GeForce RTX 4060 vs Iris Xe MAX Graphics

CPU

GPU

GeForce RTX 4060

2023Core: 1830 MHzBoost: 2460 MHz

Popular choices:

•••••••••

Iris Xe MAX Graphics

2020Core: 300 MHzBoost: 1650 MHz

Popular choices:

RTX 4060•••••••••

Performance Spectrum - GPU

GeForce RTX 4060

8 GB 115

19,548

+891.3%

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

GeForce RTX 2080 with Max-Q Design

GeForce RTX 3060 8GB

GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop GPU

RTX 4000 Ada Generation Laptop GPU

GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile

GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile

GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER

Iris Xe MAX Graphics

Shared System RAM 25

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 4060

2023

Why buy it

✅+891.3% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Delivers 82.3% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 65.4 vs 35.9 G3D/$ ($299 MSRP vs $55 MSRP).
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
✅100+% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs Unknown).
✅More future proof: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌360% higher power demand at 115W vs 25W.

Iris Xe MAX Graphics

2020

Why buy it

✅Costs $244 less on MSRP ($55 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
✅Draws 25W instead of 115W, a 90W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (1,972 vs 19,548).
❌Less VRAM, with Unknown vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
❌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 65.4 G3D/$ ($55 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 4060

2023

Iris Xe MAX Graphics

2020

Why buy it

✅+891.3% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Delivers 82.3% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 65.4 vs 35.9 G3D/$ ($299 MSRP vs $55 MSRP).
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
✅100+% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs Unknown).
✅More future proof: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Why buy it

✅Costs $244 less on MSRP ($55 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
✅Draws 25W instead of 115W, a 90W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌360% higher power demand at 115W vs 25W.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (1,972 vs 19,548).
❌Less VRAM, with Unknown vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
❌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 65.4 G3D/$ ($55 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 4060 better than Iris Xe MAX Graphics?

Yes. GeForce RTX 4060 is clearly the better overall GPU here. You are also looking at 19,548 vs 1,972 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 4060 is a 2023 card with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation, while Iris Xe MAX Graphics 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 4060 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2023 generation instead of 2020, 891.3% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 8 GB instead of Unknown, and better upscaling support with DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution (2023) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack and better frame-generation support with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023) 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 4060 is the smarter buy by a wide margin. GeForce RTX 4060 is about 443.6% more expensive on MSRP at $299 MSRP versus $55 MSRP, and you are getting 891.3% higher G3D Mark. Iris Xe MAX Graphics really only makes sense now as a very cheap stopgap or a used-market placeholder.

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

No, not for a fresh gaming build. Iris Xe MAX Graphics 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 4060 Benchmark Check

Iris Xe MAX Graphics Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 4060	Iris Xe MAX Graphics
1080p
low	167 FPS	44 FPS
medium	152 FPS	31 FPS
high	134 FPS	22 FPS
ultra	115 FPS	11 FPS
1440p
low	137 FPS	35 FPS
medium	114 FPS	22 FPS
high	99 FPS	12 FPS
ultra	90 FPS	6 FPS
4K
low	86 FPS	11 FPS
medium	74 FPS	8 FPS
high	62 FPS	4 FPS
ultra	55 FPS	3 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 4060 Open Iris Xe MAX Graphics

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 4060	Iris Xe MAX Graphics
1080p
low	392 FPS	77 FPS
medium	334 FPS	50 FPS
high	268 FPS	33 FPS
ultra	211 FPS	24 FPS
1440p
low	240 FPS	52 FPS
medium	209 FPS	29 FPS
high	169 FPS	21 FPS
ultra	137 FPS	16 FPS
4K
low	119 FPS	25 FPS
medium	98 FPS	15 FPS
high	82 FPS	12 FPS
ultra	63 FPS	9 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 4060 Open Iris Xe MAX Graphics

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 4060	Iris Xe MAX Graphics
1080p
low	812 FPS	89 FPS
medium	642 FPS	71 FPS
high	551 FPS	59 FPS
ultra	440 FPS	44 FPS
1440p
low	535 FPS	67 FPS
medium	443 FPS	53 FPS
high	379 FPS	44 FPS
ultra	329 FPS	33 FPS
4K
low	365 FPS	44 FPS
medium	297 FPS	35 FPS
high	234 FPS	30 FPS
ultra	186 FPS	22 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 4060 Open Iris Xe MAX Graphics

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 4060	Iris Xe MAX Graphics
1080p
low	746 FPS	89 FPS
medium	613 FPS	71 FPS
high	536 FPS	59 FPS
ultra	440 FPS	44 FPS
1440p
low	594 FPS	67 FPS
medium	486 FPS	53 FPS
high	421 FPS	44 FPS
ultra	330 FPS	33 FPS
4K
low	358 FPS	44 FPS
medium	308 FPS	35 FPS
high	285 FPS	30 FPS
ultra	220 FPS	22 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 4060 Open Iris Xe MAX Graphics

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 4060 and Iris Xe MAX Graphics

GeForce RTX 4060

The GeForce RTX 4060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 18 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 1830 MHz to 2460 MHz. It has 3072 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 115W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 24 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 19,548 points. Launch price was $299.

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 4060 scores 19,548 versus the Iris Xe MAX Graphics's 1,972 — the GeForce RTX 4060 leads by 891.3%. The GeForce RTX 4060 is built on Ada Lovelace while the Iris Xe MAX Graphics uses Generation 12.1, both on 5 nm vs 10 nm. Shader units: 3,072 (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 768 (Iris Xe MAX Graphics). Raw compute: 15.11 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 2.534 TFLOPS (Iris Xe MAX Graphics). Boost clocks: 2460 MHz vs 1650 MHz.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4060	Iris Xe MAX Graphics
G3D Mark Score	19,548+891%	1,972
Architecture	Ada Lovelace	Generation 12.1
Process Node	5 nm	10 nm
Shading Units	3072+300%	768
Compute (TFLOPS)	15.11 TFLOPS+496%	2.534 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	2460 MHz+49%	1650 MHz
ROPs	48+100%	24
TMUs	96+100%	48
L2 Cache	24 MB+2300%	1 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

A critical advantage for the GeForce RTX 4060 is support for DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation. This allows it to generate entire frames using AI/Algorithms, essentially doubling the frame rate in CPU-bound scenarios or heavy ray-tracing titles. The Iris Xe MAX Graphics lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.The GeForce RTX 4060 gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The Iris Xe MAX Graphics relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4060	Iris Xe MAX Graphics
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	Yes (DLSS 3.5)	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	Standard

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 4060 comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the Iris Xe MAX Graphics has 0 MB. The GeForce RTX 4060 offers 100+% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs System. L2 Cache: 24 MB (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 1 MB (Iris Xe MAX Graphics) — the GeForce RTX 4060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4060	Iris Xe MAX Graphics
VRAM Capacity	8 GB	Shared System RAM
Memory Type	GDDR6	Shared
Memory Bandwidth	272 GB/s	System
Bus Width	128-bit	System
L2 Cache	24 MB+2300%	1 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 4060) 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.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4060	Iris 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 8th gen (GeForce RTX 4060) vs QuickSync (Iris Xe MAX Graphics). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs QuickSync. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4060) vs H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1 (Iris Xe MAX Graphics).

Feature	GeForce RTX 4060	Iris Xe MAX Graphics
Encoder	NVENC 8th gen	QuickSync
Decoder	NVDEC 5th gen	QuickSync
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1	H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 4060 draws 115W versus the Iris Xe MAX Graphics's 25W — a 128.6% difference. The Iris Xe MAX Graphics is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 1W (Iris Xe MAX Graphics). Power connectors: 8-pin vs Integrated. Card length: 240mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 73°C vs 80.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4060	Iris Xe MAX Graphics
TDP	115W	25W-78%
Recommended PSU	550W	1W-100%
Power Connector	8-pin	Integrated
Length	240mm	0mm
Height	111mm	0mm
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	73°C-9%	80
Perf/Watt	170.0+115%	78.9

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 4060 launched at $299 MSRP, while the Iris Xe MAX Graphics launched at $55. The Iris Xe MAX Graphics costs 81.6% less ($244 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 65.4 (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 35.9 (Iris Xe MAX Graphics) — the GeForce RTX 4060 offers 82.2% better value. The GeForce RTX 4060 is the newer GPU (2023 vs 2020).