NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M Mac Edition

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M Mac Edition is a mobile graphics module built on the Kepler architecture, fabricated by TSMC on a 28 nm process with 3,540 million transistors on a 294 mm² die, yielding a transistor density of 12.0M per mm². Released on 2013-11-07 and now marked as end-of-life, this MXM-B (3.0) module sits within the GeForce 700M generation, positioned between the GeForce 600M predecessor and the GeForce 800M successor. The GPU operates with a fixed clock of 784 MHz for both base and boost, paired with 1536 shading units, 128 texture mapping units, and 32 raster operation units, while the memory clock runs at 1250 MHz, translating to 5 Gbps effective.

Benchmark Performance

The fact pack provides no individual benchmark scores and no nearest rival entries, leaving the percentile standing as the sole comparative metric. The GTX 780M Mac Edition holds a 50th percentile position against all GPUs in the database, meaning it sits exactly at the median of the field. This placement indicates that half of all tracked GPUs perform better, and half perform worse, a perfectly balanced mid-pack standing. The average benchmark score is recorded as 0, which reinforces that no empirical testing data is attached to this entry, so the analysis must rely on theoretical peak metrics derived from the hardware specifications.

The FP32 throughput is rated at 2.408 TFLOPS, a figure that reflects the combined work of the 1536 shading units at the 784 MHz clock. This compute capability suggests a GPU that can handle moderate shading workloads but will not excel in heavily compute-bound scenarios. The texture rate of 100.4 GTexel/s, produced by the 128 TMUs at the same clock, indicates a solid fill-rate capacity for texture-heavy rendering. Meanwhile, the pixel rate of 25.09 GPixel/s, derived from the 32 ROPs, is comparatively modest, which implies that the final output stage may become a bottleneck when pushing high resolutions or heavy post-processing effects. The fixed clock speed, with boost identical to base, means there is no dynamic overclocking headroom in the data; the GPU runs at a constant frequency, which simplifies thermal behavior but limits peak performance bursts.

Ray Tracing and Feature Set

The fact pack explicitly lists null values for both RT cores and tensor cores, confirming that this GPU has no dedicated hardware for ray tracing or AI-accelerated tensor operations. Any ray tracing workload would have to rely on the general-purpose shading units, but the data does not specify any software-based ray tracing capability. The feature set is instead defined by its API support: DirectX 12 (11_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.175. The DirectX 12 support is qualified with the feature level 11_0, meaning the GPU exposes the DirectX 12 API but only up to the feature set of DirectX 11. This is a critical distinction, as it excludes the higher-tier DirectX 12 features like bindless resources or advanced pipeline states that later hardware supports. OpenGL 4.6 and Vulkan 1.2.175 provide modern cross-platform access, and the Vulkan version is notably recent, suggesting the driver stack can handle contemporary Vulkan titles, though the underlying hardware's compute and raster limits will cap performance.

How It Compares

Since the nearestRivals array is empty, the database contains no direct comparison points for this specific Mac Edition variant. Consequently, the analysis must interpret its standing through the single percentile metric and its position in the product lineage. Against its predecessor, the GeForce 600M, the GTX 780M Mac Edition represents a generational step forward within the same architectural family, but without specific specs for the 600M, no quantitative delta can be stated. Similarly, the successor GeForce 800M is listed, but no performance data for that part is provided, so the comparison stops at naming the lineage. The 50th percentile versus all GPUs is the only hard comparative figure available, placing this GPU at the exact median of the entire database. This suggests that in the context of all GPUs ever tracked, it is neither a standout performer nor a weakling, but rather the quintessential average. The lack of rival deltas means that any claim of being "ahead" or "behind" a specific competitor cannot be made from the facts; the only valid statement is the median percentile position.

FAQ

Q: What is the memory capacity and type of the GTX 780M Mac Edition?

A: It comes with 4 GB of GDDR5 memory.

Q: What is the memory bus width and bandwidth?

A: The memory bus width is 256 bit, and the bandwidth is 160.0 GB/s.

Q: Does this GPU support ray tracing or tensor cores?

A: No, the fact pack lists null for both RT cores and tensor cores, indicating no dedicated hardware for either.

Q: What is the thermal design power (TDP)?

A: The TDP is 122 W.

Q: What is the production status and release date?

A: The production status is end-of-life, and the release date is 2013-11-07.

Q: What API versions are supported?

A: It supports DirectX 12 (11_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.175.

Who Should Consider It

The GTX 780M Mac Edition, with its 4 GB of GDDR5 memory and 160.0 GB/s bandwidth, is positioned for users targeting moderate resolutions with high-detail textures. The 4 GB capacity is sufficient for standard texture packs at 1080p, and the 256-bit bus provides a wide path for data transfer, but the 160.0 GB/s bandwidth may become a constraint when loading extremely large assets or running at higher resolutions. The FP32 throughput of 2.408 TFLOPS and the pixel rate of 25.09 GPixel/s suggest that the GPU can handle 1080p gaming at medium to high settings in most titles, but the modest pixel rate implies that 1440p or higher would require lowering settings or accepting reduced frame rates. The 50th percentile standing reinforces this as a mid-range part, not intended for enthusiast-level performance. Users who prioritize portability via the MXM form factor and require a balance of compute and memory capacity will find this suitable, while those seeking maximum frame rates or cutting-edge features like ray tracing should look elsewhere, as the null RT cores preclude any hardware-accelerated ray tracing.

Power and Cooling

The GTX 780M Mac Edition has a TDP of 122 W, which is the only power-related figure in the fact pack. The slot width is listed as MXM Module, and the bus interface is MXM-B (3.0), indicating a mobile form factor designed for laptops and all-in-one systems. The power connectors field is "None", meaning the module draws all its power through the MXM slot itself, without requiring external PCIe power cables. The suggested PSU field is null, so the database provides no specific power supply recommendation; the 122 W TDP is the sole data point for power planning. The lack of external connectors simplifies installation in compatible MXM slots, but it also means the system's power delivery to the slot must be robust enough to handle the 122 W draw. Cooling is not quantified beyond the TDP, but the fixed 784 MHz clock across base and boost suggests a design that avoids thermal throttling by maintaining a constant frequency, though this also caps performance.

Memory Subsystem

The memory subsystem consists of 4 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 160.0 GB/s. The 256-bit bus width is a significant factor, as it allows a large amount of data to be transferred per clock cycle, which is beneficial for memory-intensive workloads like high-resolution textures and anti-aliasing. The 160.0 GB/s bandwidth, while not exceptional by modern standards, is adequate for the GPU's compute capabilities, as the 2.408 TFLOPS FP32 throughput does not demand an extreme memory pipeline. For high resolutions, the 4 GB capacity is the more limiting factor than bandwidth; at 4K, texture sets can exceed 4 GB, leading to potential stuttering or texture pop-in, but at 1080p, 4 GB is generally sufficient. The effective memory clock of 5 Gbps, derived from the 1250 MHz base, ensures that the memory operates at a consistent speed matching the GPU's fixed core clock. Overall, the memory subsystem is balanced for the GPU's mid-range positioning, providing enough bandwidth to feed the 1536 shading units without starving them, but the capacity will cap the maximum texture quality at very high resolutions.