Iris Xe Graphics MAX vs Radeon R9 M385X

CPU

GPU

Iris Xe Graphics MAX

2020Boost: 1650 MHz

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Radeon R9 M385X

2015Core: 1000 MHzBoost: 1100 MHz

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Iris Xe Graphics MAX vs Radeon R9 M385X Performance Spectrum

Iris Xe Graphics MAX

Shared System RAM 25

1,972

0.0%

1,994

+1.1%

Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB

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 Xe Graphics MAX vs Radeon R9 M385X 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.

Iris Xe Graphics MAX vs Radeon R9 M385X: 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 Xe Graphics MAX

2020

Why buy it

✅Costs $245 less on MSRP ($55 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
✅Delivers 439.4% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 35.9 vs 6.6 G3D/$ ($55 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
✅Draws 25W instead of 75W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with Unknown vs 512 MB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2020 hardware with Unknown of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.

Radeon R9 M385X

2015

Why buy it

✅100+% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (512 MB vs Unknown).
✅Iris Xe Graphics MAX is already obsolete for modern gaming, so Radeon R9 M385X is the less risky modern option long term.

Trade-offs

❌2015 hardware with 512 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌
445.5% HIGHER MSRP
$300 MSRPvs$55 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 6.6 vs 35.9 G3D/$ ($300 MSRP vs $55 MSRP).
❌200% higher power demand at 75W vs 25W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

Radeon R9 M385X is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 1.1% in PassMark G3D (1,994 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?

Radeon R9 M385X is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 512 MB vs Unknown of VRAM and the newer upscaling stack, FSR Upscaling / FSR 4 (2025) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

Iris Xe Graphics MAX makes the most sense to buy today. It is $245 cheaper on MSRP at $55 vs $300, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 439.4% (35.9 vs 6.6), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. If you are mainly targeting 1080p, Iris Xe Graphics MAX is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, Radeon R9 M385X has the stronger long-term case.

Iris Xe Graphics MAX vs Radeon R9 M385X Technical Specifications

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

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.

Radeon R9 M385X

The Radeon R9 M385X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in May 5 2015. It features the GCN 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1000 MHz to 1100 MHz. It has 896 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,994 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The Iris Xe Graphics MAX scores 1,972 and the Radeon R9 M385X reaches 1,994 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Iris Xe Graphics MAX is built on Generation 12.1 while the Radeon R9 M385X uses GCN 2.0, both on 10 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 768 (Iris Xe Graphics MAX) vs 896 (Radeon R9 M385X). Raw compute: 2.534 TFLOPS (Iris Xe Graphics MAX) vs 1.971 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 M385X). Boost clocks: 1650 MHz vs 1100 MHz.

Feature	Iris Xe Graphics MAX	Radeon R9 M385X
G3D Mark Score	1,972	1,994+1%
Architecture	Generation 12.1	GCN 2.0
Process Node	10 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	768	896+17%
Compute (TFLOPS)	2.534 TFLOPS+29%	1.971 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1650 MHz+50%	1100 MHz
ROPs	24+50%	16
TMUs	48	56+17%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	Iris Xe Graphics MAX	Radeon R9 M385X
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	FSR Upscaling / FSR 4
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	Standard	AMD Anti-Lag

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The Iris Xe Graphics MAX has 0 MB of VRAM, while the Radeon R9 M385X carries 512 MB. Radeon R9 M385X 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 Xe Graphics MAX and 128-bit on the Radeon R9 M385X.

Feature	Iris Xe Graphics MAX	Radeon R9 M385X
VRAM Capacity	Shared System RAM	0.5 GB
Memory Type	Shared	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	System	Unknown
Bus Width	System	128-bit

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.1 (Iris Xe Graphics MAX) vs 12 (12_0) (Radeon R9 M385X). Vulkan: 1.0 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	Iris Xe Graphics MAX	Radeon R9 M385X
DirectX	12.1	12 (12_0)
Vulkan	1.0	1.2+20%
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: QuickSync (Iris Xe Graphics MAX) vs VCE 2.0 (Radeon R9 M385X). Decoder: QuickSync vs UVD 4.2. Supported codecs: H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Iris Xe Graphics MAX) vs H.264,MPEG-4,VC-1,MPEG-2 (Radeon R9 M385X).

Feature	Iris Xe Graphics MAX	Radeon R9 M385X
Encoder	QuickSync	VCE 2.0
Decoder	QuickSync	UVD 4.2
Codecs	H.264,HEVC,AV1	H.264,MPEG-4,VC-1,MPEG-2

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Iris Xe Graphics MAX draws 25W versus the Radeon R9 M385X's 75W — a 100% difference. The Iris Xe Graphics MAX is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 1W (Iris Xe Graphics MAX) vs 350W (Radeon R9 M385X). Power connectors: Integrated vs Mobile. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 85.

Feature	Iris Xe Graphics MAX	Radeon R9 M385X
TDP	25W-67%	75W
Recommended PSU	1W-100%	350W
Power Connector	Integrated	Mobile
Length	—	0mm
Height	—	0mm
Slots	—	0
Temp (Load)	85°C	85
Perf/Watt	78.9+197%	26.6

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Iris Xe Graphics MAX came in at $55, while the Radeon R9 M385X launched at $300. On MSRP, Iris Xe Graphics MAX was 81.7% cheaper ($245 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 35.9 (Iris Xe Graphics MAX) vs 6.6 (Radeon R9 M385X) — the Iris Xe Graphics MAX offers 443.9% better value. The newer card here is Iris Xe Graphics MAX (2020 vs 2015).

Feature	Iris Xe Graphics MAX	Radeon R9 M385X
MSRP	$55-82%	$300
Performance per Dollar	35.9+444%	6.6
Codename	DG1	Strato
Release	October 31 2020	May 5 2015
Ranking	#685	#681

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