GeForce GTX 970M vs RTX A400

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 970M

2014Core: 924 MHzBoost: 1038 MHz
Similar parts
·······
VS
NVIDIA

RTX A400

2024Core: 727 MHzBoost: 1762 MHz
Similar parts
·······

GeForce GTX 970M vs RTX A400 Performance Spectrum

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.

GeForce GTX 970M vs RTX A400 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 9800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

GeForce GTX 970M vs RTX A400: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

GeForce GTX 970M

2014

Why buy it

  • 76.7% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.

Trade-offs

  • Less VRAM, with 3 GB vs 4 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • 2014 hardware with 3 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 44.3 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $135 MSRP).
  • 62% higher power demand at 81W vs 50W.

RTX A400

2024

Why buy it

  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 44.3 vs 0 G3D/$ ($135 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • 33.3% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (4 GB vs 3 GB).
  • Better long-term bet: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.
  • Draws 50W instead of 81W, a 31W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 970M across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce GTX 970M is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 76.7% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. PassMark G3D leans toward RTX A400 instead at 5,983 vs 5,705, so for this question the real-game FPS result matters more than the synthetic split.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
RTX A400 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 4 GB vs 3 GB of VRAM, a 8nm process instead of 28nm, 6 vs 0 ray-tracing units, and a newer 2024 generation instead of 2014. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
RTX A400 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. GeForce GTX 970M still makes more sense if max raw gaming performance matters more than value.

GeForce GTX 970M vs RTX A400 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 970M

The GeForce GTX 970M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in October 7 2014. It features the Maxwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 924 MHz to 1038 MHz. It has 1280 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 81W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,705 points. Launch price was $2,560.89.

NVIDIA

RTX A400

The RTX A400 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in April 16 2024. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 727 MHz to 1762 MHz. It has 768 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 50W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 6 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,983 points.

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 970M scores 5,705 and the RTX A400 reaches 5,983 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 4.9% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 970M is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the RTX A400 uses Ampere, both on 28 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 1,280 (GeForce GTX 970M) vs 768 (RTX A400). Raw compute: 2.657 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 970M) vs 2.706 TFLOPS (RTX A400). Boost clocks: 1038 MHz vs 1762 MHz.

FeatureGeForce GTX 970MRTX A400
G3D Mark Score
5,705
5,983+5%
Architecture
Maxwell 2.0
Ampere
Process Node
28 nm
8 nm
Shading Units
1280+67%
768
Compute (TFLOPS)
2.657 TFLOPS
2.706 TFLOPS+2%
Boost Clock
1038 MHz
1762 MHz+70%
ROPs
48+200%
16
TMUs
80+233%
24

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureGeForce GTX 970MRTX A400
Upscaling Tech
Upscaling support
Upscaling support
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
NVIDIA Reflex
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 970M has 3 GB of VRAM, while the RTX A400 carries 4 GB. RTX A400 gives you 33.3% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce GTX 970M and 128-bit on the RTX A400.

FeatureGeForce GTX 970MRTX A400
VRAM Capacity
3 GB
4 GB+33%
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR6
Bus Width
192-bit+50%
128-bit
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 970M draws 81W versus the RTX A400's 50W — a 47.3% difference. The RTX A400 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 970M) vs 350W (RTX A400). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs PCIe-powered.

FeatureGeForce GTX 970MRTX A400
TDP
81W
50W-38%
Recommended PSU
350W
350W
Power Connector
1x 6-pin
PCIe-powered
Length
1mm
Slots
0
Perf/Watt
70.4
119.7+70%
💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is RTX A400 (2024 vs 2014).

FeatureGeForce GTX 970MRTX A400
MSRP
$135
Codename
GM204
GA107
Release
October 7 2014
April 16 2024
Ranking
#408
#397

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.