NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 vs Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960
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The Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 is a desktop graphics card of the upper middle class. It is based on the GM206 Maxwell chip that is produced in 28nm. The GTX960 offers 1024 shader cores, 64 TMUs and 32 ROPs (no deactivated units of the chip). The graphics memory is usually 2 or 4 GB GDDR5 (7 GHz effective clock) connected with a 128 Bit interface.
On average the gaming performance is on a level with the AMD Radeon R9 280 and R9 285. Compared to laptop graphics cards, the 960 is slightly faster than a mobile Nvidia GeForce GTX 970M. The 970M offers more shader cores, but at a lower clock speed. The similar named GeForce GTX 960M for notebooks offers only 640 shader cores and a slightly lower core clock. The performance of the GTX 960 should be suffice for most games in full HD resolution. In our benchmarks only GTA 5 and The Witcher 3 achieved below 30 fps on average (see below for detailed benchmarks).
The GM206 supports CUDA, 3D Vision, PhysX, GeForce Experience, Surround, GameStream, GPU Boost 2.0, Adaptive Vertical Sync / G-SYNC, SLI, DSR, MFAA and Virtual Reality latency improvements. The GTX 960 also includes a H.265 capable de- and encoder as a first.
The power consumption of the GTX 960 on the desktop without load is around 10 Watt and on a similar level to the AMD counterparts. During gaming the 960 reaches around 85-100 Watt (depending on the model) which is a lot less than e.g. the Radeon R9 285 (around 170 Watt) - source tomshardware.com
Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655
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The Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655 (GT3e) is a processor graphics card announced in September 2017. As the successor to the Intel Iris Graphics 650 (Kaby Lake), the Iris Plus Graphics 655 is used for 28-Watt Coffee Lake-U models. The biggest difference is the doubled eDRAM-cache at 128 MB. There should not be any big changes compared to the Iris Graphics 650.
The so called GT3e version of the Kaby Lake GPU still has 48 Execution Units (EUs), which can reach up to 1200 MHz (previously 1100 MHz) depending on the model. Besides eDRAM cache, the Iris 655 can also access the system memory (2x 64 Bit DDR3L-2133/DDR4-2400) via processor interface.
Compared to the Iris Plus 640 from the 15-Watt models, the Iris 655 only has a slightly higher maximum clock as well as almost twice the TDP, which allows a better utilization of the Turbo Boost potential.
Performance
The exact performance of the Iris Plus Graphics 655 depends on the CPU model, because maximum clock as well as the size of the L3 cache can differ a bit. The system memory (DDR3/DDR4) will influence the performance as well.
The fastest chips are high-clocked Core i7 models like the Core i7-8559U. Depending on the game, the Iris Plus 655 will probably be on par with a dedicated GeForce 930M or GeForce 940MX and can handle smooth gameplay in modern titles in low up to medium settings.
Features
The reworked video engine now fully supports hardware decoding of H.265/HEVC videos. Contrary to Skylake, however, Kaby Lake can now also decode H.265/HEVC Main 10 with a 10-bit color depth as well as Google's VP9 codec. The video output is possible via DP 1.2/eDP 1.3 (up to 3840 x 2160 @60 Hz), whereas HDMI is also supported in the older 1.4a standard. An HDMI 2.0 output can be added via converter from DisplayPort. The GPU can drive up to three displays simultaneously.
Power Consumption
The Iris Plus Graphics 655 is used for 28-Watt processor and therefore small/medium-sized notebooks.
| NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 | Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gen. 9.5 Series |
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| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Codename | GM206 | Kaby Lake GT3e | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Architecture | Maxwell | Gen. 9.5 Kaby Lake | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pipelines | 1024 - unified | 48 - unified | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Core Speed | 1127 - 1178 (Boost) MHz | 300 - 1200 (Boost) MHz | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Memory Speed | 3500 MHz | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Memory Bus Width | 128 Bit | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | DDR3/DDR4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Max. Amount of Memory | 4 GB | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shared Memory | no | yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| API | DirectX 12, OpenGL 4.4 | DirectX 12_1, OpenGL 4.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Power Consumption | 120 Watt | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transistors | 2.9 Billion | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| technology | 28 nm | 14 nm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Features | CUDA, 3D Vision, PhysX, GeForce Experience, Surround, GameStream, GPU Boost 2.0, Adaptive Vertical Sync, G-SYNC, SLI, H.265 Decoder/Encoder | QuickSync | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of Announcement | 22.01.2015 | 01.09.2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Link to Manufacturer Page | www.geforce.com |
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Benchmarks
3DM Vant. Perf. total + NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960
specvp12 sw-03 + NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960
Cinebench R15 OpenGL 64 Bit + NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960
GFXBench T-Rex HD Offscreen C24Z16 + NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960
Average Benchmarks NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 → 100% n=30
Average Benchmarks Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655 → 127% n=30
- Average benchmark values for this graphics card* Smaller numbers mean a higher performance
1 This benchmark is not used for the average calculation
Game Benchmarks
The following benchmarks stem from our benchmarks of review laptops. The performance depends on the used graphics memory, clock rate, processor, system settings, drivers, and operating systems. So the results don't have to be representative for all laptops with this GPU. For detailed information on the benchmark results, click on the fps number.
F1 2021
2021
F1 2020
2020
Gears Tactics
2020
Doom Eternal
2020
Escape from Tarkov
2020
Hearthstone
2020
GRID 2019
2019
FIFA 20
2019
Borderlands 3
2019
F1 2019
2019
The Division 2
2019
Dirt Rally 2.0
2019
Far Cry New Dawn
2019
Metro Exodus
2019
Battlefield V
2018
Forza Horizon 4
2018
FIFA 19
2018
Strange Brigade
2018
F1 2018
2018
The Crew 2
2018
Far Cry 5
2018
World of Tanks enCore
2018
X-Plane 11.11
2018
Fortnite
2018
Team Fortress 2
2017
Rocket League
2017
For Honor
2017
Overwatch
2016
Doom
2016
Need for Speed 2016
2016
Hitman 2016
2016
The Division
2016
Far Cry Primal
2016
XCOM 2
2016
Rainbow Six Siege
2015
Just Cause 3
2015
Fallout 4
2015
Anno 2205
2015
World of Warships
2015
Metal Gear Solid V
2015
Mad Max
2015
Dota 2 Reborn
2015
The Witcher 3
2015
Dirt Rally
2015
GTA V
2015
Battlefield Hardline
2015
Evolve
2015
Far Cry 4
2014
F1 2014
2014
Ryse: Son of Rome
2014
Alien: Isolation
2014
Fifa 15
2014
Sims 4
2014
GRID: Autosport
2014
Watch Dogs
2014
Thief
2014
Battlefield 4
2013
Dota 2
2013
Metro: Last Light
2013
BioShock Infinite
2013
Tomb Raider
2013
Crysis 3
2013
Counter-Strike: GO
2012Average Gaming NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 → 100%
Average Gaming 30-70 fps → 100%
Average Gaming Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655 → 26%
Average Gaming 30-70 fps → 32%
| NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 | Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| low | med. | high | ultra | QHD | 4K | low | med. | high | ultra | QHD | 4K | |||
| F1 2021 | 44.6 | 21.6 | 16.4 | 10.2 | ||||||||||
| F1 2020 | 40.7 | 19.1 | 14.5 | 9.64 | ||||||||||
| Gears Tactics | 54.8 | 17.3 | 11.6 | |||||||||||
| Doom Eternal | ||||||||||||||
| Escape from Tarkov | 29.1 | 16.2 | 14.1 | 6.59 | ||||||||||
| Hearthstone | 59.8 | 27.2 | ||||||||||||
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | 15.8 | |||||||||||||
| Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2019 | ||||||||||||||
| GRID 2019 | 36.3 | 20.9 | ||||||||||||
| Ghost Recon Breakpoint | ||||||||||||||
| FIFA 20 | 92 | 55.9 | 46.3 | 34.9 | 26.5 | 13.6 | ||||||||
| Borderlands 3 | 23 | 10 | 7 | |||||||||||
| Control | 25.4 | |||||||||||||
| F1 2019 | 51.2 | 21.9 | 19.3 | |||||||||||
| Total War: Three Kingdoms | 56.7 | 18.5 | 10.5 | |||||||||||
| Rage 2 | 24.5 | |||||||||||||
| Anno 1800 | 30.2 | |||||||||||||
| The Division 2 | 35 | |||||||||||||
| Dirt Rally 2.0 | 64 | 22.8 | ||||||||||||
| Anthem | 16.6 | |||||||||||||
| Far Cry New Dawn | 22 | 11 | 10 | 9 | ||||||||||
| Metro Exodus | 19 | 10.1 | 7.41 | |||||||||||
| Battlefield V | 19.9 | |||||||||||||
| Call of Duty Black Ops 4 | ||||||||||||||
| Assassin´s Creed Odyssey | 16 | |||||||||||||
| Forza Horizon 4 | 25 | |||||||||||||
| FIFA 19 | 82 | 45.8 | 40.3 | 36.7 | ||||||||||
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | 21 | 12 | 9 | |||||||||||
| Strange Brigade | 41.4 | 17.6 | 16.9 | 14.5 | ||||||||||
| F1 2018 | 45 | 23 | 17 | 12 | ||||||||||
| The Crew 2 | 30.9 | |||||||||||||
| Far Cry 5 | 22 | 11 | 10 | 9 | ||||||||||
| World of Tanks enCore | 133 | 40.3 | ||||||||||||
| X-Plane 11.11 | 26 | 18 | 16 | |||||||||||
| Final Fantasy XV Benchmark | 16 | 9 | 6 | |||||||||||
| Fortnite | 51.5 | 21.6 | ||||||||||||
| Assassin´s Creed Origins | 13 | |||||||||||||
| Middle-earth: Shadow of War | 30 | 18 | 14 | 9 | ||||||||||
| Team Fortress 2 | 128 | 125 | 113 | 57.8 | 34.4 | |||||||||
| Rocket League | 103 | 49 | 36 | |||||||||||
| Ghost Recon Wildlands | 22 | 10.2 | ||||||||||||
| For Honor | 21 | 16.1 | ||||||||||||
| Deus Ex Mankind Divided | 28.7 | 21.1 | ||||||||||||
| Overwatch | 266.7 | 206.6 | 115.7 | 66.9 | 38.6 | 91 | 68 | 29.9 | 18.2 | |||||
| Ashes of the Singularity | 19.4 | 11.3 | 10.5 | |||||||||||
| The Division | 122.6 | 91.7 | 45 | 33.9 | 16.6 | 34.2 | 21.2 | |||||||
| Rise of the Tomb Raider | 112.6 | 71.3 | 43.7 | 36.1 | 17 | 33 | 20 | 10.8 | 8.9 | |||||
| Rainbow Six Siege | 248.5 | 163.6 | 90.2 | 64.5 | 27.2 | 75.8 | ||||||||
| Dota 2 Reborn | 86 | 58 | 29 | 26 | 12 | |||||||||
| The Witcher 3 | 142.8 | 86.6 | 49.8 | 27.7 | 26 | 16 | 11 | 6 | ||||||
| GTA V | 147.3 | 146.1 | 69.8 | 28.3 | 62 | 55 | 15 | 6 | 4.17 | |||||
| BioShock Infinite | 279.2 | 208.9 | 185.4 | 75.8 | 98 | 60 | 52 | 16 | ||||||
| Counter-Strike: GO | 93.7 | 49.6 | 12.4 | |||||||||||
| NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 | Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655 | |||||||||||||
| low | med. | high | ultra | QHD | 4K | low | med. | high | ultra | QHD | 4K | < 30 fps < 60 fps < 120 fps ≥ 120 fps | 1 6 | 3 4 | 3 3 1 | 2 2 3 | | 3 1 | < 30 fps < 60 fps < 120 fps ≥ 120 fps | 21 15 9 2 | 26 6 2 1 | 22 5 2 | 14 4 | 2 | 4 1 |
For more games that might be playable and a list of all games and graphics cards visit our Gaming List
