Variants of some GPU models can lead to unpleasant surprises when we find that the hardware of the computer we have purchased is marked as a model that in theory should be superior in performance, but then turns out to be inferior due to a variant of the same GPU with a lower number of cores or lowered frequencies.
NVIDIA Launches Second Variant of Less Powerful, Lower TDP MX150 Notebook GPU
Specifically, we have seen cases like the AMD RX 460/560. That has been sold under the same name and with a notable difference in Stream Processors that initially was not published. And that apparently led to confusion and anger when discovering lower yields. NVIDIA has also made several similar moves, as there are currently three variants of the GTX 1060, with 3GB, 5GB, and 6GB respectively. Also, that vary in the number of CUDA cores.
NVIDIA, according to Notebookcheck, would have made a similar move again in its notebook segment with a new variant of its MX150 GPUs. That is a GPU that would initially be based on the GT 1030 with frequencies of 1468/1531 MHz Base/Boost and a TDP of 25W. The new variant focuses on a much lower TDP of 10W, which has been achieved by lowering the frequencies to 936/1037 MHz Base/Boost. So, that implies a drop in performance of more than 30% for this model.
It’s true that the model has no great gaming pretensions because with its 384 CUDA cores. So, it’s hardly intended to be a multimedia-oriented GPU and humble gameplay for the laptops it’s built into. And, mostly as a replacement for the GT 940MXs still found on some laptops.
Of course, the only way to check this is to turn on the computer. And check with programs like GPU-Z or similar the frequency at which they have been launched. For the buyer, this means the possibility of a loss of power without having marked the product as such. Since it seems more logical to characterize this second variant differently. So as not to create confusion about the power of the GPU is installed.
Notebookcheck has mentioned several models that already incorporate this new variant; the list is as follows:
- ThinkPad T480
- ASUS ZenBook UX331UN
- ASUS ZenBook UX331UA
- Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air 13.3
- HP Envy 13
- Lenovo IdeaPad 320