NVIDIA GeForce 945M vs NVIDIA GeForce MX330 Comparison

The NVIDIA GeForce MX330 and NVIDIA GeForce 945M are two end-of-life mobile graphics processors from different architectural generations. The data shows a close contest in raw compute, but significant divergence in feature support and efficiency. This analysis relies strictly on the provided benchmark results and specification data to determine which GPU holds the advantage in various scenarios.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only direct benchmark comparison available is the Geekbench OpenCL test. In this test, the NVIDIA GeForce 945M scores 8,099, while the NVIDIA GeForce MX330 scores 7,896. This translates to a delta of -2.5% for the MX330, meaning the 945M is 2.5% faster in this specific workload. The 945M wins the sole head-to-head benchmark, giving it a 1-0 record in direct comparisons.

While the MX330 loses this specific test, its average benchmark score across all tests is 8,458, which is actually higher than the 945M's average score of 8,099. This discrepancy indicates that the MX330 performs better in other benchmarks not directly compared here, such as Geekbench Vulkan, where it scores 9,019. The 945M has no Vulkan score listed in the data.

The percentile rankings place both GPUs near the middle of the pack. The MX330 sits at the 43rd percentile of all GPUs, while the 945M is at the 42nd percentile. This suggests that despite the 945M's win in the OpenCL test, the overall performance envelope of the two cards is nearly identical.

The MX330's nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon HD 8870M (avg score 8,462, delta 0%), the AMD Radeon 880M (avg score 8,436, delta 0.3%), the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 675MX (avg score 8,427, delta 0.4%), and the Intel Arc A380 (avg score 8,558, delta -1.2%). The 945M's nearest rivals include the NVIDIA GRID K2 (avg score 8,080, delta 0.2%), the AMD Radeon R9 M360 (avg score 8,129, delta -0.4%), the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost (avg score 8,067, delta 0.4%), and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950M (avg score 8,135, delta -0.4%). These rival lists confirm that both GPUs are positioned in a similar performance tier.

Architecture Differences

The MX330 is built on the Pascal architecture using the GP108B chip, fabricated on a 14 nm process at Samsung. In contrast, the 945M uses the Maxwell architecture with the GM107 chip, fabricated on a 28 nm process at TSMC. This process difference is a primary driver of the efficiency gap between the two.

The MX330 packs 1,800 million transistors into a die size of 74 mm², resulting in a transistor density of 24.3M per mm². The 945M contains 1,870 million transistors on a much larger 148 mm² die, yielding a density of only 12.6M per mm². The newer process allows the MX330 to achieve nearly double the transistor density.

The MX330 has a significantly higher boost clock of 1,594 MHz compared to the 945M's 1,020 MHz. However, the 945M compensates with more execution resources, featuring 640 shading units and 40 texture mapping units (TMUs), versus the MX330's 384 shading units and 24 TMUs. Both have 16 render output units (ROPs). The 945M also has a higher raw FP32 throughput at 1,305.6 GFLOPS compared to the MX330's 1,224.2 GFLOPS.

Memory configurations differ substantially. The MX330 uses 2 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 64-bit bus, delivering a bandwidth of 56.06 GB/s. The 945M uses 2 GB of DDR3 memory on a 128-bit bus, but its bandwidth is only 28.80 GB/s. The MX330's faster memory type and clock speed (7 Gbps effective vs 1,800 Mbps effective) allow it to nearly double the 945M's memory bandwidth despite the narrower bus.

Power consumption is a major differentiator. The MX330 has a TDP of just 10 W and is an integrated graphics package (IGP), while the 945M has a TDP of 75 W and uses an MXM module form factor. The MX330 supports DirectX 12 (12_1), while the 945M supports DirectX 12 (11_0). Both support OpenGL 4.6 and Vulkan 1.4.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU is faster in the OpenCL benchmark?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce 945M is faster, scoring 8,099 compared to the MX330's 7,896, a 2.5% difference.

Q: Does the MX330 have any benchmark where it wins?

A: Yes, the MX330 scores 9,019 in the Geekbench Vulkan test, while the 945M has no Vulkan score listed in the data.

Q: Why does the MX330 have lower power consumption?

A: The MX330 is built on a 14 nm process at Samsung with a 10 W TDP, while the 945M uses a 28 nm process at TSMC with a 75 W TDP. The smaller process node is the primary reason.

Q: Which GPU has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The MX330, with 56.06 GB/s, despite using a 64-bit bus. The 945M has a 128-bit bus but slower DDR3 memory, yielding only 28.80 GB/s.

Q: What is the difference in their shading unit counts?

A: The 945M has 640 shading units, while the MX330 has 384. The 945M also has 40 TMUs versus the MX330's 24.

Q: Which GPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The MX330 has a higher average benchmark score of 8,458, compared to the 945M's 8,099.

Specification Differences

The following table lists the fields where the two GPUs differ, based strictly on the provided data:

| Specification | NVIDIA GeForce MX330 | NVIDIA GeForce 945M |

|---|---|---|

| Architecture | Pascal | Maxwell |

| Chip | GP108B | GM107 |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 28 nm |

| Foundry | Samsung | TSMC |

| Transistors | 1,800 million | 1,870 million |

| Die Size | 74 mm² | 148 mm² |

| Transistor Density | 24.3M / mm² | 12.6M / mm² |

| Base Clock | 1,531 MHz | 928 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 1,594 MHz | 1,020 MHz |

| Memory Clock | 7 Gbps effective | 1,800 Mbps effective |

| Memory Type | GDDR5 | DDR3 |

| Bus Width | 64 bit | 128 bit |

| Memory Bandwidth | 56.06 GB/s | 28.80 GB/s |

| Shading Units | 384 | 640 |

| TMUs | 24 | 40 |

| Pixel Rate | 25.50 GPixel/s | 16.32 GPixel/s |

| Texture Rate | 38.26 GTexel/s | 40.80 GTexel/s |

| FP32 | 1,224.2 GFLOPS | 1,305.6 GFLOPS |

| FP16 | 19.13 GFLOPS (1:64) | null |

| TDP | 10 W | 75 W |

| Slot Width | IGP | MXM Module |

| Bus Interface | PCIe 3.0 x4 | MXM-B (3.0) |

| DirectX Support | 12 (12_1) | 12 (11_0) |

| Release Date | 2020-02-09 | 2015-10-26 |

| Predecessor | null | GeForce 800M |

| Successor | null | GeForce 10 Mobile |

The Verdict

The data presents a nuanced picture. The NVIDIA GeForce 945M wins the only direct head-to-head benchmark, the OpenCL test, with a 2.5% margin. Its higher FP32 throughput and larger number of shading units likely contribute to this result. For users prioritizing that specific legacy compute workload, the 945M is the data-supported choice.

However, the NVIDIA GeForce MX330 demonstrates a clear architectural advantage in efficiency and features. Its 10 W TDP versus the 945M's 75 W TDP is a massive difference, making it suitable for far more power-constrained systems. The MX330's support for DirectX 12 (12_1) and higher memory bandwidth (56.06 GB/s vs 28.80 GB/s) also point to a more modern and capable design. Its higher average benchmark score (8,458 vs 8,099) further suggests better overall performance in a broader range of tests.

The verdict is split. The 945M is the winner in the specific OpenCL test. The MX330 is the winner in efficiency, memory bandwidth, API support, and average performance. The choice depends entirely on which metric is more important.

Where Each One Wins

NVIDIA GeForce 945M:

• Legacy Compute: Wins the direct OpenCL benchmark (8,099 vs 7,896).
• Raw Theoretical Compute: Has higher FP32 throughput (1,305.6 GFLOPS vs 1,224.2 GFLOPS).
• Texture Processing: Has a higher texture rate (40.80 GTexel/s vs 38.26 GTexel/s) and more TMUs (40 vs 24).

NVIDIA GeForce MX330:

• Overall Performance: Has a higher average benchmark score (8,458 vs 8,099).
• Modern API Workloads: Has a Vulkan score (9,019) that the 945M lacks, and supports DirectX 12 (12_1) versus 12 (11_0).
• Memory Bandwidth: Provides nearly double the bandwidth (56.06 GB/s vs 28.80 GB/s) with faster GDDR5 memory.
• Efficiency: Operates at 10 W TDP versus the 945M's 75 W TDP.
• Pixel Processing: Has a higher pixel rate (25.50 GPixel/s vs 16.32 GPixel/s).
• Modernity: Features a smaller 14 nm process, higher clocks, and a later release date.