GeForce GTX 970M SLI vs GeForce GTX 680

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. The GeForce GTX 970M SLI is positioned at rank #132 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

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 970M SLI

#122

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

296%

#124

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

268%

#125

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

268%

#129

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

243%

#130

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

242%

#132

GeForce GTX 970M SLI

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#139

Iris Xe MAX Graphics

MSRP: $55|Avg: $40

98%

#145

Radeon RX 580 (móvel)

MSRP: $229|Avg: $65

95%

#147

GeForce GT 630M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $35

95%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce GTX 680 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 970M SLI.

Insight	GeForce GTX 970M SLI	GeForce GTX 680
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-2%)	✅Leading raw performance (+2%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Maxwell (2014−2017))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / Kepler (2012−2018))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+0%)
Efficiency	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt	⚡ Higher Power Consumption
Case Fit	—	Standard Size (256mm)

💎 Value Proposition

While current pricing data is unavailable, the GeForce GTX 680 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.

GeForce GTX 970M SLI Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 680 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 970M SLI and GeForce GTX 680

GeForce GTX 970M SLI

The GeForce GTX 970M SLI is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in October 7 2014. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 924 MHz to 1038 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 162W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,500 points.

GeForce GTX 680

The GeForce GTX 680 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 22 2012. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 1006 MHz to 1058 MHz. It has 1536 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 195W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,609 points. Launch price was $499.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 970M SLI scores 5,500 and the GeForce GTX 680 reaches 5,609 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 970M SLI is built on Maxwell while the GeForce GTX 680 uses Kepler, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 970M SLI) vs 1,536 (GeForce GTX 680). Boost clocks: 1038 MHz vs 1058 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 970M SLI	GeForce GTX 680
G3D Mark Score	5,500	5,609+2%
Architecture	Maxwell	Kepler
Process Node	28 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	2560+67%	1536
Boost Clock	1038 MHz	1058 MHz+2%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 970M SLI	GeForce GTX 680
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)

Both cards feature 4 GB of GDDR5. Memory bandwidth: 120 GB/s x2 (GeForce GTX 970M SLI) vs 192.2 GB/s (GeForce GTX 680) — a 525.4% advantage for the GeForce GTX 970M SLI. Bus width: 192-bit x2 vs 256-bit.

Feature	GeForce GTX 970M SLI	GeForce GTX 680
VRAM Capacity	4 GB	4 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	120 GB/s x2	192.2 GB/s+60%
Bus Width	192-bit x2	256-bit+33%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce GTX 970M SLI) vs 12 (FL 11_0) (GeForce GTX 680). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.1. OpenGL: 4.4 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 970M SLI	GeForce GTX 680
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12 (FL 11_0)
Vulkan	1.2+9%	1.1
OpenGL	4.4	4.6+5%
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (GeForce GTX 970M SLI) vs NVENC 1st gen (GeForce GTX 680). Decoder: PureVideo HD (VP6) vs PureVideo VP5. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 970M SLI) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 680).

Feature	GeForce GTX 970M SLI	GeForce GTX 680
Encoder	NVENC	NVENC 1st gen
Decoder	PureVideo HD (VP6)	PureVideo VP5
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 970M SLI draws 162W versus the GeForce GTX 680's 195W — a 18.5% difference. The GeForce GTX 970M SLI is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 970M SLI) vs 550W (GeForce GTX 680). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs 2x 6-pin. Card length: 0mm vs 256mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 98°C.

Feature	GeForce GTX 970M SLI	GeForce GTX 680
TDP	162W-17%	195W
Recommended PSU	350W-36%	550W
Power Connector	1x 6-pin	2x 6-pin
Length	0mm	256mm
Height	0mm	111mm
Slots	0-100%	2
Temp (Load)	80°C-18%	98°C
Perf/Watt	34.0+18%	28.8