Radeon R9 M385X vs Iris Xe MAX Graphics

Radeon R9 M385X

2015Core: 1000 MHzBoost: 1100 MHz

Iris Xe MAX Graphics

2020Core: 300 MHzBoost: 1650 MHz

Performance Spectrum - GPU

Radeon R9 M385X

1,994

+1.1%

Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB

Iris Xe MAX Graphics

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Radeon R9 M385X is positioned at rank 429 and the Iris Xe MAX Graphics is on rank 139, so the Iris Xe MAX Graphics offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Radeon R9 M385X

#419

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

1633%

#421

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

1480%

#422

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

1476%

#426

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

1342%

#427

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

1333%

#429

Radeon R9 M385X

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

100%

#431

Radeon R5 M430

MSRP: $99|Avg: $20

99%

#432

Mobility Radeon HD 5570

MSRP: $80|Avg: $20

99%

#433

GeForce 810A

MSRP: $100|Avg: $20

98%

#434

GeForce GT 520MX

MSRP: $45|Avg: $10

97%

#435

Radeon R5 330

MSRP: $81|Avg: $45

97%

#437

Radeon HD 8450G + 8750M Dual

MSRP: $100|Avg: $100

96%

#438

Radeon R3

MSRP: $50|Avg: $50

94%

#439

Radeon HD 7520G + HD 8600/8700M Dual

MSRP: $100|Avg: $100

94%

#441

Radeon HD 8550G + 8600M Dual

MSRP: $100|Avg: $100

93%

#443

Radeon R9 M360

MSRP: $300|Avg: $81

91%

#444

Radeon HD 8550G + 7600M Dual

MSRP: $150|Avg: $50

90%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar Iris Xe MAX Graphics

#39

Radeon RX 7700S

MSRP: $449|Avg: $350

96%

#129

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

303%

#131

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

275%

#132

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

274%

#136

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

249%

#137

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

247%

#139

Iris Xe MAX Graphics

MSRP: $55|Avg: $40

100%

#145

Radeon RX 580 (móvel)

MSRP: $229|Avg: $65

97%

#147

GeForce GT 630M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $35

97%

#150

Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7

MSRP: $100|Avg: $50

95%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

⚠️ Generational Difference

The Iris Xe MAX Graphics uses modern memory architecture. The Iris Xe MAX Graphics likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The Radeon R9 M385X lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.

🚀 Performance Leadership

The Radeon R9 M385X is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.1% higher G3D Mark score and 100+% more VRAM (512 MB vs 0 MB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Iris Xe MAX Graphics.

Insight	Radeon R9 M385X	Iris Xe MAX Graphics
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+1.1%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.1%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / GCN 2.0 (2013−2017))	Generation 12.1 (2020−2021) (10nm)
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	✅ More VRAM (+100+%)	❌ Less VRAM capacity
Efficiency	⚡ Higher Power Consumption	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
Case Fit	—	—

💎 Value Proposition

The Iris Xe MAX Graphics offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $40 versus $300 for the Radeon R9 M385X, it costs 87% less. While it maintains basic entry-level capabilities, this results in a 641.7% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	Radeon R9 M385X	Iris Xe MAX Graphics
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+641.7%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($300)	✅More affordable ($40)

Performance Check

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 7800X3D 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.

Radeon R9 M385X Benchmark Check

Iris Xe MAX Graphics Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Radeon R9 M385X and Iris Xe MAX Graphics

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.

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

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

Feature	Radeon R9 M385X	Iris Xe MAX Graphics
G3D Mark Score	1,994+1%	1,972
Architecture	GCN 2.0	Generation 12.1
Process Node	28 nm	10 nm
Shading Units	896+17%	768
Compute (TFLOPS)	1.971 TFLOPS	2.534 TFLOPS+29%
Boost Clock	1100 MHz	1650 MHz+50%
ROPs	16	24+50%
TMUs	56+17%	48
L2 Cache	0.25 MB	1 MB+300%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	Radeon R9 M385X	Iris Xe MAX Graphics
Upscaling Tech	FSR 1.0 (Software)	FSR 1.0 (Software)
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	AMD Anti-Lag	Standard

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The Radeon R9 M385X comes with 512 MB of VRAM, while the Iris Xe MAX Graphics has 0 MB. The Radeon R9 M385X offers 100+% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs System. L2 Cache: 0.25 MB (Radeon R9 M385X) vs 1 MB (Iris Xe MAX Graphics) — the Iris Xe MAX Graphics has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	Radeon R9 M385X	Iris Xe MAX Graphics
VRAM Capacity	0.5 GB	Shared System RAM
Memory Type	GDDR5	Shared
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	System
Bus Width	128-bit	System
L2 Cache	0.25 MB	1 MB+300%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (12_0) (Radeon R9 M385X) vs 12.1 (Iris Xe MAX Graphics). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	Radeon R9 M385X	Iris Xe MAX Graphics
DirectX	12 (12_0)	12.1
Vulkan	1.2	1.3+8%
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: VCE 2.0 (Radeon R9 M385X) vs QuickSync (Iris Xe MAX Graphics). Decoder: UVD 4.2 vs QuickSync. Supported codecs: H.264,MPEG-4,VC-1,MPEG-2 (Radeon R9 M385X) vs H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1 (Iris Xe MAX Graphics).

Feature	Radeon R9 M385X	Iris Xe MAX Graphics
Encoder	VCE 2.0	QuickSync
Decoder	UVD 4.2	QuickSync
Codecs	H.264,MPEG-4,VC-1,MPEG-2	H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Radeon R9 M385X draws 75W versus the Iris Xe MAX Graphics's 25W — a 100% difference. The Iris Xe MAX Graphics is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon R9 M385X) vs 1W (Iris Xe MAX Graphics). Power connectors: Mobile vs Integrated. Card length: 0mm vs 0mm, occupying 0 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 85 vs 80.

Feature	Radeon R9 M385X	Iris Xe MAX Graphics
TDP	75W	25W-67%
Recommended PSU	350W	1W-100%
Power Connector	Mobile	Integrated
Length	0mm	0mm
Height	0mm	0mm
Slots	0	0
Temp (Load)	85	80-6%
Perf/Watt	26.6	78.9+197%

💰

Value Analysis

The Radeon R9 M385X launched at $300 MSRP and currently averages $300, while the Iris Xe MAX Graphics launched at $55 and now averages $40. The Iris Xe MAX Graphics costs 86.7% less ($260 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 6.6 (Radeon R9 M385X) vs 49.3 (Iris Xe MAX Graphics) — the Iris Xe MAX Graphics offers 647% better value. The Iris Xe MAX Graphics is the newer GPU (2020 vs 2015).