For previous generations of Nvidia laptop GPUs, the company has differentiated between SKUs with a Max-Q or Max-P moniker, indicating that the GPU has a lower power target. With the upcoming generation of RTX 30 series GPUs for laptops, the Max-Q and Max-P naming scheme will be dropped.

This was first reported by Notebookcheck, who heard from Nvidia that it would no longer be differentiating between Max-Q or Max-P as every Ampere mobile GPU is capable of third-gen Max-Q features. In a statement given to KitGuru, Nvidia expanded on this a bit.

Image credit: Nvidia

In our conversation, an Nvidia spokesperson told us: “Since it was introduced four years ago, Max-Q has been a paradigm shift in the way laptops are designed and built. Every component and element of the laptop – GPU, CPU, software, PCB design, power delivery, thermals – is optimized for power and performance. For our GeForce RTX 30 Series laptops, we’ve developed new 3rd gen Max-Q Technologies that leverage our expertise and leadership in AI and new system optimizations to deliver substantial improvements to efficiency, performance, battery life, and acoustics.”

These 3rd gen Max-Q technologies are “system and platform-level optimisations” for thin and light laptops. As Max-Q has expanded “beyond only GPU optimisations”, the branding has been “updated to reflect that”.

With that in mind, checking spec sheets on new laptops will be more important this year, as OEMs can enable or disable certain Max-Q features at their discretion, which in turn can impact the performance and power draw of the GPU.

KitGuru Says: Are any of you looking to upgrade your laptop this year? How do you feel about the Max-Q and Max-P branding changing? 

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