GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU vs Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU

2023Core: 2310 MHzBoost: 2535 MHz

Popular choices:

VS

Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)

2015Core: 954 MHzBoost: 993 MHz

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, raw graphics performance, VRAM, feature set, power efficiency, pricing context, and long-term value so you can see which GPU actually makes more sense.

GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU

2023

Why buy it

  • +397.1% higher PassMark G3D performance.
  • Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
  • 300% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 2 GB).
  • More future proof: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 23.3 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
  • 433.3% higher power demand at 160W vs 30W.

Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)

2015

Why buy it

  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 23.3 vs 0 G3D/$ ($150 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • Draws 30W instead of 160W, a 130W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark G3D performance (3,500 vs 17,400).
  • Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
  • Very weak future-proofing: 2015-era hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already obsolete for modern gaming and is hard to recommend today.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU better than Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)?
Yes. GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is clearly the better overall GPU here. You are also looking at 17,400 vs 3,500 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is a 2023 card with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation, while Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) is a 2015 model from an older generation with no meaningful modern upscaling stack. So this is not really a tight same-tier comparison. It is more a modern card against an older, weaker alternative.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2023 generation instead of 2015, 397.1% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 8 GB instead of 2 GB, and better upscaling support with DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution (2023) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack and better frame-generation support with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack. That leaves it with more room for heavier textures, tougher ray tracing loads, and higher-end 1440p or 4K gaming over the next few years.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?
GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is the smarter buy by a wide margin. GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is priced in an unclear MSRP range at an unclear MSRP versus $150 MSRP, and you are getting 397.1% higher G3D Mark. Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) really only makes sense now as a very cheap stopgap or a used-market placeholder.
Is Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) still worth buying for gaming in 2026?
No, not for a fresh gaming build. Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) is 2015 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM, 3,500 in G3D Mark, and no meaningful modern upscaling stack. That is simply too far behind to be an easy modern recommendation.

Games Benchmarks

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 9800X3D 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

Path of Exile 2

PresetGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUMaxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)
1080p
low177 FPS77 FPS
medium162 FPS65 FPS
high142 FPS43 FPS
ultra124 FPS28 FPS
1440p
low143 FPS61 FPS
medium118 FPS51 FPS
high101 FPS31 FPS
ultra93 FPS19 FPS
4K
low93 FPS22 FPS
medium79 FPS21 FPS
high66 FPS13 FPS
ultra59 FPS11 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUMaxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)
1080p
low416 FPS97 FPS
medium348 FPS68 FPS
high282 FPS49 FPS
ultra225 FPS31 FPS
1440p
low269 FPS53 FPS
medium226 FPS31 FPS
high188 FPS22 FPS
ultra154 FPS15 FPS
4K
low117 FPS18 FPS
medium97 FPS11 FPS
high82 FPS9 FPS
ultra64 FPS7 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUMaxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)
1080p
low783 FPS158 FPS
medium626 FPS126 FPS
high522 FPS105 FPS
ultra392 FPS79 FPS
1440p
low587 FPS118 FPS
medium470 FPS94 FPS
high392 FPS79 FPS
ultra294 FPS59 FPS
4K
low392 FPS79 FPS
medium313 FPS63 FPS
high261 FPS52 FPS
ultra196 FPS39 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUMaxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)
1080p
low775 FPS157 FPS
medium626 FPS126 FPS
high522 FPS105 FPS
ultra392 FPS79 FPS
1440p
low587 FPS110 FPS
medium470 FPS88 FPS
high392 FPS77 FPS
ultra294 FPS59 FPS
4K
low374 FPS64 FPS
medium313 FPS50 FPS
high261 FPS41 FPS
ultra196 FPS30 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU and Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU

The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 18 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 2310 MHz to 2535 MHz. It has 4352 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 160W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 34 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 17,400 points. Launch price was $399.

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

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU scores 17,400 versus the Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)'s 3,500 — the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU leads by 397.1%. The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is built on Ada Lovelace while the Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) uses Maxwell, both on 5 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 4,352 (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs 384 (Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)). Boost clocks: 2535 MHz vs 993 MHz.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUMaxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)
G3D Mark Score
17,400+397%
3,500
Architecture
Ada Lovelace
Maxwell
Process Node
5 nm
28 nm
Shading Units
4352+1033%
384
Boost Clock
2535 MHz+155%
993 MHz

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

A critical advantage for the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is support for DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation. This allows it to generate entire frames using AI/Algorithms, essentially doubling the frame rate in CPU-bound scenarios or heavy ray-tracing titles. The Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUMaxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)
Upscaling Tech
DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution
Upscaling support
Frame Generation
DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
Yes (DLSS 3.5)
No
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
Standard
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) has 2 GB. The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU offers 300% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUMaxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)
VRAM Capacity
8 GB+300%
2 GB
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth
256 GB/s
Unknown
Bus Width
128-bit
128-bit
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs 12 (11_0) (Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.1. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 2.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUMaxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)
DirectX
12 Ultimate
12 (11_0)
Vulkan
1.4+27%
1.1
OpenGL
4.6+2%
4.5
Max Displays
4+100%
2
🎬

Media & Encoding

Decoder: NVDEC (5th Gen) vs NVDEC 1st Gen. Supported codecs: H.264,HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)).

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUMaxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)
Encoder
NVENC (8th Gen)
Decoder
NVDEC (5th Gen)
NVDEC 1st Gen
Codecs
H.264,HEVC,AV1,VP9
H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU draws 160W versus the Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)'s 30W — a 136.8% difference. The Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 650W (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs 350W (Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)). Power connectors: Mobile vs PCIe-powered. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 75.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUMaxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)
TDP
160W
30W-81%
Recommended PSU
650W
350W-46%
Power Connector
Mobile
PCIe-powered
Slots
0
0
Temp (Load)
80°C
75-6%
Perf/Watt
108.8
116.7+7%
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is the newer GPU (2023 vs 2015).

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUMaxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)
MSRP
$150
Codename
AD106
Surface Book
Release
May 18 2023
October 1 2015
Ranking
#59
#782