Review Nvidia GeForce GTX 860M Maxwell vs. Kepler

[Redaktion]

The unequal duel. Nvidia offers two different versions of it latest high-end GPU GeForce GTX 860M. Besides a version based on the Maxwell architecture, there is also a GPU from the old Kepler generation. We compared the performance of the two DirectX 11 chips and found a winner.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Nvidia-GeForce-GTX-860M-Maxwell-vs-Kepler.114908.0.html

[Zaller]

I was hoping Maxwell is more efficient, use significantly less power as the Kepler. Actually the desktop version yes, but what is the problem with the mobile?

[Till Schönborn]

In this case, the Kepler version uses a much bigger, much lower clocked chip – this negates the more effizient Maxwell architecture.

[Zaller]

Interesting, I'll probably buy something with 850M, that have lower clock speed.

[Mysterhay]

What about temperatures? Assuming the heat sink set up is similar. Heat is the limiting factoring most gaming laptops after all

[Mysterhay]

Also any chance of a gtx 850m ddr3 vs ddr5? Some reports are that the performance gap isn't as big as previous generations

[vmicho]

Thanks a lot for this article. I was seriously thinking about that Clevo P150SM-A. I've thought the 860M MXM was already a keppler card (I know 870M+ are the old ones). Looks like I still will have to wait a bit :D

[SDubs]

The ASUS ROG G750JM-DS71 available on Amazon appears to be the Maxwell chip as it has 2GB vs the Kepler's 4GB of DDR5? I think this is the only way to know what chip is in there, the "details" are not that detailed when it comes to specifying Kepler or Maxwell. Perhaps the manufacturer's box will specify?

[vmicho]

Well, better ask directly the manufacturer or the seller (who should ask the manufacturer) or ask directly at some offical asus reseller's contact page.
BTW for me the 750G is too big, I'd prefer a 15" version (it was available 2 year ago I think, now nothing).

[aws]

I was looking quite a while for gtx 860m 2gb vs. gtx 860m 4gd (both Maxwell) and found it in different benchmark vids for the Lenovo Y50, the other specs were the same. A bit strange?

DMark13
GTX 860M 2GB Maxwell
Fire Strike 1.1 - 3539
Ice Break 1.1 - 13160
Cloud Storm 1.2 - 80804

GTX 860M 4GB Maxwell (yes it is also a Maxwell)
Fire Strike 1.1 - 3521
Ice Break 1.1 - 13510
Cloud Storm 1.2 - 80661

[nek30]

Kepler 860m = 19.1 gpixels + 76.5 Gtxels + Shading Units:   1152 = 1.8gflops

Maxwell 860m = 16.3 gpixels + 40.8Gtexels + Shading Units: 640 = 1.3gflops


Kepler 860m  > Maxwell 860m

[maxo0]

Kepler 860m = 19.1 gpixels + 76.5 Gtxels + Shading Units:   1152 = 1.8gflops

Maxwell 860m = 16.3 gpixels + 40.8Gtexels + Shading Units: 640 = 1.3gflops


Kepler 860m  > Maxwell 860m

Did you even read the review or any other reviews, the ACTUAL performance of the two? Base stats don't mean anything when its kepler vs maxwell architecture. So you would rather get 10-20% less FPS on almost all games while consuming alot more power because the base stats are "bigger"? LoL. Look @ the DOTA 2 fps... kepler is like 55 maxwell almost 90? Every game tested is either close to equal(a few) or performing a lot better with the Maxwell. That's pretty crazy considering we're talking about THE SAME model card. I wouldn't buy a G750 if it had the Kepler, why choose older and significantly worse performance/fps for no reason when the price is the same.