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.

GRID K240Q

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $500 less on MSRP ($500 MSRP vs $1,000 MSRP).
✅Delivers 103.3% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 5.1 vs 2.5 G3D/$ ($500 MSRP vs $1,000 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Very weak future-proofing: 2013-era hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already obsolete for modern gaming and is hard to recommend today.

GRID M3-3020

2016

Why buy it

✅More future proof: Maxwell (2014−2017) on 28nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Very weak future-proofing: 2016-era hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already obsolete for modern gaming and is hard to recommend today.
❌
100% HIGHER MSRP
$1,000 MSRPvs$500 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 2.5 vs 5.1 G3D/$ ($1,000 MSRP vs $500 MSRP).

GRID K240Q

2013

GRID M3-3020

2016

Why buy it

✅Costs $500 less on MSRP ($500 MSRP vs $1,000 MSRP).
✅Delivers 103.3% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 5.1 vs 2.5 G3D/$ ($500 MSRP vs $1,000 MSRP).

Why buy it

✅More future proof: Maxwell (2014−2017) on 28nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Very weak future-proofing: 2013-era hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already obsolete for modern gaming and is hard to recommend today.

Trade-offs

❌Very weak future-proofing: 2016-era hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already obsolete for modern gaming and is hard to recommend today.
❌
100% HIGHER MSRP
$1,000 MSRPvs$500 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 2.5 vs 5.1 G3D/$ ($1,000 MSRP vs $500 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is GRID K240Q better than GRID M3-3020?

Yes, but this is not really about a huge raw performance gap. The broader synthetic picture is also very close at 2,541 vs 2,500 in G3D Mark. The bigger reason to prefer GRID K240Q is the overall package: you are getting no meaningful modern upscaling stack.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

GRID K240Q is the safer long-term GPU choice because it gives you the stronger overall hardware and feature outlook for modern games.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?

GRID K240Q can still make sense if you find it at the right price, especially around $500 MSRP. GRID K240Q is still the smarter buy for most people, though, because the raw performance is close while the overall package is cleaner. GRID K240Q is about $500 cheaper on MSRP at $500 MSRP versus $1,000 MSRP, and you are getting 1.6% higher G3D Mark. GRID M3-3020 is the newer 2016 card, so it still has a real case if you care more about newer architecture than about squeezing out the strongest gaming value today.

When does GRID M3-3020 make more sense than GRID K240Q?

Yes. GRID M3-3020 is still an excellent gaming GPU in 2026: it is still comfortable for 1080p and decent for 1440p, though 4K is more situational. It makes more sense if your priority is newer architecture and staying closer to $1,000 MSRP more than squeezing out the extra headroom of GRID K240Q. The trade-off is that GRID K240Q currently gives you 1.6% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 103.3%.

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.

GRID K240Q Benchmark Check

GRID M3-3020 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GRID K240Q	GRID M3-3020
1080p
low	102 FPS	30 FPS
medium	83 FPS	17 FPS
high	65 FPS	11 FPS
ultra	38 FPS	5 FPS
1440p
low	85 FPS	14 FPS
medium	69 FPS	7 FPS
high	50 FPS	4 FPS
ultra	28 FPS	2 FPS
4K
low	28 FPS	5 FPS
medium	26 FPS	3 FPS
high	17 FPS	2 FPS
ultra	15 FPS	1 FPS

Open GRID K240Q Open GRID M3-3020

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GRID K240Q	GRID M3-3020
1080p
low	88 FPS	84 FPS
medium	62 FPS	53 FPS
high	48 FPS	39 FPS
ultra	32 FPS	24 FPS
1440p
low	48 FPS	37 FPS
medium	31 FPS	26 FPS
high	23 FPS	17 FPS
ultra	17 FPS	12 FPS
4K
low	18 FPS	11 FPS
medium	12 FPS	9 FPS
high	9 FPS	7 FPS
ultra	7 FPS	5 FPS

Open GRID K240Q Open GRID M3-3020

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GRID K240Q	GRID M3-3020
1080p
low	114 FPS	112 FPS
medium	91 FPS	90 FPS
high	76 FPS	75 FPS
ultra	57 FPS	56 FPS
1440p
low	86 FPS	84 FPS
medium	69 FPS	68 FPS
high	57 FPS	56 FPS
ultra	43 FPS	42 FPS
4K
low	57 FPS	56 FPS
medium	46 FPS	45 FPS
high	38 FPS	38 FPS
ultra	29 FPS	28 FPS

Open GRID K240Q Open GRID M3-3020

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GRID K240Q	GRID M3-3020
1080p
low	114 FPS	112 FPS
medium	91 FPS	90 FPS
high	76 FPS	75 FPS
ultra	57 FPS	56 FPS
1440p
low	86 FPS	84 FPS
medium	69 FPS	68 FPS
high	57 FPS	56 FPS
ultra	43 FPS	42 FPS
4K
low	57 FPS	56 FPS
medium	46 FPS	45 FPS
high	38 FPS	38 FPS
ultra	29 FPS	28 FPS

Open GRID K240Q Open GRID M3-3020

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GRID K240Q and GRID M3-3020

GRID K240Q

The GRID K240Q is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in June 28 2013. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock speed is 745 MHz. It has 1536 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 225W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,541 points. Launch price was $469.

GRID M3-3020

The GRID M3-3020 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 18 2016. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 1033 MHz to 1306 MHz. It has 640 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 250W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,500 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GRID K240Q scores 2,541 and the GRID M3-3020 reaches 2,500 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.6% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GRID K240Q is built on Kepler while the GRID M3-3020 uses Maxwell, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 1,536 (GRID K240Q) vs 640 (GRID M3-3020). Raw compute: 2.289 TFLOPS (GRID K240Q) vs 1.672 TFLOPS (GRID M3-3020).

Feature	GRID K240Q	GRID M3-3020
G3D Mark Score	2,541+2%	2,500
Architecture	Kepler	Maxwell
Process Node	28 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	1536+140%	640
Compute (TFLOPS)	2.289 TFLOPS+37%	1.672 TFLOPS
ROPs	32+100%	16
TMUs	128+220%	40
L1 Cache	128 KB	320 KB+150%
L2 Cache	0.5 MB	2 MB+300%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GRID K240Q	GRID M3-3020
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	Standard	Standard

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

Both cards feature 2 GB of GDDR5. Bus width: 64-bit vs 64-bit. L2 Cache: 0.5 MB (GRID K240Q) vs 2 MB (GRID M3-3020) — the GRID M3-3020 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GRID K240Q	GRID M3-3020
VRAM Capacity	2 GB	2 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Bus Width	64-bit	64-bit
L2 Cache	0.5 MB	2 MB+300%

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GRID K240Q draws 225W versus the GRID M3-3020's 250W — a 10.5% difference. The GRID K240Q is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GRID K240Q) vs 350W (GRID M3-3020). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs PCIe-powered.

Feature	GRID K240Q	GRID M3-3020
TDP	225W-10%	250W
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	PCIe-powered
Length	1mm	—
Slots	0	—
Temp (Load)	80°C	—
Perf/Watt	11.3+13%	10.0

💰

Value Analysis

The GRID K240Q launched at $500 MSRP, while the GRID M3-3020 launched at $1000. The GRID K240Q costs 50% less ($500 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 5.1 (GRID K240Q) vs 2.5 (GRID M3-3020) — the GRID K240Q offers 104% better value. The GRID M3-3020 is the newer GPU (2016 vs 2013).