Nvidia Geforce GTX 1050 TI Max-Q: Full Review
The GTX 1050 TI Max-Q, in its technical detail, can make use of the latest graphics technology thanks to the Nvidia Geforce GTX 1050 TI Max-Q. It was released in 2017 and is based on Nvidia’s Pascal architecture. The “Max-Q” designation indicates that the card is optimized for power efficiency while still delivering strong performance. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the GTX 1050 TI Max-Q’s specifications, performance, and other features.
Technical details of the GTX 1050 TI Max-Q
There is a boost clock speed of 1620 MHz on the GTX 1050 TI Max-Q, making it a mid-range graphics card. It has 4 gigabytes of GDDR5 RAM @ 7008 MHz. This card is ideal for ultraportables due to its low 40-watt thermal design power (TDP).
Memory Bandwidth:
The GTX 1050 TI Max-Q has a memory bandwidth of 112 GB/s. This is lower than the regular GTX 1050 TI, which has a memory bandwidth of 128 GB/s. However, the Max-Q version is optimized for power efficiency, and the slightly lower memory bandwidth doesn’t have a significant impact on its performance.
CUDA Cores:
The GTX 1050 TI Max-Q has 768 CUDA cores, which is the same as the regular GTX 1050 TI. This means that the two cards have nearly identical theoretical performance. However, the Max-Q version is optimized for lower power consumption, which can impact its real-world performance in some scenarios.
Power Consumption:
The GTX 1050 TI Max-Q has a TDP of 40 watts. This is significantly lower than the regular GTX 1050 TI, which has a TDP of 75 watts. The lower power consumption of the Max-Q version provides some important benefits, such as longer battery life and cooler temperatures in laptops.
Benchmark Results:
Various benchmarks have compared the performance of the GTX 1050 TI Max-Q to other graphics cards. In general, the Max-Q version performs around 10-15% slower than the regular GTX 1050 TI. For example, in the 3DMark Time Spy benchmark, the Max-Q version scored 1906 points, while the regular version scored 2174 points. However, this performance difference is only sometimes noticeable in real-world gaming scenarios.
Thermal Design:
The GTX 1050 TI Max-Q is equipped with Nvidia’s advanced thermal management technology. This includes features like dynamic power scaling, which adjusts the performance of the card based on its temperature and power consumption. The card also has a custom fan curve, which adjusts the speed of the cooling fan based on the card’s temperature.
Compatibility:
The GTX 1050 TI Max-Q is compatible with a wide range of laptop computers. However, it’s important to note that the card does require a PCIe 3.0 x8 interface. This may limit its compatibility with some older laptops that have PCIe 2.0 or lower interfaces.
Price:
The GTX 1050 TI Max-Q is a mid-range graphics card, and its price reflects that. As of 2021, you can expect to pay around $150-200 for a GTX 1050 TI Max-Q. This makes it an affordable option for users who need a decent graphics card for casual gaming and other tasks.
How the GTX 1050 TI Max-Q stacks up against other graphics cards
The GTX 1050 TI Max-Q’s performance is comparable to that of the desktop version. It can run most recent games at 1080p with medium to high graphics settings, while certain games, especially those with more complex visuals or animations, may need lower settings to keep a reasonable frame rate.
When compared to other laptop graphics cards, the GTX 1050 TI Max-Q sits in the middle of the pack. It’s significantly faster than entry-level cards like the GTX 1050 and MX150, but it’s less powerful than higher-end cards like the GTX 1060 or 1070.
Cooling and Power Efficiency: Optimizing for laptop use
One of the standout features of the GTX 1050 TI Max-Q is its power efficiency. The card is designed to run at a lower voltage than other Pascal-based graphics cards, which reduces its power consumption and heat output. This, in turn, allows laptops equipped with the GTX 1050 TI Max-Q to be thinner and lighter than those with more powerful graphics cards.
To help keep temperatures in check, the GTX 1050 TI Max-Q is equipped with Nvidia’s advanced thermal management technology. This includes a combination of software and hardware optimizations that aim to balance performance and power consumption while minimizing heat output.
Features: Other notable features of the GTX 1050 TI Max-Q
Aside from its performance and power efficiency, the GTX 1050 TI Max-Q includes several other features that are worth discussing. These include:
– Nvidia Ansel: A powerful in-game screenshot tool that allows you to capture high-resolution images with customizable post-processing effects.
– Nvidia GameStream: A system that transmits video games from a personal computer to another screen, such as a television or tablet.
– Nvidia G-Sync: The capacity to match your laptop’s screen refresh rate to the frame rate of your graphics card, doing away with input lag and screen tearing.
– DirectX 12 support: A key feature of modern PC gaming, DirectX 12 is a set of programming interfaces that allows game developers to utilize the latest graphics technologies.
Overall Impressions: Is the GTX 1050 TI Max-Q worth buying?
If you’re in the market for a new laptop and you’re looking for a mid-range graphics card that can handle modern games, then the GTX 1050 TI Max-Q is definitely worth considering. It’s not the most powerful graphics card out there, but its combination of performance, power efficiency, and features make it a compelling option for many users.
You should check into more powerful choices, such as the GTX 1060 or 1070, if you’re a serious gamer or require a graphics card that can perform more demanding activities, such as video editing or 3D rendering. But for most users, the GTX 1050 TI Max-Q strikes a good balance between performance and affordability.
Conclusion
Overall, the Nvidia Geforce GTX 1050 TI Max-Q is a solid mid-range graphics card that’s perfect for use in laptop computers. Its combination of performance, power efficiency, and other features make it a compelling option for many users. If you’re in the market for a new laptop and you’re looking for a graphics card that can handle modern games, then the GTX 1050 TI Max-Q is definitely worth considering.
