GeForce GT 720A vs GeForce GTX 280M
GeForce GT 720A
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GeForce GTX 280M
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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 GTX 280M is on rank 120, so the GeForce GTX 280M 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 GTX 280M
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce GT 720A is significantly newer (2014 vs 2008). The GeForce GT 720A likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTX 280M lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GTX 280M is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.6% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (1 GB vs 512 MB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GT 720A.
| Insight | GeForce GT 720A | GeForce GTX 280M |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.6%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.6%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Kepler (2012−2018)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / Tesla 2.0 (2007−2013)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+100%) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | — | — |
💎 Value Proposition
While current pricing data is unavailable, the GeForce GTX 280M 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 720A and GeForce GTX 280M
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 GTX 280M
The GeForce GTX 280M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in June 16 2008. It features the Tesla 2.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 602 MHz. It has 240 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 236W. Manufactured using 65 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 576 points. Launch price was $649.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GT 720A scores 567 and the GeForce GTX 280M reaches 576 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.6% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GT 720A is built on Kepler while the GeForce GTX 280M uses Tesla 2.0, both on 28 nm vs 65 nm. Shader units: 768 (GeForce GT 720A) vs 240 (GeForce GTX 280M). Raw compute: 1.009 TFLOPS (GeForce GT 720A) vs 0.6221 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 280M).
| Feature | GeForce GT 720A | GeForce GTX 280M |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 567 | 576+2% |
| Architecture | Kepler | Tesla 2.0 |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 65 nm |
| Shading Units | 768+220% | 240 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 1.009 TFLOPS+62% | 0.6221 TFLOPS |
| ROPs | 16 | 32+100% |
| TMUs | 64 | 80+25% |
| L2 Cache | 256 KB | 256 KB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GT 720A | GeForce GTX 280M |
|---|---|---|
| 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)
The GeForce GT 720A comes with 512 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 280M has 1 GB. The GeForce GTX 280M offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 64-bit vs 128-bit.
| Feature | GeForce GT 720A | GeForce GTX 280M |
|---|---|---|
| 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 11.1 (10_0) (GeForce GTX 280M). OpenGL: 4.6 vs 3.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.
| Feature | GeForce GT 720A | GeForce GTX 280M |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (11_0)+8% | 11.1 (10_0) |
| OpenGL | 4.6+39% | 3.3 |
| Max Displays | 2 | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: No NVENC (GeForce GT 720A) vs PureVideo HD VP2 (GeForce GTX 280M). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP5 vs PureVideo HD VP2. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GT 720A) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 280M).
| Feature | GeForce GT 720A | GeForce GTX 280M |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | No NVENC | PureVideo HD VP2 |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP5 | PureVideo HD VP2 |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GT 720A draws 55W versus the GeForce GTX 280M's 236W — a 124.4% difference. The GeForce GT 720A is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GT 720A) vs 350W (GeForce GTX 280M). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs None. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 85°C.
| Feature | GeForce GT 720A | GeForce GTX 280M |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 55W-77% | 236W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | PCIe-powered | None |
| Slots | 0 | 0 |
| Temp (Load) | 75°C-12% | 85°C |
| Perf/Watt | 10.3+329% | 2.4 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GT 720A is the newer GPU (2014 vs 2008).
| Feature | GeForce GT 720A | GeForce GTX 280M |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $40 | — |
| Avg Price (30d) | $40 | — |
| Codename | GK106 | GT200 |
| Release | March 17 2014 | June 16 2008 |
| Ranking | #813 | #802 |
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