NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT
NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
NVIDIANVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT Specifications
GeForce 8400M GT GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT GPU core specifications define its raw processing power for graphics and compute workloads. Shading units (also called CUDA cores, stream processors, or execution units depending on manufacturer) handle the parallel calculations required for rendering. TMUs (Texture Mapping Units) process texture data, while ROPs (Render Output Units) handle final pixel output. Higher shader counts generally translate to better GPU benchmark performance, especially in demanding games and 3D applications.
8400M GT Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the GeForce 8400M GT's performance in GPU benchmarks and real-world gaming. The base clock represents the minimum guaranteed frequency, while the boost clock indicates peak performance under optimal thermal conditions. Memory clock speed affects texture loading and frame buffer operations. The GeForce 8400M GT by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
NVIDIA's GeForce 8400M GT Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The GeForce 8400M GT's memory capacity determines how well it handles high-resolution textures and multiple displays. Memory bandwidth, measured in GB/s, affects how quickly data moves between the GPU and VRAM. Higher bandwidth improves performance in memory-intensive scenarios like 4K gaming. The memory bus width and type (GDDR6, GDDR6X, HBM) significantly influence overall GPU benchmark scores.
GeForce 8400M GT by NVIDIA Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the 8400M GT, reducing the need to fetch data from slower VRAM. L1 and L2 caches store frequently accessed data close to the compute units. AMD's Infinity Cache (L3) dramatically increases effective bandwidth, improving GPU benchmark performance without requiring wider memory buses. Larger cache sizes help maintain high frame rates in memory-bound scenarios and reduce power consumption by minimizing VRAM accesses.
8400M GT Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT against other graphics cards. FP32 (single-precision) performance, measured in TFLOPS, indicates compute capability for gaming and general GPU workloads. FP64 (double-precision) matters for scientific computing. Pixel and texture fill rates determine how quickly the GPU can render complex scenes. While real-world GPU benchmark results depend on many factors, these specifications help predict relative performance levels.
Tesla Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT is built on NVIDIA's Tesla architecture, which defines how the GPU processes graphics and compute workloads. The manufacturing process node affects power efficiency, thermal characteristics, and maximum clock speeds. Smaller process nodes pack more transistors into the same die area, enabling higher performance per watt. Understanding the architecture helps predict how the 8400M GT will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
NVIDIA's GeForce 8400M GT Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT determine PSU requirements and thermal management needs. TDP (Thermal Design Power) indicates the heat output under typical loads, guiding cooler selection. Power connector requirements ensure adequate power delivery for stable operation during demanding GPU benchmarks. The suggested PSU wattage accounts for the entire system, not just the graphics card. Efficient power delivery enables the GeForce 8400M GT to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
GeForce 8400M GT by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT are critical for case compatibility. Card length, height, and slot width determine whether it fits in your chassis. The PCIe interface version affects bandwidth for communication with the CPU. Display outputs define monitor connectivity options, with modern cards supporting multiple high-resolution displays simultaneously. Verify these specifications against your case and motherboard before purchasing to ensure a proper fit.
NVIDIA API Support
Graphics and compute APIs
API support determines which games and applications can fully utilize the NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT. DirectX 12 Ultimate enables advanced features like ray tracing and variable rate shading. Vulkan provides cross-platform graphics capabilities with low-level hardware access. OpenGL remains important for professional applications and older games. CUDA (NVIDIA) and OpenCL enable GPU compute for video editing, 3D rendering, and scientific applications. Higher API versions unlock newer graphical features in GPU benchmarks and games.
GeForce 8400M GT Product Information
Release and pricing details
The NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT is manufactured by NVIDIA as part of their graphics card lineup. Release date and launch pricing provide context for comparing GPU benchmark results with competing products from the same era. Understanding the product lifecycle helps evaluate whether the GeForce 8400M GT by NVIDIA represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
GeForce 8400M GT Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this GPU.
About NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT
NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT is an end-of-life mobile graphics solution from the GeForce 8M generation, built on the Tesla architecture using an 80 nm process at TSMC. The chip, designated G86S, contains 210 million transistors on a 127 mm² die, with a transistor density of 1.7M per mm². It holds a 50th percentile ranking among all GPUs in the database, though no benchmark scores or rival comparisons are available for this part, making positional analysis reliant on its architectural characteristics.
Benchmark Performance
The benchmark data for the GeForce 8400M GT is sparse, with no recorded scores in the database. Its 50th percentile placement suggests it sits at the midpoint of all GPUs ever catalogued, but this figure is unverified by actual test results. The absence of nearestRivals entries means no direct percentage deltas can be calculated against competing mobile GPUs from its era.
What can be quantified is the raw computational throughput derived from the hardware specification. The GPU features 16 shading units, 8 texture mapping units, and 4 raster output pipelines. These combine to deliver a pixel rate of 1.800 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 3.600 GTexel/s. The FP32 compute performance is rated at 28.80 GFLOPS, a figure that places it firmly in the entry-level segment for its generation. No FP16 performance is listed, indicating a lack of half-precision acceleration.
The 50th percentile ranking appears generous given these specifications, but without empirical benchmark data, this metric should be treated as a positional placeholder rather than a performance endorsement. In real-world terms, the 28.80 GFLOPS FP32 throughput and 1.800 GPixel/s fill rate would support basic 3D rendering at modest resolutions and detail settings, but the data does not substantiate claims of competitive performance against any named rivals. The chip is a direct descendant of the GeForce Go 7 series and was succeeded by the GeForce 9M generation, but no cross-generational performance comparisons are available in the fact pack.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The GeForce 8400M GT does not include dedicated ray tracing cores or tensor cores; both fields are marked as null in the specification. This is consistent with the Tesla architecture, which predates hardware-accelerated ray tracing by over a decade. The feature set is instead defined by its API support and fixed-function capabilities.
The GPU supports DirectX 11.1, but with a feature level of 10_0. This means it is compatible with DirectX 11.1 APIs but limited to DirectX 10-level shader models and rendering features. The practical implication is that games requiring DirectX 10_1 or 11 features will not run, while titles built around DirectX 10-era functionality will operate. OpenGL support is rated at version 3.3, providing compatibility with applications from the late 2000s and early 2010s. There is no Vulkan support listed, which is expected for a GPU from 2007, as the Vulkan API did not exist at that time.
The absence of tensor cores means no AI-accelerated features such as DLSS or neural rendering are available. The lack of RT cores means no hardware-accelerated ray tracing, and any such effects would need to be computed on the 16 shading units, which would severely degrade performance. For a mobile GPU with a 14 W TDP, the feature set is oriented toward basic geometry processing and rasterization rather than advanced lighting techniques. The display outputs are listed as portable device dependent, meaning the specific ports vary by the laptop manufacturer, with no standard configuration guaranteed.
Memory Subsystem
The memory configuration consists of 256 MB of GDDR3 VRAM on a 128-bit bus. The memory clock is 602 MHz, with an effective data rate of 1204 Mbps. This yields a total memory bandwidth of 19.26 GB/s. This is a modest bandwidth figure that constrains performance at higher resolutions and texture-heavy workloads.
For context, the 128-bit bus width is standard for entry-level parts of this era, but the 256 MB capacity is limiting. Modern games at 1080p typically require 4 GB or more, but for a GPU from 2007, 256 MB was considered minimum viable for 1024x768 or 1280x800 resolutions. The 19.26 GB/s bandwidth would become a bottleneck when rendering scenes with large textures or high anti-aliasing settings, as the GPU cannot fetch texture data quickly enough to keep the 16 shading units busy.
The GDDR3 memory type is appropriate for the time, offering lower latency and higher bandwidth than DDR2 alternatives, but the effective 1204 Mbps data rate is conservative even by 2007 standards. The pixel rate of 1.800 GPixel/s combined with the memory bandwidth suggests that the subsystem is balanced for low-resolution gaming or desktop productivity, but not for demanding 3D applications. At higher resolutions, the bandwidth would saturate quickly, causing frame rate drops that are not recoverable through compute optimizations.
Power and Cooling
The thermal design power is rated at 14 W, which is exceptionally low even for the mobile segment of its time. This low TDP allows for passive cooling in some thin-and-light chassis, though most implementations would still include a small fan. The slot width is specified as an MXM Module, indicating a modular design that can be replaced or upgraded in compatible laptops, but this also means cooling solutions are vendor-specific rather than standardized.
The GPU requires no power connectors, drawing all power from the MXM slot interface. There is no suggested PSU rating provided, which is typical for mobile parts that do not interact with desktop power supplies. The absence of a suggested PSU is notable because it underscores the mobile-only nature of this product; it is not intended for desktop use, and no desktop power supply sizing applies.
The 14 W TDP has direct implications for system design. Laptop manufacturers could pair this GPU with low-wattage CPUs and compact batteries to achieve long battery life, but the trade-off is limited graphics performance. The PCIe 1.0 x16 bus interface provides sufficient bandwidth for the GPU's data transfer needs, though the 1.0 revision is older and slower than subsequent generations. Heat generation at 14 W is minimal, meaning the primary thermal concern is not the GPU itself but the surrounding laptop components.
Who Should Consider It
Based on the available data, the GeForce 8400M GT is suitable for users with low-resolution display requirements and modest 3D demands. The 256 MB VRAM and 19.26 GB/s bandwidth are adequate for 1024x768 resolution gaming at low to medium detail settings, but would struggle at 1600x1200 or higher. The 28.80 GFLOPS FP32 performance and 1.800 GPixel/s pixel rate indicate that this GPU is not intended for modern gaming, but can handle legacy titles from the late 2000s and basic productivity applications.
Users running older DirectX 10-era games, such as those from 2006-2009, would find the 10_0 feature level sufficient for most titles. However, the lack of Vulkan support and the limited OpenGL 3.3 version preclude compatibility with modern APIs and many indie games that rely on Vulkan. The 50th percentile ranking suggests median performance among all GPUs, but this is misleading given the lack of benchmark scores; in absolute terms, this is an entry-level mobile part.
The 14 W TDP and MXM form factor make it appropriate for laptops designed for office work, web browsing, and light media playback, where the GPU can accelerate video decoding and basic UI rendering. It is not a candidate for gaming laptops, content creation workstations, or any workload requiring ray tracing or AI acceleration. The end-of-life production status means it is only available on the used market, primarily in older laptop models. For a user with a 2007-era laptop needing a replacement GPU, the 8400M GT is a drop-in option, but for anyone seeking newer feature support, the GeForce 9M successor would be a more capable choice, though no specific performance deltas are available to quantify the improvement.
The AMD Equivalent of GeForce 8400M GT
Looking for a similar graphics card from AMD? The AMD Radeon RX 480 offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.
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