GeForce RTX 3060 vs Iris Graphics 550
GeForce RTX 3060
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Iris Graphics 550
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Performance Spectrum - GPU
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3060
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3060 is significantly newer (2021 vs 2015). The GeForce RTX 3060 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The Iris Graphics 550 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 3060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 413.3% higher G3D Mark score and 100+% more VRAM (12 GB vs 0 MB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Iris Graphics 550.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3060 | Iris Graphics 550 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+413.3%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-413.3%) |
| Longevity | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere / 8nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Generation 9.0 (2015−2016)) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (12 GB) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | — |
💎 Value Proposition
While current pricing data is unavailable, the GeForce RTX 3060 remains the clear technical winner. Check real-time availability to determine if the performance gap justifies the market price.
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 and Iris Graphics 550
GeForce RTX 3060
The GeForce RTX 3060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 12 2021. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1320 MHz to 1777 MHz. It has 3584 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 170W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 28 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 16,995 points. Launch price was $329.
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.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the Iris Graphics 550's 3,311 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 413.3%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the Iris Graphics 550 uses Generation 9.0, both on 8 nm vs 14 nm+. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 384 (Iris Graphics 550). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 0.768 TFLOPS (Iris Graphics 550). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1000 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Iris Graphics 550 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 16,995+413% | 3,311 |
| Architecture | Ampere | Generation 9.0 |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 14 nm+ |
| Shading Units | 3584+833% | 384 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 12.74 TFLOPS+1559% | 0.768 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1777 MHz+78% | 1000 MHz |
| ROPs | 48+700% | 6 |
| TMUs | 112+133% | 48 |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
The GeForce RTX 3060 gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The Iris Graphics 550 relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Iris Graphics 550 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | DLSS 2.0 | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | NVIDIA Reflex | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce RTX 3060 comes with 12 GB of VRAM, while the Iris Graphics 550 has 0 MB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 100+% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 192-bit vs System.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Iris Graphics 550 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB | Shared System RAM |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | Shared |
| Memory Bandwidth | 360 GB/s | System |
| Bus Width | 192-bit | System |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 12 (12_1) (Iris Graphics 550). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 3.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Iris Graphics 550 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate | 12 (12_1) |
| Vulkan | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4+33% | 3 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060) vs Quick Sync Video (Iris Graphics 550). Decoder: NVDEC 5th Gen vs Quick Sync Video. Supported codecs: AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs H.264,H.265,VP8,VP9,JPEG (Iris Graphics 550).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Iris Graphics 550 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 7th Gen | Quick Sync Video |
| Decoder | NVDEC 5th Gen | Quick Sync Video |
| Codecs | AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 | H.264,H.265,VP8,VP9,JPEG |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the Iris Graphics 550's 15W — a 167.6% difference. The Iris Graphics 550 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 1W (Iris Graphics 550). Power connectors: 8-pin vs Integrated.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Iris Graphics 550 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 170W | 15W-91% |
| Recommended PSU | 550W | 1W-100% |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | Integrated |
| Length | 242mm | — |
| Height | 112mm | — |
| Slots | 2 | — |
| Temp (Load) | 75 | — |
| Perf/Watt | 100.0 | 220.7+121% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329 MSRP and currently averages $289, while the Iris Graphics 550 launched at $0 and now averages $0. The Iris Graphics 550 costs 100+% less ($289 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 58.8 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs Infinity (Iris Graphics 550) — the Iris Graphics 550 offers Infinity% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2015).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Iris Graphics 550 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $329 | $0-100% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $289 | $0-100% |
| Performance per Dollar | 58.8 | Infinity |
| Codename | GA106 | Skylake GT3e |
| Release | January 12 2021 | September 1 2015 |
| Ranking | #114 | #775 |
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