Maxwell GPU Surface Book vs GeForce GTX 960M

Performance Spectrum - GPU

Maxwell GPU Surface Book

30

3,311

0.0%

3,375

+1.9%

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

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 960M is on rank 35, so the GeForce GTX 960M 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 960M

#25

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

161%

#27

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

146%

#28

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

145%

#32

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

132%

#33

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

131%

#35

GeForce GTX 960M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

100%

#37

UHD Graphics 730 (Rocket Lake)

MSRP: $50|Avg: $50

98%

#46

Radeon RX 5500M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

88%

#48

GeForce GTX 980 (móvel)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

87%

#49

GeForce 610M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $20

87%

#50

GeForce GTX 1650 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $75

86%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce GTX 960M is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.9% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (4 GB vs 2 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Maxwell GPU Surface Book.

Insight	Maxwell GPU Surface Book	GeForce GTX 960M
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.9%)	✅Leading raw performance (+1.9%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell (2014−2017))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell (2014−2017))
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 960M offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 960M holds the technical lead. Priced at $50 (vs $75), it costs 33% less, resulting in a 52.9% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	Maxwell GPU Surface Book	GeForce GTX 960M
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+52.9%)
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 960M Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Maxwell GPU Surface Book and GeForce GTX 960M

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 960M

The GeForce GTX 960M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 13 2015. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 1096 MHz to 1176 MHz. It has 640 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,375 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The Maxwell GPU Surface Book scores 3,311 and the GeForce GTX 960M reaches 3,375 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.9% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Maxwell GPU Surface Book is built on Maxwell while the GeForce GTX 960M uses Maxwell, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 384 (Maxwell GPU Surface Book) vs 640 (GeForce GTX 960M). Boost clocks: 993 MHz vs 1176 MHz.

Feature	Maxwell GPU Surface Book	GeForce GTX 960M
G3D Mark Score	3,311	3,375+2%
Architecture	Maxwell	Maxwell
Process Node	28 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	384	640+67%
Boost Clock	993 MHz	1176 MHz+18%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	Maxwell GPU Surface Book	GeForce GTX 960M
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 960M has 4 GB. The GeForce GTX 960M 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 960M
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 960M). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 3 vs 4.

Feature	Maxwell GPU Surface Book	GeForce GTX 960M
DirectX	12 (11_0)	12 (11_0)
Vulkan	1.1	1.3+18%
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	3	4+33%

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: None (Maxwell GPU Surface Book) vs NVENC (4th Gen) (GeForce GTX 960M). Decoder: PureVideo VP6 vs NVDEC (1st Gen). Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (Maxwell GPU Surface Book) vs MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264,H.265 (GeForce GTX 960M).

Feature	Maxwell GPU Surface Book	GeForce GTX 960M
Encoder	None	NVENC (4th Gen)
Decoder	PureVideo VP6	NVDEC (1st Gen)
Codecs	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2	MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264,H.265

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Maxwell GPU Surface Book draws 30W versus the GeForce GTX 960M's 75W — a 85.7% difference. The Maxwell GPU Surface Book is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Maxwell GPU Surface Book) vs 350W (GeForce GTX 960M). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 1x 6-pin. Card length: 0mm vs 0mm, occupying 0 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 85 vs 82.

Feature	Maxwell GPU Surface Book	GeForce GTX 960M
TDP	30W-60%	75W
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	1x 6-pin
Length	0mm	0mm
Height	0mm	0mm
Slots	0	0
Temp (Load)	85	82-4%
Perf/Watt	110.4+145%	45.0

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 960M costs 33.3% less ($25 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 44.1 (Maxwell GPU Surface Book) vs 67.5 (GeForce GTX 960M) — the GeForce GTX 960M offers 53.1% better value.