Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) vs T400

Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)

2015Core: 954 MHzBoost: 993 MHz
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VS

T400

2021Core: 420 MHzBoost: 1425 MHz
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Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) vs T400 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.

Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) vs T400: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)

2015

Why buy it

  • Costs $30 less on MSRP ($150 MSRP vs $180 MSRP).
  • Delivers 16.4% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 23.3 vs 20.1 G3D/$ ($150 MSRP vs $180 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 4 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • 2015 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.

T400

2021

Why buy it

  • 100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (4 GB vs 2 GB).
  • Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) is already obsolete for modern gaming, so T400 is the less risky modern option long term.
  • More future proof: Turing (2018−2022) on 12nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • Older hardware, 4 GB of VRAM, and weaker feature support mean it will age faster in newer AAA releases.
  • 20% HIGHER MSRP
    $180 MSRPvs$150 MSRP
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 20.1 vs 23.3 G3D/$ ($180 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
T400 is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 3.1% in PassMark G3D (3,609 vs 3,500), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
T400 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 4 GB vs 2 GB of VRAM, a 12nm process instead of 28nm, and a newer 2021 generation instead of 2015. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) makes the most sense to buy today. It is $30 cheaper on MSRP at $150 vs $180, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 16.4% (23.3 vs 20.1), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, T400 has the stronger long-term case.

Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) vs T400 Technical Specifications

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

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.

T400

The T400 is manufactured by an unknown manufacturer. It was released in May 6 2021. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 420 MHz to 1425 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 30W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,609 points.

Graphics Performance

The Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) scores 3,500 and the T400 reaches 3,609 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 3.1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) is built on Maxwell while the T400 uses Turing, both on 28 nm vs 12 nm. Shader units: 384 (Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)) vs 384 (T400). Boost clocks: 993 MHz vs 1425 MHz.

FeatureMaxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)T400
G3D Mark Score
3,500
3,609+3%
Architecture
Maxwell
Turing
Process Node
28 nm
12 nm
Shading Units
384
384
Boost Clock
993 MHz
1425 MHz+44%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureMaxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)T400
Upscaling Tech
Upscaling support
Upscaling support
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
Standard
Standard
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) has 2 GB of VRAM, while the T400 carries 4 GB. T400 gives you 100% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 128-bit on the Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) and 64-bit on the T400.

FeatureMaxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)T400
VRAM Capacity
2 GB
4 GB+100%
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR5
Bus Width
128-bit+100%
64-bit
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) draws 30W versus the T400's 30W — a 0% difference. The T400 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)) vs 350W (T400). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs PCIe-powered.

FeatureMaxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)T400
TDP
30W
30W
Recommended PSU
350W
350W
Power Connector
PCIe-powered
PCIe-powered
Slots
0
Temp (Load)
75
Perf/Watt
116.7
120.3+3%
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) came in at $150, while the T400 launched at $180. On MSRP, Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) was 16.7% cheaper ($30 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 23.3 (Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)) vs 20.1 (T400) — the Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) offers 15.9% better value. The newer card here is T400 (2021 vs 2015).

FeatureMaxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)T400
MSRP
$150-17%
$180
Performance per Dollar
23.3+16%
20.1
Codename
Surface Book
TU117
Release
October 1 2015
May 6 2021
Ranking
#782
#532

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