If you’re planning to buy a new GPU and are stuck choosing between the Intel Arc A770 and the NVIDIA RTX 4060, this detailed comparison will help you make an informed decision. Both cards are designed for modern gaming and productivity tasks, but which one is better suited for your needs depends on your usage patterns and budget.
Price and Value
Price is always a crucial factor, especially when you’re on a budget.
- Intel Arc A770: Priced at around $305. it’s about 17% cheaper than the NVIDIA RTX 4060. For those looking for solid performance at a lower cost, this card is a strong contender.
- NVIDIA RTX 4060: It costs around $355. Although it’s more expensive, it offers some enhanced features and better performance that might be worth the extra money for most users.
Value Verdict:
If budget is your primary concern, the Arc A770 is appealing. However, if you want more powerful features and long-term performance, the RTX 4060 justifies the additional cost.
Synthetic Benchmark Performance
Synthetic benchmarks give a snapshot of how each card performs under standardized conditions.
- Intel Arc A770: It performs quite well in OpenCL-based tasks, scoring 116,044, where the RTX 4060 scores 106,559. However, it falls behind in Vulkan and DirectX 12 benchmarks.
- NVIDIA RTX 4060: Though it trails in OpenCL performance, it excels in Vulkan and DirectX 12 benchmarks, making it more versatile.
Benchmark Verdict:
If your workload is OpenCL-heavy, the Arc A770 might be a better choice. For overall performance and software compatibility, the RTX 4060 is more reliable and stable.
Gaming Performance
Gaming performance can vary based on the game and settings. Below are some FPS (frames per second) comparisons for popular games.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (Ultra Preset)
- Intel Arc A770: Average FPS 49, 1% low 38 FPS.
- NVIDIA RTX 4060: Average FPS 56, 1% low 47 FPS.
Cyberpunk 2077 (Ultra Preset)
- Intel Arc A770: Average FPS 79.
- NVIDIA RTX 4060: Average FPS 79, with a more stable 1% low FPS.
Ghost of Tsushima (Very High Preset)
- Intel Arc A770: Average FPS 73.
- NVIDIA RTX 4060: Average FPS 68.
Gaming Verdict:
The RTX 4060 generally provides a slight edge in performance, especially when advanced graphics technologies like ray tracing and DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) come into play. Intel Arc A770 performs well in certain titles but can occasionally exhibit inconsistent performance in more demanding games.
Productivity and Content Creation Performance
GPUs are not just for gaming; they also play a significant role in productivity tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, and other content creation.
- Intel Arc A770: It performs well in OpenCL and DirectX 12-based tasks, but optimization can be lacking in certain software.
- NVIDIA RTX 4060: Most productivity software and platforms are better optimized for NVIDIA cards, giving the RTX 4060 a significant advantage in content creation tasks.
Productivity Verdict:
If you’re focused on productivity tasks, particularly video editing or 3D rendering, the RTX 4060 is a better choice. The A770 can be effective in specific tasks but lacks the broad compatibility and optimization of the RTX series.
Ray Tracing and DLSS Technology
NVIDIA’s ray tracing and DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) technology have revolutionized gaming. Ray tracing makes lighting and shadows more realistic, while DLSS uses AI to upscale lower-resolution images to appear as high-resolution, improving FPS without sacrificing quality.
- NVIDIA RTX 4060: With DLSS 3 and superior ray tracing technology, NVIDIA leads the market. This results in better visual effects and higher FPS during gaming.
- Intel Arc A770: While Intel’s XeSS technology is similar to DLSS, it’s not as advanced. Ray tracing performance also lags behind the RTX 4060.
Ray Tracing and DLSS Verdict:
If you want cutting-edge gaming visuals and higher FPS through ray tracing and DLSS, RTX 4060 is the clear winner.
Cost Per Frame
Cost per frame is an essential metric to gauge the efficiency of each GPU.
- Intel Arc A770: The cost per frame is around $48.
- NVIDIA RTX 4060: The cost per frame is around $53
Cost Per Frame Verdict:
For price-to-performance efficiency, the Intel Arc A770 offers better value. However, the additional stability and features of the RTX 4060 may justify its higher cost per frame for some users.
Final Verdict: Arc A770 or RTX 4060?
Choose Intel Arc A770 if:
- You’re on a tighter budget and want solid performance for less money.
- Your gaming or workload is OpenCL-heavy, and you can tolerate occasional driver or optimization issues.
Choose NVIDIA RTX 4060 if:
- You want advanced gaming visuals with ray tracing and DLSS.
- You need a stable, powerful card for both gaming and productivity.
- You’re willing to invest a bit more for longer-term value and better software optimization.
Both cards deliver excellent performance at their respective price points. However, your choice should depend on your specific needs and budget.