The GeForce GTX 980MX is a specialised mobile graphics chipset made by NVIDIA. It is less potent than the fully unlocked GeForce GTX 980 because it is a mobile chipset for tablets, laptops, and other mobile devices.
This chipset can be ideal for upgrading an ageing laptop. However, those using desktop computers or more recent laptop models should pass.
The number of shading units in the chipset that have been unlocked is one of the most significant distinctions between the GTX 980MX and the GTX 980.
The 980MX only has 1664 shaders available compared to the 980s 2048 when completely unlocked.
However, it has 64 render output units and 104 texture mapping units. So losing those locked shader units is a partial loss. It was decided to lock a fraction of shader units to assist the chipset in achieving its desired shader counts.
If you want to buy this chipset, here’s everything you need to know about it.
Is it worth investing in Nvidia Geforce GTX 980MX?
Key features
1.The GM204 graphics processor is the foundation for this chipset, which was first made available on June 1, 2016, using a 28-nanometer semiconductor manufacturing process.
The GPU for the 980MX has DirectX 12 functionality, enabling the chipset to operate contemporary games effectively.
2.OpenGL 4.6, Vulkan 1.3, OpenCL 3.0, CUDA 5.2, and Shader Model 6.4 are compatible with the 980MX.
3.The 980MX does not need additional power connectors, unlike the fully unlocked GTX 980.
However, since it was designed for laptops and notebooks that use the host computer’s output, its maximum power demand is rated at 148 W and lacks display connectivity.
Gaming performance
This chipset is a piece of gaming hardware that performs very poorly and is possibly only capable of running indie system requirements. Up to DirectX 12 standards are met by this card.
How well can the 8GB GeForce GTX 980MX run games released in 2022? The most recent versions have been examined, and a frames per second study has been performed using Ultra graphics settings.
The top resource-intensive games currently, 297, can be played with this 8GB chipset running at recommended settings.
Considering that 1080p is now the most popular gaming resolution, we investigated how well this chipset can run Days Gone at 1080p and discovered that it produced playable frame rates at the following graphical settings:
Ultra: 37 FPS, Medium: 77 FPS, High: 52 FPS, and Low: 98 FPS. Comparing performance shows that Forza Horizon 5 only produces a meagre 19 FPS at Ultra 1080p.
Is it possible to run 980MX in SLI?
The 980MX is an independent laptop chipset that does not support SLI. As a result, you cannot use this and another GTX 980MX simultaneously.
You must buy a GTX 980M SLI card if you wish to use your graphics card in SLI. Two 980M chipsets are forever locked into SLI with one another on this laptop chipset, enabling the chipset to execute SLI natively.
Should you buy GTX 980MX?
The chipset is currently approaching the end of its useful life and will probably become obsolete within a few years.
Additionally, more modern cards that receive firmware upgrades more frequently are priced similarly to the 980MX. Therefore, if you want to upgrade, one of those cards will probably be more beneficial to you in the long run.
The fact that the card has a mobile processor is another consideration. Because of their severe limitations, these chipsets are unsuitable for desktop setups.
Therefore, you’ll need a laptop that you can practically open, one with a non-proprietary motherboard that seems functional with the chipset isn’t fused with a GPU, and is otherwise GPU-free.
In other words, even if this were a powerful, recent card, it would only be valid to some modern computer builders. You will likely only have a compatible PC if you’re upgrading a gaming laptop.
There are just more, better mobile chipsets on the market, regardless of whether you are updating a gaming laptop. Therefore, there is no need to buy a chipset that, if a software upgrade sneezes at it, will basically destroy itself in three years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can 8 GB RAM handle gaming?
The minimally acceptable amount of RAM needed for any gaming computer is 8GB. Most newly released games will run well with 8GB RAM. However, certain games may play at a lower quality, and you might need to close other programmes.
For gaming, which graphics card is adequate?
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 is the overall best graphics card for gaming. Even though the GeForce RTX 3080 isn’t the most potent graphics card, it’s still the greatest for gamers overall.
The RTX 3080 is a great GPU in the RTX 30-series portfolio that can easily handle 4K gaming at frame rates of 60 or higher.
Does RTX resemble GTX?
Tensor cores and RT cores, two new critical pieces of hardware, are added by RTX graphics cards in comparison to GTX graphics cards.
Real-time ray tracing is carried out using RT cores, whilst deep learning, HPC, and AI are sped up using Tensor cores.
The Bottom Line
Although the GTX 980MX left its imprint on the laptop industry, it is now well past its prime. Therefore, it would be wiser for you to spend your money on a more recent card that will not expire.
That doesn’t imply we can’t admire the tenderness and care put into its construction. Like any engineering innovation, the 980MX’s improvements were essential to the design and layout of contemporary mobile chipsets.
Therefore, even if you don’t buy a 980MX, it continues to exist thanks to modern chipsets that take advantage of their predecessors’ technological advances.
