NVIDIA GeForce 945M vs NVIDIA T600 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data contains a single head-to-head comparison between these two mobile and workstation graphics processors, and the result is decisive. In the Geekbench OpenCL compute test, the NVIDIA T600 records a score of 27,875, while the NVIDIA GeForce 945M manages 8,099. This gives the T600 a commanding lead of 70.9% over the older Maxwell-based part. The delta of -70.9% for the 945M means that when comparing the two directly, the T600 is more than three times faster in this particular OpenCL workload. This is a substantial margin that reflects not just architectural improvements, but also the different positioning of these two products.

Looking at how each card sits relative to its own competitive set, the 945M's 8,099 score places it within a tight cluster of contemporaries. The nearest rivals list shows the NVIDIA GRID K2 at 8,080, which is a mere 0.2% behind, and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950M at 8,135, which is 0.4% ahead. The AMD Radeon R9 M360 lands at 8,129, just 0.4% above the 945M. This indicates that the 945M is essentially performance-par with the upper tier of mid-range mobile GPUs from its era. It is neither a standout nor a laggard, sitting comfortably in the 42nd percentile of all GPUs in the database.

The T600, despite its much higher raw score in the head-to-head test, actually sits in the 39th percentile of all GPUs, which is slightly lower than the 945M's percentile ranking. This is an interesting quirk of the database distribution. The T600's average benchmark score across all its recorded tests is 7,035, which is lower than its single OpenCL score because it also includes several DirectX and compute tests with smaller numbers. Its nearest rivals include the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M at 7,023 (0.2% behind), the AMD Radeon R5 M240 at 6,975 (0.9% behind), and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 675M at 6,946 (1.3% behind). The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 sits slightly ahead at 7,157, a 1.7% advantage for the GTX 970. This shows that in aggregate, the T600 is competitive with older high-end mobile parts, but its individual OpenCL result is where it truly shines.

The 945M has no wins in the head-to-head comparison, while the T600 takes the single recorded benchmark victory. For users looking at compute performance specifically, the data is unambiguous. The T600's OpenCL advantage is not a marginal improvement; it is a generational leap. The 945M's 1,305.6 GFLOPS of FP32 compute is dwarfed by the T600's 1.709 TFLOPS, and the T600 also offers FP16 compute at 3.418 TFLOPS with a 2:1 ratio, a feature the 945M does not have at all. These raw throughput numbers align with the benchmark results and explain why the gap is so wide.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU is faster in the recorded OpenCL benchmark?

A: The NVIDIA T600 is significantly faster, scoring 27,875 compared to the NVIDIA GeForce 945M's 8,099. The T600 leads by 70.9% in this test.

Q: How does the GeForce 945M compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The 945M is closely matched with its competition. It scores 0.2% higher than the NVIDIA GRID K2 (8,099 vs 8,080), 0.4% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost (8,099 vs 8,067), and 0.4% lower than both the AMD Radeon R9 M360 (8,129) and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950M (8,135).

Q: What is the average benchmark score for the NVIDIA T600?

A: Across all its recorded tests, the T600 has an average benchmark score of 7,035. This includes DirectX 9, 10, 11, and 12 tests, a 2D test, a 3D test, and a compute test, in addition to the OpenCL and Vulkan results.

Q: Does the GeForce 945M have any benchmark wins over the T600?

A: No. In the head-to-head comparison, the 945M records zero wins, while the T600 wins the single benchmark test (Geekbench OpenCL) that both cards have in common.

Q: How does the T600's aggregate score compare to the GeForce GTX 970?

A: The T600's average score of 7,035 is 1.7% lower than the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970's score of 7,157. The GTX 970 is the only rival in the T600's nearest list that sits ahead of it.

Q: What is the percentile ranking for each GPU?

A: The GeForce 945M sits in the 42nd percentile of all GPUs in the database, while the T600 sits in the 39th percentile. Despite the T600's much higher OpenCL score, its overall percentile is slightly lower due to its varied test results.

Architecture Differences

The two GPUs come from entirely different architectural generations, which explains the wide performance gap. The NVIDIA GeForce 945M is built on the Maxwell architecture, specifically using the GM107 chip. It is manufactured on a 28 nm process at TSMC. The transistor count is 1,870 million, packed into a die size of 148 mm². This yields a transistor density of 12.6 million transistors per square millimeter. The 945M belongs to the GeForce 900M generation and is classified as end-of-life, with a release date in October 2015.

The NVIDIA T600, by contrast, uses the Turing architecture with the TU117 chip. It is built on a much more advanced 12 nm process, also at TSMC. The transistor count jumps to 4,700 million, which is more than double the 945M, and the die size grows to 200 mm². The transistor density is 23.5 million per square millimeter, nearly double that of the Maxwell chip. The T600 is part of the Quadro Turing (Tx000) generation and was released in April 2021, making it a much newer design.

One of the most significant architectural differences is in compute capabilities. The 945M has 640 shading units, 40 texture mapping units, and 16 ROPs. The T600 also has 640 shading units and 40 TMUs, but it doubles the ROP count to 32. This explains the T600's higher pixel rate of 42.72 GPixel/s compared to the 945M's 16.32 GPixel/s. The texture rate also improves, with the T600 at 53.40 GTexel/s versus 40.80 GTexel/s for the 945M.

Memory architecture is another key divergence. The 945M uses 2 GB of DDR3 memory on a 128-bit bus, delivering 28.80 GB/s of bandwidth. The T600 uses 4 GB of GDDR6 memory, also on a 128-bit bus, but bandwidth jumps to 160.0 GB/s. That is more than five times the memory bandwidth of the older card. The effective memory speed is 1,800 Mbps for the 945M versus 10 Gbps for the T600, a massive difference that benefits memory-intensive workloads.

The T600 also introduces FP16 compute support with a 2:1 ratio, offering 3.418 TFLOPS of half-precision throughput. The 945M has no FP16 capability listed. In terms of API support, the T600 supports DirectX 12 (12_1), while the 945M only supports DirectX 12 (11_0). Both support OpenGL 4.6 and Vulkan 1.4, so the gap is mainly in the newer DirectX feature levels.

Specification Differences

The specification tables reveal several clear differences between these two cards beyond their performance numbers. The most obvious is the memory subsystem. The 945M comes with 2 GB of DDR3 memory, while the T600 has 4 GB of GDDR6. Both use a 128-bit bus, but the effective memory speeds are vastly different: 1,800 Mbps for the 945M versus 10 Gbps for the T600. This drives the bandwidth from 28.80 GB/s to 160.0 GB/s.

Clock speeds also differ notably. The 945M has a base clock of 928 MHz and a boost clock of 1,020 MHz. The T600 has a lower base clock of 735 MHz but a much higher boost clock of 1,335 MHz. This higher boost clock, combined with the architectural improvements, contributes to the T600's superior FP32 performance of 1.709 TFLOPS compared to the 945M's 1,305.6 GFLOPS.

The ROP count is doubled on the T600, with 32 ROPs versus 16 on the 945M. This directly impacts pixel fill rate, which is 42.72 GPixel/s versus 16.32 GPixel/s. The TDP is also notably different: the 945M draws 75 W, while the T600 draws only 40 W. The T600 also lists a suggested PSU of 200 W, while the 945M has no such recommendation. The 945M uses an MXM Module slot width with an MXM-B (3.0) bus interface, while the T600 is a single-slot card with a PCIe 3.0 x16 interface.

Display outputs differ as well. The 945M is listed as "Portable Device Dependent," meaning its outputs vary by laptop implementation. The T600 offers four mini-DisplayPort 1.4a outputs, making it a more standardized workstation solution. The power connectors are "None" for both cards, indicating they draw power from the slot or motherboard.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion: the NVIDIA T600 is the superior performer in raw compute benchmarks. Its 70.9% lead in the Geekbench OpenCL test is overwhelming, and its architectural advantages in memory bandwidth, ROP count, and FP16 support make it a more capable modern GPU. The 4 GB of GDDR6 memory versus 2 GB of DDR3 is a substantial upgrade that benefits larger datasets and higher resolutions.

Users who need compute performance for professional workloads, such as rendering, simulation, or data processing, should choose the NVIDIA T600. Its higher FP32 throughput, doubled pixel rate, and vastly higher memory bandwidth make it the obvious pick for anyone prioritizing compute over power efficiency. The T600 also offers a standardized four-output display configuration, which is useful for multi-monitor workstation setups.

The NVIDIA GeForce 945M, while competitive within its own generation as shown by its tight margins against the GRID K2, GTX 950M, and Radeon R9 M360, is simply outclassed by the newer Turing-based card. Its 42nd percentile ranking is respectable for a 2015 mobile GPU, but it cannot match the T600's compute capabilities. The 945M might still be relevant for legacy systems or specific compatibility requirements, but the benchmark data does not support choosing it over the T600 on performance grounds.

For anyone comparing these two cards directly, the T600 is the recommended option based on the recorded measurements. The 945M's advantages are limited to a lower TDP of 75 W versus 40 W for the T600, though the T600 actually consumes less power. The 945M also has a higher base clock, but the T600's boost clock and architectural efficiency more than compensate. The verdict is straightforward: the NVIDIA T600 wins decisively in the head-to-head benchmark, and its modern features make it the better choice for current workloads.