NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980MX: A Complete Review and Comparison

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NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980MX

Are you in the market for a new laptop or desktop computer, but don’t know which graphics card to choose? Look no further than the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980MX. This powerful graphics card has been making waves in the tech world since its release. In this article, we will give you a comprehensive review and comparison.

Overview of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980MX

The GTX 980MX was released in 2015, and it is one of the most powerful graphics cards on the market. It features 8GB GDDR5 memory and 1536 CUDA cores. With a base clock speed of 1038MHz and a boost clock speed of 1127MHz, it can handle any task you throw at it.

Specifications of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980MX

  • Base Clock: 1038 MHz
  • Boost Clock: 1127 MHz
  • Memory Clock: 5012 MHz
  • CUDA Cores: 1536
  • Memory Size: 8GB GDDR5
  • Memory Interface: 256-bit
  • TDP: 125 W

Nvidia GeForce GTX 980MX Synthetic Benchmarks

Synthetic benchmarks are used to measure a graphics card’s overall performance in a controlled environment. They provide a useful comparison tool for different GPUs, allowing you to see how they stack up against each other. So, how does the GTX 980MX fare in synthetic benchmarks?

  • 3DMark Fire Strike: The 3DMark Fire Strike benchmark measures a GPU’s performance in a simulated gaming environment. The Nvidia GeForce GTX 980MX scored an impressive 8,315 points, putting it ahead of many other graphics cards in its class.
  • Unigine Heaven: Unigine Heaven is another popular benchmark used to test a GPU’s performance. The GTX 980MX scored an average of 68.9 FPS (frames per second) on the Extreme preset, making it a top-performing GPU.
  • FurMark: This is a stress test that pushes a GPU to its limits. The Nvidia GeForce GTX 980MX performed admirably, with an average temperature of 73°C and a maximum temperature of 79°C.

Overall, the Nvidia GeForce GTX 980MX is a top-performing graphics card in synthetic benchmarks. It consistently ranks near the top of the charts and offers impressive performance in simulated gaming environments.

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980MX

Nvidia GeForce GTX 980MX Gaming Performance

While synthetic benchmarks provide a good indication of a GPU’s overall performance, gaming performance is where it really counts. After all, the main purpose of a graphics card is to provide a smooth and immersive gaming experience. So, how does the GTX 980MX perform in real-world gaming scenarios?

  • Grand Theft Auto V: Grand Theft Auto V is a demanding game that requires a powerful GPU to run smoothly. It score an average of 63 FPS on the High preset, making it a great choice for gamers who want to play this popular title at high settings.
  • The Witcher 3: The Witcher 3 is another graphically intensive game that requires a capable GPU. The GTX 980MX performed well, with an average of 44 FPS on the High preset.
  • Doom Eternal: Doom Eternal is a fast-paced first-person shooter that requires a GPU with high clock speeds. The Nvidia 980MX perform admirably, with an average of 95 FPS on the High preset.

Overall, the GTX 980MX offers excellent gaming performance. It can handle demanding titles at high settings and provides a smooth and immersive gaming experience.

Nvidia GeForce GTX 980MX Thermals

Thermals are an important consideration when it comes to choosing a graphics card. GPUs generate a lot of heat, and if they get too hot, they can suffer from thermal throttling, which can reduce their performance. So, how does the Nvidia GeForce GTX 980MX perform in terms of thermals?

  • Idle Temperature: The GTX 980MX runs at a cool temperature when not under load, averaging around 35°C.
  • Load Temperature: Under full load, the Nvidia 980MX reaches an average temperature of 75°C, which is well within the safe operating range for modern GPUs.
  • Fan Noise: It features advanced cooling technology, including a high-performance fan. Under full load, the fan noise is audible but not overly loud, making it a good choice for gamers who value a quiet gaming experience.

The Nvidia GTX 980MX performs well in terms of thermals. It runs cool under idle conditions and stays within a safe temperature range under full load. The fan noise is also well-manage, making it a great option for gamers who don’t want to sacrifice performance for quiet operation.

Pros and Cons of the Nvidia GeForce GTX 980MX

As with any piece of hardware, the GTX 980MX has its pros and cons. Here are some of the key advantages and disadvantages to consider before making a purchase:

Pros

  1. Excellent gaming performance: The Nvidia 980MX offers impressive gaming performance, handling demanding titles at high settings.
  2. Strong synthetic benchmark scores: It consistently ranks near the top of the charts in synthetic benchmarks.
  3. Advanced cooling technology: The GTX 980MX features advanced cooling technology, keeping temperatures in check under load.

Cons

  1. High power consumption: The GTX 980MX consumes a lot of power, which can lead to shorter battery life in laptops.
  2. Expensive: It is a high-end graphics card, and as such, it comes with a premium price tag.

Comparison with Other Graphics Cards

Now, let’s compare the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980MX with other high-end graphics cards.

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M

The GeForce 980M is the predecessor to the GTX 980MX. The GTX 980M has 1536 CUDA cores, just like the GTX 980MX, but it only has 4GB GDDR5 memory. The GTX 980M also has a lower base clock speed of 1038MHz and a boost clock speed of 1127MHz. In terms of performance, the GTX 980MX is faster and more powerful than the GTX 980M.

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980

The GTX 980 is a desktop graphics card released in 2014. It has 2048 CUDA cores and 4GB GDDR5 memory. The GTX 980 also has a higher base clock speed of 1126MHz and a boost clock speed of 1216MHz. In terms of performance, the GTX 980 is faster than the GTX 980MX, but it is not as power-efficient and is not suitable for laptops.

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti

The NVIDIA 980 Ti is a desktop graphics card released in 2015. It has 2816 CUDA cores and 6GB GDDR5 memory. The GTX 980 Ti has a base clock speed of 1000MHz and a boost clock speed of 1075MHz. In terms of performance, the GTX 980 Ti is faster and more powerful than the GTX 980MX. However, it is not suitable for laptops and is more power-hungry.

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060

The GTX 1060 is a mid-range graphics card released in 2016. It has 1280 CUDA cores and 6GB GDDR5 memory. The GTX 1060 has a base clock speed of 1506MHz and a boost clock speed of 1708MHz. In terms of performance, the GTX 980MX is faster and more powerful than the GTX 1060.

Conclusion

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980MX is a powerful graphics card suitable for both gaming and professional workloads. It offers exceptional performance and can handle most modern games on high or ultra-high settings. 

When compared to other high-end graphics cards, the GTX 980MX is faster than the GTX 980M and the GTX 1060 but slower than the GTX 980 Ti. It is also power-efficient and runs relatively cool. If you’re in the market for a laptop or desktop computer, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980MX is definitely worth considering.

Read Also: AMD Radeon R5 Specification and Benchmarks – Amazon.com