GeForce GTX 1650 vs Maxwell GPU Surface Book

CPU

GPU

GeForce GTX 1650

2019Core: 1485 MHzBoost: 1665 MHz

Popular choices:

•••••••••

Maxwell GPU Surface Book

2015Core: 954 MHzBoost: 993 MHz

Popular choices:

••••GTX 1650•••••

Performance Spectrum - GPU

GeForce GTX 1650

4 GB 75

7,869

+137.7%

GeForce GTX 880M SLI

GeForce GTX 560 Ti 448

GeForce GTX 960

GeForce GTX 1650 (móvel)

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

GeForce GTX 1080

GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER

GeForce RTX 3070 Ti

Maxwell GPU Surface Book

2 GB 30

3,311

0.0%

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, raw graphics performance, VRAM, feature set, power efficiency, pricing context, and long-term value so you can see which GPU actually makes more sense.

GeForce GTX 1650

2019

Why buy it

✅+137.7% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Costs $1 less on MSRP ($149 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
✅Delivers 139.3% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 52.8 vs 22.1 G3D/$ ($149 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (4 GB vs 2 GB).
✅Less risky long-term buy than Maxwell GPU Surface Book: it remains the more sensible modern option while Maxwell GPU Surface Book is already obsolete for modern gaming.

Trade-offs

❌Limited future-proofing: older hardware, 4 GB of VRAM, and weaker feature support mean it will age faster in upcoming AAA games.
❌150% higher power demand at 75W vs 30W.

Maxwell GPU Surface Book

2015

Why buy it

✅Draws 30W instead of 75W, a 45W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (3,311 vs 7,869).
❌Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 4 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Very weak future-proofing: 2015-era hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already obsolete for modern gaming and is hard to recommend today.
❌
0.7% HIGHER MSRP
$150 MSRPvs$149 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 22.1 vs 52.8 G3D/$ ($150 MSRP vs $149 MSRP).

GeForce GTX 1650

2019

Maxwell GPU Surface Book

2015

Why buy it

✅+137.7% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Costs $1 less on MSRP ($149 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
✅Delivers 139.3% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 52.8 vs 22.1 G3D/$ ($149 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (4 GB vs 2 GB).
✅Less risky long-term buy than Maxwell GPU Surface Book: it remains the more sensible modern option while Maxwell GPU Surface Book is already obsolete for modern gaming.

Why buy it

✅Draws 30W instead of 75W, a 45W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Limited future-proofing: older hardware, 4 GB of VRAM, and weaker feature support mean it will age faster in upcoming AAA games.
❌150% higher power demand at 75W vs 30W.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (3,311 vs 7,869).
❌Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 4 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Very weak future-proofing: 2015-era hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already obsolete for modern gaming and is hard to recommend today.
❌
0.7% HIGHER MSRP
$150 MSRPvs$149 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 22.1 vs 52.8 G3D/$ ($150 MSRP vs $149 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce GTX 1650 better than Maxwell GPU Surface Book?

Yes. GeForce GTX 1650 is clearly the better overall GPU here. You are also looking at 7,869 vs 3,311 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce GTX 1650 is a 2019 card with no meaningful modern upscaling stack, while Maxwell GPU Surface Book is a 2015 model from an older generation with no meaningful modern upscaling stack. So this is not really a tight same-tier comparison. It is more a modern card against an older, weaker alternative.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce GTX 1650 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2019 generation instead of 2015, 137.7% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 4 GB instead of 2 GB, and a 12nm process instead of 28nm. That leaves it with more room for heavier textures, tougher ray tracing loads, and higher-end 1440p or 4K gaming over the next few years.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?

GeForce GTX 1650 is the smarter buy today, but it is not as lopsided as a simple winner label makes it sound. GeForce GTX 1650 is about $1 cheaper on MSRP at $149 MSRP versus $150 MSRP, and you are getting 137.7% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 139.3%. That is why the better overall card still comes out as the smarter buy today, not just the faster one.

Is Maxwell GPU Surface Book still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

Yes. Maxwell GPU Surface Book is still a strong modern gaming GPU: it is still comfortable for 1080p and decent for 1440p, though 4K is more situational. It remains a good buy when you can get it meaningfully cheaper than the alternative around $150 MSRP, even if GeForce GTX 1650 is still the cleaner recommendation on overall value today.

Games Benchmarks

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 9800X3D 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.

GeForce GTX 1650 Benchmark Check

Maxwell GPU Surface Book Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce GTX 1650	Maxwell GPU Surface Book
1080p
low	94 FPS	77 FPS
medium	83 FPS	65 FPS
high	70 FPS	43 FPS
ultra	58 FPS	28 FPS
1440p
low	87 FPS	61 FPS
medium	74 FPS	51 FPS
high	60 FPS	31 FPS
ultra	50 FPS	19 FPS
4K
low	41 FPS	22 FPS
medium	39 FPS	21 FPS
high	27 FPS	13 FPS
ultra	24 FPS	11 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1650 Open Maxwell GPU Surface Book

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce GTX 1650	Maxwell GPU Surface Book
1080p
low	136 FPS	97 FPS
medium	113 FPS	68 FPS
high	94 FPS	49 FPS
ultra	71 FPS	31 FPS
1440p
low	79 FPS	53 FPS
medium	62 FPS	31 FPS
high	44 FPS	22 FPS
ultra	35 FPS	15 FPS
4K
low	36 FPS	18 FPS
medium	27 FPS	11 FPS
high	21 FPS	9 FPS
ultra	15 FPS	7 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1650 Open Maxwell GPU Surface Book

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce GTX 1650	Maxwell GPU Surface Book
1080p
low	323 FPS	149 FPS
medium	283 FPS	119 FPS
high	205 FPS	99 FPS
ultra	169 FPS	74 FPS
1440p
low	225 FPS	112 FPS
medium	202 FPS	89 FPS
high	151 FPS	74 FPS
ultra	117 FPS	56 FPS
4K
low	130 FPS	74 FPS
medium	117 FPS	60 FPS
high	79 FPS	50 FPS
ultra	50 FPS	37 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1650 Open Maxwell GPU Surface Book

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce GTX 1650	Maxwell GPU Surface Book
1080p
low	261 FPS	149 FPS
medium	211 FPS	119 FPS
high	191 FPS	99 FPS
ultra	166 FPS	74 FPS
1440p
low	201 FPS	110 FPS
medium	158 FPS	88 FPS
high	135 FPS	74 FPS
ultra	113 FPS	56 FPS
4K
low	99 FPS	64 FPS
medium	74 FPS	50 FPS
high	65 FPS	41 FPS
ultra	51 FPS	30 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1650 Open Maxwell GPU Surface Book

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 1650 and Maxwell GPU Surface Book

GeForce GTX 1650

The GeForce GTX 1650 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in April 23 2019. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 1485 MHz to 1665 MHz. It has 896 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 7,869 points. Launch price was $149.

Maxwell GPU Surface Book

The Maxwell GPU Surface Book is manufactured by an unknown manufacturer. It was released in October 1 2015. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 954 MHz to 993 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 30W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,311 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1650 scores 7,869 versus the Maxwell GPU Surface Book's 3,311 — the GeForce GTX 1650 leads by 137.7%. The GeForce GTX 1650 is built on Turing while the Maxwell GPU Surface Book uses Maxwell, both on 12 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 896 (GeForce GTX 1650) vs 384 (Maxwell GPU Surface Book). Boost clocks: 1665 MHz vs 993 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1650	Maxwell GPU Surface Book
G3D Mark Score	7,869+138%	3,311
Architecture	Turing	Maxwell
Process Node	12 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	896+133%	384
Boost Clock	1665 MHz+68%	993 MHz

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce GTX 1650 gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The Maxwell GPU Surface Book relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1650	Maxwell GPU Surface Book
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	Standard

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 1650 comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the Maxwell GPU Surface Book has 2 GB. The GeForce GTX 1650 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1650	Maxwell GPU Surface Book
VRAM Capacity	4 GB+100%	2 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	128 GB/s	Unknown
Bus Width	128-bit	128-bit

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (GeForce GTX 1650) vs 12 (11_0) (Maxwell GPU Surface Book). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.1. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 3 vs 3.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1650	Maxwell GPU Surface Book
DirectX	12	12 (11_0)
Vulkan	1.4+27%	1.1
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	3	3

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 5th gen (Volta) (GeForce GTX 1650) vs None (Maxwell GPU Surface Book). Decoder: NVDEC 4th gen vs PureVideo VP6. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,VP8,VP9 (GeForce GTX 1650) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (Maxwell GPU Surface Book).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1650	Maxwell GPU Surface Book
Encoder	NVENC 5th gen (Volta)	None
Decoder	NVDEC 4th gen	PureVideo VP6
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC,VP8,VP9	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1650 draws 75W versus the Maxwell GPU Surface Book's 30W — a 85.7% difference. The Maxwell GPU Surface Book is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 300W (GeForce GTX 1650) vs 350W (Maxwell GPU Surface Book). Power connectors: None vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 229mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 70°C vs 85.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1650	Maxwell GPU Surface Book
TDP	75W	30W-60%
Recommended PSU	300W-14%	350W
Power Connector	None	PCIe-powered
Length	229mm	0mm
Height	111mm	0mm
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	70°C-18%	85
Perf/Watt	104.9	110.4+5%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 1650 launched at $149 MSRP, while the Maxwell GPU Surface Book launched at $150. The GeForce GTX 1650 costs 0.7% less ($1 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 52.8 (GeForce GTX 1650) vs 22.1 (Maxwell GPU Surface Book) — the GeForce GTX 1650 offers 138.9% better value. The GeForce GTX 1650 is the newer GPU (2019 vs 2015).