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NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M SLI

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M SLI

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M SLI is a high-end DirectX 11-compatible graphics solution for laptops, consisting of two GeForce GTX 980M. Each card has a 28 nm GM204 GPU based on the Maxwell architecture, which is the same chip as found on the GTX 970M as well as several desktop cards. The clocks for the SLI-setup are usually identical to a single GTX 980M (1038 MHz GPU, 1250 MHz memory).

With SLI, each card renders a single frame (AFR mode). Therefore, it may suffer from micro stuttering in low fps ranges of 30 fps. This happens because of different timespans between two frames (e.g., irregular delays between sequential frames).

Architecture

GM204 is based on Nvidia's Maxwell architecture, which replaces the previous Kepler generation. Among other changes, Nvidia have restructured the streaming multi processors (SMM) in order to increase workload and efficiency. Now each SMM contains only 128 shader units and 8 TMUs, which is noticeably less than an equivalent Kepler GPU. The GM204 features four GPCs, and each consists of four SMMs. But, in the GeForce GTX 980M, Nvidia have deactivated 4 of 16 SMMs. As a result, only 1536 shader ALUs and 96 TMUs are active. In addition, there are 64 ROPs in four clusters with 16 units each.

The memory interface has a bandwidth of 256-bits (4x 64 bit) for each of the two GPUs. Thanks to an improved compression algorithm, the connection to the GDDR5 memory should be significantly more efficient per MHz. Furthermore, the L1 (96 KB per SMM) and L2 caches (2 MB) have been significantly increased to lower the needed bandwidth. Compared to the mid-range GM107, the newer and larger GM204 has several additional features and changes. Aside from the improved polymorphic engine in the SSMs, it is also the first Nvidia chip to support DirectX 12 Feature Level 12_1.

Performance

With good driver support, SLI almost doubles the performance of a single card. The GTX 980M SLI outperforms the GeForce GTX 970M SLI by about 30 percent and is the fastest mobile graphics solution in late 2014. Compared to the former GTX 880M SLI, the advantage is even bigger (40 - 50 percent). Thus, the GTX 980M SLI is powerful enough to run even the most demanding games with highest details, AA/AF and resolutions exceeding FullHD.

Features

Most of the features are identical to the GeForce GTX 800M series. With the GTX 980M, there can be up to 4 active displays possible, but this will likely decrease due to Optimus. Displays can be connected with a maximum resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels via DisplayPort 1.2 or HDMI 2.0 (no HDCP @ 4K). HD audio formats like Dolby True HD and DTS HD can be sent to a compatible receiver as bitstream. As with previous models, 3D Vision is not supported with Optimus.

The updated video processor VP6 supports the usual formats like H.264 and can also decode and encode H.265 with a resolution of up to 4K via the NVENC API. Several parallel streams, such as picture-in-picture in a Blu-Ray movie, are also possible.

Further features of the GTX 900M series, which are also partly supported by older cards, include Battery Boost (longer battery life during gaming), Shadowplay (recording of gaming videos up to 4K60p and 130 Mbit/s) and Gamestream (game streaming on Shield console). More information on these features are available here.

Power Consumption

The power consumption of each GeForce GTX 980M including its MXM board and memory should be about the same as a GTX 880M with a specified TDP of 122 W, leading to a total TDP of about 240 W. Given the significantly higher performance, this can be considered a massive increase in performance-per-watt. Nevertheless, the SLI setup can only be used in very large and heavy gaming notebooks with powerful cooling systems. Under low load, dynamic clock rates help the GPUs to save energy.

GeForce GTX 900M Series

GeForce GTX 980M SLI 3072 @ 1.04 - 1.13 GHz2x 256 Bit @ 5000 MHz
GeForce GTX 970M SLI compare 2560 @ 0.92 - 1.04 GHz2x 192 Bit @ 5000 MHz
GeForce GTX 965M SLI compare 2048 @ 0.92 - 0.95 GHz128 Bit @ 5000 MHz
GeForce GTX 980M compare 1536 @ 1.04 - 1.13 GHz256 Bit @ 5000 MHz
GeForce GTX 970M compare 1280 @ 0.92 - 1.04 GHz192 Bit @ 5000 MHz
GeForce GTX 965M compare 1024 @ 0.92 - 0.95 GHz128 Bit @ 5000 MHz
GeForce GTX 960M compare 640 @ 1.1 - 1.2 GHz128 Bit @ 5000 MHz
GeForce GTX 950M compare 640 @ 0.91 - 1.12 GHz128 Bit @ 1800 - 5000 MHz
ArchitectureMaxwell
Pipelines3072 - unified
Core Speed1038 - 1127 (Boost) MHz
Memory Speed5000 MHz
Memory Bus Width2x 256 Bit
Memory TypeGDDR5
Max. Amount of Memory2x 8192 MB
Shared Memoryno
APIDirectX 12_1, Shader 5.0, OpenGL 4.5
Power Consumption200 Watt
Transistor Count0 Billion
technology28 nm
FeaturesBattery Boost, GameStream, ShadowPlay, GPU Boost 2.0, Optimus, PhysX, CUDA, SLI, GeForce Experience
Notebook Sizelarge
Date of Announcement07.10.2014

Benchmarks

Performance Rating - 3DMark 11 + Fire Strike + Time Spy
8.5 pt (25%)
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Score
min: 13181     avg: 13450     median: 13467 (24%)     max: 13703 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Score
min: 16276     avg: 17112     median: 17071 (24%)     max: 18029 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance GPU
min: 21901     avg: 22133     median: 22006 (19%)     max: 22618 Points
3DMark Vantage
3DM Vant. Perf. total +
3DM Vant. Perf. GPU no PhysX +
3DMark 06 3DMark 06 - Standard 1280x1024 +
SPECviewperf 11
specvp11 snx-01 +
specvp11 tcvis-02 +
specvp11 sw-02 +
specvp11 proe-05 +
specvp11 maya-03 +
specvp11 lightwave-01 +
specvp11 ensight-04 +
specvp11 catia-03 +
SPECviewperf 12
specvp12 sw-03 +
SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 sw-03
min: 9.42     avg: 31.7     median: 42.2 (10%)     max: 43.34 fps
specvp12 snx-02 +
specvp12 showcase-01 +
SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 showcase-01
min: 18.52     avg: 37.6     median: 45.4 (10%)     max: 49.04 fps
specvp12 mediacal-01 +
SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 mediacal-01
min: 2.07     avg: 16.4     median: 22.4 (6%)     max: 24.66 fps
specvp12 maya-04 +
specvp12 energy-01 +
specvp12 creo-01 +
specvp12 catia-04 +
SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 catia-04
min: 17.35     avg: 32.6     median: 39.8 (7%)     max: 40.52 fps
Cinebench R10 Cinebench R10 Shading (32bit) +
Cinebench R11.5 Cinebench R11.5 OpenGL 64 Bit +
Cinebench R15
Cinebench R15 OpenGL 64 Bit +
Cinebench R15 OpenGL Ref. Match 64 Bit +
- Range of benchmark values for this graphics card
- Average benchmark values for this graphics card
* Smaller numbers mean a higher performance

Game Benchmarks

The following benchmarks stem from our benchmarks of review laptops. The performance depends on the used graphics memory, clock rate, processor, system settings, drivers, and operating systems. So the results don't have to be representative for all laptops with this GPU. For detailed information on the benchmark results, click on the fps number.

The Crew

The Crew

2014
low 1280x720
60  fps    + Compare
med. 1366x768
60  fps    + Compare
high 1920x1080
60  fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
60  fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
low 1024x768
207.9  fps    + Compare
med. 1366x768
190.9  fps    + Compare
high 1920x1080
119 121.6 ~ 120 fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
85 86.5 ~ 86 fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
Far Cry 4

Far Cry 4

2014
low 1024x768
148.4  fps    + Compare
med. 1366x768
143.5  fps    + Compare
high 1920x1080
124.9  fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
113.3  fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
low 1024x768
104.1  fps    + Compare
med. 1366x768
95.9  fps    + Compare
high 1920x1080
74.8  fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
55.2  fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
low 1024x768
238.1  fps    + Compare
med. 1366x768
144.4  fps    + Compare
high 1920x1080
114 115.5 ~ 115 fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
62.2 69 ~ 66 fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
low 1024x768
175.2  fps    + Compare
med. 1366x768
172.5  fps    + Compare
high 1920x1080
154.6  fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
141.9  fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
F1 2014

F1 2014

2014
low 1024x768
118  fps    + Compare
med. 1366x768
118  fps    + Compare
high 1920x1080
117 118 ~ 118 fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
102 118 ~ 110 fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
low 1024x768
156.3  fps    + Compare
med. 1366x768
137.4  fps    + Compare
high 1920x1080
88.1  fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings high.
low 1024x768
63.4  fps    + Compare
med. 1366x768
63.3  fps    + Compare
high 1920x1080
63.2 111 ~ 87 fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
62.5 103 ~ 83 fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
low 1024x768
292.4  fps    + Compare
med. 1366x768
270.4  fps    + Compare
high 1920x1080
192.3  fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
140.1  fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
low 1280x720
187.4  fps    + Compare
med. 1344x756
176.5  fps    + Compare
high 1920x1080
148  fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
116.4  fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
Fifa 15

Fifa 15

2014
low 1280x720
453.2  fps    + Compare
high 1366x768
334.3  fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
265.1  fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
Sims 4

Sims 4

2014
low 1024x768
188.4  fps    + Compare
med. 1366x768
171.2  fps    + Compare
high 1920x1080
135  fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
127.2  fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
low 1024x768
429.8  fps    + Compare
med. 1366x768
230.7  fps    + Compare
high 1920x1080
163 200.6 ~ 182 fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
145 146.7 ~ 146 fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
low 1024x768
108  fps    + Compare
med. 1366x768
92.9  fps    + Compare
high 1920x1080
72.5  fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
52.4  fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
low 1280x720
60  fps    + Compare
med. 1280x720
60  fps    + Compare
high 1920x1080
60  fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
59.4  fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
Thief

Thief

2014
low 1024x768
138.9  fps    + Compare
med. 1366x768
133.5  fps    + Compare
high 1366x768
93 120.6 131.3 ~ 115 fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
87 96.5 103.6 ~ 96 fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
high 1366x768
60  fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
60  fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
low 1024x768
199.3  fps    + Compare
med. 1366x768
199  fps    + Compare
high 1366x768
197.9  fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
124.8  fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
high 1366x768
261.4  fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
94.2  fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
low 1280x720
72  fps    + Compare
med. 1366x768
96  fps    + Compare
high 1366x768
95.3  fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
93.9  fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
Dota 2

Dota 2

2013
low 1024x768
119.8  fps    + Compare
med. 1366x768
119.8 120 ~ 120 fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
119.8 120 ~ 120 fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
high 1366x768
68  fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
38  fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
low 1024x768
153.4  fps    + Compare
med. 1366x768
148.7  fps    + Compare
high 1366x768
125 134.7 ~ 130 fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
95 98.9 ~ 97 fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
low 1280x720
278.3  fps    + Compare
med. 1366x768
251.8  fps    + Compare
high 1366x768
212 226.3 231.3 ~ 223 fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
145 149.3 150 ~ 148 fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
high 1366x768
141  fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
92  fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
low 1024x768
589  fps    + Compare
med. 1366x768
570  fps    + Compare
high 1366x768
435 458.2 ~ 447 fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
198 200.8 ~ 199 fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
Crysis 3

Crysis 3

2013
low 1024x768
163.4  fps    + Compare
med. 1366x768
150.1  fps    + Compare
high 1366x768
123.7  fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
72.3  fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
low 1024x768
123.8  fps    + Compare
med. 1366x768
118.6  fps    + Compare
high 1366x768
108.6  fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
97  fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
high 1366x768
69  fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
64  fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
high 1366x768
178 203.8 ~ 191 fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
93.8 109 ~ 101 fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
Anno 2070

Anno 2070

2011
high 1366x768
166.6  fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
160.7  fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
Mafia 2

Mafia 2

2010
high 1360x768
208.5  fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
204.7  fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
med. 1360x768
164.5  fps    + Compare
high 1600x900
135.2  fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
126.8  fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
lowmed.highultraQHD4K
The Crew60606060
Dragon Age: Inquisition207.9190.912086
Far Cry 4148.4143.5124.9113.3
Assassin's Creed Unity104.195.974.855.2
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare238.1144.411566
Civilization: Beyond Earth175.2172.5154.6141.9
F1 2014118118118110
The Evil Within156.3137.488.1
Ryse: Son of Rome63.463.38783
Alien: Isolation292.4270.4192.3140.1
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor187.4176.5148116.4
Fifa 15453.2334.3265.1
Sims 4188.4171.2135127.2
GRID: Autosport429.8230.7182146
Watch Dogs10892.972.552.4
Wolfenstein: The New Order60606059.4
Thief138.9133.511596
Assassin´s Creed IV: Black Flag6060
Battlefield 4199.3199197.9124.8
Total War: Rome II261.494.2
Saints Row IV729695.393.9
Dota 2119.8120120
Company of Heroes 26838
Metro: Last Light153.4148.713097
BioShock Infinite278.3251.8223148
StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm14192
Tomb Raider589570447199
Crysis 3163.4150.1123.772.3
Hitman: Absolution123.8118.6108.697
Guild Wars 26964
Sleeping Dogs191101
Anno 2070166.6160.7
Mafia 2208.5204.7
Metro 2033164.5135.2126.8
< 30 fps
< 60 fps
< 120 fps
≥ 120 fps


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» Comparison of GPUs
Detailed list of all laptop GPUs sorted by class and performance.

» Benchmark List
Sort and restrict laptop GPUs based on performance in synthetic benchmarks.

» Notebook Gaming List
Playable games for each graphics card and their average FPS results.

Class 1

Class 2

Radeon PRO W6600M *

Class 3

UHD Graphics 32EUs
UHD Graphics 750

Class 4

Class 5

* Approximate position of the graphics adapter