GeForce 305M vs GeForce 8400 GS

G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.

GeForce 305M vs GeForce 8400 GS FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 9800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

GeForce 305M vs GeForce 8400 GS: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

GeForce 305M

2015

Why buy it

✅More future proof: Maxwell (2014−2017) on 28nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce 8400 GS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌2015 hardware with 512 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 5.4 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $30 MSRP).

GeForce 8400 GS

2014

Why buy it

✅30.3% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 5.4 vs 0 G3D/$ ($30 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌2014 hardware with 512 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce 8400 GS is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 30.3% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 7.9% in PassMark G3D (163 vs 151), so the answer here is pretty clean.

Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce 305M is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a newer 2015 generation instead of 2014. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce 8400 GS makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GeForce 8400 GS is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, GeForce 305M has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce 305M vs GeForce 8400 GS Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

GeForce 305M

The GeForce 305M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 13 2015. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 549 MHz to 549 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 33W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 151 points.

GeForce 8400 GS

The GeForce 8400 GS is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 17 2014. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 1029 MHz to 1124 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 33W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 163 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce 305M scores 151 versus the GeForce 8400 GS's 163 — the GeForce 8400 GS leads by 7.9%. The GeForce 305M is built on Maxwell while the GeForce 8400 GS uses Maxwell, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 384 (GeForce 305M) vs 384 (GeForce 8400 GS). Raw compute: 0.4216 TFLOPS (GeForce 305M) vs 0.8632 TFLOPS (GeForce 8400 GS). Boost clocks: 549 MHz vs 1124 MHz.

Feature	GeForce 305M	GeForce 8400 GS
G3D Mark Score	151	163+8%
Architecture	Maxwell	Maxwell
Process Node	28 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	384	384
Compute (TFLOPS)	0.4216 TFLOPS	0.8632 TFLOPS+105%
Boost Clock	549 MHz	1124 MHz+105%
ROPs	8	8
TMUs	24+50%	16
L1 Cache	192 KB	192 KB
L2 Cache	1 MB	1 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce 305M	GeForce 8400 GS
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

Both cards ship with 512 MB of GDDR5. Memory bus width is 128-bit on the GeForce 305M and 128-bit on the GeForce 8400 GS.

Feature	GeForce 305M	GeForce 8400 GS
VRAM Capacity	0.5 GB	0.5 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	Unknown
Bus Width	128-bit	128-bit
L2 Cache	1 MB	1 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 10.1 (GeForce 305M) vs 10.0 (GeForce 8400 GS). OpenGL: 3.3 vs 3.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.

Feature	GeForce 305M	GeForce 8400 GS
DirectX	10.1	10.0
OpenGL	3.3	3.3
Max Displays	2	2

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: None (GeForce 305M) vs No (GeForce 8400 GS). Decoder: PureVideo VP4 vs PureVideo HD VP2. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 Part 2 (GeForce 305M) vs MPEG-2,H.264 (GeForce 8400 GS).

Feature	GeForce 305M	GeForce 8400 GS
Encoder	None	No
Decoder	PureVideo VP4	PureVideo HD VP2
Codecs	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 Part 2	MPEG-2,H.264

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce 305M draws 33W versus the GeForce 8400 GS's 33W — a 0% difference. The GeForce 8400 GS is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 305M) vs 350W (GeForce 8400 GS). Power connectors: Legacy vs Legacy. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 65°C.

Feature	GeForce 305M	GeForce 8400 GS
TDP	33W	33W
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	Legacy	Legacy
Length	—	170mm
Height	0mm	106mm
Slots	1	1
Temp (Load)	80°C	65°C-19%
Perf/Watt	4.6	4.9+7%

💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce 305M (2015 vs 2014).

Feature	GeForce 305M	GeForce 8400 GS
MSRP	—	$30
Codename	GM108	GM108
Release	March 13 2015	March 17 2014
Ranking	#880	#850

Search GeForce 305M on Amazon

Search GeForce 8400 GS on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.