NVIDIA GeForce GT 720M
NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
NVIDIANVIDIA GeForce GT 720M Specifications
GeForce GT 720M GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The NVIDIA GeForce GT 720M 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.
GT 720M Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the GeForce GT 720M'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 GT 720M by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
NVIDIA's GeForce GT 720M Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The GeForce GT 720M'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 GT 720M by NVIDIA Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the GT 720M, 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.
GT 720M Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA GeForce GT 720M 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.
Kepler 2.0 Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The NVIDIA GeForce GT 720M is built on NVIDIA's Kepler 2.0 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 GT 720M will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
NVIDIA's GeForce GT 720M Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the NVIDIA GeForce GT 720M 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 GT 720M to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
GeForce GT 720M by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA GeForce GT 720M 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 GT 720M. 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 GT 720M Product Information
Release and pricing details
The NVIDIA GeForce GT 720M 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 GT 720M by NVIDIA represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
GeForce GT 720M Benchmark Scores
geekbench_openclSource
Geekbench OpenCL tests GPU compute performance using the cross-platform OpenCL API. This shows how NVIDIA GeForce GT 720M handles parallel computing tasks like video encoding and scientific simulations. OpenCL is widely supported across different GPU vendors and platforms. Higher scores benefit applications that leverage GPU acceleration for non-graphics workloads.
Top 5 Performers
Top 5 PerformersNearby Performers
Nearby PerformersAbout NVIDIA GeForce GT 720M
The NVIDIA GeForce GT 720M is an entry-level mobile graphics solution built on the Kepler 2.0 architecture, and benchmark data positions it at the very bottom of the performance spectrum. With an average Geekbench OpenCL score of 2621, this GPU sits in the 15th percentile of all GPUs, placing it firmly in legacy or basic-compute territory. The data shows a part that is nearly indistinguishable from its closest competitors, with performance deltas of only a few percent in either direction.
Benchmark Performance
The GT 720M’s benchmark results tell a story of extreme performance parity at the low end of the market. Its average score of 2621 is effectively identical to that of the NVIDIA GeForce GT 440, which scores 2629, a marginal delta of -0.3%. This places the GT 720M statistically on par with a desktop GPU from an older generation, indicating that its mobile positioning does not translate into any meaningful performance advantage.
Relative to the NVIDIA GeForce GT 645M, the GT 720M trails by just 1.7%, with the rival scoring 2665. This is a surprisingly small gap given the different positioning of these parts, but the data is clear: the GT 720M is within striking distance of a higher-tier mobile chip. Conversely, the GT 720M leads the Intel HD Graphics 610 by 2%, with the integrated solution scoring 2570. This is a notable result, as it demonstrates that even the weakest discrete GPU can outpace a modern entry-level integrated graphics processor, though the margin is slim.
The largest gap in the comparison set is against the NVIDIA Quadro K1100M, which scores 2678. The GT 720M trails this professional mobile GPU by 2.1%. Across all four nearest rivals, the GT 720M’s performance variance is contained within a 4.2% band, from the Intel HD 610 at 2570 to the Quadro K1100M at 2678. This clustering indicates that the GT 720M is not a performance outlier in either direction; it is simply a baseline entry point where every competing solution delivers nearly identical compute throughput.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The GT 720M does not include any ray tracing or tensor core hardware, as these specialized units are absent from the fact pack. Instead, the GPU relies on its 192 shading units, 16 texture mapping units, and 8 raster output pipelines to handle all graphics workloads. The architecture is Kepler 2.0, built on a 28 nm process at TSMC, with a transistor count of 1,020 million on an 87 mm² die.
In terms of API support, the GT 720M offers DirectX 12 (11_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.175. The DirectX 12 support is limited to the 11_0 feature level, which means it can run modern APIs but does not expose the full DirectX 12 feature set. Vulkan 1.2.175 support is more comprehensive, allowing for modern low-level rendering techniques. The absence of dedicated ray tracing or tensor cores means that any such workloads would be handled through compute shaders on the traditional shader units, a path that would yield minimal performance given the 291.1 GFLOPS of FP32 compute power.
How It Compares
NVIDIA GeForce GT 440: The GT 720M is essentially a dead heat with this older desktop part. With a delta of only -0.3%, the two GPUs deliver virtually identical Geekbench OpenCL scores. This comparison highlights that the GT 720M offers no generational improvement in raw compute over a previous-generation desktop card, making it a lateral move at best for anyone upgrading from such a system.
NVIDIA GeForce GT 645M: The GT 645M leads the GT 720M by 1.7%, a modest advantage that falls within typical run-to-run variance. The data suggests that the GT 645M is the slightly stronger mobile option, but the performance difference is so small that real-world application behavior would be indistinguishable in most scenarios. Users would need to look at other factors, such as memory bandwidth, to separate these two.
Intel HD Graphics 610: This is the one comparison where the GT 720M comes out ahead, leading by 2%. The fact that a discrete GPU from 2013 can beat a modern integrated solution is expected, but the narrow margin is telling. The GT 720M’s lead over the HD 610 is real but modest, indicating that even the weakest discrete solutions now face credible competition from integrated graphics.
NVIDIA Quadro K1100M: The professional-grade Quadro K1100M outperforms the GT 720M by 2.1%. This is the largest performance gap in the comparison set, but it remains small in absolute terms. The Quadro’s lead is likely attributable to its higher-tier positioning, yet the data shows that the GT 720M is not dramatically far behind in raw compute.
Who Should Consider It
Given its 15th percentile standing and an average score of 2621, the GT 720M is suitable only for the most basic of computing tasks. Benchmark results indicate that this GPU is not designed for modern gaming at any resolution above minimal settings. At 1080p, the GT 720M would struggle to maintain playable frame rates in any title released after its 2013 launch period, and even older games would require significant graphical compromises.
The GPU is better suited for office productivity, media playback, and lightweight 2D applications. Its 291.1 GFLOPS of FP32 performance is adequate for basic video decoding and desktop compositing, but it lacks the headroom for 3D rendering or GPU-accelerated content creation. Users considering this GPU should target 720p or lower resolutions with the lowest possible settings for any 3D workload, and even then, expect limited performance.
The 2 GB of DDR3 memory is the only saving grace, allowing for larger texture loads than older 1 GB parts, but the 64-bit memory bus severely restricts data throughput. For users who only need a display output and basic acceleration, the GT 720M is functional. For anyone expecting to play games or run GPU-accelerated applications, the data strongly suggests looking elsewhere.
Memory Subsystem
The GT 720M is equipped with 2 GB of DDR3 memory on a 64-bit bus, yielding a memory bandwidth of 12.80 GB/s. This is an extremely narrow memory interface, and the bandwidth figure is a critical bottleneck for the GPU. At high resolutions, the effective memory bandwidth becomes the limiting factor before the 291.1 GFLOPS of compute power is exhausted.
The memory clock runs at 800 MHz, translating to 1600 Mbps effective, which is conservative even for DDR3. The 64-bit bus width means that the 12.80 GB/s bandwidth is shared across all rendering operations, and modern games with high-resolution textures would saturate this quickly. For 1080p gaming, the memory subsystem would likely cause stuttering and texture pop-in, as the GPU cannot fetch data fast enough.
The 2 GB capacity is sufficient for a GPU of this class, but the bandwidth is not. The pixel rate of 3.032 GPixel/s and texture rate of 12.13 GTexel/s are correspondingly low, further confirming that the GT 720M is not built for high-resolution or high-detail workloads. In practical terms, the memory subsystem limits the GPU to 720p or lower with reduced texture quality settings.
Power and Cooling
The GT 720M has a thermal design power (TDP) of 33 W, which is modest for a discrete GPU. This low power draw means that cooling requirements are minimal, and the GPU can be adequately served by a basic laptop cooling solution. The fact pack lists the slot width as an MXM Module, indicating that this is a mobile form factor designed for upgradeable laptops.
The GPU requires no power connectors, drawing all its power from the MXM slot itself. This simplifies installation and reduces the power delivery requirements on the motherboard. Since no suggested PSU is listed, and the GPU is mobile-only, desktop power supply considerations do not apply. The 33 W TDP is low enough to allow for thin-and-light laptop designs, though the performance trade-off is severe.
The 28 nm process node at TSMC helps keep power consumption in check, and the 1,020 million transistors are efficiently packed into an 87 mm² die. The absence of power connectors and the low TDP mean that thermal management is straightforward, but the GPU’s performance ceiling is so low that this efficiency is of limited practical benefit.
FAQ
Q: How does the GT 720M compare to the Intel HD Graphics 610?
A: The GT 720M scores 2621, which is 2% higher than the Intel HD Graphics 610’s score of 2570. It is faster, but the margin is small.
Q: What is the maximum memory bandwidth of the GT 720M?
A: The GT 720M provides 12.80 GB/s of memory bandwidth, based on a 64-bit bus and 800 MHz DDR3 memory running at 1600 Mbps effective.
Q: Does the GT 720M support DirectX 12?
A: Yes, it supports DirectX 12, but only at the 11_0 feature level. It also supports OpenGL 4.6 and Vulkan 1.2.175.
Q: What is the TDP of the GT 720M?
A: The GPU has a TDP of 33 W and uses no power connectors, drawing power directly from the MXM slot.
Q: Is the GT 720M suitable for gaming at 1080p?
A: Benchmark data places it in the 15th percentile of all GPUs, with a score of 2621. Its low compute and memory bandwidth make it unsuitable for modern 1080p gaming.
Q: What is the transistor count and die size of the GT 720M?
A: The GT 720M contains 1,020 million transistors on an 87 mm² die, manufactured on a 28 nm process at TSMC.
The AMD Equivalent of GeForce GT 720M
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