Notebookcheck Logo

NVIDIA GeForce 940M

NVIDIA GeForce 940M

The NVIDIA GeForce 940M is a mid-range DirectX 11-compatible graphics card for laptops unveiled in March 2015. It is based on Nvidia's Maxwell architecture (GM108 chip) and manufactured in 28 nm. The 940M offers 384 shader units as well as 2 GB of DDR3 memory (64 bit, 2000 MHz effective).

Compared to the previous and technically very similar GeForce 840M, the GeForce 940M is clocked just slightly higher.

Architecture

Compared to Kepler, Maxwell has been optimized in several details to increase power efficiency. Smaller Streaming Multiprocessors (SMM) with only 128 ALUs (Kepler: 192) and an optimized scheduler should lead to better utilization of the shaders. Nvidia promises that a Maxwell SMM with 128 ALUs can offer 90 percent of the performance of a Kepler SMX with 192 ALUs. GM108 features 3 SMMs and thus 384 shader cores, 24 TMUs and 8 ROPs (64-bit interface).

Another optimization is the massively enlarged L2 cache. The larger size can process some of the memory traffic to allow for a relatively narrow memory interface without significantly reducing performance.

Similar to Fermi and Kepler, the GM107/GM108 support DirectX 12 with feature level 11_0 only.

Performance

Due to its just 5 percent higher core clock, the GeForce 940M is only marginally faster than the previous GeForce 840M and similar to the older GeForce GT 750M (DDR3 version). Many games of 2014/2015 can be played fluently in WXGA resolution (1366 x 768) and medium detail settings. However, very demanding games such as Assassin's Creed Unity will require lower resolutions and/or details.

Features

GM108 integrates the sixth generation of the PureVideo HD video engine (VP6), offering a better decoding performance for H.264 and MPEG-2 videos. Of course, VP6 supports all features of previous generations (4K support, PIP, video encoding via NVENC API). Unfortunately, HDMI 2.0 is still not supported.

Power Consumption

The power consumption of the GeForce 940M should be about 30 Watts or lower. Therefore, the GPU is best suited for laptops 13 - 14 inches in size and above. The 900M series also supports Optimus to automatically switch between an integrated graphics card and the Nvidia GPU.

GeForce 900M Series

GeForce 945M compare 512 @ 0.93 - 1.05 GHz128 Bit @ 2000 MHz
Maxwell GPU (940M, GDDR5) compare 384 @ 0.95 - 0.99 GHz64 Bit @ 5012 MHz
GeForce 940MX compare 384 @ 1.12 - 1.24 GHz64 Bit @ 4000 MHz
GeForce 940M 384 @ 1.07 - 1.18 GHz64 Bit @ 2000 MHz
GeForce 930MX compare 384 @ 0.95 - 1.02 GHz64 Bit @ 2000 MHz
GeForce 930M compare 384 @ 0.93 - 0.94 GHz64 Bit @ 1800 MHz
GeForce 920MX compare 256 @ 0.97 - 0.99 GHz64 Bit @ 1800 MHz
GeForce 920M compare 384 @ 0.95 GHz64 Bit @ 1800 MHz
GeForce 910M compare 384 @ 0.64 GHz64 Bit @ 2000 MHz
CodenameN16S-GT-S/B
ArchitectureMaxwell
Pipelines384 - unified
Core Speed1072 - 1176 (Boost) MHz
Memory Speed2000 MHz
Memory Bus Width64 Bit
Memory TypeDDR3
Max. Amount of Memory4 GB
Shared Memoryno
APIDirectX 12 (FL 11_0), Shader 5.0, OpenGL 4.5
Power Consumption25 Watt
technology28 nm
FeaturesGPU Boost 2.0, Optimus, PhysX, CUDA, GeForce Experience
Notebook Sizemedium sized
Date of Announcement12.03.2015
Link to Manufacturer Pagewww.geforce.com

Benchmarks

Performance Rating - 3DMark 11 + Fire Strike + Time Spy
0.7 pt (2%)
AMD Radeon HD 8180
0.06404 -91%
...
Intel UHD Graphics G1 (Ice Lake 32 EU)
0.672 -6%
NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
0.676 -6%
AMD Radeon 530
0.681 -5%
NVIDIA GeForce 840M
0.695 -3%
NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M
0.695 -3%
AMD Radeon R7 M445
0.697 -3%
NVIDIA Quadro M500M
0.704 -2%
NVIDIA GeForce 930MX
0.705 -2%
NVIDIA Quadro K2100M
0.709 -1%
NVIDIA GeForce 940M
0.716
NVIDIA Quadro K620M
0.716 0%
Intel Iris Graphics 550
0.728 2%
NVIDIA GeForce MX110
0.757 6%
AMD FirePro M4000
0.757 6%
AMD Radeon HD 8790M
0.763 7%
AMD FirePro W4190M
0.771 8%
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M
0.773 8%
AMD Radeon R7 M370
0.777 9%
AMD FirePro W4170M
0.78 9%
...
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU
20.4 2749%
max:
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090
33.3 4551%
0%
100%
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited Graphics
min: 107932     avg: 123225     median: 123311 (12%)     max: 138345 Points
+ 4 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Extreme Graphics
min: 16718     avg: 36481     median: 42559.5 (5%)     max: 44085 Points
+ 4 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Score
min: 5816     avg: 6442     median: 6342 (6%)     max: 9112 Points
+ 25 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Graphics
min: 7647     avg: 8888     median: 8818.5 (2%)     max: 9807 Points
+ 24 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Score
min: 1333     avg: 1422     median: 1422 (2%)     max: 1555 Points
+ 25 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Graphics
min: 1530     avg: 1631     median: 1622 (2%)     max: 1739 Points
+ 24 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Graphics
min: 16771     avg: 52185     median: 51180.5 (6%)     max: 81426 Points
+ 22 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Score
min: 2282     avg: 2480     median: 2485 (3%)     max: 2800 Points
+ 25 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance GPU
min: 2178     avg: 2417     median: 2405.5 (2%)     max: 2602 Points
+ 24 benchmarks and specifications   - Hide comparison chart
3DMark Vantage
3DM Vant. Perf. total +
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. total
min: 7406     avg: 7531     median: 7530.5 (2%)     max: 7655 Points
+ 2 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
3DM Vant. Perf. GPU no PhysX +
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. GPU no PhysX
min: 6923     avg: 6943     median: 6942.5 (4%)     max: 6962 Points
+ 2 benchmarks and specifications   - Hide comparison chart
3DMark 06 3DMark 06 - Standard 1280x1024 +
3DMark 06
min: 10614     avg: 12095     median: 11920 (16%)     max: 14401 Points
+ 6 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Unigine Heaven 2.1 - Heaven 2.1 high
28.3 fps (5%)
+ 1 benchmarks and specifications   - Hide comparison chart
SPECviewperf 11
specvp11 snx-01 +
SPECviewperf 11 - specvp11 snx-01
6.5 fps (4%)
+ 1 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
specvp11 tcvis-02 +
SPECviewperf 11 - specvp11 tcvis-02
1.6 fps (1%)
+ 1 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
specvp11 sw-02 +
SPECviewperf 11 - specvp11 sw-02
11 fps (8%)
+ 1 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
specvp11 proe-05 +
SPECviewperf 11 - specvp11 proe-05
1.6 fps (2%)
+ 1 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
specvp11 maya-03 +
SPECviewperf 11 - specvp11 maya-03
7.3 fps (5%)
+ 1 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
specvp11 lightwave-01 +
SPECviewperf 11 - specvp11 lightwave-01
14.2 fps (15%)
+ 1 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
specvp11 ensight-04 +
SPECviewperf 11 - specvp11 ensight-04
17.6 fps (8%)
+ 1 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
specvp11 catia-03 +
SPECviewperf 11 - specvp11 catia-03
10.2 fps (5%)
+ 1 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
SPECviewperf 12
specvp12 sw-03 +
SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 sw-03
14.7 fps (4%)
+ 1 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
specvp12 snx-02 +
SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 snx-02
1.8 fps (0%)
+ 1 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
specvp12 showcase-01 +
SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 showcase-01
6.1 fps (1%)
+ 1 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
specvp12 mediacal-01 +
SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 mediacal-01
5.7 fps (1%)
+ 1 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
specvp12 maya-04 +
SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 maya-04
2.1 fps (1%)
+ 1 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
specvp12 energy-01 +
SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 energy-01
0.1 fps (0%)
+ 1 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
specvp12 creo-01 +
SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 creo-01
6.7 fps (3%)
+ 1 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
specvp12 catia-04 +
SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 catia-04
9.7 fps (2%)
+ 1 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Cinebench R10 Cinebench R10 Shading (32bit) +
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Shading (32bit)
min: 2990     avg: 5922     median: 6088 (4%)     max: 6724 points
+ 19 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Cinebench R11.5 Cinebench R11.5 OpenGL 64 Bit +
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 OpenGL 64 Bit
min: 22.83     avg: 37.5     median: 39.7 (13%)     max: 49.93 fps
+ 22 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Cinebench R15
Cinebench R15 OpenGL 64 Bit +
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 OpenGL 64 Bit
min: 25.58     avg: 47.8     median: 52.4 (3%)     max: 61.9 fps
+ 23 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Cinebench R15 OpenGL Ref. Match 64 Bit +
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 OpenGL Ref. Match 64 Bit
min: 98     avg: 99.5     median: 99.6 (100%)     max: 99.6 %
+ 22 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
GFXBench - GFXBench Car Chase Offscreen
38 fps (4%)
+ 1 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
GFXBench 3.1 - GFXBench Manhattan ES 3.1 Offscreen
55.1 fps (1%)
+ 1 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
GFXBench 3.0 - GFXBench 3.0 Manhattan Offscreen
min: 62.9     avg: 65.6     median: 64 (4%)     max: 70 fps
+ 3 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
GFXBench (DX / GLBenchmark) 2.7
GFXBench T-Rex HD Offscreen C24Z16 +
GFXBench (DX / GLBenchmark) 2.7 - GFXBench T-Rex HD Offscreen C24Z16
min: 122.1     avg: 127.5     median: 127.5 (1%)     max: 133 fps
+ 3 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
LuxMark v2.0 64Bit - LuxMark v2.0 Room GPU
min: 359     avg: 392     median: 386 (1%)     max: 431 Samples/s
+ 3 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
LuxMark v2.0 64Bit - LuxMark v2.0 Sala GPU
min: 781     avg: 858     median: 878 (2%)     max: 916 Samples/s
+ 3 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
ComputeMark v2.1 - ComputeMark v2.1 Result
min: 1685     avg: 1719     median: 1719 (2%)     max: 1753 points
+ 2 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Power Consumption - Furmark Stress Test Power Consumption - external Monitor *
62.8 Watt (9%)
+ 1 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Power Consumption - The Witcher 3 Power Consumption - external Monitor *
45.1 Watt (6%)
+ 1 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
- Range of benchmark values for this graphics card
red legend - 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.

Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order

Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order

2019
med. 1920x1080
13.9  fps    + Compare
high 1920x1080
11  fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
9.8  fps    + Compare
» The benchmarks indicate that the game is not playable in the tested settings.
Need for Speed Heat

Need for Speed Heat

2019
low 1280x720
27.3  fps    + Compare
med. 1920x1080
12.3  fps    + Compare
» The benchmarks indicate that the game is not playable in the tested settings.
Ghost Recon Breakpoint

Ghost Recon Breakpoint

2019
low 1280x720
22  fps    + Compare
med. 1920x1080
10  fps    + Compare
» The benchmarks indicate that the game is not playable in the tested settings.
Control

Control

2019
low 1280x720
11  fps    + Compare
» The benchmarks indicate that the game is not playable in the tested settings.
F1 2019

F1 2019

2019
low 1280x720
46.4  fps    + Compare
med. 1920x1080
19.5  fps    + Compare
high 1920x1080
17.6  fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
10.8  fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings low.
League of Legends

League of Legends

2019
low 1280x720
145.9  fps    + Compare
med. 1920x1080
115.1  fps    + Compare
high 1920x1080
120.7  fps    + Compare
ultra 1920x1080
122.6  fps    + Compare
QHD 2560x1440
95.5  fps    + Compare
4K 3840x2160
45  fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
Total War: Three Kingdoms

Total War: Three Kingdoms

2019
low 1280x720
55.8  fps    + Compare
med. 1920x1080
16.6  fps    + Compare
high 1920x1080
9.1  fps    + Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings low.
Rage 2

Rage 2

2019
low 1280x720
18  fps    + Compare
» The benchmarks indicate that the game is not playable in the tested settings.