AMD Radeon R5 Graphics vs NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M Comparison

The AMD Radeon R5 Graphics and NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M represent two distinct approaches to mobile graphics from the same era, and the benchmark data reveals a surprisingly balanced contest. With the AMD IGP winning one major workload category and the NVIDIA discrete GPU winning another, the choice between them depends entirely on the intended application, as detailed by the Geekbench scores and architectural specifications in the data.

Where Each One Wins

The performance split between these two GPUs is starkly defined by the API used in the workload. In Geekbench OpenCL, the AMD Radeon R5 Graphics delivers a score of 5183, which is a substantial 30.4% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M’s 3974 in the same test. This is the AMD part’s clear domain, where its GCN 2.0 architecture and system-shared memory configuration prove advantageous for compute-heavy tasks that leverage the OpenCL framework.

Conversely, the NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M dominates the Geekbench Vulkan test with a score of 3459, compared to the AMD Radeon R5 Graphics’ 2582. This represents a 25.4% advantage for the NVIDIA solution, indicating that its Kepler 2.0 architecture with dedicated DDR3 memory is significantly more efficient in Vulkan-based workloads, which are increasingly common in modern gaming and graphics applications. The data shows a clean split: AMD for OpenCL compute, NVIDIA for Vulkan graphics.

Architecture Differences

The foundational differences between these two GPUs explain their divergent benchmark results. The AMD Radeon R5 Graphics is an integrated graphics processor (IGP) built on the GCN 2.0 architecture, manufactured on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It uses the "Spectre SL" chip, which is part of the larger Kaveri APU, and relies entirely on system-shared memory for both capacity and bandwidth. The GPU contains 256 shading units, 16 texture mapping units, and only 4 raster output units, with a pixel rate of 3.032 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 12.13 GTexel/s. Its FP32 performance is rated at 388.1 GFLOPS, and the entire chip draws just 15 W, making it a low-power, space-saving solution with an IGP slot width.

In contrast, the NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M is a discrete mobile GPU based on the Kepler 2.0 architecture, fabricated on the same 28 nm node but at TSMC. Its GK208 chip packs 384 shading units, 32 TMUs, and 8 ROPs into a die size of just 87 mm², compared to AMD’s 245 mm² die. The NVIDIA part operates at a base clock of 980 MHz with a boost up to 1033 MHz, and it features 2 GB of dedicated DDR3 memory on a 64-bit bus, delivering 14.40 GB/s of bandwidth. Its pixel rate of 8.264 GPixel/s and texture rate of 33.06 GTexel/s are significantly higher than the AMD IGP, as is its FP32 throughput of 793.3 GFLOPS. The TDP is 33 W, more than double AMD’s, reflecting its discrete nature and MXM Module slot width.

The transistor counts also tell a story: AMD’s chip integrates 2,410 million transistors (at a density of 9.8M/mm²) versus NVIDIA’s 1,020 million (at 11.7M/mm²), though the discrete nature of the GT 740M allows it to focus all resources on graphics rather than sharing with CPU cores. API support is nearly identical, with both offering DirectX 12 (AMD at 12_0, NVIDIA at 11_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan (1.2.170 for AMD, 1.2.175 for NVIDIA), though the NVIDIA driver’s Vulkan implementation appears more mature based on benchmark results.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data provides exactly two data points, each a decisive victory for one side. In the Geekbench OpenCL test, the AMD Radeon R5 Graphics scores 5183 against the NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M’s 3974, a delta of 30.4% in favor of AMD. This is a commanding lead, nearly a third higher performance, suggesting that the AMD IGP’s architecture is exceptionally well-suited to OpenCL’s compute model, likely benefiting from its GCN design which was explicitly developed for heterogeneous computing.

The Geekbench Vulkan test inverts the result completely. Here, the NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M scores 3459 while the AMD Radeon R5 Graphics manages only 2582, giving NVIDIA a 25.4% advantage. This is a substantial margin in the opposite direction, indicating that the GT 740M’s dedicated memory and higher clock speeds (980 MHz base, 1033 MHz boost) translate into superior real-world graphics performance under Vulkan. The NVIDIA part’s higher pixel rate (8.264 vs 3.032 GPixel/s) and texture rate (33.06 vs 12.13 GTexel/s) are consistent with this outcome, as Vulkan workloads often stress these specific units.

Looking at the broader context, the AMD Radeon R5 Graphics has an average benchmark score of 3883, which places it in the 23rd percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals include the NVIDIA Quadro 2000 (average 3898, just 0.4% ahead) and the NVIDIA Quadro K2000D (average 3919, 0.9% ahead), while it sits 1.3% above the NVIDIA GeForce MX110 (average 3834). The NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M, by contrast, has a lower average score of 3717, placing it in the 22nd percentile. Its nearest rivals are the NVIDIA Quadro 3000M (average 3718, exactly 0% delta), the NVIDIA GeForce 825M (average 3694, 0.6% behind), and the NVIDIA GeForce GT 635M (average 3740, 0.6% ahead). These rival comparisons show that while the AMD part has a higher average, both are clustered in the same performance tier among low-end GPUs.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear but conditional recommendation. For users whose primary workload is OpenCL-based compute — such as certain scientific, engineering, or data-processing applications — the AMD Radeon R5 Graphics is the unambiguous choice, offering 30.4% higher performance than the GT 740M and a higher average benchmark score overall (3883 vs 3717). Its lower TDP of 15 W also makes it more suitable for thin-and-light systems where power efficiency is paramount.

However, for gaming or any graphics workload that leverages the Vulkan API, the NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M is superior by a 25.4% margin. The GT 740M’s dedicated 2 GB of DDR3 memory and higher texture and pixel fill rates make it the stronger candidate for real-time rendering, and its Vulkan support (version 1.2.175) is marginally newer than AMD’s (1.2.170). Users who prioritize modern game compatibility and performance should select the NVIDIA part, while those focused on compute throughput should choose the AMD solution. The benchmark data does not identify a single winner; instead, it shows two specialized tools for different jobs.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Radeon R5 Graphics has an average benchmark score of 3883, while the NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M scores 3717, giving AMD a 4.5% advantage in overall average performance.

Q: How large is the AMD Radeon R5 Graphics’ lead in OpenCL performance?

A: In Geekbench OpenCL, the AMD Radeon R5 Graphics scores 5183 versus the NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M’s 3974, a lead of 30.4%.

Q: What is the NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M’s advantage in Vulkan performance?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M scores 3459 in Geekbench Vulkan, compared to 2582 for the AMD Radeon R5 Graphics, giving NVIDIA a 25.4% advantage.

Q: How do their power requirements compare?

A: The AMD Radeon R5 Graphics has a TDP of 15 W, while the NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M has a TDP of 33 W, making the AMD part less than half the power draw of the NVIDIA solution.

Q: What are the nearest rivals to each GPU in terms of average score?

A: The AMD Radeon R5 Graphics’ nearest rivals are the NVIDIA Quadro 2000 (3898 average, 0.4% higher) and the NVIDIA Quadro K2000D (3919 average, 0.9% higher). The NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M’s nearest rival is the NVIDIA Quadro 3000M, which has an identical average score of 3718.

Q: Does the NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M have dedicated memory?

A: Yes, the NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M features 2 GB of dedicated DDR3 memory on a 64-bit bus with 14.40 GB/s bandwidth, whereas the AMD Radeon R5 Graphics uses system-shared memory with system-dependent bandwidth.