GeForce GTS 250 vs GeForce 720A
GeForce GTS 250
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GeForce 720A
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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 GTS 250 is positioned at rank 246 and the GeForce 720A is on rank 252, so the GeForce GTS 250 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GTS 250
Performance Per Dollar GeForce 720A
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce 720A is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.4% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce GTS 250 offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | GeForce GTS 250 | GeForce 720A |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.4%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.4%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2010 / Fermi (2010−2014)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell (2014−2017)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ✅ More VRAM (+100%) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | — |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GTS 250 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTS 250 holds the technical lead. Priced at $20 (vs $30), it costs 33% less, resulting in a 47.9% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GTS 250 | GeForce 720A |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+47.9%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($20) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($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 GTS 250 and GeForce 720A
GeForce GTS 250
The GeForce GTS 250 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 13 2010. It features the Fermi architecture. The core clock speed is 783 MHz. It has 192 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 106W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 569 points. Launch price was $129.
GeForce 720A
The GeForce 720A is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 13 2015. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 928 MHz to 941 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 33W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 577 points.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GTS 250 scores 569 and the GeForce 720A reaches 577 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.4% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTS 250 is built on Fermi while the GeForce 720A uses Maxwell, both on 40 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 192 (GeForce GTS 250) vs 384 (GeForce 720A). Raw compute: 0.6013 TFLOPS (GeForce GTS 250) vs 0.7227 TFLOPS (GeForce 720A).
| Feature | GeForce GTS 250 | GeForce 720A |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 569 | 577+1% |
| Architecture | Fermi | Maxwell |
| Process Node | 40 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 192 | 384+100% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 0.6013 TFLOPS | 0.7227 TFLOPS+20% |
| ROPs | 16+100% | 8 |
| TMUs | 32+33% | 24 |
| L1 Cache | 256 KB+33% | 192 KB |
| L2 Cache | 0.25 MB | 1 MB+300% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTS 250 | GeForce 720A |
|---|---|---|
| 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 GTS 250 comes with 1 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce 720A has 512 MB. The GeForce GTS 250 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 0.25 MB (GeForce GTS 250) vs 1 MB (GeForce 720A) — the GeForce 720A has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GTS 250 | GeForce 720A |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 1 GB+100% | 0.5 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 0.25 MB | 1 MB+300% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 11.1 (10_0) (GeForce GTS 250) vs 12 (11_0) (GeForce 720A). OpenGL: 3.3 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.
| Feature | GeForce GTS 250 | GeForce 720A |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 11.1 (10_0) | 12 (11_0)+8% |
| OpenGL | 3.3 | 4.6+39% |
| Max Displays | 2 | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: PureVideo HD VP5 (GeForce GTS 250) vs NVENC (GeForce 720A). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP5 vs NVDEC. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTS 250) vs H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GeForce 720A).
| Feature | GeForce GTS 250 | GeForce 720A |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | PureVideo HD VP5 | NVENC |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP5 | NVDEC |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 | H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTS 250 draws 106W versus the GeForce 720A's 33W — a 105% difference. The GeForce 720A is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (GeForce GTS 250) vs 350W (GeForce 720A). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs Legacy. Card length: 229mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 90°C vs 85.
| Feature | GeForce GTS 250 | GeForce 720A |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 106W | 33W-69% |
| Recommended PSU | 450W | 350W-22% |
| Power Connector | 1x 6-pin | Legacy |
| Length | 229mm | 0mm |
| Height | 111mm | 0mm |
| Slots | 2 | 0-100% |
| Temp (Load) | 90°C | 85-6% |
| Perf/Watt | 5.4 | 17.5+224% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTS 250 launched at $129 MSRP and currently averages $20, while the GeForce 720A launched at $30 and now averages $30. The GeForce GTS 250 costs 33.3% less ($10 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 28.4 (GeForce GTS 250) vs 19.2 (GeForce 720A) — the GeForce GTS 250 offers 47.9% better value. The GeForce 720A is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2010).
| Feature | GeForce GTS 250 | GeForce 720A |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $129 | $30-77% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $20-33% | $30 |
| Performance per Dollar | 28.4+48% | 19.2 |
| Codename | GF106 | GM108 |
| Release | September 13 2010 | March 13 2015 |
| Ranking | #791 | #810 |
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