GeForce 8400M GS vs Radeon HD 7290
GeForce 8400M GS
Popular choices:
Radeon HD 7290
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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 8400M GS is positioned at rank 637 and the Radeon HD 7290 is on rank 211, so the Radeon HD 7290 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce 8400M GS
Performance Per Dollar Radeon HD 7290
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Radeon HD 7290 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 7.7% higher G3D Mark score and 300% more VRAM (512 MB vs 128 MB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce 8400M GS.
| Insight | GeForce 8400M GS | Radeon HD 7290 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-7.7%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+7.7%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Maxwell (2014−2017)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+300%) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | — | — |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon HD 7290 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Radeon HD 7290 holds the technical lead. Priced at $5 (vs $20), it costs 75% less, resulting in a 330.8% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce 8400M GS | Radeon HD 7290 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+330.8%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($20) | ✅More affordable ($5) |
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce 8400M GS and Radeon HD 7290
GeForce 8400M GS
The GeForce 8400M GS is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 12 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: 104 points.
Radeon HD 7290
The Radeon HD 7290 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in April 24 2013. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 950 MHz to 1000 MHz. It has 2048 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 375W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 112 points. Launch price was $999.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce 8400M GS scores 104 versus the Radeon HD 7290's 112 — the Radeon HD 7290 leads by 7.7%. The GeForce 8400M GS is built on Maxwell while the Radeon HD 7290 uses GCN 1.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 384 (GeForce 8400M GS) vs 2,048 (Radeon HD 7290). Raw compute: 0.8632 TFLOPS (GeForce 8400M GS) vs 4.096 TFLOPS ×2 (Radeon HD 7290). Boost clocks: 1124 MHz vs 1000 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce 8400M GS | Radeon HD 7290 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 104 | 112+8% |
| Architecture | Maxwell | GCN 1.0 |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 384 | 2048 ×2+433% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 0.8632 TFLOPS | 4.096 TFLOPS ×2+375% |
| Boost Clock | 1124 MHz+12% | 1000 MHz |
| ROPs | 8 | 32 ×2+300% |
| TMUs | 16 | 128 ×2+700% |
| L1 Cache | 192 KB | 512 KB+167% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB+33% | 0.75 MB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce 8400M GS | Radeon HD 7290 |
|---|---|---|
| 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)
The GeForce 8400M GS comes with 128 MB of VRAM, while the Radeon HD 7290 has 512 MB. The Radeon HD 7290 offers 300% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 1 MB (GeForce 8400M GS) vs 0.75 MB (Radeon HD 7290) — the GeForce 8400M GS has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce 8400M GS | Radeon HD 7290 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 0.125 GB | 0.5 GB+300% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB+33% | 0.75 MB |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce 8400M GS draws 33W versus the Radeon HD 7290's 375W — a 167.6% difference. The GeForce 8400M GS is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 8400M GS) vs 350W (Radeon HD 7290). Power connectors: Legacy vs 1x 6-pin.
| Feature | GeForce 8400M GS | Radeon HD 7290 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 33W-91% | 375W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | Legacy | 1x 6-pin |
| Slots | 0 | — |
| Temp (Load) | 80°C | — |
| Perf/Watt | 3.2+967% | 0.3 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce 8400M GS launched at $50 MSRP and currently averages $20, while the Radeon HD 7290 launched at $20 and now averages $5. The Radeon HD 7290 costs 75% less ($15 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 5.2 (GeForce 8400M GS) vs 22.4 (Radeon HD 7290) — the Radeon HD 7290 offers 330.8% better value. The GeForce 8400M GS is the newer GPU (2014 vs 2013).
| Feature | GeForce 8400M GS | Radeon HD 7290 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $50 | $20-60% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $20 | $5-75% |
| Performance per Dollar | 5.2 | 22.4+331% |
| Codename | GM108 | Malta |
| Release | March 12 2014 | April 24 2013 |
| Ranking | #854 | #412 |
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