NVIDIA GeForce 9800M GTX vs NVIDIA GeForce 9800M GT vs NVIDIA GeForce 9800M GTS

NVIDIA GeForce 9800M GTX

The Nvidia GeForce 9800M GTX is a graphics adapter for laptops based on the G92 core. In general, the GPU is similar to that of the 8800M GTX but with 112 unified shader cores instead of 96. The chip is manufactured in a 65nm process and because of the high shader count, the power consumption (75 Watt of the MXM board) can be quite high. As a result, the 9800M GTX is only found in larger laptops with relatively powerful cooling solutions.

The performance of the chip is noticeably better than both the 9800M GT and GTS because of the additional shader units (see benchmarks below). Therefore, DirectX 10 games of 2008 should all be playable in high details.

As with all cards with DirectX 10 capabilities, the GeForce 9800M GTX renders 3D images using "Unified Shaders". Dedicated pixel- and vertex shaders have been dropped in favor of stream processors, which have now taken up much of the rendering burden. Furthermore, the shader units are higher clocked than the core chip itself at 1250 MHz.

A feature found in the GeForce 9000 series is the integrated PureVideo HD video processor. The GPU is able to assist the CPU in the decoding of H.264-, VC-1-, MPEG2- and WMV9 video material.

In conjunction with the Nvidia 9100M G integrated graphics, the 9800M GTX supports Hybrid-SLI known as HybridPower. HybridPower is a technique available only in Windows Vista that allows users to choose between the integrated or dedicated graphics core for power-saving purposes. Eventually, graphics switching was seamlessly accomplished through drivers by Nvidia, a technology now known as Optimus. GeForceBoost is not supported with the 9800M GTX as there would be no performance gain when paired the integrated GPU.

Compared to desktop graphics cards, the 9800M GTX should be a bit slower than the GeForce 8800 GT, which has a higher memory clock rate.

The 9800M GTX was eventually succeeded by the GTX 260M. The latter is based off of the G92b core architecture and is produced in a 55nm fabrication process, leading to lower energy demands and heat dissipation.

NVIDIA GeForce 9800M GT

The Nvidia GeForce 9800M GT is a graphics adapter for laptops and is based on the  9800M GTX (G92 core), but with only 96 shaders instead of the 112. The 9800M GT is produced in 65 nm and is therefore more similar to the 8800M GTX as both cores have similar shader counts. The chip is intended for relatively large desktop replacement laptops with more powerful cooling. 

Similar to all cards with DirectX 10 capabilities, the GeForce 9800M GT renders 3D images using "Unified Shaders". There no longer exists any dedicated pixel- and vertex shaders. Instead, 96 so-called stream processors handle most of the the graphics work previously done by vertex and pixel shaders. Furthermore, these shader units are clocked higher than the core GPU processor.

The performance of the 9800M GT is similar to the Geforce 8800M GTX (same specs). The GTS 360M with GDDR5 and the 9800M GTS both with higher clock speeds) also perform on the same level as the 9800M GT. Therefore, the performance of the 9800M GT in 2008 and 2009 was sufficient for most games in high details. A detailed performance analysis of the 9800M GT can be found in our 9800M GT review.

An advantage of the GeForce 9000 series is the integrated PureVideo HD video processor. The GPU can assist the CPU in decoding  H.264-, VC-1-, MPEG2- and WMV9 videos.

In conjunction with the Nvidia 9100M G integrated graphics, the 9800M GT supports Hybrid-SLI in the form of HybridPower. HybridPower is a Windows Vista-only technique to switch between the integrated and dedicated graphics core for power-saving purposes. Up to now, the user had to use a tool to switch between the GPUs. Eventually, graphics switching can be done automatically in drivers (now known as Nvidia Optimus). GeForceBoost is not supported with this card as there would be no performance gain from combining the integrated GPU with the 9800M GT.

Compared to desktop graphic cards, the 9800M GT is most similar to the GeForce 8800 GS. The latter, however, still features higher memory clock rates and has a slight edge over the 9800M GT.

NVIDIA GeForce 9800M GTS

The Nvidia GeForce 9800M GTS is a graphics adapter for laptops and is based on the G94 core with 64 shader processors. The chip is produced in 65nm (512 MB) and later in 55nm (1024 MB versions). Therefore, the power consumption between both boards are similar at about 75 watts each. Note that the 55nm version of the 9800M GTS was later renamed to the GeForce GTS 160M.

Because of the additional shaders and higher clock speeds, the 9800M GTS is noticeably faster than the 9700M GTS (see benchmarks below). Therefore, DirectX 10 games of 2008 should all be playable in medium to high detail settings.

As with all DirectX 10 cards, the GeForce 9800M GTS renders 3D images using "Unified Shaders". Dedicated pixel- and vertex shaders are completely replaced with 64 so called Stream Processors, which now take over most of the graphics workload. Furthermore, these shader units are clocked higher than the core GPU itself.

An advantage of the GeForce 9000 series is the integrated PureVideo HD video processor. The GPU is able to assist the CPU in the decoding of H.264-, VC-1-, MPEG2- and WMV9 video formats throughout a wide range of resolutions.

In conjunction with the Nvidia 9100M G integrated graphics, the 9800M GTS supports Hybrid-SLI (only HybridPower). HybridPower is a Windows Vista-only technique for switching between integrated and discrete graphics for power-saving purposes. The technology was eventually supplanted by a more automatic and optimized system, called Optimus. GeForceBoost is not supported with this card as there would be no performance gain from combining the discrete 9800M GTS with the integrated GPU.

Compared to desktop graphics cards, the 9800M GTS should be a bit slower than the GeForce 8800 GS, the latter of which has a higher memory clock rate.