Radeon RX 540 vs GeForce GTX 745

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. The Radeon RX 540 is positioned at rank #235 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Radeon RX 540

#54

Radeon RX 6800S

MSRP: $800|Avg: $800

92%

#225

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

504%

#227

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

456%

#228

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

455%

#232

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

414%

#233

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

411%

#235

Radeon RX 540

MSRP: $99|Avg: $40

100%

#236

Radeon HD 6750M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $60

99%

#237

Radeon HD 7570M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $15

98%

#239

Arc Graphics 130T

MSRP: $300|Avg: $250

96%

#240

GeForce MX570 A

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

96%

#242

GeForce GT 645

MSRP: $99|Avg: $15

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The Radeon RX 540 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.4% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 745.

Insight	Radeon RX 540	GeForce GTX 745
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+0.4%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.4%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2017 / GCN 4.0 (2016−2020))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Maxwell (2014−2017))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+0%)
Efficiency	Normal Efficiency	Normal Efficiency
Case Fit	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 745 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 745 holds the technical lead. Priced at $25 (vs $40), it costs 38% less, resulting in a 59.4% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	Radeon RX 540	GeForce GTX 745
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+59.4%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($40)	✅More affordable ($25)

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.

Radeon RX 540 Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 745 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Radeon RX 540 and GeForce GTX 745

Radeon RX 540

The Radeon RX 540 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in November 11 2017. It features the GCN 4.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1124 MHz to 1219 MHz. It has 512 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 50W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,134 points.

GeForce GTX 745

The GeForce GTX 745 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in February 18 2014. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 1020 MHz to 1085 MHz. It has 512 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 55W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,126 points. Launch price was $119.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The Radeon RX 540 scores 2,134 and the GeForce GTX 745 reaches 2,126 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.4% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon RX 540 is built on GCN 4.0 while the GeForce GTX 745 uses Maxwell, both on 14 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 512 (Radeon RX 540) vs 512 (GeForce GTX 745). Raw compute: 1.248 TFLOPS (Radeon RX 540) vs 1.111 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 745). Boost clocks: 1219 MHz vs 1085 MHz.

Feature	Radeon RX 540	GeForce GTX 745
G3D Mark Score	2,134	2,126
Architecture	GCN 4.0	Maxwell
Process Node	14 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	512	512
Compute (TFLOPS)	1.248 TFLOPS+12%	1.111 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1219 MHz+12%	1085 MHz
ROPs	16	16
TMUs	32	32
L1 Cache	128 KB	256 KB+100%
L2 Cache	0.5 MB	2 MB+300%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	Radeon RX 540	GeForce GTX 745
Upscaling Tech	FSR 2.1	FSR 2.1 (Compatible)
Frame Generation	FSR 3 (Compatible)	FSR 3 (Compatible)
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	AMD Anti-Lag	Standard

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

Both cards feature 4 GB of GDDR5. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 0.5 MB (Radeon RX 540) vs 2 MB (GeForce GTX 745) — the GeForce GTX 745 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	Radeon RX 540	GeForce GTX 745
VRAM Capacity	4 GB	4 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	80 GB/s	80 GB/s
Bus Width	128-bit	128-bit
L2 Cache	0.5 MB	2 MB+300%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12_0 (Radeon RX 540) vs 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 745). Maximum simultaneous displays: 0 vs 3.

Feature	Radeon RX 540	GeForce GTX 745
DirectX	12_0	12 (11_0)
Max Displays	0	3

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: VCE 3.4 (Radeon RX 540) vs NVENC 4th Gen (GeForce GTX 745). Decoder: UVD 6.3 vs PureVideo HD VP6.

Feature	Radeon RX 540	GeForce GTX 745
Encoder	VCE 3.4	NVENC 4th Gen
Decoder	UVD 6.3	PureVideo HD VP6
Codecs	—	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 ASP

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Radeon RX 540 draws 50W versus the GeForce GTX 745's 55W — a 9.5% difference. The Radeon RX 540 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon RX 540) vs 300W (GeForce GTX 745). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 1x 6-pin. Card length: 1mm vs 145mm, occupying 0 vs 1 slots.

Feature	Radeon RX 540	GeForce GTX 745
TDP	50W-9%	55W
Recommended PSU	350W	300W-14%
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	1x 6-pin
Length	1mm	145mm
Height	—	69mm
Slots	0-100%	1
Temp (Load)	—	75°C
Perf/Watt	42.7+10%	38.7

💰

Value Analysis

The Radeon RX 540 launched at $99 MSRP and currently averages $40, while the GeForce GTX 745 launched at $80 and now averages $25. The GeForce GTX 745 costs 37.5% less ($15 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 53.4 (Radeon RX 540) vs 85.0 (GeForce GTX 745) — the GeForce GTX 745 offers 59.2% better value. The Radeon RX 540 is the newer GPU (2017 vs 2014).