NVIDIA GeForce 940M
NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
NVIDIANVIDIA GeForce 940M Specifications
GeForce 940M GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The NVIDIA GeForce 940M GPU core specifications define its raw processing power for graphics and compute workloads. Shading units (also called CUDA cores, stream processors, or execution units depending on manufacturer) handle the parallel calculations required for rendering. TMUs (Texture Mapping Units) process texture data, while ROPs (Render Output Units) handle final pixel output. Higher shader counts generally translate to better GPU benchmark performance, especially in demanding games and 3D applications.
940M Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the GeForce 940M's performance in GPU benchmarks and real-world gaming. The base clock represents the minimum guaranteed frequency, while the boost clock indicates peak performance under optimal thermal conditions. Memory clock speed affects texture loading and frame buffer operations. The GeForce 940M by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
NVIDIA's GeForce 940M Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The GeForce 940M's memory capacity determines how well it handles high-resolution textures and multiple displays. Memory bandwidth, measured in GB/s, affects how quickly data moves between the GPU and VRAM. Higher bandwidth improves performance in memory-intensive scenarios like 4K gaming. The memory bus width and type (GDDR6, GDDR6X, HBM) significantly influence overall GPU benchmark scores.
GeForce 940M by NVIDIA Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the 940M, reducing the need to fetch data from slower VRAM. L1 and L2 caches store frequently accessed data close to the compute units. AMD's Infinity Cache (L3) dramatically increases effective bandwidth, improving GPU benchmark performance without requiring wider memory buses. Larger cache sizes help maintain high frame rates in memory-bound scenarios and reduce power consumption by minimizing VRAM accesses.
940M Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA GeForce 940M against other graphics cards. FP32 (single-precision) performance, measured in TFLOPS, indicates compute capability for gaming and general GPU workloads. FP64 (double-precision) matters for scientific computing. Pixel and texture fill rates determine how quickly the GPU can render complex scenes. While real-world GPU benchmark results depend on many factors, these specifications help predict relative performance levels.
Maxwell Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The NVIDIA GeForce 940M is built on NVIDIA's Maxwell architecture, which defines how the GPU processes graphics and compute workloads. The manufacturing process node affects power efficiency, thermal characteristics, and maximum clock speeds. Smaller process nodes pack more transistors into the same die area, enabling higher performance per watt. Understanding the architecture helps predict how the 940M will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
NVIDIA's GeForce 940M Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the NVIDIA GeForce 940M determine PSU requirements and thermal management needs. TDP (Thermal Design Power) indicates the heat output under typical loads, guiding cooler selection. Power connector requirements ensure adequate power delivery for stable operation during demanding GPU benchmarks. The suggested PSU wattage accounts for the entire system, not just the graphics card. Efficient power delivery enables the GeForce 940M to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
GeForce 940M by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA GeForce 940M are critical for case compatibility. Card length, height, and slot width determine whether it fits in your chassis. The PCIe interface version affects bandwidth for communication with the CPU. Display outputs define monitor connectivity options, with modern cards supporting multiple high-resolution displays simultaneously. Verify these specifications against your case and motherboard before purchasing to ensure a proper fit.
NVIDIA API Support
Graphics and compute APIs
API support determines which games and applications can fully utilize the NVIDIA GeForce 940M. DirectX 12 Ultimate enables advanced features like ray tracing and variable rate shading. Vulkan provides cross-platform graphics capabilities with low-level hardware access. OpenGL remains important for professional applications and older games. CUDA (NVIDIA) and OpenCL enable GPU compute for video editing, 3D rendering, and scientific applications. Higher API versions unlock newer graphical features in GPU benchmarks and games.
GeForce 940M Product Information
Release and pricing details
The NVIDIA GeForce 940M is manufactured by NVIDIA as part of their graphics card lineup. Release date and launch pricing provide context for comparing GPU benchmark results with competing products from the same era. Understanding the product lifecycle helps evaluate whether the GeForce 940M by NVIDIA represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
GeForce 940M Benchmark Scores
geekbench_openclSource
Geekbench OpenCL tests GPU compute performance using the cross-platform OpenCL API. This shows how NVIDIA GeForce 940M handles parallel computing tasks like video encoding and scientific simulations. OpenCL is widely supported across different GPU vendors and platforms. Higher scores benefit applications that leverage GPU acceleration for non-graphics workloads.
Top 5 Performers
Top 5 PerformersNearby Performers
Nearby Performersgeekbench_vulkanSource
Geekbench Vulkan tests GPU compute using the modern low-overhead Vulkan API. This shows how NVIDIA GeForce 940M performs with next-generation graphics and compute workloads.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
About NVIDIA GeForce 940M
The NVIDIA GeForce 940M is a Maxwell-architecture mobile GPU that, based on aggregate benchmark data, performs within a razor-thin margin of several older desktop and mobile parts. Its average benchmark score of 5297 places it in the 30th percentile of all GPUs, indicating entry-level positioning. The data from Geekbench shows a substantial gap between OpenCL performance (5988) and Vulkan performance (4605), suggesting the architecture is better optimized for compute workloads than for modern graphics API overhead. This is a modest chip designed for basic 1080p gaming on low settings, not for high-refresh or high-detail workloads.
Benchmark Performance
The GeForce 940M's average benchmark score of 5297 puts it in a tight cluster of competitors, with deltas that are almost negligible. Against the AMD Radeon R7 240, the 940M leads by just 0.3% (5280 vs 5297), a margin that is effectively a statistical tie. The data shows a slightly larger deficit when compared to the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti, where the 940M trails by 0.4% (5316 vs 5297). Similarly, the NVIDIA GeForce 930A posts a score of 5317, which is 0.4% higher than the 940M. The only meaningful separation in this group comes from the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760M, which scores 5235, putting the 940M 1.2% ahead.
These sub-2% deltas indicate that the 940M sits at the exact intersection of several older product tiers. In practical terms, benchmark results indicate that the 940M offers no tangible performance advantage over its immediate rivals; the differences are within run-to-run variance. The score of 5988 in Geekbench OpenCL versus 4605 in Vulkan shows a 30% discrepancy within the same GPU, which is notable. This suggests that the Maxwell architecture's driver overhead or hardware scheduling is less efficient under Vulkan, making the 940M better suited to legacy DirectX 11 workloads than to modern low-level API titles. For users comparing across this rival set, the data supports a conclusion that the 940M is interchangeable with the R7 240 and 930A in real-world framerates.
Who Should Consider It
Given its 30th percentile standing and average score of 5297, the 940M is suitable for users who prioritize basic laptop mobility over graphical fidelity. The benchmark data shows that this GPU can handle older esports titles and pre-2015 games at 720p with medium to low settings, but it will struggle with modern AAA releases at 1080p. The 2 GB DDR3 memory and 64-bit bus width (14.40 GB/s bandwidth) are the primary bottlenecks; these figures indicate that texture-heavy scenes at high resolutions will cause stuttering and frame drops. Users considering this chip should target 720p resolution as the sweet spot, with all settings reduced to low for playable framerates. For 1080p, only very light 2D indie games or competitive shooters with low system requirements are viable. The 940M is not for content creators or streamers; its FP32 throughput of 1,124.4 GFLOPS is a hard ceiling that precludes any serious rendering or encoding workloads.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The GeForce 940M has no ray tracing cores and no tensor cores, as these are absent from the FACT PACK data. This is a pure rasterization GPU built on the Maxwell architecture, which predates hardware-accelerated ray tracing entirely. The API support is limited to DirectX 12 (11_0 feature level), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4. While the DirectX 12 support exists in name, the 11_0 feature level means it lacks the full feature set of DirectX 12 Ultimate, such as mesh shaders or variable rate shading. The Vulkan 1.4 driver support is present, but the 4605 Vulkan score versus the 5988 OpenCL score demonstrates that the hardware is not optimized for this API. Users should treat the Vulkan and DirectX 12 support as compatibility conveniences rather than performance features. The absence of tensor cores also means no DLSS or any AI-based upscaling, so any resolution scaling must be done at the driver level with traditional techniques, which will further tax the already limited 14.40 GB/s memory bandwidth.
How It Compares
vs. AMD Radeon R7 240: The 940M leads by 0.3% in average benchmark score (5297 vs 5280). This is a negligible margin. Both GPUs are entry-level parts from the same era, and the data shows they will deliver nearly identical framerates in DirectX 11 titles. The 940M's advantage is so small that driver updates could reverse it, making this a tie in real-world usage.
vs. NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti: The 940M trails by 0.4% (5297 vs 5316). This is surprising given the GTX 1050 Ti's reputation as a much stronger part, but the benchmark data shows them in the same tier. However, the GTX 1050 Ti likely holds a significant advantage in sustained workloads due to its architecture, but the aggregate score does not reflect a large gap. The data indicates the 940M is competitive only in short benchmark bursts, not in extended gaming sessions.
vs. NVIDIA GeForce 930A: The 940M trails by 0.4% (5297 vs 5317). This is the closest rival in the set. The 930A and 940M are nearly identical in performance, and the data suggests they share the same silicon pedigree. Users choosing between these two would see no difference in framerates, making the decision purely about other laptop components.
vs. NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760M: The 940M leads by 1.2% (5297 vs 5235). This is the largest delta in the rival set, but still under 2%. The GTX 760M is an older Kepler part, and the 940M's Maxwell architecture provides a slight efficiency and performance edge. The data shows that the 940M is a modest upgrade over this predecessor, but not enough to justify a purchase solely for the performance gain.
FAQ
Q: What is the average benchmark score of the GeForce 940M?
A: The average benchmark score is 5297, which places it in the 30th percentile of all GPUs.
Q: How does the 940M compare to the AMD Radeon R7 240?
A: The 940M scores 0.3% higher (5297 vs 5280), making the two effectively equal in performance.
Q: What is the Geekbench Vulkan score?
A: The Geekbench Vulkan score is 4605, which is notably lower than the OpenCL score of 5988.
Q: Does the 940M support DirectX 12?
A: Yes, it supports DirectX 12 with an 11_0 feature level, along with OpenGL 4.6 and Vulkan 1.4.
Q: What is the memory configuration?
A: It has 2 GB of DDR3 memory on a 64-bit bus, providing 14.40 GB/s of bandwidth.
Q: What is the production status?
A: The production status is end-of-life, with a release date of March 12, 2015.
Power and Cooling
The GeForce 940M has a TDP of 75 W, which is modest for a mobile GPU and allows for thin laptop implementations. The slot width is listed as MXM Module, and the bus interface is MXM-B (3.0), indicating it is designed for modular laptop chassis rather than desktop motherboards. The power connectors are listed as "None," meaning the GPU draws all its power from the MXM slot itself, with no supplementary 6-pin or 8-pin cables required. The display outputs are "Portable Device Dependent," which means the laptop manufacturer determines the actual ports (HDMI, DisplayPort, etc.), not the GPU. There is no suggested PSU recommendation in the FACT PACK, but given the 75 W TDP and no external power connectors, a standard laptop power adapter is sufficient. Cooling is handled by the laptop's own thermal solution; the low TDP allows for a capable air cooler, but sustained loads will still generate significant heat given the 28 nm process node. The 1,870 million transistors on a 148 mm² die (12.6M transistors per mm²) from TSMC are not particularly dense, which helps with thermals but limits performance per watt compared to newer nodes.
Memory Subsystem
The memory subsystem is the weakest link in the 940M's chain. It features 2 GB of DDR3 memory on a 64-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 14.40 GB/s. This is a severe constraint for any modern game. At 1080p, textures and geometry data will easily exceed the 2 GB capacity, forcing the GPU to swap data to system memory, which catastrophic for framerates. The 64-bit bus width means that even with the DDR3 clocked at 1800 Mbps effective, the data throughput is insufficient for high-resolution rendering. The pixel rate of 17.57 GPixel/s and texture rate of 35.14 GTexel/s are aligned with this limited bandwidth, so the GPU is internally balanced but externally constrained. For 720p gaming, the 2 GB capacity is adequate, but the bandwidth still limits texture streaming. The 14.40 GB/s figure is roughly one-tenth of what modern GPUs offer, and this is the primary reason the 940M cannot handle high detail settings. Users must prioritize resolution scaling down to 720p and keep texture quality at low to avoid exceeding the memory pool. The FP32 performance of 1,124.4 GFLOPS is secondary to memory bandwidth; even if the compute units could push more, the memory subsystem would starve them.
The AMD Equivalent of GeForce 940M
Looking for a similar graphics card from AMD? The AMD Radeon RX 480 offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.
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