The world of gaming has evolved significantly over the years, with graphics becoming more realistic and demanding. However, not everyone can afford the latest and greatest graphics cards. For those on a budget, the Nvidia GeForce 930M is a popular option. But the question remains, is the GeForce 930M good for gaming?
The Basics Of The GeForce 930M
The Nvidia GeForce 930M is a mid-range graphics processing unit (GPU) designed for laptops. Released in 2015, it’s based on the Maxwell architecture, which provides a balance between performance and power efficiency. The 930M is a GTX-level GPU, but with a lower clock speed and fewer CUDA cores than its higher-end counterparts.
Key specifications of the GeForce 930M include:
- CUDA Cores: 384
- Base Clock Speed: 928 MHz
- Boost Clock Speed: 941 MHz
- Memory: Up to 4GB DDR3
- Memory Bandwidth: 64 GB/s
- DirectX Support: 12
- OpenGL Support: 4.5
Gaming Performance Of The GeForce 930M
So, how does the GeForce 930M perform in real-world gaming scenarios? The answer depends on the game, resolution, and graphics settings.
Low to Medium Settings
At low to medium graphics settings, the GeForce 930M can handle modern games at 1080p (1920×1080) resolution. You can expect frame rates around 30-40 FPS in games like:
- League of Legends
- Dota 2
- Overwatch
- World of Warcraft
However, don’t expect to play at ultra-high settings or with ray tracing enabled.
High Settings
At high graphics settings, the GeForce 930M starts to struggle. You may need to reduce the resolution to 768p (1280×768) or lower to maintain playable frame rates. Even then, you may not reach 60 FPS in demanding games like:
- Fortnite
- PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG)
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Benchmarking Results
To give you a better idea of the GeForce 930M’s performance, here are some benchmarking results from various sources:
| Game | Resolution | Graphics Settings | FPS |
| — | — | — | — |
| Minecraft | 1080p | High | 45-50 |
| Diablo 3 | 1080p | Ultra | 35-40 |
| World of Tanks | 1080p | High | 40-45 |
| Assassin’s Creed Odyssey | 720p | Low | 25-30 |
Comparison To Other GPUs
To put the GeForce 930M’s performance into perspective, let’s compare it to other GPUs in the same class:
- AMD Radeon R7 M360: The R7 M360 is a competitor to the 930M, offering similar performance at a lower price point.
- Nvidia GeForce GTX 950M: The GTX 950M is a higher-end GPU, offering around 20-30% better performance than the 930M.
- Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200: Integrated graphics solutions like the Iris Pro Graphics 6200 are significantly weaker than the 930M, but they’re also more power-efficient.
Data Comparison
Here’s a comparison of the GeForce 930M with other GPUs in terms of performance, power consumption, and price:
| GPU | Performance (FPS) | Power Consumption (W) | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| GeForce 930M | 30-40 | 30-40 | 300-400 |
| Radeon R7 M360 | 25-35 | 25-35 | 200-300 |
| GeForce GTX 950M | 45-55 | 50-60 | 500-600 |
| Iris Pro Graphics 6200 | 10-20 | 15-20 | Integrated |
Conclusion
The Nvidia GeForce 930M is a mid-range GPU that offers decent gaming performance at 1080p resolution with low to medium graphics settings. While it may not be suitable for demanding games at high resolutions, it’s a good option for those on a budget who want to play less demanding games.
If you’re looking for better performance, consider the GeForce GTX 950M or higher-end GPUs. However, if you’re on a tight budget, the 930M is a good starting point for casual gaming.
Ultimately, the GeForce 930M is good for gaming, but it depends on your expectations and the type of games you play.
Is The GeForce 930M A Good Graphics Card For Gaming?
The GeForce 930M is an entry-level to mid-range graphics card designed for laptops. It’s not a high-end GPU, but it can still handle some modern games at lower settings. If you’re on a tight budget and want to play less demanding games, the 930M might be sufficient. However, if you want to play the latest games at high settings or 4K resolution, you might be disappointed.
That being said, the 930M has its strengths. It’s power-efficient, which means it won’t drain your laptop’s battery quickly. It’s also relatively affordable, making it a good option for those on a budget. Additionally, the 930M supports DirectX 12 and has a decent amount of video memory, which can help with gaming performance.
What Kinds Of Games Can I Play With The GeForce 930M?
You can play less demanding games like Minecraft, Overwatch, and League of Legends at lower to medium settings with the GeForce 930M. You might also be able to play older games or indie titles at higher settings. However, you’ll likely struggle to play more demanding games like The Witcher 3, Assassin’s Creed, or Battlefield at high settings.
Keep in mind that the performance will also depend on your laptop’s CPU, RAM, and display resolution. If your laptop has a weak CPU or not enough RAM, you might experience poor performance even with the 930M. Additionally, if you’re playing at a high resolution like 1440p or 4K, you’ll need to lower the graphics settings to achieve smooth performance.
Can I Upgrade My Laptop’s Graphics Card To Something Better?
In most cases, it’s not possible to upgrade a laptop’s graphics card, especially if it’s soldered to the motherboard. Laptops are designed to be compact and efficient, so the hardware is often proprietary and difficult to replace. Even if you could upgrade the GPU, you’d need to ensure the new card is compatible with your laptop’s motherboard and power supply.
However, there are some external graphics card solutions available that can enhance your laptop’s gaming performance. These devices connect to your laptop via a Thunderbolt 3 port and can provide a significant boost in graphics power. Keep in mind that these solutions can be expensive and may not work with all laptops.
Is The GeForce 930M Better Than Integrated Graphics?
The GeForce 930M is a dedicated graphics card, which means it’s generally better than integrated graphics like Intel HD Graphics. Dedicated graphics cards have their own memory and processing power, which allows them to handle graphics-intensive tasks more efficiently. The 930M has a dedicated video memory and can handle tasks like gaming and video editing more smoothly than integrated graphics.
That being said, the 930M is still an entry-level GPU, and its performance may not be dramatically better than some high-end integrated graphics. For example, Intel’s Iris Xe graphics are quite powerful and might be able to match the 930M’s performance in some cases.
Can I Use The GeForce 930M For Video Editing And Other Intensive Tasks?
The GeForce 930M is primarily designed for gaming, but it can handle other graphics-intensive tasks like video editing and 3D modeling. The GPU has a decent amount of video memory and can handle tasks that require parallel processing. However, it may not be the best option for tasks that require high-end graphics performance or lots of video memory.
If you need a laptop for video editing or other intensive tasks, you might want to consider a model with a more powerful GPU like the GeForce GTX 1060 or higher. These GPUs have more video memory and processing power, making them better suited for demanding tasks.
What Are Some Laptops That Come With The GeForce 930M?
There are several laptops that come with the GeForce 930M, including budget-friendly options from Acer, Asus, and Lenovo. These laptops often have other budget-friendly components like Celeron or Pentium processors, 4-8 GB of RAM, and smaller storage capacities. Some examples of laptops with the 930M include the Acer Aspire E 15, Asus Vivobook X540, and Lenovo IdeaPad 330S.
Keep in mind that the performance of these laptops will vary depending on the other components. Be sure to check the specifications and reviews before making a purchase to ensure the laptop meets your needs.
Is The GeForce 930M Worth It For The Price?
The GeForce 930M is a budget-friendly graphics card, and its performance reflects its price. If you’re on a tight budget and want to play less demanding games or perform basic tasks, the 930M might be a good option. However, if you’re willing to spend a little more money, you can get a laptop with a more powerful GPU like the GeForce GTX 1050 or 1060.
Ultimately, the value of the 930M depends on your needs and expectations. If you’re looking for a cheap laptop for basic tasks, the 930M might be sufficient. But if you want better gaming performance or more demanding tasks, it’s worth considering other options.