GeForce GT 420M vs GeForce 7900 GTX
GeForce GT 420M
Popular choices:
GeForce 7900 GTX
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 420M is positioned at rank 113 and the GeForce 7900 GTX is on rank 711, so the GeForce GT 420M 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 420M
Performance Per Dollar GeForce 7900 GTX
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GT 420M is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce 7900 GTX.
| Insight | GeForce GT 420M | GeForce 7900 GTX |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+1%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / Kepler (2012−2018)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / G9x (2007−2010)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+0%) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | — | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
While current pricing data is unavailable, the GeForce GT 420M remains the clear technical winner. Check real-time availability to determine if the performance gap justifies the market price.
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 420M and GeForce 7900 GTX
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.
GeForce 7900 GTX
The GeForce 7900 GTX 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: 388 points.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GT 420M scores 392 and the GeForce 7900 GTX reaches 388 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GT 420M is built on Kepler while the GeForce 7900 GTX uses G9x, both on 28 nm vs 65 nm. Shader units: 384 (GeForce GT 420M) vs 224 (GeForce 7900 GTX).
| Feature | GeForce GT 420M | GeForce 7900 GTX |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 392+1% | 388 |
| Architecture | Kepler | G9x |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 65 nm |
| Shading Units | 384+71% | 224 |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GT 420M | GeForce 7900 GTX |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | FSR 3 (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
Both cards feature 512 MB of GDDR5. Bus width: 128-bit vs 64-bit.
| Feature | GeForce GT 420M | GeForce 7900 GTX |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 0.5 GB | 0.5 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit+100% | 64-bit |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 11.0 (GeForce GT 420M) vs 9.0c (GeForce 7900 GTX). Vulkan: None vs N/A. OpenGL: 4.0 vs 2.1. Maximum simultaneous displays: 1 vs 2.
| Feature | GeForce GT 420M | GeForce 7900 GTX |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 11.0+22% | 9.0c |
| Vulkan | None | N/A |
| OpenGL | 4.0+90% | 2.1 |
| Max Displays | 1 | 2+100% |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: No (GeForce GT 420M) vs None (GeForce 7900 GTX). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP4 vs PureVideo VP1. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 ASP (GeForce GT 420M) vs MPEG-2,WMV9,H.264 (GeForce 7900 GTX).
| Feature | GeForce GT 420M | GeForce 7900 GTX |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | No | None |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP4 | PureVideo VP1 |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 ASP | MPEG-2,WMV9,H.264 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GT 420M draws 32W versus the GeForce 7900 GTX's 150W — a 129.7% difference. The GeForce GT 420M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GT 420M) vs 350W (GeForce 7900 GTX). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 0mm vs 229mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 80.
| Feature | GeForce GT 420M | GeForce 7900 GTX |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 32W-79% | 150W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | PCIe-powered | PCIe-powered |
| Length | 0mm | 229mm |
| Height | 0mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 0-100% | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 75°C-6% | 80 |
| Perf/Watt | 12.3+373% | 2.6 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GT 420M is the newer GPU (2012 vs 2008).
| Feature | GeForce GT 420M | GeForce 7900 GTX |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | $499 |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $40 |
| Codename | GK107 | NB9E-GTX |
| Release | March 22 2012 | July 15 2008 |
| Ranking | #909 | #825 |
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar GPU comparisons based on GeForce GT 420M and GeForce 7900 GTX
