But that’s where the similarities between the RTX 2080 Max-Q and thedesktop RTX 2080end.
While the desktop card typically hits 1900 MHz, the RTX 2080 Max-Q reaches just 1200 MHz.
This increase typically materializes as a typical GPU clock around 1400 MHz.
For testing we have both variants on hand.
The regular RTX 2080 Max-Q is found in theMSI GS75 Stealth 8SG, a slim and light 17-inch notebook.
In the full review of the GS75 we’ll detail how it performs in the OC mode.
Otherwise the two systems are very similar.
Both use Intel’s six-core gaming laptop CPU, the Core i7-8750H.
Performance
Let’s dig into the results, starting with Far Cry 5.
We’ve decided to use a slightly different approach to showing this data than we have in the past.
Far Cry 5 is a title that is a fairly typical representation of most modern games.
The base RTX 2080 Max-Q sneaks ahead of the GTX 1070, but only by 2 percent.
Battlefield V is a little more favourable to the new RTX 2080 Max-Q.
You will get 9 percent more performance with the base RTX 2080 Max-Q over the RTX 2070 Max-Q.
This is a game where you’ll really want that higher TDP model.
The 90W model also delivers a 10% higher frame rate than the base model, which is decent.
It seems the GTX 1070 is particularly strong in this game.
A fairly modest improvement.
RTX 2080 Max-Q vs. RTX 2060 (Laptop)
Decent gains in this matchup.
On average you could expect a 16% boost and up to 23% when using the 90W model.
RTX 2080 Max-Q laptops are considerably more expensive, but at least they’re also faster.
There are gains to be had at 1080p.
Are they getting the slower standard version, or the faster 90W version?
There is no way to know.
Looking at the product pages for the two laptops we just tested highlights the problem.
Same thing on theAlienware m15page.
By the way, this isn’t an issue with cooler design or throttling.
Normally you’d expect some variances between laptops due to coolers and other hardware.
We do understand the motive behind having two variants.
Having more GPU options allows a laptop maker to to choose a product that suits their cooler design best.
But there is no reason why the customer shouldn’t know this difference.
The next issue to discuss is the performance margins.
At face value there’s not much wrong with how the line-up stacks up.
On the desktop, the RTX 2080 is about 20% faster than an RTX 2070.
Here with the standard Max-Q models, it’s only 10%.
On the desktop, the RTX 2080 is a massive 50% faster than a GTX 1070.
Here with the Max-Q models, it’s 20-30% faster.
And you’ll find similar situations with basically any other comparison you want to make.
This is bound to confuse consumers, with desktop GPUs with outright identical names performing much faster.
On the other hand, this situation makes reviews like this one a must-read for those concerned about performance.
So thank you Nvidia, we guess.
But with the 2080 Max-Q in particular we’re reaching crazy territory.
Take theAlienware m15as an example.
That’s a 42% increase for 23% more performance.
But top-tier GPUs certainly are very expensive this generation, especially with Pascal options still in the market.
