The NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet Review
by Joshua Ho on July 29, 2014 9:00 AM ESTGPU Benchmarks
On the GPU side, the Tegra K1's GPU is derived from the same Kepler GPU architecture we've seen in notebooks and desktops - albeit in a single SMX configuration. There are some power focused changes to mobile Kepler, and I’d reference our initial article on Tegra K1’s architecture for those interested in learning more. In this device, the GPU can run anywhere between 72 MHz to 852 MHz.
I included Surface Pro in a couple of the tests below just to show how far NVIDIA's Shield Tablet and Tegra K1 get in terms of pushing the envelope in gaming performance. Tegra K1 can deliver better GPU performance than the original Surface Pro, and given its price and thermal constraints isn't too far off of the newer Surface Pro tablets as well.
When it comes to GPU performance, there’s really no question: the Tegra K1 is easily the fastest in all of our GPU benchmarks. It handily beats every other ARM SoC, including the newest generation of SoCs such as the recently introduced Snapdragon 805 and its Adreno 420 GPU. It's worth noting that the Snapdragon 805 is likely aimed more at smartphones than tablets, although we are looking at its performance in Qualcomm's tablet development platform here. Until we get a look at Snapdragon 805 power consumption we can't really draw any perf/watt conclusions here. Ultimately, the only thing that can top the Shield Tablet is Surface Pro line, which uses more powerful laptop-class hardware.
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TheJian - Wednesday, July 30, 2014 - link
Refurb is not part of my vocabulary...LOL, especially of an out of date device with far less power. You're talking 3x the perf in 3dmark here. Even if nexus 7 2013 was retailing NEW for $140 this would be a gimme for me. You rarely get 3x the power for double the cash. Heck you rarely get 50% more power for double cash. We're talking 3x for 25% cash new here. That is ridiculously cheap power and it does things nexus 7 can't do. It's not just the power in this equation. Stylus, streaming PC, Grid, gamepad mapping software etc. You aren't going to draw with a stylus on nexus 7 etc. You won't be sticking in a 128GB SD card either. You're sacrificing so much at this point I'd say your options are only for the severely poor or people not interested in much gaming at all.akdj - Sunday, August 3, 2014 - link
And a ¼ the speed, almost two years behind, and if ever there was a gaming 'tablet'... Nex7 ain't it. Sorry. I've got em both. Someone mentioned it earlier ...Android and Play Store are a waste land for games. Consoles. Computers. Even iOS for short term to lengthy MMO/RPG style games. Nexus 7 is definitely NOT an equivalent, and for what it is, it's also a joke as a reader (portrait) or browser. I've got both models and held out Hope but today, it is the iPad if we're discussing low end 'consumption' tabs with definitely the ability to get some work done with it, especially with the massive third party iOS catering club for keyboard or case, stylus or whatever game you're into, hobby you're interested in or magazine, book or newspaper ya wanna read the App Store has itakdj - Sunday, August 3, 2014 - link
Sorry, I meant to add today's low end consumption and partial creation tablet is the iPad. I think Microsoft has an actuality niche with the SP3. So IMHO, it's iPad or Surface today. From the objective measurements Samsung seemingly has been working behind the scenes to correct the .nex mods and the 'S' series seem to do pretty well in some benches. Still. Play store is barren (I'm using both android and iOS-- FWIW, I love my Note 3akdj - Sunday, August 3, 2014 - link
Ugh. Edit Anand:-). Point was the SP3 is a full on computer with killer display and excellent Intel/iGPU power. So for creation on a tablet you've got another and signficantly more powerful core iX series proc or the K1. Obviously it's twice as much too. What about Gameboy/DS, Nintendo and their piss poor sales these days. I understand WHAT nVidia is doing but other than us geeks does anyone else?kidconcept - Tuesday, July 29, 2014 - link
Yes, I miss-typed. I meant $60 less.Knowname - Wednesday, July 30, 2014 - link
I would like to know if the stylus' features can only be used in that one application. I don't know if there is an app that all you stylus junkies use but I doubt it's the one Nvidia always shows.akdj - Sunday, August 3, 2014 - link
If it works, Sketchbook will drop weeks later. They're cross platform without a care in the world who's using S/B on which device. As long as their using it;)Voldenuit - Tuesday, July 29, 2014 - link
Thanks for the review.Anyone know if the controller is usable on PC (whether with hacked drivers or official support)? Might be nice to kill two birds with one stone (don't currently have a controller for my PC).
NZtechfreak - Monday, August 18, 2014 - link
Just got my Controller today, wasn't working in Dolphin (and the manual says PCs "are not supported at this time"). Hopefully that will come with firmware updates in the future.NZtechfreak - Monday, August 18, 2014 - link
Dolphin on PC that is, realised that could be confusing since I was talking about Dolphin for Android earlier.