The GeForce GTX 980MX is one of the mobile graphics chipsets made by NVIDIA. The 980MX is less powerful than the fully unlocked GeForce GTX 980 because it is a mobile chipset made for laptops, tablets, and other mobile devices. This chipset might be just what you need if you want to upgrade an older laptop. But most people who use a desktop computer or a laptop made in the last few years will want to pass on it.
Specs
| Clock Speed | 1050 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1178 MHz |
| Memory Clock | 1500 MHz |
| Effective Speed | 6 GB/s |
| Memory Size | 8 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bus | 256 bit |
| Bandwidth | 192.0 GB/s |
| Bus Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 |
| Shading Units | 1664 |
| TMUs | 104 |
| ROPs | 64 |
| SMM Count | 13 |
| L1 Cache | 48 KB/SMM |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB |
| Direct X | 12 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 |
| OpenCL | 3.0 |
| Vulkan | 1.3 |
| CUDA | 5.2 |
| Shader Model | 6.4 |
| Slot Width | MXM Module |
| TDP | 148 W |
| Architecture | Maxwell 2.0 |
| Process Size | 28 mm |
| Transistors | 5,200 million |
| Die Size | 389 mm^2 |
| Production | End-of-life |
History of the GTX 980MX: What to Know
This chipset came out on June 1, 2016, and it was made using the 28-nanometer semiconductor manufacturing process and the GM204 graphics processor. The N16E-GXX-A1 is the GPU version of the 980MX. It supports DirectX 12, which lets the chipset run modern games well.
OpenGL 4.6, OpenCL 3.0, Vulkan 1.3, CUDA 5.2, and Shader Model 6.4 can all work with the 980MX.
The 980MX does not need extra power connectors like the fully unlocked GTX 980. But it can only use up to 148 W of power and doesn’t have a display port because it was made to be used in laptops and notebooks that use the output of the host device.
It links to the system through a PCIe 3.0 x16 interface. It has a base clock speed of 1050 MHz, which can be increased up to 1178 MHz, and a memory clock speed of 1500 MHz.
The GTX 980MX has 8 GB of dedicated video memory and works with GDDR5 VRAM. The chipset also has a memory bus width of 256 bits and a bandwidth of 192.0 GB/s.
The number of shading units that can be used is one of the most important differences between the GTX 980MX and the GTX 980. The 980 has 2048 shaders that can be used, but the 980MX only has 1664. It does have 64 render output units and 104 texture mapping units, though. So, losing those locked shader units isn’t a total loss. The decision to lock some shader units was made so that the chipset could reach its goal number of shaders. Read more; NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 vs RTX 2060: The Difference
Is the GTX 980MX a good buy? Should I Buy One?
At this time, we don’t think you should buy a GTX 980MX. The chipset is currently in the “end-of-life” stage, which means that it won’t be made anymore in the near future. Also, newer cards that get firmware updates for a longer period of time are priced around the same as the 980MX. So, if you want to get a better card, one of these is likely to be a better long-term choice.
The card is also a mobile chipset, which is another thing to think about. These chipsets don’t have as many features and can’t be used in desktop computers. So, you’ll need a laptop with a non-proprietary motherboard that works with the chipset and doesn’t have a GPU already soldered onto the board.
In short, most computer builders today have no use for this card, even if it is new and powerful. Unless you’re upgrading a gaming laptop, you probably don’t even have a PC that can work with it.
Even if you are upgrading a gaming laptop, there are newer, better mobile chipsets on the market. So you don’t need to buy a chipset that will stop working in three years when a software update gives it a cold nose.
Can You Run the GTX 980MX in SLI?
No. The GTX 980MX is a separate chipset for laptops that doesn’t work with SLI. So, you can’t run this at the same time as another GTX 980MX. You’ll need to buy a GTX 980M SLI card if you want to use SLI with your graphics card. This laptop’s chipset has two 980M chipsets that are permanently locked into SLI with each other. This means that the chipset can run SLI without any extra hardware.
Final Thoughts
The GeForce GTX 980MX made a name for itself in the world of laptops, but its best days are long behind it. So you should probably spend your money on a card that isn’t about to go out of style. Even so, we can still appreciate the love and care that went into building it. Like any other engineering progress, the 980MX made important changes to the way modern mobile chipsets are built and designed.
So, even if you don’t buy a 980MX, it will live on in modern chipsets that use the improvements in technology that came before them. Read Also; What is DLSS? Nvidia’s AI-powered Graphics Tech
GeForce GTX 980MX: FAQs
Is the GTX 980MX a good card?
The GTX 980MX is a great card for what it is. But, like all technology, it is slowly being replaced by newer cards that are better and more useful.
How much does it cost to buy an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980MX?
The prices for this card vary. Chipsets can be found on Newegg for as little as $500. But it’s hard to buy these cards because they are made for laptops and are usually built into the motherboard.
Is NVIDIA RTX or GTX better?
GTX cards are older and don’t work as well as RTX cards.
Is NVIDIA GeForce good for gaming?
GeForce cards from NVIDIA are great for gaming.
