GeForce GTX 280M vs GeForce GT 720A
GeForce GTX 280M
Popular choices:
GeForce GT 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 GTX 280M is positioned at rank 120 and the GeForce GT 720A is on rank 314, 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 GTX 280M
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GT 720A
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 GTX 280M | GeForce GT 720A |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.6%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.6%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / Tesla 2.0 (2007−2013)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Kepler (2012−2018)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ✅ More VRAM (+100%) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| 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 GTX 280M and GeForce GT 720A
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.
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.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GTX 280M scores 576 and the GeForce GT 720A reaches 567 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.6% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 280M is built on Tesla 2.0 while the GeForce GT 720A uses Kepler, both on 65 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 240 (GeForce GTX 280M) vs 768 (GeForce GT 720A). Raw compute: 0.6221 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 280M) vs 1.009 TFLOPS (GeForce GT 720A).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280M | GeForce GT 720A |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 576+2% | 567 |
| Architecture | Tesla 2.0 | Kepler |
| Process Node | 65 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 240 | 768+220% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 0.6221 TFLOPS | 1.009 TFLOPS+62% |
| ROPs | 32+100% | 16 |
| TMUs | 80+25% | 64 |
| L2 Cache | 256 KB | 256 KB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280M | GeForce GT 720A |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 (Compatible) | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce GTX 280M comes with 1 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GT 720A has 512 MB. The GeForce GTX 280M offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 64-bit.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280M | GeForce GT 720A |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 1 GB+100% | 0.5 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit+100% | 64-bit |
| L2 Cache | 256 KB | 256 KB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 11.1 (10_0) (GeForce GTX 280M) vs 12 (11_0) (GeForce GT 720A). OpenGL: 3.3 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280M | GeForce GT 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 VP2 (GeForce GTX 280M) vs No NVENC (GeForce GT 720A). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP2 vs PureVideo HD VP5. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 280M) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GT 720A).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280M | GeForce GT 720A |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | PureVideo HD VP2 | No NVENC |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP2 | PureVideo HD VP5 |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 280M draws 236W versus the GeForce GT 720A's 55W — a 124.4% difference. The GeForce GT 720A is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 280M) vs 350W (GeForce GT 720A). Power connectors: None vs PCIe-powered. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 75°C.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280M | GeForce GT 720A |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 236W | 55W-77% |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | None | PCIe-powered |
| Slots | 0 | 0 |
| Temp (Load) | 85°C | 75°C-12% |
| Perf/Watt | 2.4 | 10.3+329% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GT 720A is the newer GPU (2014 vs 2008).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280M | GeForce GT 720A |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | $40 |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $40 |
| Codename | GT200 | GK106 |
| Release | June 16 2008 | March 17 2014 |
| Ranking | #802 | #813 |
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