CPU
GPU
GeForce GTX 870M
Popular choices:
Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)
Popular choices:
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 870M is positioned at rank 143 and the Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) is on rank 222, so the GeForce GTX 870M 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 870M
Performance Per Dollar Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GTX 870M is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1% higher G3D Mark score and 200% more VRAM (6 GB vs 2 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5).
| Insight | GeForce GTX 870M | Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+1%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Kepler (2012−2018)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell (2014−2017)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ✅ More VRAM (+200%) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | — | — |
💎 Value Proposition
While current pricing data is unavailable, the GeForce GTX 870M 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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 870M and Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)
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.
Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)
The Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) 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: 3,500 points.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GTX 870M scores 3,536 and the Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) reaches 3,500 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 870M is built on Kepler while the Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) uses Maxwell, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 1,344 (GeForce GTX 870M) vs 384 (Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)). Boost clocks: 967 MHz vs 993 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 870M | Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 3,536+1% | 3,500 |
| Architecture | Kepler | Maxwell |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 1344+250% | 384 |
| Boost Clock | 967 MHz | 993 MHz+3% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 870M | Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 870M comes with 6 GB of VRAM, while the Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) has 2 GB. The GeForce GTX 870M offers 200% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 870M | Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 6 GB+200% | 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 870M) vs 12 (11_0) (Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.1. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 2.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 870M | Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (11_0) | 12 (11_0) |
| Vulkan | 1.2+9% | 1.1 |
| OpenGL | 4.6+2% | 4.5 |
| Max Displays | 4+100% | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Decoder: PureVideo HD VP5 vs NVDEC 1st Gen. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 870M) vs H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 870M | Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | 1st Gen NVENC (Kepler) | — |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP5 | NVDEC 1st Gen |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 | H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 870M draws 100W versus the Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)'s 30W — a 107.7% difference. The Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 870M) vs 350W (Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs PCIe-powered. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 75.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 870M | Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 100W | 30W-70% |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | PCIe-powered | PCIe-powered |
| Slots | 0 | 0 |
| Temp (Load) | 85°C | 75-12% |
| Perf/Watt | 35.4 | 116.7+230% |
Value Analysis
The Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2014).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 870M | Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | $150 |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $75 |
| Codename | GK104 | Surface Book |
| Release | March 12 2014 | October 1 2015 |
| Ranking | #538 | #782 |
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