Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU) vs Iris Xe Graphics MAX

Intel

Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU)

2019Core: 300 MHzBoost: 1100 MHz
Similar parts
······
VS
Intel

Iris Xe Graphics MAX

2020Boost: 1650 MHz
Similar parts
······

Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU) 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.

Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU) 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.

Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU)

2019

Why buy it

  • Draws 12W instead of 25W, a 13W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • 2019 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 35.9 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $55 MSRP).

Iris Xe Graphics MAX

2020

Why buy it

  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 35.9 vs 0 G3D/$ ($55 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • More future proof: Generation 12.1 (2020−2021) on 10nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • 2020 hardware with Unknown of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • 108.3% higher power demand at 25W vs 12W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU) is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 1.4% in PassMark G3D (2,000 vs 1,972), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU) is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond because it comes out ahead on the available hardware-headroom signals for this matchup.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
Iris Xe Graphics MAX makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p, Iris Xe Graphics MAX is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p headroom, Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU) has the stronger long-term case.

Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU) vs Iris Xe Graphics MAX Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU)

The Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU) is manufactured by Intel. It was released in May 28 2019. It features the Gen. 11 Ice Lake architecture. The core clock ranges from 300 MHz to 1100 MHz. It has 64 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 12W. Manufactured using 10 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,000 points.

Intel

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

The Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU) scores 2,000 and the Iris Xe Graphics MAX reaches 1,972 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.4% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU) is built on Gen. 11 Ice Lake while the Iris Xe Graphics MAX uses Generation 12.1, both on a 10 nm process. Shader units: 64 (Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU)) vs 768 (Iris Xe Graphics MAX). Boost clocks: 1100 MHz vs 1650 MHz.

FeatureIris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU)Iris Xe Graphics MAX
G3D Mark Score
2,000+1%
1,972
Architecture
Gen. 11 Ice Lake
Generation 12.1
Process Node
10 nm
10 nm
Shading Units
64
768+1100%
Boost Clock
1100 MHz
1650 MHz+50%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureIris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU)Iris Xe Graphics MAX
Upscaling Tech
Upscaling support
Upscaling support
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
Standard
Standard
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

Both cards ship with 0 MB of Shared. Memory bus width is System on the Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU) and System on the Iris Xe Graphics MAX.

FeatureIris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU)Iris Xe Graphics MAX
VRAM Capacity
Shared System RAM
Shared System RAM
Memory Type
Shared
Shared
Memory Bandwidth
System
System
Bus Width
System
System
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (12_1) (Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU)) vs 12.1 (Iris Xe Graphics MAX). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.0. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 3 vs 4.

FeatureIris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU)Iris Xe Graphics MAX
DirectX
12 (12_1)
12.1
Vulkan
1.3+30%
1.0
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
3
4+33%
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: QuickSync (Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU)) vs QuickSync (Iris Xe Graphics MAX). Decoder: QuickSync vs QuickSync. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265,VP9 (Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU)) vs H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Iris Xe Graphics MAX).

FeatureIris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU)Iris Xe Graphics MAX
Encoder
QuickSync
QuickSync
Decoder
QuickSync
QuickSync
Codecs
H.264,H.265,VP9
H.264,HEVC,AV1
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU) draws 12W versus the Iris Xe Graphics MAX's 25W — a 70.3% difference. The Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU) is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 1W (Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU)) vs 1W (Iris Xe Graphics MAX). Power connectors: Integrated vs Integrated. Typical load temperature: 85 vs 85°C.

FeatureIris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU)Iris Xe Graphics MAX
TDP
12W-52%
25W
Recommended PSU
1W
1W
Power Connector
Integrated
Integrated
Length
0mm
Height
0mm
Slots
0
Temp (Load)
85
85°C
Perf/Watt
166.7+111%
78.9
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU) came in at $0, while the Iris Xe Graphics MAX launched at $55. On MSRP, Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU) was 100+% cheaper ($55 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): Infinity (Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU)) vs 35.9 (Iris Xe Graphics MAX) — the Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU) offers Infinity% better value. The newer card here is Iris Xe Graphics MAX (2020 vs 2019).

FeatureIris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU)Iris Xe Graphics MAX
MSRP
$0-100%
$55
Performance per Dollar
Infinity
35.9
Codename
Ice Lake G7 Gen. 11
DG1
Release
May 28 2019
October 31 2020
Ranking
#672
#685

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.