
GeForce GT 720A vs GeForce GT 550M

GeForce GT 720A
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GeForce GT 550M
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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 720A is positioned at rank 314 and the GeForce GT 550M is on rank 125, so the GeForce GT 550M 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 720A
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GT 550M
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GT 720A is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.1% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce GT 550M offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | GeForce GT 720A | GeForce GT 550M |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.1%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.1%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Kepler (2012−2018)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / Kepler (2012−2018)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+100%) |
| Efficiency | Normal Efficiency | Normal Efficiency |
| Case Fit | — | — |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GT 550M offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GT 550M holds the technical lead. Priced at $30 (vs $40), it costs 25% less, resulting in a 31.9% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GT 720A | GeForce GT 550M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+31.9%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($40) | ✅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 720A and GeForce GT 550M

GeForce GT 720A
The GeForce GT 720A is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 17 2014. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 628 MHz to 657 MHz. It has 768 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 55W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 567 points.

GeForce GT 550M
The GeForce GT 550M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in June 25 2013. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock speed is 980 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 50W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 561 points.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GT 720A scores 567 and the GeForce GT 550M reaches 561 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GT 720A is built on Kepler while the GeForce GT 550M uses Kepler, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 768 (GeForce GT 720A) vs 384 (GeForce GT 550M). Raw compute: 1.009 TFLOPS (GeForce GT 720A) vs 0.7526 TFLOPS (GeForce GT 550M).
| Feature | GeForce GT 720A | GeForce GT 550M |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 567+1% | 561 |
| Architecture | Kepler | Kepler |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 768+100% | 384 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 1.009 TFLOPS+34% | 0.7526 TFLOPS |
| ROPs | 16 | 16 |
| TMUs | 64+100% | 32 |
| L1 Cache | 64 KB+100% | 32 KB |
| L2 Cache | 256 KB | 256 KB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GT 720A | GeForce GT 550M |
|---|---|---|
| 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 720A comes with 512 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce GT 550M has 1 GB. The GeForce GT 550M offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 64-bit vs 128-bit.
| Feature | GeForce GT 720A | GeForce GT 550M |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 0.5 GB | 1 GB+100% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 64-bit | 128-bit+100% |
| L2 Cache | 256 KB | 256 KB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GeForce GT 720A) vs 11.0 (GeForce GT 550M). Vulkan: 1.0 vs None. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.0. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 1.
| Feature | GeForce GT 720A | GeForce GT 550M |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (11_0)+9% | 11.0 |
| Vulkan | 1.0 | None |
| OpenGL | 4.6+15% | 4.0 |
| Max Displays | 2+100% | 1 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: No NVENC (GeForce GT 720A) vs No (GeForce GT 550M). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP5 vs PureVideo HD VP4. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GT 720A) vs MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 ASP (GeForce GT 550M).
| Feature | GeForce GT 720A | GeForce GT 550M |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | No NVENC | No |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP5 | PureVideo HD VP4 |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 | MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 ASP |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GT 720A draws 55W versus the GeForce GT 550M's 50W — a 9.5% difference. The GeForce GT 550M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GT 720A) vs 350W (GeForce GT 550M). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs PCIe-powered. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 85°C.
| Feature | GeForce GT 720A | GeForce GT 550M |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 55W | 50W-9% |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | PCIe-powered | PCIe-powered |
| Length | — | 0mm |
| Height | — | 0mm |
| Slots | 0 | 0 |
| Temp (Load) | 75°C-12% | 85°C |
| Perf/Watt | 10.3 | 11.2+9% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GT 550M costs 25% less ($10 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 14.2 (GeForce GT 720A) vs 18.7 (GeForce GT 550M) — the GeForce GT 550M offers 31.7% better value. The GeForce GT 720A is the newer GPU (2014 vs 2013).
| Feature | GeForce GT 720A | GeForce GT 550M |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $40 | — |
| Avg Price (30d) | $40 | $30-25% |
| Performance per Dollar | 14.2 | 18.7+32% |
| Codename | GK106 | GK107 |
| Release | March 17 2014 | June 25 2013 |
| Ranking | #813 | #726 |
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