NVIDIA GeForce GT 730M vs NVIDIA GeForce GT 740 Comparison

NVIDIA GeForce GT 740 and NVIDIA GeForce GT 730M are both Kepler-based GPUs built on the same GK107 chip, but they serve different segments: the GT 740 is a desktop card while the GT 730M is a mobile module. The benchmark data shows the GT 740 leading in every shared test, with the average benchmark score reinforcing its advantage. Below is a detailed breakdown of how these two compare across all available metrics.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The two GPUs share two benchmark results: Geekbench OpenCL and Geekbench Vulkan. In both, the NVIDIA GeForce GT 740 comes out ahead, winning 2 out of 2 head-to-head comparisons. The largest gap appears in Geekbench OpenCL, where the GT 740 scores 3847 against the GT 730M’s 3107, a delta of 23.8%. This is a substantial margin, indicating the desktop card delivers noticeably higher compute throughput in OpenCL workloads. The Vulkan test shows a narrower but still decisive lead: the GT 740 scores 4083, while the GT 730M trails at 3524, a 15.9% difference. Notably, the GT 740’s Vulkan score of 4083 exceeds its own OpenCL score, while the GT 730M’s Vulkan result of 3524 also tops its OpenCL number, suggesting both benefit from Vulkan’s lower overhead relative to OpenCL on this architecture.

Beyond the head-to-head tests, the average benchmark score (computed across all listed benchmarks) places the GT 740 at 3431, versus 3316 for the GT 730M. This 3.5% average advantage is smaller than the individual deltas, partly because the GT 740 has an additional Geekbench Metal score of 2363, which pulls its average down. The GT 730M lacks a Metal result, so its average is derived from only two tests. Looking at the percentile ranks, the GT 740 sits at the 21st percentile of all GPUs, while the GT 730M is at the 20th percentile. These are close positions, but the GT 740’s higher rank aligns with its benchmark wins.

For context, the GT 740’s nearest rivals include the NVIDIA Quadro 2000M (average score 3434, delta -0.1%), Intel HD Graphics P4600 (3389, +1.2%), NVIDIA GeForce 920MX (3528, -2.7%), and Intel HD Graphics 530 (3332, +3%). The GT 730M’s nearest rivals include Intel HD Graphics 530 (3332, -0.5%), NVIDIA GeForce 920M (3287, +0.9%), Intel HD Graphics P4600 (3389, -2.2%), and NVIDIA GeForce GT 640 (3210, +3.3%). The GT 740’s average score of 3431 places it slightly below the Quadro 2000M and 920MX, but above the HD Graphics P4600 and HD Graphics 530. The GT 730M’s 3316 average is below the HD Graphics 530 and P4600, but above the 920M and GT 640. This shows the GT 740 competes with entry-level discrete and integrated GPUs, while the GT 730M sits at the lower end of that range.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has a higher Geekbench OpenCL score?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce GT 740 scores 3847 in Geekbench OpenCL, while the GT 730M scores 3107. The GT 740 leads by 23.8%.

Q: Is the GT 740 faster in Vulkan workloads?

A: Yes. The GT 740 scores 4083 in Geekbench Vulkan, compared to 3524 for the GT 730M, a 15.9% advantage.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The GT 740 has an average benchmark score of 3431, while the GT 730M averages 3316. The GT 740 is higher, but the margin is modest.

Q: Does the GT 730M support DirectX 12?

A: Yes, both GPUs report DirectX 12 (11_0) support in their API listings.

Q: Which GPU has a larger memory capacity?

A: The GT 730M has 2 GB of memory, while the GT 740 has 1 GB. However, the GT 740 uses GDDR5 memory with higher bandwidth.

Q: What is the transistor count for these chips?

A: Both GPUs are built on the GK107 chip with 1,270 million transistors and a die size of 118 mm².

Architecture Differences

Both the GT 740 and GT 730M are built on the same fundamental architecture: NVIDIA’s Kepler, using the GK107 chip fabricated on a 28 nm process at TSMC. They share identical transistor counts of 1,270 million, the same die size of 118 mm², and the same transistor density of 10.8M / mm². The shading units, texture mapping units, and render output units are also identical: 384 shading units, 32 TMUs, and 16 ROPs each. There are no ray tracing or tensor cores on either GPU, which is expected for this generation.

The core clock speeds differ, though. The GT 730M has a base and boost clock of 725 MHz (both fixed at the same value), while the GT 740’s base and boost clocks are not listed in the data. Instead, the GT 740’s memory clock is 1253 MHz (5 Gbps effective), while the GT 730M’s memory clock is 900 MHz (1800 Mbps effective). The GT 740’s higher memory clock contributes to its memory bandwidth advantage. The pixel rate for the GT 740 is 7.944 GPixel/s, versus 5.800 GPixel/s for the GT 730M. Similarly, the texture rate is 31.78 GTexel/s for the GT 740, against 23.20 GTexel/s for the GT 730M. The FP32 (single-precision floating-point) performance is 762.6 GFLOPS for the GT 740, compared to 556.8 GFLOPS for the GT 730M.

These differences stem from clock speed variations, as the underlying chip and core configuration are identical. The GT 740’s higher clocks across the board (memory, pixel, texture, and FP32) make it the more performant part at the architectural level. Both support the same API set: DirectX 12 (11_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.175. The GT 740 is a desktop card with a PCIe 3.0 x16 interface, while the GT 730M is an MXM module, also using PCIe 3.0 x16. Display outputs differ: the GT 740 has 2x DVI and 1x mini-HDMI 1.4a, while the GT 730M’s outputs are listed as “Portable Device Dependent,” reflecting its mobile nature.

Specification Differences

The two GPUs diverge significantly on memory configuration and power characteristics. The GT 740 has 1024 MB of GDDR5 memory on a 128-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 80.19 GB/s. The GT 730M has 2 GB of DDR3 memory on the same 128-bit bus, but its bandwidth is only 28.80 GB/s. This is a critical difference: the GT 740’s GDDR5 memory offers nearly three times the bandwidth of the GT 730M’s DDR3, despite having half the capacity. The GT 740’s memory clock of 1253 MHz (5 Gbps effective) compares to the GT 730M’s 900 MHz (1800 Mbps effective).

Power consumption is another major split. The GT 740 has a TDP of 64 W and requires a single 6-pin power connector, with a suggested PSU of 250 W. The GT 730M has a TDP of 33 W and requires no external power connectors, reflecting its mobile design. The GT 740 is a single-slot card measuring 145 mm (5.7 inches) in length, while the GT 730M is an MXM module with no listed dimensions. The GT 740 was released on 2014-05-28, while the GT 730M came earlier on 2013-01-19. Both are marked as end-of-life. The GT 740 has a launch MSRP of 89 USD, while the GT 730M has no listed launch MSRP. The GT 740’s predecessor is the GeForce 600, and its successor is the GeForce 900. The GT 730M’s predecessor is the GeForce 600M, and its successor is the GeForce 800M.

The Verdict

The data consistently favors the NVIDIA GeForce GT 740 over the GT 730M. In every shared benchmark, the GT 740 wins, with deltas of 23.8% in OpenCL and 15.9% in Vulkan. The average benchmark score also favors the GT 740 (3431 vs 3316), and it holds a slightly higher percentile rank (21st vs 20th). The GT 740’s advantage is rooted in its memory subsystem: GDDR5 memory with 80.19 GB/s bandwidth versus DDR3 with 28.80 GB/s. This alone explains much of the performance gap, as memory bandwidth is a common bottleneck in GPU workloads.

However, the GT 730M is not without merit. It offers double the memory capacity (2 GB vs 1 GB), which can matter for certain workloads that require larger framebuffers. It also consumes less power (33 W TDP vs 64 W) and requires no external power connector, making it suitable for portable devices. The GT 740, by contrast, needs a 6-pin power connector and a 250 W PSU, which is a reasonable requirement for a desktop card but limits its use in compact systems.

For a desktop user who prioritizes raw performance, the GT 740 is the clear choice. Its higher bandwidth, pixel rate, texture rate, and FP32 throughput translate directly into better benchmark scores. For a laptop or mobile user, the GT 730M is the only option of the two, given its MXM form factor and lower power draw. The GT 730M’s 2 GB memory capacity is also a plus for mobile scenarios where system memory is shared. The data does not show any scenario where the GT 730M outperforms the GT 740, so the verdict is straightforward: the GT 740 wins on performance, while the GT 730M wins on efficiency and capacity.

Where Each One Wins

The NVIDIA GeForce GT 740 wins in raw compute performance across all tested benchmarks. Its 23.8% lead in Geekbench OpenCL and 15.9% lead in Geekbench Vulkan make it the better choice for applications that leverage these APIs, such as compute-heavy tasks or games using Vulkan. The GT 740’s higher pixel rate (7.944 GPixel/s vs 5.800 GPixel/s) and texture rate (31.78 GTexel/s vs 23.20 GTexel/s) indicate better fill-rate performance, which benefits traditional rasterization workloads. Its FP32 output of 762.6 GFLOPS is also superior, aiding in general-purpose compute.

The NVIDIA GeForce GT 730M wins in categories related to mobility and capacity. It has 2 GB of memory versus the GT 740’s 1 GB, which can be advantageous for running applications that need larger textures or higher resolutions, even if the memory bandwidth is much lower. The GT 730M’s 33 W TDP is roughly half the GT 740’s 64 W, making it far more power-efficient for laptops. It also requires no external power connectors, simplifying integration into thin-and-light designs. The GT 730M’s MXM module form factor and “Portable Device Dependent” display outputs underscore its role as a mobile part, whereas the GT 740’s DVI and mini-HDMI outputs are meant for desktop monitors.

In terms of relative positioning, the GT 740’s average score of 3431 places it among rivals like the Quadro 2000M (3434) and GeForce 920MX (3528), while the GT 730M’s 3316 average sits near the GeForce 920M (3287) and GT 640 (3210). This means the GT 740 slots into a slightly higher performance tier than the GT 730M, even though both are near the 20th percentile of all GPUs. For users who need the best possible performance from this chip generation, the GT 740 is the target. For users who need a low-power mobile solution with more memory, the GT 730M is the practical pick, despite its lower benchmark numbers.