | 1W-100% |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | Integrated |
| Length | 242mm | — |
| Height | 112mm | — |
| Slots | 2 | — |
| Temp (Load) | 75-12% | 85°C |
| Perf/Watt | 100.0+27% | 78.9 |
Value Analysis
At launch, the GeForce RTX 3060 came in at $329, while the Iris Xe Graphics MAX launched at $55. On MSRP, Iris Xe Graphics MAX was 83.3% cheaper ($274 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 51.7 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 35.9 (Iris Xe Graphics MAX) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 44% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3060 (2021 vs 2020).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Iris Xe Graphics MAX |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $329 | $55-83% |
| Performance per Dollar | 51.7+44% | 35.9 |
| Codename | GA106 | DG1 |
| Release | January 12 2021 | October 31 2020 |
| Ranking | #114 | #685 |
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