GeForce GTX 680M vs GeForce GTX 970

When comparing GeForce GTX 680M and GeForce GTX 970, we look primarily at benchmarks and game tests. But it is not only about the numbers. Often you can find third-party models with higher clock speeds, better cooling, or a customizable RGB lighting. Not all of them will have all the features you need. Another thing to consider is the port selection. Most graphics cards have at least one DisplayPort and HDMI interface, but some monitors require DVI. Before you buy, check the TDP of the graphics card - this characteristic will help you estimate the consumption of the graphics card. You may even have to upgrade your PSU to meet its requirements. An important factor when choosing between GeForce GTX 680M and GeForce GTX 970 is the price. Does the additional cost justify the performance hit? Our comparison should help you make the right decision.

GeForce GTX 680M is a Laptop Graphics Card

Note: GeForce GTX 680M is only used in laptop graphics. It has lower GPU clock speed compared to the desktop variant, which results in lower power consumption, but also 10-30% lower gaming performance. Check available laptop models with GeForce GTX 680M here:

Main Specs

  GeForce GTX 680M GeForce GTX 970
Power consumption (TDP) 100 Watt 148 Watt
Interface MXM-B (3.0) PCIe 3.0 x16
Supplementary power connectors None 2x 6-pins
Memory type GDDR5 GDDR5
Maximum RAM amount 4 GB 4 GB
Display Connectors No outputs 1x DVI, 1x HDMI, 3x DisplayPort
Recommended system power (PSU) 500 Watt
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  • GeForce GTX 970 has 48% more power consumption, than GeForce GTX 680M.
  • GeForce GTX 680M is connected by MXM-B (3.0), and GeForce GTX 970 uses PCIe 3.0 x16 interface.
  • GeForce GTX 680M and GeForce GTX 970 have maximum RAM of 4 GB.
  • GeForce GTX 680M is used in Laptops, and GeForce GTX 970 - in Desktops.
  • GeForce GTX 680M is build with Kepler architecture, and GeForce GTX 970 - with Maxwell.
  • Core clock speed of GeForce GTX 970 is 330 MHz higher, than GeForce GTX 680M.
  • GeForce GTX 680M and GeForce GTX 970 are manufactured by 28 nm process technology.
  • Memory clock speed of GeForce GTX 680M is 1793 MHz higher, than GeForce GTX 970.

Game benchmarks

high / 1080p 16−18 50−55
ultra / 1080p 9−10 30−35
QHD / 1440p 4−5 27−30
4K / 2160p 4−5 14−16
low / 720p 30−35 75−80
medium / 1080p 20−22 60−65
The average gaming FPS of GeForce GTX 970 in Assassin's Creed Odyssey is 214% more, than GeForce GTX 680M.

Full Specs

  GeForce GTX 680M GeForce GTX 970
Architecture Kepler Maxwell
Code name N13E-GTX GM204
Type Laptop Desktop
Release date 4 June 2012 19 September 2014
Pipelines 1344 1664
Core clock speed 720 MHz 1050 MHz
Boost Clock 758 MHz 1178 MHz
Transistor count 3,540 million 5,200 million
Manufacturing process technology 28 nm 28 nm
Texture fill rate 80.6 billion/sec 109 billion/sec
Floating-point performance 2,038 gflops 3,920 gflops
Length 10.5" (26.7 cm)
Memory bus width 256 Bit 256 Bit
Memory clock speed 1800 MHz 7.0 GB/s
Memory bandwidth 115.2 GB/s 224 GB/s
Shared memory - -
G-SYNC support +
DirectX 12 API 12 (12_1)
Shader Model 5.1 6.4
OpenGL 4.5 4.4
OpenCL 1.1 1.2
Vulkan 1.1.126 1.1.126
CUDA + +
Monero / XMR (CryptoNight) 0.48 kh/s
CUDA cores 1344 1664
Bus support PCI Express 3.0 PCI Express 3.0
Height 4.376" (11.1 cm)
SLI options + +
Multi monitor support 4 displays
HDCP +
Maximum VGA resolution 2048x1536
Audio input for HDMI Internal
Bitcoin / BTC (SHA256) 100 Mh/s 478 Mh/s
Laptop size large
Optimus +
Decred / DCR (Decred) 1.51 Gh/s
Ethereum / ETH (DaggerHashimoto) 22.21 Mh/s
Zcash / ZEC (Equihash) 291.61 Sol/s
GameStream +
GeForce ShadowPlay +
GPU Boost 2.0
GameWorks +
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