Iris Graphics 550 vs Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7

Intel

Iris Graphics 550

2015Core: 300 MHzBoost: 1000 MHz
Similar parts
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VS

Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7

2020
Similar parts
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Iris Graphics 550 vs Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7 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.

Iris Graphics 550 vs Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

Iris Graphics 550

2015

Why buy it

  • Draws 15W instead of 30W, a 15W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Less VRAM, with Unknown vs 2 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • 2015 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 0 vs 33.9 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $100 MSRP).

Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7

2020

Why buy it

  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 33.9 vs 0 G3D/$ ($100 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • 100+% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (2 GB vs Unknown).
  • Iris Graphics 550 is already obsolete for modern gaming, so Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7 is the less risky modern option long term.

Trade-offs

  • Older hardware, 2 GB of VRAM, and weaker feature support mean it will age faster in newer AAA releases.
  • 100% higher power demand at 30W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7 is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 2.4% in PassMark G3D (3,390 vs 3,311), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 2 GB vs Unknown of VRAM, a 10nm process instead of 14nm, and a newer 2020 generation instead of 2015. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup.

Iris Graphics 550 vs Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Iris Graphics 550

The Iris Graphics 550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in September 1 2015. It features the Generation 9.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 300 MHz to 1000 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 15W. Manufactured using 14 nm+ process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,311 points.

Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7

The Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7 is manufactured by an unknown manufacturer. It was released in August 15 2020. It features the Gen. 11 Ice Lake architecture. It has 96 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 30W. Manufactured using 10 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,390 points.

Graphics Performance

The Iris Graphics 550 scores 3,311 and the Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7 reaches 3,390 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.4% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Iris Graphics 550 is built on Generation 9.0 while the Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7 uses Gen. 11 Ice Lake, both on 14 nm+ vs 10 nm. Shader units: 384 (Iris Graphics 550) vs 96 (Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7).

FeatureIris Graphics 550Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7
G3D Mark Score
3,311
3,390+2%
Architecture
Generation 9.0
Gen. 11 Ice Lake
Process Node
14 nm+
10 nm
Shading Units
384+300%
96

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureIris Graphics 550Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7
Upscaling Tech
Upscaling support
Upscaling support
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
Standard
Standard
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The Iris Graphics 550 has 0 MB of VRAM, while the Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7 carries 2 GB. Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7 gives you 100+% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is System on the Iris Graphics 550 and 64-bit on the Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7.

FeatureIris Graphics 550Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7
VRAM Capacity
Shared System RAM
2 GB
Memory Type
Shared
GDDR5
Bus Width
System
64-bit
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (12_1) (Iris Graphics 550) vs 12.1 (Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 3 vs 4.

FeatureIris Graphics 550Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7
DirectX
12 (12_1)
12.1
Vulkan
1.3+8%
1.2
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
3
4+33%
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: Quick Sync Video (Iris Graphics 550) vs QuickSync (Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7). Decoder: Quick Sync Video vs QuickSync. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265,VP8,VP9,JPEG (Iris Graphics 550) vs H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1,MPEG-2 (Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7).

FeatureIris Graphics 550Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7
Encoder
Quick Sync Video
QuickSync
Decoder
Quick Sync Video
QuickSync
Codecs
H.264,H.265,VP8,VP9,JPEG
H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1,MPEG-2
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Iris Graphics 550 draws 15W versus the Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7's 30W — a 66.7% difference. The Iris Graphics 550 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 1W (Iris Graphics 550) vs 350W (Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7). Power connectors: Integrated vs PCIe-powered.

FeatureIris Graphics 550Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7
TDP
15W-50%
30W
Recommended PSU
1W-100%
350W
Power Connector
Integrated
PCIe-powered
Length
0mm
Height
0mm
Slots
0
Temp (Load)
85
Perf/Watt
220.7+95%
113.0
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Iris Graphics 550 came in at $0, while the Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7 launched at $100. On MSRP, Iris Graphics 550 was 100+% cheaper ($100 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): Infinity (Iris Graphics 550) vs 33.9 (Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7) — the Iris Graphics 550 offers Infinity% better value. The newer card here is Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7 (2020 vs 2015).

FeatureIris Graphics 550Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7
MSRP
$0-100%
$100
Performance per Dollar
Infinity
33.9
Codename
Skylake GT3e
Tiger Lake Xe
Release
September 1 2015
August 15 2020
Ranking
#775
#508

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