GeForce GT 420 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 GT 420 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 GT 420 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 GT 420

2014

Why buy it

✅2.3% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 5.5 vs 0 G3D/$ ($79 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 1 GB vs 2 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2014 hardware with 1 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌28% higher power demand at 64W 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 64W, a 14W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce GT 420 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 5.5 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $79 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce GT 420 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 2.3% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. PassMark G3D leans toward GeForce GT 720M instead at 440 vs 432, 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 420 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a newer 2014 generation instead of 2013. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce GT 420 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup.

GeForce GT 420 vs GeForce GT 720M Technical Specifications

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

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 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 GT 420 scores 432 and the GeForce GT 720M reaches 440 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.9% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GT 420 is built on Kepler while the GeForce GT 720M uses Kepler, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 384 (GeForce GT 420) vs 384 (GeForce GT 720M). Raw compute: 0.7626 TFLOPS (GeForce GT 420) vs 0.7427 TFLOPS (GeForce GT 720M).

Feature	GeForce GT 420	GeForce GT 720M
G3D Mark Score	432	440+2%
Architecture	Kepler	Kepler
Process Node	28 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	384	384
Compute (TFLOPS)	0.7626 TFLOPS+3%	0.7427 TFLOPS
ROPs	16	16
TMUs	32	32
L1 Cache	32 KB	32 KB
L2 Cache	256 KB	256 KB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GT 420	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 GT 420 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 128-bit on the GeForce GT 420 and 64-bit on the GeForce GT 720M.

Feature	GeForce GT 420	GeForce GT 720M
VRAM Capacity	1 GB	2 GB+100%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	Unknown
Bus Width	128-bit+100%	64-bit
L2 Cache	256 KB	256 KB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GeForce GT 420) vs 12 (11_0) (GeForce GT 720M). Vulkan: N/A vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.

Feature	GeForce GT 420	GeForce GT 720M
DirectX	12 (11_0)	12 (11_0)
Vulkan	N/A	1.2
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	2	2

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: None (GeForce GT 420) vs None (GeForce GT 720M). Decoder: VP4 vs PureVideo HD (VP5). Supported codecs: H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,MPEG-4 (GeForce GT 420) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GT 720M).

Feature	GeForce GT 420	GeForce GT 720M
Encoder	None	None
Decoder	VP4	PureVideo HD (VP5)
Codecs	H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,MPEG-4	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GT 420 draws 64W versus the GeForce GT 720M's 50W — a 24.6% difference. The GeForce GT 720M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 250W (GeForce GT 420) vs 350W (GeForce GT 720M). Power connectors: None vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 145mm vs 0mm, occupying 1 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 80 vs 75.

Feature	GeForce GT 420	GeForce GT 720M
TDP	64W	50W-22%
Recommended PSU	250W-29%	350W
Power Connector	None	PCIe-powered
Length	145mm	0mm
Height	69mm	0mm
Slots	1	0-100%
Temp (Load)	80	75-6%
Perf/Watt	6.8	8.8+29%

💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce GT 420 (2014 vs 2013).

Feature	GeForce GT 420	GeForce GT 720M
MSRP	$79	—
Codename	GK107	GK107
Release	May 29 2014	January 9 2013
Ranking	#777	#792

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