GeForce MX130 vs GeForce MX230

NVIDIA

GeForce MX130

2017Core: 1122 MHzBoost: 1242 MHz
Similar parts
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VS
NVIDIA

GeForce MX230

2019Core: 1519 MHzBoost: 1582 MHz
Similar parts
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GeForce MX130 vs GeForce MX230 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 MX130 vs GeForce MX230 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 9800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

GeForce MX130 vs GeForce MX230: 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 MX130

2017

Why buy it

  • 12.3% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Costs $30 less on MSRP ($120 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
  • Delivers 23.6% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 15.0 vs 12.2 G3D/$ ($120 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Less VRAM, with 512 MB vs 2 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • 2017 hardware with 512 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • 200% higher power demand at 30W vs 10W.

GeForce MX230

2019

Why buy it

  • 300% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (2 GB vs 512 MB).
  • GeForce MX130 is already obsolete for modern gaming, so GeForce MX230 is the less risky modern option long term.
  • Draws 10W instead of 30W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce MX130 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • 2019 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
  • 25% HIGHER MSRP
    $150 MSRPvs$120 MSRP
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 12.2 vs 15.0 G3D/$ ($150 MSRP vs $120 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce MX130 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 12.3% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. PassMark G3D leans toward GeForce MX230 instead at 1,826 vs 1,805, so for this question the real-game FPS result matters more than the synthetic split.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce MX230 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 2 GB vs 512 MB of VRAM, a 14nm process instead of 28nm, and a newer 2019 generation instead of 2017. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
GeForce MX130 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $30 cheaper on MSRP at $120 vs $150, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 23.6% (15.0 vs 12.2), so the value case lines up with the gaming result. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GeForce MX130 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, GeForce MX230 has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce MX130 vs GeForce MX230 Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

GeForce MX130

The GeForce MX130 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in November 17 2017. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 1122 MHz to 1242 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 30W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,805 points.

NVIDIA

GeForce MX230

The GeForce MX230 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in February 21 2019. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1519 MHz to 1582 MHz. It has 256 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 10W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,826 points.

Graphics Performance

The GeForce MX130 scores 1,805 and the GeForce MX230 reaches 1,826 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.2% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce MX130 is built on Maxwell while the GeForce MX230 uses Pascal, both on 28 nm vs 14 nm. Shader units: 384 (GeForce MX130) vs 256 (GeForce MX230). Raw compute: 0.9539 TFLOPS (GeForce MX130) vs 0.81 TFLOPS (GeForce MX230). Boost clocks: 1242 MHz vs 1582 MHz.

FeatureGeForce MX130GeForce MX230
G3D Mark Score
1,805
1,826+1%
Architecture
Maxwell
Pascal
Process Node
28 nm
14 nm
Shading Units
384+50%
256
Compute (TFLOPS)
0.9539 TFLOPS+18%
0.81 TFLOPS
Boost Clock
1242 MHz
1582 MHz+27%
ROPs
8
16+100%
TMUs
24+50%
16
L1 Cache
192 KB+100%
96 KB
L2 Cache
1 MB+100%
0.5 MB

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureGeForce MX130GeForce MX230
Upscaling Tech
Upscaling support
Upscaling support
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
NVIDIA Reflex
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce MX130 has 512 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce MX230 carries 2 GB. GeForce MX230 gives you 300% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 40 GB/s (GeForce MX130) vs 48 GB/s (GeForce MX230) — a 20% advantage for the GeForce MX230. Memory bus width is 64-bit on the GeForce MX130 and 64-bit on the GeForce MX230. L2 Cache: 1 MB (GeForce MX130) vs 0.5 MB (GeForce MX230) — the GeForce MX130 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce MX130GeForce MX230
VRAM Capacity
0.5 GB
2 GB+300%
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth
40 GB/s
48 GB/s+20%
Bus Width
64-bit
64-bit
L2 Cache
1 MB+100%
0.5 MB
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce MX130 draws 30W versus the GeForce MX230's 10W — a 100% difference. The GeForce MX230 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce MX130) vs 350W (GeForce MX230). Power connectors: Mobile vs Mobile.

FeatureGeForce MX130GeForce MX230
TDP
30W
10W-67%
Recommended PSU
350W
350W
Power Connector
Mobile
Mobile
Perf/Watt
60.2
182.6+203%
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce MX130 came in at $120, while the GeForce MX230 launched at $150. On MSRP, GeForce MX130 was 20% cheaper ($30 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 15.0 (GeForce MX130) vs 12.2 (GeForce MX230) — the GeForce MX130 offers 23% better value. The newer card here is GeForce MX230 (2019 vs 2017).

FeatureGeForce MX130GeForce MX230
MSRP
$120-20%
$150
Performance per Dollar
15.0+23%
12.2
Codename
GM108
GP108
Release
November 17 2017
February 21 2019
Ranking
#713
#708

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