CPU
GPU
GeForce GT 420
Popular choices:
GeForce 800A
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 GT 420 is positioned at rank 214 and the GeForce 800A is on rank 504, so the GeForce GT 420 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GT 420
Performance Per Dollar GeForce 800A
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce 800A is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.7% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce GT 420 offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | GeForce GT 420 | GeForce 800A |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.7%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+0.7%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Kepler (2012−2018)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Maxwell (2014−2017)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ✅ More VRAM (+100%) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | — |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce 800A offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce 800A holds the technical lead. Priced at $30 (vs $79), it costs 62% less, resulting in a 165.2% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GT 420 | GeForce 800A |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+165.2%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($79) | ✅More affordable ($30) |
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 GT 420 and GeForce 800A
GeForce GT 420
The GeForce GT 420 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 29 2014. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock speed is 993 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 64W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 432 points. Launch price was $89.
GeForce 800A
The GeForce 800A is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in July 22 2014. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 1082 MHz to 1150 MHz. It has 256 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 33W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 435 points.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GT 420 scores 432 and the GeForce 800A reaches 435 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.7% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GT 420 is built on Kepler while the GeForce 800A uses Maxwell, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 384 (GeForce GT 420) vs 256 (GeForce 800A). Raw compute: 0.7626 TFLOPS (GeForce GT 420) vs 0.5888 TFLOPS (GeForce 800A).
| Feature | GeForce GT 420 | GeForce 800A |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 432 | 435 |
| Architecture | Kepler | Maxwell |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 384+50% | 256 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 0.7626 TFLOPS+30% | 0.5888 TFLOPS |
| ROPs | 16+100% | 8 |
| TMUs | 32+100% | 16 |
| L1 Cache | 32 KB | 128 KB+300% |
| L2 Cache | 0.25 MB | 1 MB+300% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GT 420 | GeForce 800A |
|---|---|---|
| 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 GT 420 comes with 1 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce 800A has 512 MB. The GeForce GT 420 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 0.25 MB (GeForce GT 420) vs 1 MB (GeForce 800A) — the GeForce 800A has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GT 420 | GeForce 800A |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 1 GB+100% | 0.5 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 0.25 MB | 1 MB+300% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GeForce GT 420) vs 12 (11_0) (GeForce 800A). Vulkan: N/A vs N/A. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.
| Feature | GeForce GT 420 | GeForce 800A |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (11_0) | 12 (11_0) |
| Vulkan | N/A | N/A |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 2 | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: None (GeForce GT 420) vs NVENC (GeForce 800A). Decoder: VP4 vs VP5. Supported codecs: H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,MPEG-4 (GeForce GT 420) vs H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GeForce 800A).
| Feature | GeForce GT 420 | GeForce 800A |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | None | NVENC |
| Decoder | VP4 | VP5 |
| Codecs | H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,MPEG-4 | H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GT 420 draws 64W versus the GeForce 800A's 33W — a 63.9% difference. The GeForce 800A is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 250W (GeForce GT 420) vs 350W (GeForce 800A). Power connectors: None vs Legacy. Card length: 145mm vs 0mm, occupying 1 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 80 vs 85.
| Feature | GeForce GT 420 | GeForce 800A |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 64W | 33W-48% |
| Recommended PSU | 250W-29% | 350W |
| Power Connector | None | Legacy |
| Length | 145mm | 0mm |
| Height | 69mm | 0mm |
| Slots | 1 | 0-100% |
| Temp (Load) | 80-6% | 85 |
| Perf/Watt | 6.8 | 13.2+94% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GT 420 launched at $79 MSRP and currently averages $79, while the GeForce 800A launched at $100 and now averages $30. The GeForce 800A costs 62% less ($49 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 5.5 (GeForce GT 420) vs 14.5 (GeForce 800A) — the GeForce 800A offers 163.6% better value.
| Feature | GeForce GT 420 | GeForce 800A |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $79-21% | $100 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $79 | $30-62% |
| Performance per Dollar | 5.5 | 14.5+164% |
| Codename | GK107 | GM108 |
| Release | May 29 2014 | July 22 2014 |
| Ranking | #777 | #832 |
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