GeForce 9800 GT vs GeForce GT 720M

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 9800 GT vs GeForce GT 720M 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 9800 GT vs GeForce GT 720M: 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 9800 GT

2008

Why buy it

✅62.1% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 2.8 vs 0 G3D/$ ($160 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 1 GB vs 2 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2008 hardware with 1 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌200% higher power demand at 150W vs 50W.

GeForce GT 720M

2013

Why buy it

✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (2 GB vs 1 GB).
✅Draws 50W instead of 150W, a 100W reduction.
✅More future proof: Kepler (2012−2018) on 28nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce 9800 GT across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌2013 hardware with 2 GB 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 2.8 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $160 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce 9800 GT is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 62.1% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 2% in PassMark G3D (449 vs 440), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce 9800 GT is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond because it comes out ahead on the available hardware-headroom signals for this matchup.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce 9800 GT makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup.

GeForce 9800 GT vs GeForce GT 720M Technical Specifications

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

GeForce 9800 GT

The GeForce 9800 GT is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in July 15 2008. It features the G9x architecture. The core clock speed is 500 MHz. It has 224 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 65 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 449 points.

GeForce GT 720M

The GeForce GT 720M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 9 2013. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 941 MHz to 967 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 50W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 440 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce 9800 GT scores 449 and the GeForce GT 720M reaches 440 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce 9800 GT is built on G9x while the GeForce GT 720M uses Kepler, both on 65 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 224 (GeForce 9800 GT) vs 384 (GeForce GT 720M).

Feature	GeForce 9800 GT	GeForce GT 720M
G3D Mark Score	449+2%	440
Architecture	G9x	Kepler
Process Node	65 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	224	384+71%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce 9800 GT	GeForce GT 720M
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)

The GeForce 9800 GT has 1 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GT 720M carries 2 GB. GeForce GT 720M gives you 100% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 64-bit on the GeForce 9800 GT and 64-bit on the GeForce GT 720M.

Feature	GeForce 9800 GT	GeForce GT 720M
VRAM Capacity	1 GB	2 GB+100%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	Unknown
Bus Width	64-bit	64-bit

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 11.1 (FL10_0) (GeForce 9800 GT) vs 12 (11_0) (GeForce GT 720M). OpenGL: 3.3 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.

Feature	GeForce 9800 GT	GeForce GT 720M
DirectX	11.1 (FL10_0)	12 (11_0)+8%
OpenGL	3.3	4.6+39%
Max Displays	2	2

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: VP3 (GeForce 9800 GT) vs None (GeForce GT 720M). Decoder: VP3 vs PureVideo HD (VP5). Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce 9800 GT) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GT 720M).

Feature	GeForce 9800 GT	GeForce GT 720M
Encoder	VP3	None
Decoder	VP3	PureVideo HD (VP5)
Codecs	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce 9800 GT draws 150W versus the GeForce GT 720M's 50W — a 100% difference. The GeForce GT 720M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 9800 GT) vs 350W (GeForce GT 720M). Power connectors: Legacy vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 229mm vs 0mm, occupying 1 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 75.

Feature	GeForce 9800 GT	GeForce GT 720M
TDP	150W	50W-67%
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	Legacy	PCIe-powered
Length	229mm	0mm
Height	—	0mm
Slots	1	0-100%
Temp (Load)	85°C	75-12%
Perf/Watt	3.0	8.8+193%

💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce GT 720M (2013 vs 2008).

Feature	GeForce 9800 GT	GeForce GT 720M
MSRP	$160	—
Codename	NB9E-GTX	GK107
Release	July 15 2008	January 9 2013
Ranking	#825	#792

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