GPU Comparison

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 and the NVIDIA GeForce 920MX represent two very different eras of mobile and desktop graphics. The GTX 1050 is a dedicated desktop GPU built on the Pascal architecture, while the 920MX is a low-power mobile chip from the Maxwell generation. The data shows a clear hierarchy: the GTX 1050 leads in every head-to-head benchmark, with the 920MX trailing by a substantial margin. The GTX 1050 is positioned for users who need playable frame rates in modern titles, whereas the 920MX is suited only for basic multimedia acceleration and legacy gaming.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 is the definitive choice for any compute or graphics workload. In the two shared benchmarks, the GTX 1050 delivers a 274.5% higher score in Geekbench OpenCL and a 201.1% higher score in Geekbench Vulkan. These are not marginal gains; they represent a generational leap in capability. The GTX 1050’s average benchmark score of 3629 places it in the 21st percentile of all GPUs, while the 920MX scores an average of 3528, also in the 21st percentile. This near-identical percentile ranking is misleading, as it reflects the broader pool of all GPUs, but the direct comparison shows the GTX 1050 is significantly faster.

The 920MX should only be considered for ultra-portable systems where power consumption is the absolute priority. Its 16 W TDP is vastly lower than the GTX 1050’s 75 W, making it suitable for fanless or passively cooled designs. However, its 2 GB DDR3 memory with a 64-bit bus and 14.40 GB/s bandwidth is a severe bottleneck for any serious gaming. The GTX 1050, with its 2 GB GDDR5 memory on a 128-bit bus and 112.1 GB/s bandwidth, is the minimum viable option for modern game titles at low-to-medium settings. The verdict is simple: the GTX 1050 wins decisively on performance, while the 920MX wins only on power efficiency.

Architecture Differences

The two GPUs are built on fundamentally different architectures and process nodes. The GTX 1050 uses the GP107 chip, manufactured on Samsung’s 14 nm process, containing 3,300 million transistors on a 132 mm² die. This results in a transistor density of 25.0M / mm². In contrast, the 920MX uses the GM108S chip, built on TSMC’s 28 nm process, with 1,020 million transistors on a 77 mm² die, giving a density of 13.2M / mm². The newer 14 nm node allows the GTX 1050 to pack more than three times the transistors into a die that is only 71% larger in area.

The GTX 1050 is based on the Pascal architecture, supporting DirectX 12 (12_1), while the 920MX is based on the older Maxwell architecture, supporting DirectX 12 (11_0). Both support OpenGL 4.6 and Vulkan 1.4. The Pascal architecture brings architectural improvements in scheduling and occupancy, which contribute to its higher performance per clock. The GTX 1050 features 640 shading units, 40 texture mapping units, and 32 ROPs. The 920MX has 256 shading units, 24 TMUs, and only 8 ROPs. This is a 2.5x difference in shading units, a 1.67x difference in TMUs, and a 4x difference in ROPs.

The memory subsystem is also starkly different. The GTX 1050 uses GDDR5 memory with a 128-bit bus, achieving 112.1 GB/s bandwidth. The 920MX uses DDR3 with a 64-bit bus, achieving only 14.40 GB/s bandwidth. This is a 7.8x difference in memory bandwidth, which is critical for texture-heavy workloads and higher resolutions. The GTX 1050’s pixel rate is 46.56 GPixel/s compared to the 920MX’s 7.944 GPixel/s, and its texture rate is 58.20 GTexel/s versus 23.83 GTexel/s. These architectural differences explain the massive performance gap.

Where Each One Wins

The GTX 1050 wins in every single benchmark category where both GPUs have scores. In Geekbench OpenCL, the GTX 1050 scores 15233 against the 920MX’s 4068, a 274.5% lead. In Geekbench Vulkan, the GTX 1050 scores 8995 against 2987, a 201.1% lead. The GTX 1050 also has a broader benchmark profile, with scores for Passmark DirectX 9 (83), DirectX 10 (24), DirectX 11 (38), DirectX 12 (20), G2D (457), G3D (5028), and GPU Compute (2091), as well as 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 (122) and Geekbench Metal (7823). The 920MX has no scores in these tests, indicating it was not capable of running them or was not tested.

The 920MX’s only advantage is its power envelope. Its 16 W TDP is 59 W lower than the GTX 1050’s 75 W. This makes the 920MX suitable for thin-and-light laptops where battery life and thermal output are paramount. The 920MX also uses an MXM module form factor, which is designed for notebooks, while the GTX 1050 is a dual-slot desktop card with a 145 mm length. The 920MX’s display outputs are "Portable Device Dependent," meaning they are integrated into the laptop, whereas the GTX 1050 offers 1x DVI, 1x HDMI 2.0, and 1x DisplayPort 1.4a. For users with a desktop system, the GTX 1050 is the only logical choice.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 has an average benchmark score of 3629, while the NVIDIA GeForce 920MX has an average score of 3528. The GTX 1050 leads by approximately 2.9%.

Q: What is the performance difference in Geekbench OpenCL?

A: The GTX 1050 scores 15233 in Geekbench OpenCL, while the 920MX scores 4068. The GTX 1050 is 274.5% faster in this test.

Q: Do both GPUs support the same DirectX version?

A: No. The GTX 1050 supports DirectX 12 (12_1), while the 920MX supports DirectX 12 (11_0). The GTX 1050 has a higher feature level.

Q: Which GPU has more shading units?

A: The GTX 1050 has 640 shading units, while the 920MX has 256 shading units. This is a 2.5x difference in favor of the GTX 1050.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of each GPU?

A: The GTX 1050 has a memory bandwidth of 112.1 GB/s, while the 920MX has 14.40 GB/s. The GTX 1050 offers roughly 7.8 times the bandwidth.

Q: Which GPU consumes less power?

A: The 920MX has a TDP of 16 W, while the GTX 1050 has a TDP of 75 W. The 920MX consumes significantly less power.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data is limited to two tests, but the results are conclusive. In Geekbench OpenCL, the GTX 1050 scores 15233, while the 920MX scores 4068. This is a delta of 274.5%, meaning the GTX 1050 is nearly three times faster. OpenCL is a compute workload that measures raw GPU processing power, and the GTX 1050’s 1.862 TFLOPS FP32 performance versus the 920MX’s 508.4 GFLOPS explains this overwhelming victory.

In Geekbench Vulkan, the GTX 1050 scores 8995, while the 920MX scores 2987. This is a delta of 201.1%, meaning the GTX 1050 is just over twice as fast. Vulkan is a low-level graphics API that stresses the GPU’s ability to handle draw calls and geometry. The GTX 1050’s 58.20 GTexel/s texture rate and 32 ROPs provide a significant advantage over the 920MX’s 23.83 GTexel/s and 8 ROPs. The GTX 1050 wins both head-to-head benchmarks, with a total win count of 2 versus 0 for the 920MX.

Specification Differences

The specification differences between the two GPUs are extensive. The GTX 1050 uses a 14 nm process from Samsung, while the 920MX uses a 28 nm process from TSMC. The GTX 1050 has 3,300 million transistors on a 132 mm² die, while the 920MX has 1,020 million transistors on a 77 mm² die. The GTX 1050’s base clock is 1354 MHz with a boost of 1455 MHz, while the 920MX runs at 965 MHz base and 993 MHz boost. Memory clocks differ: the GTX 1050 runs at 1752 MHz (7 Gbps effective), while the 920MX runs at 900 MHz (1800 Mbps effective).

The memory configuration is a key differentiator. The GTX 1050 has 2 GB of GDDR5 on a 128-bit bus, achieving 112.1 GB/s. The 920MX has 2 GB of DDR3 on a 64-bit bus, achieving 14.40 GB/s. The GTX 1050 has 640 shading units, 40 TMUs, and 32 ROPs. The 920MX has 256 shading units, 24 TMUs, and 8 ROPs. Pixel rate is 46.56 GPixel/s for the GTX 1050 versus 7.944 GPixel/s for the 920MX. Texture rate is 58.20 GTexel/s versus 23.83 GTexel/s. The GTX 1050’s FP32 performance is 1.862 TFLOPS, while the 920MX is 508.4 GFLOPS.

The GTX 1050 has a TDP of 75 W, a dual-slot form factor, and no power connectors, with a suggested PSU of 250 W. The 920MX has a TDP of 16 W, an MXM module form factor, and no power connectors, with no suggested PSU. The GTX 1050 uses a PCIe 3.0 x16 interface, while the 920MX uses PCIe 3.0 x8. The GTX 1050 has discrete display outputs (1x DVI, 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4a), while the 920MX’s outputs are "Portable Device Dependent." The GTX 1050 was released on 2016-10-24, while the 920MX was released on 2016-03-24. The GTX 1050 has a launch MSRP of 109 USD.