CPU
GPU
GeForce 720A
Popular choices:
GeForce GTS 250
Popular choices:
Performance Spectrum - GPU
About G3D Mark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The GeForce 720A is positioned at rank 252 and the GeForce GTS 250 is on rank 246, so the GeForce GTS 250 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce 720A
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GTS 250
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce 720A is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.4% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce GTS 250 offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | GeForce 720A | GeForce GTS 250 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.4%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.4%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell (2014−2017)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2010 / Fermi (2010−2014)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+100%) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | — | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GTS 250 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTS 250 holds the technical lead. Priced at $20 (vs $30), it costs 33% less, resulting in a 47.9% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce 720A | GeForce GTS 250 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+47.9%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($30) | ✅More affordable ($20) |
Performance Check
Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 7800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.
Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce 720A and GeForce GTS 250
GeForce 720A
The GeForce 720A is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 13 2015. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 928 MHz to 941 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 33W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 577 points.
GeForce GTS 250
The GeForce GTS 250 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 13 2010. It features the Fermi architecture. The core clock speed is 783 MHz. It has 192 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 106W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 569 points. Launch price was $129.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce 720A scores 577 and the GeForce GTS 250 reaches 569 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.4% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce 720A is built on Maxwell while the GeForce GTS 250 uses Fermi, both on 28 nm vs 40 nm. Shader units: 384 (GeForce 720A) vs 192 (GeForce GTS 250). Raw compute: 0.7227 TFLOPS (GeForce 720A) vs 0.6013 TFLOPS (GeForce GTS 250).
| Feature | GeForce 720A | GeForce GTS 250 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 577+1% | 569 |
| Architecture | Maxwell | Fermi |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 40 nm |
| Shading Units | 384+100% | 192 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 0.7227 TFLOPS+20% | 0.6013 TFLOPS |
| ROPs | 8 | 16+100% |
| TMUs | 24 | 32+33% |
| L1 Cache | 192 KB | 256 KB+33% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB+300% | 0.25 MB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce 720A | GeForce GTS 250 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce 720A comes with 512 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTS 250 has 1 GB. The GeForce GTS 250 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 1 MB (GeForce 720A) vs 0.25 MB (GeForce GTS 250) — the GeForce 720A has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce 720A | GeForce GTS 250 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 0.5 GB | 1 GB+100% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB+300% | 0.25 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GeForce 720A) vs 11.1 (10_0) (GeForce GTS 250). OpenGL: 4.6 vs 3.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.
| Feature | GeForce 720A | GeForce GTS 250 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (11_0)+8% | 11.1 (10_0) |
| OpenGL | 4.6+39% | 3.3 |
| Max Displays | 2 | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC (GeForce 720A) vs PureVideo HD VP5 (GeForce GTS 250). Decoder: NVDEC vs PureVideo HD VP5. Supported codecs: H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GeForce 720A) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTS 250).
| Feature | GeForce 720A | GeForce GTS 250 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC | PureVideo HD VP5 |
| Decoder | NVDEC | PureVideo HD VP5 |
| Codecs | H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce 720A draws 33W versus the GeForce GTS 250's 106W — a 105% difference. The GeForce 720A is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 720A) vs 450W (GeForce GTS 250). Power connectors: Legacy vs 1x 6-pin. Card length: 0mm vs 229mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 85 vs 90°C.
| Feature | GeForce 720A | GeForce GTS 250 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 33W-69% | 106W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W-22% | 450W |
| Power Connector | Legacy | 1x 6-pin |
| Length | 0mm | 229mm |
| Height | 0mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 0-100% | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 85-6% | 90°C |
| Perf/Watt | 17.5+224% | 5.4 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce 720A launched at $30 MSRP and currently averages $30, while the GeForce GTS 250 launched at $129 and now averages $20. The GeForce GTS 250 costs 33.3% less ($10 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 19.2 (GeForce 720A) vs 28.4 (GeForce GTS 250) — the GeForce GTS 250 offers 47.9% better value. The GeForce 720A is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2010).
| Feature | GeForce 720A | GeForce GTS 250 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $30-77% | $129 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $30 | $20-33% |
| Performance per Dollar | 19.2 | 28.4+48% |
| Codename | GM108 | GF106 |
| Release | March 13 2015 | September 13 2010 |
| Ranking | #810 | #791 |
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
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