NVIDIA GeForce MX330
NVIDIA GeForce MX330 in 2025: Is It Worth Your Attention?
Review of an outdated, but still relevant graphics card for budget systems
1. Architecture and Key Features
Outdated Foundation: Pascal Architecture
The GeForce MX330 is based on the Pascal architecture, introduced by NVIDIA in 2016. Despite its age, this platform is still found in budget laptops. The manufacturing process is 14 nm (TSMC version), which is significantly behind modern 5 nm chips. The card does not support ray tracing (RTX), DLSS, or FidelityFX—key technologies from NVIDIA and AMD in the 2020s. This makes it unsuitable for modern games with advanced graphics.
Chip Features
The MX330 is a trimmed version of the desktop GTX 1050 with reduced specifications. It features 384 CUDA cores, which is 3-4 times fewer than modern entry-level mobile GPUs (like the RTX 2050). Due to the lack of Tensor and RT cores, it is unable to handle machine learning tasks or real-time light rendering.
2. Memory: The Weak Point
Type and Volume: GDDR5 Limitations
The MX330 uses GDDR5 memory (and, less commonly, DDR4) with a volume of 2-4 GB. The bandwidth reaches 48 GB/s, which is three times lower than modern GDDR6 solutions. For games in 2025, even 4 GB is already insufficient: high-resolution textures and complex effects lead to buffer overload.
Impact on Performance
In tests with games like Cyberpunk 2077 (minimum settings), the MX330 demonstrates frequent FPS drops due to insufficient video memory. For projects from the 2010s (like The Witcher 3), 4 GB is sufficient, but in 2025 this is more likely an exception.
3. Gaming Performance
1080p: The Minimum for Comfortable Play
The MX330 is aimed at a resolution of 1920×1080, but even here its capabilities are modest:
- Fortnite (low settings): 40-50 FPS;
- Apex Legends: 35-45 FPS;
- GTA V: 50-60 FPS.
In new projects (Starfield, GTA VI), the card barely achieves 20-25 FPS even on minimum settings. Support for 1440p and 4K is excluded due to lack of computing power.
Ray Tracing: Unavailable
The absence of RT cores makes the MX330 unsuitable for ray tracing games. Attempts to run through emulation (such as Proton for Linux) reduce FPS to 10-15 frames.
4. Professional Tasks
Basic CUDA Capabilities
The MX330 supports CUDA, allowing its use in programs like Adobe Premiere Pro or Blender. However, 384 cores are insufficient for rendering complex scenes. For example, rendering a model in Blender Cycles would take 4-5 times longer than on an RTX 3050.
Scientific Calculations: Inefficient
The MX330 is not suitable for machine learning tasks or simulations. The lack of Tensor Cores and limited memory restrict its application in neural networks (such as Stable Diffusion).
5. Power Consumption and Cooling
TDP: 25 Watts
Low power consumption is the main advantage of the MX330. It does not require a powerful cooling system, allowing it to be used in ultrabooks (for example, ASUS VivoBook). However, in stress tests, temperatures can reach 75-80°C, reducing the lifespan of components.
Case Recommendations
The card is compatible with thin laptops, but stable operation is preferable with at least one fan. In compact cases without ventilation, throttling and noise may occur.
6. Comparison with Competitors
AMD Radeon RX Vega 7/8
AMD’s integrated solutions (for example, in Ryzen 5 5600U) show performance similar to the MX330, but are cheaper. A laptop with Vega 8 would cost around $450 compared to $600 for a model with the MX330.
Intel Iris Xe
Modern Intel iGPUs (Iris Xe in Core i5-1235U) catch up with the MX330 in gaming and surpass it in energy efficiency. For office tasks and streaming, Iris Xe is a more cost-effective option.
Conclusion: The MX330 falls behind even integrated solutions from 2025, except in niche scenarios (like CUDA support).
7. Practical Advice
Power Supply
The power supply rating is not critical—the MX330 is built into the laptop and draws power from the standard adapter (usually 65-90 W).
Compatibility
The card only works in laptops with PCIe 3.0 x4. It cannot be upgraded—it's a chip soldered to the motherboard.
Drivers
NVIDIA stopped active support for the MX330 in 2024. The latest drivers are available on the manufacturer's website, but optimization for new games is lacking.
8. Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Low power consumption;
- CUDA support;
- Sufficient for office tasks and older games.
Cons:
- Weak performance in modern projects;
- No support for RTX/DLSS;
- Limited memory.
9. Overall Conclusion: Who Is the MX330 For?
Target Audience:
- Students — for document processing and light video editing;
- Office Workers — running browsers and office applications;
- Casual Gamers — playing 2010s games on low settings.
Recommendation: In 2025, the MX330 should only be considered for extremely limited budgets (new laptops with it start at $400). If funds allow, it is better to choose devices with Iris Xe or AMD Radeon 780M as they offer a better price-to-performance ratio. For professional tasks and modern games, it's advisable to look at the RTX 3050 or analogs.