NVIDIA GeForce GT 740 vs NVIDIA Quadro 2000 Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data splits these two NVIDIA offerings into distinct roles. The NVIDIA Quadro 2000, built on the Fermi architecture, wins the only direct head-to-head comparison in the database: the Geekbench OpenCL test. It scores 3898 against the GeForce GT 740's 3847, a 1.3% difference. This is a narrow margin, but it is the only direct measurement where both cards appear. The GeForce GT 740 counters with broader API support and a significantly higher transistor density, but it does not win any head-to-head benchmark in the database.

For users whose priority is the single recorded compute metric, the Quadro 2000 is the pick. Its average benchmark score of 3898 places it at the 23rd percentile of all GPUs, while the GT 740's average of 3431 sits at the 21st percentile. The Quadro also has a higher launch MSRP (599 USD), which aligns with its professional positioning. The GT 740, with a launch MSRP of 89 USD, offers more modern API coverage, including Vulkan 1.2.175 support, which the Quadro lacks entirely. However, the data does not show the GT 740 winning any performance test. The choice is clear: the Quadro 2000 for the recorded compute win, the GT 740 for API modernity and lower launch MSRP.

Architecture Differences

The two cards come from different NVIDIA generations. The Quadro 2000 uses the GF106 chip on the Fermi architecture, fabricated on a 40 nm process at TSMC. It packs 1,170 million transistors into a 238 mm² die, yielding a transistor density of 4.9M per mm². The GeForce GT 740, in contrast, uses the GK107 chip on the Kepler architecture, also from TSMC but on a 28 nm process. It holds 1,270 million transistors in a much smaller 118 mm² die, achieving a transistor density of 10.8M per mm². That is more than double the density of the Quadro, reflecting the newer manufacturing node.

The shading unit count differs substantially. The Quadro 2000 has 192 shading units, while the GT 740 has 384, exactly twice as many. Both cards share 32 texture mapping units and 16 render output units. The memory subsystems are similar in width and type: both use 1024 MB of GDDR5 on a 128-bit bus. However, the memory clock differs. The Quadro runs at 650 MHz, translating to 2.6 Gbps effective, while the GT 740 runs at 1253 MHz, translating to 5 Gbps effective. This leads to a bandwidth gap: 41.60 GB/s for the Quadro versus 80.19 GB/s for the GT 740, nearly double.

The feature sets diverge on API support. Both cards support DirectX 12 (11_0) and OpenGL 4.6. The GT 740 adds Vulkan 1.2.175, while the Quadro 2000 lists no Vulkan support. The bus interface also differs: the Quadro uses PCIe 2.0 x16, while the GT 740 uses PCIe 3.0 x16. Power delivery is another split: the Quadro has no power connectors and a 62 W TDP, while the GT 740 requires a single 6-pin connector and has a 64 W TDP. Both suggest a 250 W power supply.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains only one head-to-head benchmark between these two cards: Geekbench OpenCL. The Quadro 2000 scores 3898, and the GT 740 scores 3847. The Quadro wins by 1.3%. This is a tight result, but it is consistent with the average scores. The Quadro's average benchmark score is 3898, which matches its OpenCL score, since that is its only recorded test. The GT 740's average is 3431, pulled down by additional tests: it scores 2363 in Geekbench Metal and 4083 in Geekbench Vulkan. The OpenCL result is the only apples-to-apples comparison, and it favors the Fermi card.

Looking at the nearest rivals provides context. The Quadro 2000 sits between the AMD Radeon R5 Graphics (3883, 0.4% lower) and the NVIDIA Quadro K2000D (3919, 0.5% higher). It also trails the Quadro 2000D (3930) by 0.8% and the GeForce GT 745M (3953) by 1.4%. The GT 740, meanwhile, sits near the Quadro 2000M (3434, 0.1% higher) and above the Intel HD Graphics P4600 (3389, 1.2% lower). It leads the GeForce 920MX (3528) by 2.7% and the Intel HD Graphics 530 (3332) by 3%. These deltas show both cards clustering with integrated and entry-level discrete parts, rather than competing at the top of the performance spectrum.

The GT 740's Vulkan score of 4083 is its strongest recorded result, exceeding its OpenCL score by about 6.1%. Its Metal score of 2363 is its weakest, about 38.6% below its OpenCL score. The Quadro 2000 has no comparable secondary tests, so its single OpenCL score stands alone. The win count reflects this: the Quadro has 1 win in the head-to-head, the GT 740 has 0.

FAQ

Q: Which card has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The NVIDIA Quadro 2000 has an average benchmark score of 3898, while the NVIDIA GeForce GT 740 has an average of 3431. The Quadro leads by 467 points.

Q: Does the GeForce GT 740 support Vulkan?

A: Yes, the GT 740 lists Vulkan 1.2.175 in its API support. The Quadro 2000 lists no Vulkan support in the database.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between the two cards?

A: The Quadro 2000 has a memory bandwidth of 41.60 GB/s, while the GT 740 has 80.19 GB/s. The GT 740 offers nearly double the bandwidth.

Q: How do their transistor densities compare?

A: The Quadro 2000 has a transistor density of 4.9M per mm², while the GT 740 has 10.8M per mm². The GT 740 is more than twice as dense.

Q: Which card has a higher launch MSRP?

A: The Quadro 2000 has a launch MSRP of 599 USD. The GT 740 has a launch MSRP of 89 USD.

Q: What is the percent difference in their OpenCL scores?

A: The Quadro 2000 scores 3898 and the GT 740 scores 3847 in Geekbench OpenCL, a 1.3% difference in favor of the Quadro.

Where Each One Wins

The Quadro 2000 wins the only direct benchmark comparison. Its Geekbench OpenCL score of 3898 beats the GT 740's 3847 by 1.3%. It also holds a higher percentile ranking at 23 versus 21, and a higher average benchmark score at 3898 versus 3431. The Quadro's professional positioning is reinforced by its display outputs (1x DVI, 2x DisplayPort) and its lack of external power connectors, which suggests easier integration into workstation setups. Its 62 W TDP is also slightly lower than the GT 740's 64 W.

The GeForce GT 740 wins on architectural modernity and memory throughput. Its 80.19 GB/s bandwidth is 92.8% higher than the Quadro's 41.60 GB/s. Its shading unit count is double at 384 versus 192. It supports Vulkan 1.2.175, a feature entirely absent from the Quadro. Its PCIe 3.0 x16 interface is a generation newer than the Quadro's PCIe 2.0 x16. The GT 740 also has a smaller die (118 mm² versus 238 mm²) and a higher transistor density, indicating a more efficient use of silicon. Its 1.2 million transistor count is slightly higher, and its launch MSRP is substantially lower at 89 USD versus 599 USD.

For practical use cases, the data suggests the Quadro 2000 for users who need the recorded OpenCL performance edge and professional display outputs. The GT 740 is the better choice for users who need Vulkan support, higher memory bandwidth, or a smaller physical footprint (145 mm length versus 178 mm). The GT 740's 6-pin power connector requirement is a consideration, but its 250 W suggested PSU matches the Quadro's.

Specification Differences

The two cards differ in nearly every core specification. The chip and architecture are entirely different: GF106 on Fermi versus GK107 on Kepler. The process node drops from 40 nm to 28 nm, and the die size shrinks from 238 mm² to 118 mm². Transistor count rises slightly from 1,170 million to 1,270 million, but transistor density jumps from 4.9M / mm² to 10.8M / mm².

Memory clocks differ substantially: the Quadro runs at 650 MHz (2.6 Gbps effective), while the GT 740 runs at 1253 MHz (5 Gbps effective). This drives a bandwidth difference from 41.60 GB/s to 80.19 GB/s. Shading units double from 192 to 384, while TMUs and ROPs remain identical at 32 and 16 respectively. Pixel rate rises from 5.000 GPixel/s to 7.944 GPixel/s, and texture rate rises from 20.00 GTexel/s to 31.78 GTexel/s. FP32 compute increases from 480.0 GFLOPS to 762.6 GFLOPS.

TDP is nearly identical (62 W versus 64 W), but power connectors differ: the Quadro has none, the GT 740 has one 6-pin. The bus interface advances from PCIe 2.0 x16 to PCIe 3.0 x16. Display outputs change from 1x DVI and 2x DisplayPort to 2x DVI and 1x mini-HDMI 1.4a. Physical length drops from 178 mm (7 inches) to 145 mm (5.7 inches). The Quadro has a height of 111 mm (4.4 inches), while the GT 740's height is not recorded. API support is the same for DirectX (12 (11_0)) and OpenGL (4.6), but the GT 740 adds Vulkan 1.2.175. Release dates differ: the Quadro launched on 2010-12-23, the GT 740 on 2014-05-28. Production status is end-of-life for both.