GeForce GTX 680M vs Maxwell GPU Surface Book
GeForce GTX 680M
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Maxwell GPU Surface Book
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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 is positioned at rank 105 and the Maxwell GPU Surface Book is on rank 230, so the GeForce GTX 680M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GTX 680M
Performance Per Dollar Maxwell GPU Surface Book
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Maxwell GPU Surface Book is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce GTX 680M offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 680M | Maxwell GPU Surface Book |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+1%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / Kepler (2012−2018)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell (2014−2017)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ✅ More VRAM (+100%) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | — | — |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GTX 680M offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 680M holds the technical lead. Priced at $50 (vs $75), it costs 33% less, resulting in a 48.5% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 680M | Maxwell GPU Surface Book |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+48.5%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($50) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($75) |
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 and Maxwell GPU Surface Book
GeForce GTX 680M
The GeForce GTX 680M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in June 4 2012. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 719 MHz to 758 MHz. It has 1344 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 100W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,277 points. Launch price was $310.50.
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
The GeForce GTX 680M scores 3,277 and the Maxwell GPU Surface Book reaches 3,311 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 680M is built on Kepler while the Maxwell GPU Surface Book uses Maxwell, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 1,344 (GeForce GTX 680M) vs 384 (Maxwell GPU Surface Book). Boost clocks: 758 MHz vs 993 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 680M | Maxwell GPU Surface Book |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 3,277 | 3,311+1% |
| Architecture | Kepler | Maxwell |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 1344+250% | 384 |
| Boost Clock | 758 MHz | 993 MHz+31% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 680M | Maxwell GPU Surface Book |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 (Compatible) | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce GTX 680M comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the Maxwell GPU Surface Book has 2 GB. The GeForce GTX 680M offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 680M | Maxwell GPU Surface Book |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB+100% | 2 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 128-bit |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 680M) vs 12 (11_0) (Maxwell GPU Surface Book). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.1. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 3.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 680M | Maxwell GPU Surface Book |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (11_0) | 12 (11_0) |
| Vulkan | 1.2+9% | 1.1 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4+33% | 3 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: 1st Gen NVENC (Kepler) (GeForce GTX 680M) vs None (Maxwell GPU Surface Book). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP5 vs PureVideo VP6. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 680M) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (Maxwell GPU Surface Book).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 680M | Maxwell GPU Surface Book |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | 1st Gen NVENC (Kepler) | None |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP5 | PureVideo VP6 |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 680M draws 100W versus the Maxwell GPU Surface Book's 30W — a 107.7% difference. The Maxwell GPU Surface Book is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 680M) vs 350W (Maxwell GPU Surface Book). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs PCIe-powered. Typical load temperature: 81°C vs 85.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 680M | Maxwell GPU Surface Book |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 100W | 30W-70% |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | 1x 6-pin | PCIe-powered |
| Length | — | 0mm |
| Height | — | 0mm |
| Slots | 0 | 0 |
| Temp (Load) | 81°C-5% | 85 |
| Perf/Watt | 32.8 | 110.4+237% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 680M costs 33.3% less ($25 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 65.5 (GeForce GTX 680M) vs 44.1 (Maxwell GPU Surface Book) — the GeForce GTX 680M offers 48.5% better value. The Maxwell GPU Surface Book is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2012).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 680M | Maxwell GPU Surface Book |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | $150 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $50-33% | $75 |
| Performance per Dollar | 65.5+49% | 44.1 |
| Codename | GK104 | Surface Book |
| Release | June 4 2012 | October 1 2015 |
| Ranking | #561 | #779 |
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