Maxwell GPU Surface Book vs GeForce GTX 680M

Performance Spectrum - GPU

Maxwell GPU Surface Book

30

3,311

+1.0%

3,277

0.0%

GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop GPU

GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER

GeForce RTX 5060

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Maxwell GPU Surface Book is positioned at rank 230 and the GeForce GTX 680M is on rank 105, so the GeForce GTX 680M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Maxwell GPU Surface Book

#53

Radeon RX 6850M XT

MSRP: $800|Avg: $800

98%

#220

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

492%

#222

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

446%

#223

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

445%

#227

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

404%

#228

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

402%

#230

Maxwell GPU Surface Book

MSRP: $150|Avg: $75

100%

#235

Radeon RX 540

MSRP: $99|Avg: $40

98%

#236

Radeon HD 6750M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $60

97%

#237

Radeon HD 7570M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $15

95%

#239

Arc Graphics 130T

MSRP: $300|Avg: $250

94%

#240

GeForce MX570 A

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

94%

#242

GeForce GT 645

MSRP: $99|Avg: $15

92%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar GeForce GTX 680M

#30

Radeon 8050S

MSRP: $400|Avg: $400

99%

#31

Radeon RX 8050S

MSRP: $400|Avg: $400

99%

#95

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

265%

#97

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

240%

#98

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

240%

#102

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

218%

#103

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

216%

#105

GeForce GTX 680M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

100%

#106

Radeon HD 7470M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $12

100%

#110

GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

98%

#114

Radeon RX 470 (móvel)

MSRP: $179|Avg: $40

95%

#116

GeForce GTX 880M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

93%

#117

GeForce MX570

MSRP: $150|Avg: $120

93%

#118

Radeon RX 6500

MSRP: $199|Avg: $150

93%

#119

GeForce 825M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $30

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The Maxwell GPU Surface Book is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce GTX 680M offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.

Insight	Maxwell GPU Surface Book	GeForce GTX 680M
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+1%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-1%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell (2014−2017))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / Kepler (2012−2018))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+100%)
Efficiency	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt	⚡ Higher Power Consumption
Case Fit	—	—

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 680M offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 680M holds the technical lead. Priced at $50 (vs $75), it costs 33% less, resulting in a 48.5% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	Maxwell GPU Surface Book	GeForce GTX 680M
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+48.5%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($75)	✅More affordable ($50)

Performance Check

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 7800X3D 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.

Maxwell GPU Surface Book Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 680M Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Maxwell GPU Surface Book and GeForce GTX 680M

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.

GeForce GTX 680M

The GeForce GTX 680M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in June 4 2012. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 719 MHz to 758 MHz. It has 1344 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 100W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,277 points. Launch price was $310.50.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The Maxwell GPU Surface Book scores 3,311 and the GeForce GTX 680M reaches 3,277 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Maxwell GPU Surface Book is built on Maxwell while the GeForce GTX 680M uses Kepler, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 384 (Maxwell GPU Surface Book) vs 1,344 (GeForce GTX 680M). Boost clocks: 993 MHz vs 758 MHz.

Feature	Maxwell GPU Surface Book	GeForce GTX 680M
G3D Mark Score	3,311+1%	3,277
Architecture	Maxwell	Kepler
Process Node	28 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	384	1344+250%
Boost Clock	993 MHz+31%	758 MHz

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	Maxwell GPU Surface Book	GeForce GTX 680M
Upscaling Tech	FSR 1.0 (Software)	FSR 2.1 (Compatible)
Frame Generation	Not Supported	FSR 3 (Compatible)
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	Standard	Standard

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The Maxwell GPU Surface Book comes with 2 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 680M has 4 GB. The GeForce GTX 680M offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit.

Feature	Maxwell GPU Surface Book	GeForce GTX 680M
VRAM Capacity	2 GB	4 GB+100%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	Unknown
Bus Width	128-bit	128-bit

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (Maxwell GPU Surface Book) vs 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 680M). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 3 vs 4.

Feature	Maxwell GPU Surface Book	GeForce GTX 680M
DirectX	12 (11_0)	12 (11_0)
Vulkan	1.1	1.2+9%
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	3	4+33%

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: None (Maxwell GPU Surface Book) vs 1st Gen NVENC (Kepler) (GeForce GTX 680M). Decoder: PureVideo VP6 vs PureVideo HD VP5. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (Maxwell GPU Surface Book) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 680M).

Feature	Maxwell GPU Surface Book	GeForce GTX 680M
Encoder	None	1st Gen NVENC (Kepler)
Decoder	PureVideo VP6	PureVideo HD VP5
Codecs	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Maxwell GPU Surface Book draws 30W versus the GeForce GTX 680M's 100W — a 107.7% difference. The Maxwell GPU Surface Book is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Maxwell GPU Surface Book) vs 350W (GeForce GTX 680M). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 1x 6-pin. Typical load temperature: 85 vs 81°C.

Feature	Maxwell GPU Surface Book	GeForce GTX 680M
TDP	30W-70%	100W
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	1x 6-pin
Length	0mm	—
Height	0mm	—
Slots	0	0
Temp (Load)	85	81°C-5%
Perf/Watt	110.4+237%	32.8

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 680M costs 33.3% less ($25 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 44.1 (Maxwell GPU Surface Book) vs 65.5 (GeForce GTX 680M) — the GeForce GTX 680M offers 48.5% better value. The Maxwell GPU Surface Book is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2012).