GeForce GTX 960M vs Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)
GeForce GTX 960M
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Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)
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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 960M is positioned at rank 35 and the Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) is on rank 222, so the GeForce GTX 960M 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 960M
Performance Per Dollar Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 3.7% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce GTX 960M offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 960M | Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-3.7%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+3.7%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell (2014−2017)) | 🛑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 960M offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 960M holds the technical lead. Priced at $50 (vs $75), it costs 33% less, resulting in a 44.6% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 960M | Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+44.6%) | ❌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 960M and Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)
GeForce GTX 960M
The GeForce GTX 960M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 13 2015. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 1096 MHz to 1176 MHz. It has 640 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,375 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 960M scores 3,375 and the Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) reaches 3,500 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 3.7% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 960M is built on Maxwell while the Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) uses Maxwell, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 640 (GeForce GTX 960M) vs 384 (Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)). Boost clocks: 1176 MHz vs 993 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 960M | Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 3,375 | 3,500+4% |
| Architecture | Maxwell | Maxwell |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 640+67% | 384 |
| Boost Clock | 1176 MHz+18% | 993 MHz |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 960M | 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 960M comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) has 2 GB. The GeForce GTX 960M offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 960M | Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 960M) vs 12 (11_0) (Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.1. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 2.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 960M | Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (11_0) | 12 (11_0) |
| Vulkan | 1.3+18% | 1.1 |
| OpenGL | 4.6+2% | 4.5 |
| Max Displays | 4+100% | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Decoder: NVDEC (1st Gen) vs NVDEC 1st Gen. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264,H.265 (GeForce GTX 960M) vs H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 960M | Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC (4th Gen) | — |
| Decoder | NVDEC (1st Gen) | NVDEC 1st Gen |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264,H.265 | H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 960M draws 75W versus the Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)'s 30W — a 85.7% difference. The Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 960M) vs 350W (Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs PCIe-powered. Typical load temperature: 82 vs 75.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 960M | Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 75W | 30W-60% |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | 1x 6-pin | PCIe-powered |
| Length | 0mm | — |
| Height | 0mm | — |
| Slots | 0 | 0 |
| Temp (Load) | 82 | 75-9% |
| Perf/Watt | 45.0 | 116.7+159% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 960M costs 33.3% less ($25 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 67.5 (GeForce GTX 960M) vs 46.7 (Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)) — the GeForce GTX 960M offers 44.5% better value.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 960M | Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | $150 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $50-33% | $75 |
| Performance per Dollar | 67.5+45% | 46.7 |
| Codename | GM107 | Surface Book |
| Release | March 13 2015 | October 1 2015 |
| Ranking | #552 | #782 |
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
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