GeForce GT 130 vs GeForce GT 420M

NVIDIA

GeForce GT 130

2017Core: 1228 MHzBoost: 1468 MHz
Similar parts
·······
VS
NVIDIA

GeForce GT 420M

2012Core: Up to 625 MHzBoost: 645 MHz
Similar parts
·······

GeForce GT 130 vs GeForce GT 420M Performance Spectrum

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.

GeForce GT 130 vs GeForce GT 420M 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 GT 130 vs GeForce GT 420M: 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 GT 130

2017

Why buy it

  • 36.3% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 3.8 vs 0 G3D/$ ($100 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • 200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (2 GB vs 512 MB).

Trade-offs

  • 2017 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.

GeForce GT 420M

2012

Why buy it

  • Competitive enough if your priority is price, power, or specific feature preference.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce GT 130 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Less VRAM, with 512 MB vs 2 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • 2012 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 3.8 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $100 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce GT 130 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 36.3% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. PassMark G3D leans toward GeForce GT 420M instead at 392 vs 381, so for this question the real-game FPS result matters more than the synthetic split.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce GT 130 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 2 GB vs 512 MB of VRAM, a 14nm process instead of 28nm, and a newer 2017 generation instead of 2012. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
GeForce GT 130 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup.

GeForce GT 130 vs GeForce GT 420M Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

GeForce GT 130

The GeForce GT 130 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 17 2017. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1228 MHz to 1468 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 30W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 381 points. Launch price was $79.

NVIDIA

GeForce GT 420M

The GeForce GT 420M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 22 2012. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from Up to 625 MHz to 645 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 32W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 392 points.

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GT 130 scores 381 and the GeForce GT 420M reaches 392 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.9% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GT 130 is built on Pascal while the GeForce GT 420M uses Kepler, both on 14 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 384 (GeForce GT 130) vs 384 (GeForce GT 420M). Raw compute: 1.127 TFLOPS (GeForce GT 130) vs 0.48 TFLOPS (GeForce GT 420M). Boost clocks: 1468 MHz vs 645 MHz.

FeatureGeForce GT 130GeForce GT 420M
G3D Mark Score
381
392+3%
Architecture
Pascal
Kepler
Process Node
14 nm
28 nm
Shading Units
384
384
Compute (TFLOPS)
1.127 TFLOPS+135%
0.48 TFLOPS
Boost Clock
1468 MHz+128%
645 MHz
ROPs
16
16
TMUs
24
32+33%
L1 Cache
144 KB+350%
32 KB
L2 Cache
512 KB+100%
256 KB

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureGeForce GT 130GeForce GT 420M
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 GT 130 has 2 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GT 420M carries 512 MB. GeForce GT 130 gives you 200% 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 GT 130 and 128-bit on the GeForce GT 420M. L2 Cache: 512 KB (GeForce GT 130) vs 256 KB (GeForce GT 420M) — the GeForce GT 130 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce GT 130GeForce GT 420M
VRAM Capacity
1.5 GB+200%
0.5 GB
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth
Unknown
Unknown
Bus Width
64-bit
128-bit+100%
L2 Cache
512 KB+100%
256 KB
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 10.0 (GeForce GT 130) vs 11.0 (GeForce GT 420M). Vulkan: None vs None. OpenGL: 3.3 vs 4.0. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 1.

FeatureGeForce GT 130GeForce GT 420M
DirectX
10.0
11.0+10%
Vulkan
None
None
OpenGL
3.3
4.0+21%
Max Displays
2+100%
1
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: No (GeForce GT 130) vs No (GeForce GT 420M). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP3 vs PureVideo HD VP4. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 (GeForce GT 130) vs MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 ASP (GeForce GT 420M).

FeatureGeForce GT 130GeForce GT 420M
Encoder
No
No
Decoder
PureVideo HD VP3
PureVideo HD VP4
Codecs
MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1
MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 ASP
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GT 130 draws 30W versus the GeForce GT 420M's 32W — a 6.5% difference. The GeForce GT 130 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GT 130) vs 350W (GeForce GT 420M). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 229mm vs 0mm, occupying 1 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 75°C.

FeatureGeForce GT 130GeForce GT 420M
TDP
30W-6%
32W
Recommended PSU
350W
350W
Power Connector
1x 6-pin
PCIe-powered
Length
229mm
0mm
Height
111mm
0mm
Slots
1
0-100%
Temp (Load)
75°C
75°C
Perf/Watt
12.7+3%
12.3
💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce GT 130 (2017 vs 2012).

FeatureGeForce GT 130GeForce GT 420M
MSRP
$100
Codename
GP108
GK107
Release
May 17 2017
March 22 2012
Ranking
#641
#909

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.