GeForce GTS 250 vs Intel Iris Graphics 550 (integrated)

Speed and memory

The GeForce GTS 250 and the Intel Iris Graphics 550 (integrated) are within a few percent of each other for gaming in our model, so you will not see a difference in play.

The GeForce GTS 250 has 1 GB of video memory and the Intel Iris Graphics 550 (integrated) has shared GB. That is a small difference and unlikely to decide anything.

In our estimates for popular games at 1080p on High, the biggest gap is in Cyberpunk 2077 (3 against 6 fps), and the smallest is in Grand Theft Auto V Legacy (24 against 33 fps). Games that are light enough to run above 200 fps on both cards show little difference at all.

Power and value

The GeForce GTS 250 is rated at 150 W and the Intel Iris Graphics 550 (integrated) at 15 W. With a mid-range processor that means a power supply of about 550 W for the first and 450 W for the second. A gap of 135 W shows up in heat and fan noise, and in your electricity use over a few years.

We do not have launch prices for both cards, so we cannot compare value. Check current listings for both.

Which one to buy

Choose the GeForce GTS 250 if you want the faster card, and it also has at least as much memory. It makes the most sense at 1440p and above, or on a monitor with a high refresh rate.

Choose the Intel Iris Graphics 550 (integrated) if the price gap matters more than the small speed difference, or if you want lower power draw and a quieter PC. Whichever you pick, check reviews for the games you play, because two cards with similar scores can differ in individual titles.