Nvidia 1070 vs 1080 Max-Q - Laptop Graphics Comparison Benchmarks
**The Real-World Differences in Performance between the NVIDIA 1070 and Max Q 1080 Laptop Graphics Cards**
In our latest review, we put the NVIDIA 1070 and Max Q 1080 laptop graphics cards to the test to see how they perform in real-world gaming scenarios. We were surprised by the results, which show that while both cards are powerful, they have different strengths and weaknesses.
**Watchdogs: A Nice Little Boost with the Max Q 1080**
One of the games we tested was Watchdogs, a game where the differences between the two graphics cards became apparent. At high settings, the Max Q 1080 gave a slight edge over the 1070, but when we reduced the settings to Ultra, the 1070 still performed well and even managed to hit 60 frames per second. However, with the Max Q 1080, we were able to push the frame rate even higher, reaching 100 frames per second or more. This was a nice little boost that made a big difference in our gaming experience.
**Shadow of Mortal: A Surprising Result**
Another game we tested was Shadow of Mortal, which is a demanding game that requires high-performance graphics cards to run smoothly. We were surprised to see that the 1070 performed almost as well as the Max Q 1080 at high settings, even reaching frame rates of over 120 frames per second in some tests. This showed that the 1070 was more than capable of handling demanding games like Shadow of Mortal.
**Ghost Recon: A Game That Loves CPU Power**
In contrast to Watchdogs and Shadow of Mortal, Ghost Recon is a game that loves CPU power almost as much as it loves graphics card performance. We found that at high settings, the 1070 struggled to keep up with the Max Q 1080, but when we reduced the settings to lower levels, the difference between the two cards became less noticeable.
**Ashes of the Singularity: A Game That Demands High-End Graphics**
Another game we tested was Ashes of the Singularity, which is a game that demands high-end graphics cards to run smoothly. We found that at low and extreme settings, the Max Q 1080 performed well and was able to keep up with our frame rate targets, but when we stepped into "crazy" territory, both cards started to degrade more noticeably.
**Benchmarking Tools: A Useful Indicator**
While benchmarking tools can be a useful indicator of performance, they are not always entirely practical. In our tests, we found that there was a much larger difference in frame rate at lower settings compared to the highest settings. For example, in Heaven Benchmark, there was a significant gap between the frame rates at low and high settings, while in Valley Benchmark, all the results were about the same regardless of the setting level used.
**3DMark Timed Memory and Fire Strike Benchmarks: Synthetic Tests**
In synthetic tests like 3DMark Timed Memory and Fire Strike, performance scales much better compared to actual games. We found that both cards performed similarly well in these tests, with the Max Q 1080 performing only a small percentage point better than the 1070.
**Real-World Results: A Comparison of the Two Cards**
In our real-world testing, we found that the Max Q 1080 performed 10.15% better on average compared to the 1070. However, this was largely due to its higher clock speed and more CUDA cores, which gave it a slight edge in demanding games like Watchdogs.
**Is It Worth Upgrading to the Max Q 1080?**
In most cases, we would say that upgrading from the 1070 to the Max Q 1080 is not necessary for 1080p gaming at 60 frames per second. However, if you're looking for a powerful laptop with low power consumption and minimal noise, then the Max Q 1080 may be worth considering.
**Conclusion**
In conclusion, our testing showed that while both the NVIDIA 1070 and Max Q 1080 are powerful graphics cards, they have different strengths and weaknesses. The Max Q 1080 has a higher clock speed and more CUDA cores, which give it an edge in demanding games like Watchdogs. However, for most 1080p gaming scenarios, the 1070 is more than capable of handling your frame rate targets.
**What Do You Think?**
We want to hear from you! Which graphics card would you choose for your next laptop, and why? Let us know in the comments below, and don't forget to like this video if you found the information useful.