CPU
GPU
GeForce 720A
Popular choices:
Radeon HD 3870 X2
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 Radeon HD 3870 X2 is on rank 327, so the GeForce 720A 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 Radeon HD 3870 X2
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce 720A is significantly newer (2015 vs 2008). The GeForce 720A likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The Radeon HD 3870 X2 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Radeon HD 3870 X2 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.7% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce 720A.
| Insight | GeForce 720A | Radeon HD 3870 X2 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.7%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.7%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell (2014−2017)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / TeraScale (2005−2013)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+0%) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | — | Standard Size (267mm) |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce 720A offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce 720A holds the technical lead. Priced at $30 (vs $40), it costs 25% less, resulting in a 31.1% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce 720A | Radeon HD 3870 X2 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+31.1%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($30) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($40) |
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
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce 720A and Radeon HD 3870 X2
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.
Radeon HD 3870 X2
The Radeon HD 3870 X2 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in August 12 2008. It features the TeraScale architecture. The core clock speed is 700 MHz. It has 800 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 286W. Manufactured using 55 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 587 points. Launch price was $550.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce 720A scores 577 and the Radeon HD 3870 X2 reaches 587 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.7% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce 720A is built on Maxwell while the Radeon HD 3870 X2 uses TeraScale, both on 28 nm vs 55 nm. Shader units: 384 (GeForce 720A) vs 800 (Radeon HD 3870 X2). Raw compute: 0.7227 TFLOPS (GeForce 720A) vs 1.12 TFLOPS ×2 (Radeon HD 3870 X2).
| Feature | GeForce 720A | Radeon HD 3870 X2 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 577 | 587+2% |
| Architecture | Maxwell | TeraScale |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 55 nm |
| Shading Units | 384 | 800 ×2+108% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 0.7227 TFLOPS | 1.12 TFLOPS ×2+55% |
| ROPs | 8 | 16 ×2+100% |
| TMUs | 24 | 40 ×2+67% |
| L1 Cache | 192 KB+20% | 160 KB |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB+300% | 0.25 MB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce 720A | Radeon HD 3870 X2 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | AMD Anti-Lag |
Video Memory (VRAM)
Both cards feature 512 MB of GDDR5. Bus width: 128-bit vs 64-bit. L2 Cache: 1 MB (GeForce 720A) vs 0.25 MB (Radeon HD 3870 X2) — the GeForce 720A has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce 720A | Radeon HD 3870 X2 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 0.5 GB | 0.5 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit+100% | 64-bit |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB+300% | 0.25 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GeForce 720A) vs 10.1 (Radeon HD 3870 X2). Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.
| Feature | GeForce 720A | Radeon HD 3870 X2 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (11_0)+19% | 10.1 |
| Max Displays | 2 | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC (GeForce 720A) vs UVD+ (Radeon HD 3870 X2). Decoder: NVDEC vs UVD+.
| Feature | GeForce 720A | Radeon HD 3870 X2 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC | UVD+ |
| Decoder | NVDEC | UVD+ |
| Codecs | H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 | — |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce 720A draws 33W versus the Radeon HD 3870 X2's 286W — a 158.6% difference. The GeForce 720A is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 720A) vs 550W (Radeon HD 3870 X2). Power connectors: Legacy vs 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin. Card length: 0mm vs 267mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots.
| Feature | GeForce 720A | Radeon HD 3870 X2 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 33W-88% | 286W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W-36% | 550W |
| Power Connector | Legacy | 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin |
| Length | 0mm | 267mm |
| Height | 0mm | — |
| Slots | 0-100% | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 85 | — |
| Perf/Watt | 17.5+733% | 2.1 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce 720A launched at $30 MSRP and currently averages $30, while the Radeon HD 3870 X2 launched at $449 and now averages $40. The GeForce 720A costs 25% less ($10 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 19.2 (GeForce 720A) vs 14.7 (Radeon HD 3870 X2) — the GeForce 720A offers 30.6% better value. The GeForce 720A is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2008).
| Feature | GeForce 720A | Radeon HD 3870 X2 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $30-93% | $449 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $30-25% | $40 |
| Performance per Dollar | 19.2+31% | 14.7 |
| Codename | GM108 | R700 |
| Release | March 13 2015 | August 12 2008 |
| Ranking | #810 | #796 |
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
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