AMD Radeon HD 8730M vs NVIDIA GeForce MX130 Comparison

The NVIDIA GeForce MX130 and AMD Radeon HD 8730M are both end-of-life mobile graphics solutions, but they represent very different eras of design. The data shows a close contest, with the MX130 edging ahead in the single available head-to-head benchmark, yet the AMD part holds a higher overall percentile ranking. This analysis breaks down the measured performance, architectural roots, and practical implications of these two GPUs based strictly on the provided benchmark data.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only directly comparable benchmark result between the two GPUs is the Geekbench OpenCL test. In this test, the NVIDIA GeForce MX130 scores 6102 points, while the AMD Radeon HD 8730M scores 5955 points. This gives the NVIDIA part a 2.5% lead in compute performance. While a 2.5% delta is not a massive margin, it is a clear and measurable victory for the MX130 in this specific workload.

Looking at the broader context of their average benchmark scores, the picture becomes more nuanced. The MX130 has an average benchmark score of 5508, which is actually lower than its OpenCL score, suggesting other unlisted tests pull its average down. Conversely, the HD 8730M’s average score is 5955, identical to its OpenCL result, implying that this single test may be its only data point. This discrepancy is critical: the MX130’s average is dragged down by additional workloads, while the HD 8730M’s average is based on a single, potentially favorable test.

Despite losing the head-to-head OpenCL test, the HD 8730M holds a higher percentile ranking among all GPUs. The AMD part sits at the 34th percentile, while the NVIDIA part is at the 32nd percentile. This suggests that in the broader database of GPUs, the HD 8730M’s performance profile is slightly more competitive relative to its peers than the MX130’s profile. However, the direct comparison shows the MX130 has the raw compute advantage.

The nearest rival data reinforces the tight competition. The MX130’s closest competitor is the NVIDIA Quadro M4000, with a deltaPct of 0.7%, meaning the MX130 scores 0.7% higher. The AMD Radeon R7 M440 is also close, with the MX130 leading by 0.5%. For the HD 8730M, its closest rival is the NVIDIA Quadro K620M, with a deltaPct of 0%, indicating a statistical tie. These figures show that both GPUs are clustered with other entry-level mobile parts, but the MX130’s win over the HD 8730M is the most direct evidence of its superiority.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two GPUs is substantial. The NVIDIA GeForce MX130 is built on the Maxwell architecture, using the GM108S chip, and was released in late 2017. In contrast, the AMD Radeon HD 8730M uses the older GCN 1.0 architecture, with the Mars chip, and launched in early 2013. This four-year gap in design philosophy is evident in their specifications.

Both GPUs are manufactured on the same 28 nm process node at TSMC, and both have identical die sizes of 77 mm². However, the MX130 packs more transistors into that space, with 1,020 million compared to the HD 8730M’s 950 million. This results in a higher transistor density for the NVIDIA part: 13.2M per mm² versus 12.3M per mm² for the AMD chip. This density advantage is a direct result of the more modern Maxwell architecture.

Clock speeds tell a similar story of generational improvement. The MX130 runs at a base clock of 1109 MHz and a boost clock of 1189 MHz. The HD 8730M, by contrast, operates at a much lower 650 MHz base and 700 MHz boost. This nearly 70% higher clock speed on the NVIDIA part is a primary driver of its performance lead in compute tasks.

Memory subsystems also differ significantly. The MX130 uses 2 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 64-bit bus, achieving a bandwidth of 40.10 GB/s. The HD 8730M also has 2 GB of memory, but it is slower DDR3 on a wider 128-bit bus, resulting in lower bandwidth of 28.80 GB/s. While the wider bus helps the AMD part, the faster GDDR5 memory on the MX130 ultimately provides higher overall bandwidth, which is crucial for texture-heavy workloads.

The theoretical compute rates amplify these differences. The MX130 delivers 913.2 GFLOPS of FP32 performance, 28.54 GTexel/s of texture fill rate, and 9.512 GPixel/s of pixel fill rate. The HD 8730M, on the other hand, manages only 537.6 GFLOPS, 16.80 GTexel/s, and 5.600 GPixel/s. In every measurable throughput category, the MX130 is roughly 60-70% faster on paper, which aligns with its OpenCL benchmark victory.

Where Each One Wins

The NVIDIA GeForce MX130 wins in raw compute performance, as evidenced by its 2.5% lead in the Geekbench OpenCL benchmark. Its higher clock speeds and superior memory bandwidth make it the better choice for any application that relies on general-purpose GPU compute, such as video encoding, image processing, or physics simulations. The MX130’s architecture also supports a newer DirectX version (12 (11_0) versus 12 (11_1) for the AMD part), though both are functionally similar in practice.

The AMD Radeon HD 8730M’s only advantage in the data is its percentile ranking. Sitting at the 34th percentile versus the MX130’s 32nd, the HD 8730M appears to be slightly more robust in the broader landscape of GPU performance. However, this is a statistical artifact of the limited benchmark data available for the AMD part, rather than a practical performance win. It does not win any direct benchmark comparison.

For gaming, the MX130’s higher pixel and texture rates suggest it would handle rasterization more effectively, though neither GPU is positioned for high-end gaming. The HD 8730M’s wider 128-bit memory bus could theoretically help in certain memory-intensive scenarios, but its lower bandwidth and clock speeds negate this advantage. In practical terms, the MX130 is the stronger performer in almost every measurable way.

The MX130 also has a more modern API support profile, including Vulkan 1.4, while the HD 8730M only supports Vulkan 1.2.170. For software that leverages Vulkan, this could be a meaningful differentiator, as newer API versions often bring performance optimizations and new features.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the data, the NVIDIA GeForce MX130 is the superior GPU. It wins the only head-to-head benchmark available, with a 2.5% lead in OpenCL performance. Its architectural advantages—higher clocks, faster memory, and more transistors—are reflected in its significantly higher theoretical throughput numbers. For any user prioritizing raw compute capability or modern driver support, the MX130 is the clear choice.

The AMD Radeon HD 8730M’s higher percentile ranking (34th versus 32nd) is notable, but it does not translate into a direct performance win. This ranking is likely a function of its limited benchmark sample size, as its average score of 5955 is identical to its single OpenCL result. In contrast, the MX130’s average of 5508 indicates it has been tested in more workloads, some of which may be less favorable.

The HD 8730M’s redeeming quality is its position in the percentile ranking, which suggests it holds up well against a wide swath of GPUs. However, when placed head-to-head against a newer part like the MX130, the generational gap in architecture becomes decisive. The MX130’s GCN 1.0 predecessor is simply outclassed by Maxwell.

For a user choosing between these two, the MX130 is the data-backed pick. It offers better performance, newer features, and higher efficiency on paper. The HD 8730M is a capable part for its age, but it cannot match the MX130’s output. The 2.5% benchmark delta and the massive theoretical throughput advantages make this a one-sided verdict.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Radeon HD 8730M has a higher average benchmark score of 5955, compared to the NVIDIA GeForce MX130’s average of 5508.

Q: What is the performance difference in the Geekbench OpenCL test?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce MX130 scores 6102, while the AMD Radeon HD 8730M scores 5955, giving the MX130 a 2.5% lead.

Q: Which GPU has a higher transistor count?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce MX130 has 1,020 million transistors, while the AMD Radeon HD 8730M has 950 million transistors.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of each GPU?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce MX130 has a memory bandwidth of 40.10 GB/s using GDDR5, while the AMD Radeon HD 8730M has 28.80 GB/s using DDR3.

Q: How do their clock speeds compare?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce MX130 runs at a base clock of 1109 MHz and boost of 1189 MHz, while the AMD Radeon HD 8730M runs at a base of 650 MHz and boost of 700 MHz.

Q: Which GPU has the higher percentile ranking among all GPUs?

A: The AMD Radeon HD 8730M has a percentile ranking of 34, which is higher than the NVIDIA GeForce MX130’s ranking of 32.