GeForce GTX 870M vs GRID T4-2Q

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 870M

2014Core: 941 MHzBoost: 967 MHz
Similar parts
····
VS

GRID T4-2Q

2015Core: 557 MHzBoost: 1178 MHz
Similar parts
··

GeForce GTX 870M vs GRID T4-2Q Performance Spectrum

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.

GeForce GTX 870M vs GRID T4-2Q: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

GeForce GTX 870M

2014

Why buy it

  • 200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 2 GB).
  • Draws 100W instead of 225W, a 125W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • 2014 hardware with 6 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 4.3 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $845 MSRP).

GRID T4-2Q

2015

Why buy it

  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 4.3 vs 0 G3D/$ ($845 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • 2015 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • 125% higher power demand at 225W vs 100W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GRID T4-2Q is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 3.7% in PassMark G3D (3,668 vs 3,536), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce GTX 870M is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 6 GB vs 2 GB of VRAM. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
GRID T4-2Q makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GRID T4-2Q is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, GeForce GTX 870M has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce GTX 870M vs GRID T4-2Q Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

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.

NVIDIA

GRID T4-2Q

The GRID T4-2Q is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in August 30 2015. It features the Maxwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 557 MHz to 1178 MHz. It has 2048 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 225W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,668 points.

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 870M scores 3,536 and the GRID T4-2Q reaches 3,668 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 3.7% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 870M is built on Kepler while the GRID T4-2Q uses Maxwell 2.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 1,344 (GeForce GTX 870M) vs 2,048 (GRID T4-2Q). Raw compute: 2.599 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 870M) vs 4.825 TFLOPS (GRID T4-2Q). Boost clocks: 967 MHz vs 1178 MHz.

FeatureGeForce GTX 870MGRID T4-2Q
G3D Mark Score
3,536
3,668+4%
Architecture
Kepler
Maxwell 2.0
Process Node
28 nm
28 nm
Shading Units
1344
2048+52%
Compute (TFLOPS)
2.599 TFLOPS
4.825 TFLOPS+86%
Boost Clock
967 MHz
1178 MHz+22%
ROPs
24
64+167%
TMUs
112
128+14%
L1 Cache
112 KB
768 KB+586%
L2 Cache
0.38 MB
2 MB+426%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce GTX 870M gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The GRID T4-2Q leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

FeatureGeForce GTX 870MGRID T4-2Q
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 870M has 6 GB of VRAM, while the GRID T4-2Q carries 2 GB. GeForce GTX 870M gives you 200% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 128-bit on the GeForce GTX 870M and 64-bit on the GRID T4-2Q. L2 Cache: 0.38 MB (GeForce GTX 870M) vs 2 MB (GRID T4-2Q) — the GRID T4-2Q has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce GTX 870MGRID T4-2Q
VRAM Capacity
6 GB+200%
2 GB
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR5
Bus Width
128-bit+100%
64-bit
L2 Cache
0.38 MB
2 MB+426%
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 870M) vs 12 Ultimate (GRID T4-2Q). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 0.

FeatureGeForce GTX 870MGRID T4-2Q
DirectX
12 (11_0)
12 Ultimate
Vulkan
1.2
1.3+8%
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
4
0
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: 1st Gen NVENC (Kepler) (GeForce GTX 870M) vs NVENC 6th Gen (GRID T4-2Q). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP5 vs NVDEC 4th Gen. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 870M) vs H.264,H.265,VP9 (GRID T4-2Q).

FeatureGeForce GTX 870MGRID T4-2Q
Encoder
1st Gen NVENC (Kepler)
NVENC 6th Gen
Decoder
PureVideo HD VP5
NVDEC 4th Gen
Codecs
H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2
H.264,H.265,VP9
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 870M draws 100W versus the GRID T4-2Q's 225W — a 76.9% difference. The GeForce GTX 870M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 870M) vs 350W (GRID T4-2Q). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs PCIe-powered. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 70.

FeatureGeForce GTX 870MGRID T4-2Q
TDP
100W-56%
225W
Recommended PSU
350W
350W
Power Connector
PCIe-powered
PCIe-powered
Length
168mm
Height
69mm
Slots
0-100%
1
Temp (Load)
85°C
70-18%
Perf/Watt
35.4+117%
16.3
💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is GRID T4-2Q (2015 vs 2014).

FeatureGeForce GTX 870MGRID T4-2Q
MSRP
$845
Codename
GK104
GM204
Release
March 12 2014
August 30 2015
Ranking
#538
#433

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.