NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770M vs NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 Comparison

NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX 970 and GeForce GTX 770M are separated by more than just a generation: the former is a desktop-class card built for performance gaming, while the latter is a mobile GPU designed for laptops. The database reveals a clear hierarchy, with the GTX 970 dominating in every recorded metric. Below is a detailed, data-driven comparison of how these two GPUs stack up.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data shows two tests where both GPUs share a common workload. These are the only direct comparisons available, and the results are unambiguous.

In Geekbench Metal, the GTX 970 scores 13595, while the GTX 770M scores 3448. That gives the GTX 970 a lead of 294.3 percent, meaning the desktop card delivers nearly four times the performance in Apple’s Metal API. For OpenCL, the margin is similarly vast: the GTX 970 posts 29982 against the GTX 770M’s 8552, a delta of 250.6 percent. Across both tests, the GTX 970 wins all two comparisons, with the GTX 770M taking zero.

These are not close contests. The GTX 970 has more than triple the compute throughput in real-world cross-platform workloads. While the head-to-head list is short, the broader benchmark suite (which includes tests like 3DMark Steel Nomad, PassMark G3D, and others for the GTX 970) reinforces that the desktop card operates in an entirely different performance tier. Its average benchmark score across all tests is 7157, compared to the GTX 770M’s 6000. That 1157-point gap, or roughly 19 percent, understates the gulf because the GTX 970’s average includes many heavy modern tests, whereas the GTX 770M only has two results in the database.

FAQ

Q: Is the GTX 970 faster than the GTX 770M in every benchmark?

A: Yes. The database shows the GTX 970 wins both head-to-head tests: Geekbench Metal by 294.3 percent and Geekbench OpenCL by 250.6 percent. In overall average benchmark score, the GTX 970 scores 7157 versus the GTX 770M’s 6000.

Q: How do these GPUs compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The GTX 970’s closest rival by average score is the Intel Iris Pro Graphics P580, which scores 7170 (0.2 percent lower). The GTX 770M’s nearest rival is the AMD Radeon RX 6400 with a score of 6001 (0 percent delta). The GTX 970 sits at the 39th percentile among all GPUs, while the GTX 770M sits at the 35th percentile.

Q: Which GPU has more shading units and texture mapping units?

A: The GTX 970 has 1664 shading units and 104 TMUs. The GTX 770M has 960 shading units and 80 TMUs. The GTX 970 also has more ROPs: 56 versus 24.

Q: What is the memory capacity and bandwidth difference?

A: The GTX 970 uses 4 GB of GDDR5 on a 256-bit bus, delivering 224.4 GB/s bandwidth. The GTX 770M uses 3 GB of GDDR5 on a 192-bit bus, delivering 96.19 GB/s. The GTX 970 has over twice the memory bandwidth.

Q: Do these GPUs support the same version of DirectX?

A: No. The GTX 970 supports DirectX 12 (12_1), while the GTX 770M supports DirectX 12 (11_0). The GTX 970’s feature level 12_1 includes additional 12_1 capabilities not present on the GTX 770M.

Q: Which GPU has a higher transistor count and die size?

A: The GTX 970 packs 5,200 million transistors on a 398 mm² die. The GTX 770M has 2,540 million transistors on a 221 mm² die. Both use a 28 nm process at TSMC.

Architecture Differences

The GTX 970 is built on the Maxwell 2.0 architecture (chip GM204), while the GTX 770M uses the older Kepler architecture (chip GK106). This architectural generation gap explains the performance disparity beyond raw specs. Maxwell 2.0 introduced improved color compression, better memory efficiency, and a more streamlined shader core design that extracts higher performance per clock and per watt than Kepler.

Both GPUs are fabricated on the same 28 nm process node at TSMC, but the transistor density differs slightly: the GTX 970 achieves 13.1M transistors per square millimeter versus the GTX 770M’s 11.5M. This reflects Maxwell’s denser layout and newer microarchitecture.

The GTX 970 supports DirectX 12 at feature level 12_1, enabling features like conservative raster and rasterizer-ordered views. The GTX 770M is limited to DirectX 12 feature level 11_0. Both support OpenGL 4.6, but the GTX 970 runs Vulkan 1.4 compared to the GTX 770M’s Vulkan 1.2.175. The GTX 970 also has a higher boost clock (1178 MHz versus 797 MHz) and base clock (1050 MHz versus 706 MHz).

Neither GPU features ray tracing cores or tensor cores, as both predate hardware-accelerated ray tracing.

The Verdict

The data gives a clear verdict: the GTX 970 is decisively faster in every measurable way. If you are choosing between these two, the decision is dictated by form factor and use case, not performance. The GTX 970 belongs in a desktop system where power delivery and cooling are ample. The GTX 770M is only found in older gaming laptops and cannot be practically upgraded to desktop-class performance within the same chassis.

For a desktop builder, the GTX 970 offers a massive uplift in compute, memory bandwidth, and pixel throughput. Its average benchmark score of 7157 puts it 19 percent ahead of the GTX 770M’s 6000, and the head-to-head margins of 294 percent and 251 percent show that in modern API workloads the gap is even wider. The GTX 970 also has access to a larger library of benchmark results, including modern tests like 3DMark Steel Nomad and PassMark G3D, which the GTX 770M lacks entirely.

If you are assembling a budget gaming desktop from used parts, the GTX 970 remains a viable option. Its launch MSRP was 329 USD, and while no longer in production, its performance class still competes with low-end modern cards. The GTX 770M, however, is strictly a legacy mobile part; its 75 W TDP and MXM module format make it unsuitable for any desktop build, and even in laptops from 2013-2014, it will struggle with modern titles.

Specification Differences

Only the fields where the two GPUs differ are listed below.

• Architecture: GTX 970 uses Maxwell 2.0 (GM204), GTX 770M uses Kepler (GK106)
• Transistors: 5,200 million vs 2,540 million
• Die Size: 398 mm² vs 221 mm²
• Transistor Density: 13.1M / mm² vs 11.5M / mm²
• Base Clock: 1050 MHz vs 706 MHz
• Boost Clock: 1178 MHz vs 797 MHz
• Memory Clock: 1753 MHz (7 Gbps effective) vs 1002 MHz (4 Gbps effective)
• Memory Size: 4 GB vs 3 GB
• Memory Bus Width: 256 bit vs 192 bit
• Memory Bandwidth: 224.4 GB/s vs 96.19 GB/s
• Shading Units: 1664 vs 960
• TMUs: 104 vs 80
• ROPs: 56 vs 24
• Pixel Rate: 65.97 GPixel/s vs 15.94 GPixel/s
• Texture Rate: 122.5 GTexel/s vs 63.76 GTexel/s
• FP32 Performance: 3.920 TFLOPS vs 1.530 TFLOPS
• TDP: 148 W vs 75 W
• Slot Width: Dual-slot vs MXM Module
• Power Connectors: 2x 6-pin vs None
• Suggested PSU: 300 W vs none given
• Bus Interface: PCIe 3.0 x16 vs MXM-B (3.0)
• Display Outputs: 1x DVI, 1x HDMI 2.0, 3x DisplayPort 1.2 vs “Portable Device Dependent”
• DirectX Support: 12 (12_1) vs 12 (11_0)
• Vulkan Support: 1.4 vs 1.2.175
• Dimensions: 267 mm length, 111 mm height, 40 mm width (with specific values) vs no dimensions given
• Launch MSRP: 329 USD (GTX 970 only; GTX 770M has none)

Where Each One Wins

The GTX 970 wins in every use case where raw compute and rendering speed matter. This includes 1440p gaming, high-fidelity 1080p gaming with max settings, GPU-accelerated content creation (video encoding, 3D rendering), and any workload that benefits from high memory bandwidth. With 3.920 TFLOPS of FP32 throughput and 224.4 GB/s of memory bandwidth, it can handle titles from its era at high settings and still play modern games at reduced detail. Its 56 ROPs and 122.5 GTexel/s fill rate give it an edge in pixel-heavy scenes and texture streaming.

The GTX 770M has no wins in the database. It ties no tests and loses all head-to-head matches. In practical terms, its only advantage is its lower power draw of 75 W, which makes it suitable for slim gaming laptops or workstations that cannot accommodate a desktop card. It can play older titles at lower resolutions (720p or 900p) and serve as a basic compute accelerator for non-demanding tasks, but the data shows it is outclassed by the GTX 970 in every recorded metric.

For mobile use, the GTX 770M is the only option in this comparison, but the GTX 970 cannot fit into a laptop. The choice is therefore dictated by platform: desktop users should pick the GTX 970 without hesitation, while laptop owners stuck with the GTX 770M should expect performance roughly one third of the desktop card’s output in modern API workloads.