GeForce GT 540M vs GeForce GT 320
GeForce GT 540M
Popular choices:
GeForce GT 320
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 540M is positioned at rank 172 and the GeForce GT 320 is on rank 201, so the GeForce GT 540M 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 540M
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GT 320
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GT 540M is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.9% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GT 320.
| Insight | GeForce GT 540M | GeForce GT 320 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+0.9%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.9%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / Kepler (2012−2018)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2017 / Pascal (2016−2021)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+0%) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | — | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GT 540M offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GT 540M holds the technical lead. Priced at $30 (vs $30), it costs 0% less, resulting in a 0.9% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GT 540M | GeForce GT 320 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+0.9%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 540M and GeForce GT 320
GeForce GT 540M
The GeForce GT 540M 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: 474 points.
GeForce GT 320
The GeForce GT 320 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: 470 points. Launch price was $79.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GT 540M scores 474 and the GeForce GT 320 reaches 470 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.9% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GT 540M is built on Kepler while the GeForce GT 320 uses Pascal, both on 28 nm vs 14 nm. Shader units: 384 (GeForce GT 540M) vs 384 (GeForce GT 320). Raw compute: 0.7427 TFLOPS (GeForce GT 540M) vs 1.127 TFLOPS (GeForce GT 320). Boost clocks: 967 MHz vs 1468 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce GT 540M | GeForce GT 320 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 474 | 470 |
| Architecture | Kepler | Pascal |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 14 nm |
| Shading Units | 384 | 384 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 0.7427 TFLOPS | 1.127 TFLOPS+52% |
| Boost Clock | 967 MHz | 1468 MHz+52% |
| ROPs | 16 | 16 |
| TMUs | 32+33% | 24 |
| L1 Cache | 32 KB | 144 KB+350% |
| L2 Cache | 256 KB | 512 KB+100% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GT 540M | GeForce GT 320 |
|---|---|---|
| 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)
Both cards feature 1 GB of GDDR5. Bus width: 128-bit vs 64-bit. L2 Cache: 256 KB (GeForce GT 540M) vs 512 KB (GeForce GT 320) — the GeForce GT 320 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GT 540M | GeForce GT 320 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 1 GB | 1 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit+100% | 64-bit |
| L2 Cache | 256 KB | 512 KB+100% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 11.0 (GeForce GT 540M) vs 10.1 (GeForce GT 320). Vulkan: None vs N/A. OpenGL: 4.0 vs 3.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 1 vs 2.
| Feature | GeForce GT 540M | GeForce GT 320 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 11.0+9% | 10.1 |
| Vulkan | None | N/A |
| OpenGL | 4.0+21% | 3.3 |
| Max Displays | 1 | 2+100% |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: No (GeForce GT 540M) vs None (GeForce GT 320). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP4 vs PureVideo HD (VP4). Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 ASP (GeForce GT 540M) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GT 320).
| Feature | GeForce GT 540M | GeForce GT 320 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | No | None |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP4 | PureVideo HD (VP4) |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 ASP | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GT 540M draws 50W versus the GeForce GT 320's 30W — a 50% difference. The GeForce GT 320 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GT 540M) vs 250W (GeForce GT 320). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs None. Card length: 0mm vs 175mm, occupying 0 vs 1 slots. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 75.
| Feature | GeForce GT 540M | GeForce GT 320 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 50W | 30W-40% |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 250W-29% |
| Power Connector | PCIe-powered | None |
| Length | 0mm | 175mm |
| Height | 0mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 0-100% | 1 |
| Temp (Load) | 85°C | 75-12% |
| Perf/Watt | 9.5 | 15.7+65% |
Value Analysis
Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 15.8 (GeForce GT 540M) vs 15.7 (GeForce GT 320) — the GeForce GT 540M offers 0.6% better value. The GeForce GT 320 is the newer GPU (2017 vs 2013).
| Feature | GeForce GT 540M | GeForce GT 320 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | $79 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $30 | $30 |
| Performance per Dollar | 15.8 | 15.7 |
| Codename | GK107 | GP108 |
| Release | January 9 2013 | May 17 2017 |
| Ranking | #792 | #641 |
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