GeForce GTX 680M SLI
VS
GeForce GTX 870M

GeForce GTX 680M SLI vs GeForce GTX 870M

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 680M SLI

2012Core: 720 MHz
VS
NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 870M

2014Core: 941 MHzBoost: 967 MHz

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. The GeForce GTX 680M SLI is positioned at rank 141 and the GeForce GTX 870M is on rank 143, so the GeForce GTX 680M SLI offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar GeForce GTX 680M SLI

#39
Radeon RX 7700S
MSRP: $449|Avg: $350
97%
#131
Radeon RX 550X (móvel)
MSRP: $35|Avg: $35
304%
#133
276%
#134
275%
#138
GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50
250%
#139
Radeon RX 6300
MSRP: $60|Avg: $40
248%
#141
GeForce GTX 680M SLI
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#145
Radeon RX 580 (móvel)
MSRP: $229|Avg: $65
98%
#147
GeForce GT 630M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $35
97%
#150
Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7
MSRP: $100|Avg: $50
95%
Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar GeForce GTX 870M

#39
Radeon RX 7700S
MSRP: $449|Avg: $350
98%
#133
Radeon RX 550X (móvel)
MSRP: $35|Avg: $35
307%
#135
278%
#136
278%
#140
GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50
252%
#141
Radeon RX 6300
MSRP: $60|Avg: $40
251%
#143
GeForce GTX 870M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#145
Radeon RX 580 (móvel)
MSRP: $229|Avg: $65
99%
#147
GeForce GT 630M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $35
98%
#150
Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7
MSRP: $100|Avg: $50
96%
#157
GeForce 830M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $30
95%
#158
GeForce GT 750M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50
94%
Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce GTX 680M SLI is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.9% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce GTX 870M offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.

InsightGeForce GTX 680M SLIGeForce GTX 870M
Performance
Leading raw performance (+0.9%)
Lower raw frame rates (-0.9%)
Longevity
🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / Kepler (2012−2018))
🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Kepler (2012−2018))
Ecosystem
Supports FSR Upscaling
Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM
❌ Less VRAM capacity
✅ More VRAM (+200%)
Efficiency
💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
⚡ Higher Power Consumption
Case Fit

💎 Value Proposition

While current pricing data is unavailable, the GeForce GTX 680M SLI 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 GTX 680M SLI and GeForce GTX 870M

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 680M SLI

The GeForce GTX 680M SLI is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in June 4 2012. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock speed is 720 MHz. It has 2688 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,569 points.

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 870M

The GeForce GTX 870M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 12 2014. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 941 MHz to 967 MHz. It has 1344 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 100W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,536 points.

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 680M SLI scores 3,569 and the GeForce GTX 870M reaches 3,536 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.9% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 680M SLI is built on Kepler while the GeForce GTX 870M uses Kepler, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 2,688 (GeForce GTX 680M SLI) vs 1,344 (GeForce GTX 870M).

FeatureGeForce GTX 680M SLIGeForce GTX 870M
G3D Mark Score
3,569
3,536
Architecture
Kepler
Kepler
Process Node
28 nm
28 nm
Shading Units
2688+100%
1344

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureGeForce GTX 680M SLIGeForce GTX 870M
Upscaling Tech
FSR 2.1 (Compatible)
FSR 2.1 (Compatible)
Frame Generation
FSR 3 (Compatible)
FSR 3 (Compatible)
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
Standard
Standard
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 680M SLI comes with 2 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 870M has 6 GB. The GeForce GTX 870M offers 200% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 256-bit vs 128-bit.

FeatureGeForce GTX 680M SLIGeForce GTX 870M
VRAM Capacity
2 GB
6 GB+200%
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth
Unknown
Unknown
Bus Width
256-bit+100%
128-bit
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 680M SLI) vs 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 870M). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce GTX 680M SLIGeForce GTX 870M
DirectX
12 (11_0)
12 (11_0)
Vulkan
1.2
1.2
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
4
4
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (1st Gen) (GeForce GTX 680M SLI) vs 1st Gen NVENC (Kepler) (GeForce GTX 870M). Decoder: VP5 vs PureVideo HD VP5. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 (GeForce GTX 680M SLI) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 870M).

FeatureGeForce GTX 680M SLIGeForce GTX 870M
Encoder
NVENC (1st Gen)
1st Gen NVENC (Kepler)
Decoder
VP5
PureVideo HD VP5
Codecs
H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4
H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 680M SLI draws 75W versus the GeForce GTX 870M's 100W — a 28.6% difference. The GeForce GTX 680M SLI is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 680M SLI) vs 350W (GeForce GTX 870M). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs PCIe-powered. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 85°C.

FeatureGeForce GTX 680M SLIGeForce GTX 870M
TDP
75W-25%
100W
Recommended PSU
350W
350W
Power Connector
1x 6-pin
PCIe-powered
Slots
0
Temp (Load)
80°C-6%
85°C
Perf/Watt
47.6+34%
35.4