GPU Comparison

The NVIDIA GeForce 825M and NVIDIA GeForce GT 730M are both end-of-life mobile graphics solutions from NVIDIA, but they target different performance tiers within the same thermal envelope. The data shows a clear, if modest, performance advantage for the newer 825M, driven by architectural refinements and higher clock speeds, while the GT 730M counters with a wider memory bus and double the frame buffer.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only shared benchmark between these two GPUs is Geekbench’s OpenCL test, and the results are unambiguous. The NVIDIA GeForce 825M scores 3694 points, while the NVIDIA GeForce GT 730M trails at 3107 points. This translates to an 18.9% advantage for the 825M, a significant margin in the low-power mobile segment where every frame per second is hard-earned.

Contextualizing the 825M’s score against its nearest rivals reinforces its positioning. It sits just 0.6% behind the NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M (3717) and the NVIDIA Quadro 3000M (3718), a negligible gap that puts it in the same performance class as those parts. Conversely, it is 1.2% ahead of the AMD Radeon HD 6770 (3649). This places the 825M at a competitive sweet spot, punching slightly above its weight class. The 825M’s 22nd percentile ranking among all GPUs further confirms its standing as a capable entry-level performer for its generation.

The GT 730M’s score of 3107 positions it differently. It is a mere 0.5% behind the Intel HD Graphics 530 (3332) and 0.9% ahead of the NVIDIA GeForce 920M (3287). The deltaPct values show it is 2.2% slower than the Intel HD Graphics P4600 (3389) but 3.3% faster than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 640 (3210). With a 20th percentile ranking, the GT 730M sits at the very bottom of the discrete GPU hierarchy, often rivaled by integrated solutions from Intel. The 18.9% deficit to the 825M in OpenCL is the single largest performance gap between these two parts, and it is a decisive one.

Architecture Differences

Despite bearing similar names, these two GPUs are built on different underlying silicon. The GeForce 825M uses the GK208 chip, while the GeForce GT 730M uses the GK107. Both are manufactured on TSMC’s 28 nm process, but that is where the architectural similarities end.

The GK208 in the 825M is a smaller, more power-efficient die, measuring 87 mm² and containing 1,020 million transistors. The GT 730M’s GK107 is substantially larger at 118 mm², housing 1,270 million transistors. This results in a higher transistor density for the 825M at 11.7M / mm² compared to the GT 730M’s 10.8M / mm², indicating a more modern design that packs logic more tightly. The 825M is also part of the “Kepler 2.0” architecture, whereas the GT 730M is based on the original “Kepler” design. This suggests the 825M benefits from architectural tweaks that improve efficiency and raw compute throughput per clock cycle.

The most impactful difference lies in the clock speeds. The 825M runs at a base clock of 850 MHz with a boost clock of 941 MHz, while the GT 730M is locked at a static 725 MHz with no boost capability. This 216 MHz boost advantage for the 825M, combined with its newer architecture, explains its commanding lead in compute performance. Shader count is identical at 384 shading units, but the 825M’s higher frequency gives it a significant fill-rate advantage: it achieves 7.528 GPixel/s and 30.11 GTexel/s, versus 5.800 GPixel/s and 23.20 GTexel/s for the GT 730M. The FP32 compute rating is similarly lopsided, with the 825M delivering 722.7 GFLOPS against the GT 730M’s 556.8 GFLOPS.

The memory subsystems present a contrasting story. The 825M opts for a 64-bit bus with 1024 MB of DDR3, yielding 14.40 GB/s of bandwidth. The GT 730M, by contrast, doubles the bus width to 128-bit and doubles the memory capacity to 2 GB, resulting in exactly double the bandwidth at 28.80 GB/s. Both operate at the same memory clock of 900 MHz (1800 Mbps effective). This means the GT 730M has a substantial memory bandwidth advantage, which could benefit texture-heavy workloads or higher resolution gaming where data throughput becomes a bottleneck. However, this advantage is not reflected in the OpenCL compute score, where the 825M’s superior core clocks and architecture dominate.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the NVIDIA GeForce 825M is the superior compute performer. Its 18.9% lead in OpenCL is decisive and places it in a higher performance tier. For any workload that is primarily compute-bound, such as OpenCL-accelerated applications, GPU compute tasks, or general-purpose processing, the 825M is the clear pick. Its 22nd percentile ranking versus the GT 730M’s 20th percentile confirms this relative standing.

However, the GT 730M is not without a rationale for existing. Its 2 GB of VRAM and 128-bit memory interface deliver 28.80 GB/s of bandwidth, which is double that of the 825M. For users running applications that are sensitive to frame buffer size or memory bandwidth, particularly at higher resolutions or with high-resolution textures, the GT 730M may offer a smoother experience despite its lower compute throughput. The data suggests a trade-off: raw compute speed from the 825M versus memory capacity and bandwidth from the GT 730M.

The 825M is the better choice for users who prioritize raw processing power and efficiency in a compact IGP form factor. The GT 730M, with its MXM module design, may appeal to users with specific memory capacity needs. The data is clear that for general compute, the 825M is faster. The GT 730M’s only saving grace is its memory subsystem, which could be a deciding factor in specific, memory-bound scenarios. Ultimately, the 825M wins the head-to-head comparison on overall performance, but the GT 730M offers a distinct memory feature set.

Specification Differences

• Chip: The GeForce 825M uses the GK208, while the GeForce GT 730M uses the GK107.
• Architecture: The 825M is based on Kepler 2.0, whereas the GT 730M is based on the original Kepler.
• Transistors: The 825M contains 1,020 million transistors; the GT 730M contains 1,270 million.
• Die Size: The 825M has a smaller die at 87 mm², compared to the GT 730M’s 118 mm².
• Base Clock: The 825M runs at 850 MHz, which is 125 MHz faster than the GT 730M’s 725 MHz.
• Boost Clock: The 825M boosts to 941 MHz, while the GT 730M does not have a boost clock (725 MHz).
• Memory Size: The 825M has 1024 MB, while the GT 730M has 2048 MB (2 GB).
• Memory Bus Width: The 825M uses a 64-bit bus; the GT 730M uses a 128-bit bus.
• Memory Bandwidth: The 825M delivers 14.40 GB/s, half of the GT 730M’s 28.80 GB/s.
• ROPs: The 825M has 8 ROPs, while the GT 730M has 16.
• Pixel Rate: The 825M achieves 7.528 GPixel/s, higher than the GT 730M’s 5.800 GPixel/s.
• Texture Rate: The 825M achieves 30.11 GTexel/s, higher than the GT 730M’s 23.20 GTexel/s.
• FP32 Performance: The 825M delivers 722.7 GFLOPS, versus 556.8 GFLOPS for the GT 730M.
• Slot Width: The 825M is an IGP, while the GT 730M is an MXM Module.
• Bus Interface: The 825M uses PCIe 3.0 x8, while the GT 730M uses PCIe 3.0 x16.
• Release Date: The 825M launched on 2014-01-26, and the GT 730M launched on 2013-01-19.
• Generation: The 825M belongs to the GeForce 800M series, and the GT 730M belongs to the GeForce 700M series.
• Predecessor/Successor: The 825M’s predecessor is GeForce 700M and successor is GeForce 900M; the GT 730M’s predecessor is GeForce 600M and successor is GeForce 800M.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU is faster in OpenCL compute benchmarks?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce 825M is significantly faster, scoring 3694 points versus the GT 730M’s 3107 points, an 18.9% advantage.

Q: Does the GT 730M have any advantages over the 825M?

A: Yes, the GT 730M has double the memory capacity (2 GB vs 1024 MB) and double the memory bandwidth (28.80 GB/s vs 14.40 GB/s) due to its 128-bit bus.

Q: Are the core architectures different between these two GPUs?

A: They are both based on the Kepler architecture, but the 825M uses the newer “Kepler 2.0” design with the GK208 chip, while the GT 730M uses the original Kepler with the GK107 chip.

Q: What is the difference in their clock speeds?

A: The 825M has a base clock of 850 MHz and a boost clock of 941 MHz, while the GT 730M is locked at 725 MHz for both base and boost.

Q: How does the 825M perform compared to its closest rivals?

A: The 825M is nearly identical to the GeForce GT 740M and Quadro 3000M, sitting just 0.6% behind both, and it is 1.2% faster than the AMD Radeon HD 6770.

Q: What is the performance percentile ranking for each GPU?

A: The GeForce 825M ranks in the 22nd percentile of all GPUs, while the GeForce GT 730M ranks in the 20th percentile.