GRID P100-8Q vs Maxwell GPU Surface Book

GRID P100-8Q

2016Core: 1033 MHzBoost: 1306 MHz
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VS

Maxwell GPU Surface Book

2015Core: 954 MHzBoost: 993 MHz
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GRID P100-8Q vs Maxwell GPU Surface Book 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.

GRID P100-8Q vs Maxwell GPU Surface Book: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

GRID P100-8Q

2016

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

  • 2016 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • 4816% HIGHER MSRP
    $7,374 MSRPvs$150 MSRP
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0.4 vs 22.1 G3D/$ ($7,374 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
  • 650% higher power demand at 225W vs 30W.

Maxwell GPU Surface Book

2015

Why buy it

  • Costs $7,224 less on MSRP ($150 MSRP vs $7,374 MSRP).
  • Delivers 4882.2% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 22.1 vs 0.4 G3D/$ ($150 MSRP vs $7,374 MSRP).
  • Draws 30W instead of 225W, a 195W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • 2015 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
Maxwell GPU Surface Book is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 1.3% in PassMark G3D (3,311 vs 3,267), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
GRID P100-8Q is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a newer 2016 generation instead of 2015. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
Maxwell GPU Surface Book makes the most sense to buy today. It is $7,224 cheaper on MSRP at $150 vs $7,374, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 4882.2% (22.1 vs 0.4), so the value case lines up with the gaming result. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, Maxwell GPU Surface Book is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, GRID P100-8Q has the stronger long-term case.

GRID P100-8Q vs Maxwell GPU Surface Book Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

GRID P100-8Q

The GRID P100-8Q 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 225W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,267 points.

Maxwell GPU Surface Book

The Maxwell GPU Surface Book 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: 3,311 points.

Graphics Performance

The GRID P100-8Q scores 3,267 and the Maxwell GPU Surface Book reaches 3,311 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.3% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GRID P100-8Q is built on Maxwell while the Maxwell GPU Surface Book uses Maxwell, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 640 (GRID P100-8Q) vs 384 (Maxwell GPU Surface Book). Boost clocks: 1306 MHz vs 993 MHz.

FeatureGRID P100-8QMaxwell GPU Surface Book
G3D Mark Score
3,267
3,311+1%
Architecture
Maxwell
Maxwell
Process Node
28 nm
28 nm
Shading Units
640+67%
384
Boost Clock
1306 MHz+32%
993 MHz

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureGRID P100-8QMaxwell GPU Surface Book
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 ship with 2 GB of GDDR5. Memory bus width is 64-bit on the GRID P100-8Q and 128-bit on the Maxwell GPU Surface Book.

FeatureGRID P100-8QMaxwell GPU Surface Book
VRAM Capacity
2 GB
2 GB
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR5
Bus Width
64-bit
128-bit+100%
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GRID P100-8Q draws 225W versus the Maxwell GPU Surface Book's 30W — a 152.9% difference. The Maxwell GPU Surface Book is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GRID P100-8Q) vs 350W (Maxwell GPU Surface Book). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs PCIe-powered.

FeatureGRID P100-8QMaxwell GPU Surface Book
TDP
225W
30W-87%
Recommended PSU
350W
350W
Power Connector
PCIe-powered
PCIe-powered
Length
0mm
Height
0mm
Slots
0
Temp (Load)
85
Perf/Watt
14.5
110.4+661%
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GRID P100-8Q came in at $7374, while the Maxwell GPU Surface Book launched at $150. On MSRP, Maxwell GPU Surface Book was 98% cheaper ($7224 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 0.4 (GRID P100-8Q) vs 22.1 (Maxwell GPU Surface Book) — the Maxwell GPU Surface Book offers 5425% better value. The newer card here is GRID P100-8Q (2016 vs 2015).

FeatureGRID P100-8QMaxwell GPU Surface Book
MSRP
$7374
$150-98%
Performance per Dollar
0.4
22.1+5425%
Codename
GM107
Surface Book
Release
May 18 2016
October 1 2015
Ranking
#622
#779

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