NVIDIA GeForce GT 730M
NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
NVIDIANVIDIA GeForce GT 730M Specifications
GeForce GT 730M GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The NVIDIA GeForce GT 730M 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 730M Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the GeForce GT 730M'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 730M by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
NVIDIA's GeForce GT 730M Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The GeForce GT 730M'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 730M by NVIDIA Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the GT 730M, 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 730M Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA GeForce GT 730M 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 Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The NVIDIA GeForce GT 730M is built on NVIDIA's Kepler 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 730M will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
NVIDIA's GeForce GT 730M Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the NVIDIA GeForce GT 730M 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 730M to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
GeForce GT 730M by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA GeForce GT 730M 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 730M. 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 730M Product Information
Release and pricing details
The NVIDIA GeForce GT 730M 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 730M by NVIDIA represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
GeForce GT 730M Benchmark Scores
geekbench_openclSource
Geekbench OpenCL tests GPU compute performance using the cross-platform OpenCL API. This shows how NVIDIA GeForce GT 730M handles parallel computing tasks like video encoding and scientific simulations.
Top 5 Performers
Top 5 PerformersNearby Performers
Nearby Performersgeekbench_vulkanSource
Geekbench Vulkan tests GPU compute using the modern low-overhead Vulkan API. This shows how NVIDIA GeForce GT 730M performs with next-generation graphics and compute workloads. Vulkan offers better CPU efficiency than older APIs like OpenGL.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
About NVIDIA GeForce GT 730M
The NVIDIA GeForce GT 730M is a mobile graphics processor built on the GK107 chip, using TSMC's 28 nm process. It integrates 384 shading units, 32 texture mapping units, and 16 ROPs, with a base and boost clock of 725 MHz. The memory subsystem pairs 2 GB of DDR3 on a 128-bit bus, running at 900 MHz (1800 Mbps effective), which yields a bandwidth of 28.80 GB/s. The GPU is part of the GeForce 700M generation and was released on January 19, 2013. Its production status is end-of-life. In Geekbench OpenCL, it scores 2975, placing it in the 18th percentile of all GPUs. The card uses an MXM Module slot and requires no external power connectors.
How It Compares
Against the NVIDIA GeForce 820A, the GT 730M is 0.3% slower. The 820A scores 2983, while the GT 730M posts 2975. This delta is negligible, placing the two within a hair of each other in this OpenCL workload. Both are low-power, entry-level parts, and the data suggests they are effectively interchangeable in compute performance.
The GT 730M leads the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 860M by 0.6%. The 860M scores 2959, slightly below the GT 730M's 2975. Despite the GTX branding and typically higher gaming expectations, the OpenCL result shows the GT 730M holding a small edge. This could reflect driver optimizations or the specific nature of the benchmark, but the raw numbers indicate near parity.
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti outscores the GT 730M by 1.3%. The 750 Ti records 3016, while the GT 730M sits at 2975. This is the largest performance gap among the listed rivals, yet it remains under two percent. The 750 Ti is a desktop part, and the mobile GT 730M manages to stay close, suggesting the GK107 core is well-optimized for OpenCL compute.
Surprisingly, the GT 730M is 2.1% faster than the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB, which scores 2913. This is a notable outlier, given the RTX 4060 Ti is a modern, high-end GPU. The delta likely reflects the OpenCL benchmark's sensitivity to specific workload types, not overall gaming capability. The data shows that in this particular test, the GT 730M outperforms a much newer and more powerful card, but the result should be interpreted with caution.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The FACT PACK lists no RT cores and no tensor cores for the GT 730M. This means hardware-accelerated ray tracing and AI-based features such as DLSS are not supported. The GPU relies entirely on traditional rasterization and compute shaders. For workloads that depend on these dedicated units, the GT 730M will fall back to software or simply lack the capability.
API support includes DirectX 12 (11_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.175. The DirectX 12 feature level is 11_0, which is the baseline for DirectX 12 support. This allows the card to run modern titles that require DX12, but without the higher feature levels found in newer GPUs. Vulkan 1.2.175 provides broad compatibility with Vulkan-based engines, while OpenGL 4.6 covers legacy applications. The absence of RT and tensor cores limits the card to conventional graphics pipelines, but the API coverage ensures it can run a wide range of software.
Benchmark Performance
The Geekbench OpenCL score of 2975 is the sole benchmark result in the FACT PACK, and it also serves as the average benchmark score. This places the GT 730M in the 18th percentile of all GPUs, meaning it outperforms only a small fraction of the graphics processors tracked in the database. The score is a measure of raw compute throughput, not gaming frame rates, but it provides a comparative baseline.
Relative to its nearest rivals, the deltas are all within a narrow band. The GT 730M is 0.3% slower than the GeForce 820A (2983), 0.6% faster than the GTX 860M (2959), 1.3% slower than the GTX 750 Ti (3016), and 2.1% faster than the RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB (2913). These percentage differences are small, indicating that the GT 730M performs at a level comparable to a diverse set of GPUs spanning different generations and market segments. The largest gap is the 2.1% lead over the RTX 4060 Ti, which is counterintuitive given the architectural gulf between the two. This suggests that the OpenCL benchmark does not scale with the RTX 4060 Ti's capabilities, or that the GT 730M's Kepler architecture is particularly efficient in this specific workload.
The 18th percentile ranking underscores that the GT 730M is a low-end part. In a database of all GPUs, it sits near the bottom. The pixel rate of 5.800 GPixel/s and texture rate of 23.20 GTexel/s further illustrate its modest throughput. The FP32 compute is 556.8 GFLOPS, which is typical for a 2013-era mobile GPU. These figures, combined with the OpenCL score, paint a picture of a chip designed for basic graphics and light compute tasks, not demanding gaming or professional workloads.
FAQ
Q: What is the memory bandwidth of the GT 730M?
A: The GT 730M has 2 GB of DDR3 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing 28.80 GB/s of bandwidth.
Q: Does the GT 730M support hardware ray tracing?
A: No. The FACT PACK lists no RT cores, so hardware ray tracing is not supported.
Q: What is the TDP and power connector requirement?
A: The TDP is 33 W, and the card requires no power connectors, drawing power entirely from the MXM slot.
Q: What is the production status of the GT 730M?
A: It is marked as end-of-life.
Q: What is the process node and transistor count?
A: It is built on TSMC's 28 nm process with 1,270 million transistors on a 118 mm² die, giving a transistor density of 10.8 million per square millimeter.
Q: What bus interface does it use?
A: It uses PCIe 3.0 x16.
Power and Cooling
The GT 730M has a TDP of 33 W, a modest figure for a mobile GPU. It uses an MXM Module slot width, which is a standardized form factor for laptop graphics. The card requires no power connectors, meaning it receives all power through the MXM interface. The suggested PSU is not specified in the data, so no recommendation can be made. The low TDP implies that cooling requirements are minimal, likely manageable with a small heatsink and fan. The 28 nm process and 1,270 million transistors are consistent with a power-efficient design, and the lack of external power connectors simplifies integration into thin laptops.
The absence of a suggested PSU is notable because it indicates that the GT 730M is not intended for desktop use, where a PSU would be a relevant consideration. Instead, it is a drop-in module for notebooks. The 33 W TDP also suggests that the GPU can operate within the thermal envelope of a typical ultraportable, though sustained loads may still cause throttling depending on the chassis design. The data does not provide a clock boost behavior, but the base and boost clocks are identical at 725 MHz, suggesting a fixed clock without dynamic overclocking.
Who Should Consider It
Given the Geekbench OpenCL score of 2975 and an 18th percentile ranking, the GT 730M is suited for entry-level computing tasks. The data indicates that it performs within 2.1% of its nearest rivals, all of which are low-to-mid-range parts. For users who need a GPU for everyday desktop work, video playback, or older games at low resolutions and reduced settings, the GT 730M could be sufficient. The 2 GB DDR3 memory and 28.80 GB/s bandwidth are adequate for 720p or 1366x768 displays, but they will become bottlenecks at higher resolutions like 1080p, especially with modern textures.
The lack of RT and tensor cores means the card cannot handle ray-traced games or AI-accelerated features. Users who prioritize those capabilities should look elsewhere. The 18th percentile also suggests that the GT 730M will struggle with demanding 3D applications, including recent AAA titles. However, for light workloads such as 2D applications, office software, or hardware-accelerated video decoding, the card's compute resources are more than enough. The API support for DirectX 12 (11_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.175 ensures compatibility with a wide range of software, even if performance is not competitive.
Memory Subsystem
The GT 730M is equipped with 2 GB of DDR3 memory on a 128-bit bus. The effective memory clock is 1800 Mbps, which translates to a bandwidth of 28.80 GB/s. This is a low figure by modern standards, and the DDR3 type is slower than the GDDR5 used in many contemporaneous GPUs. The 128-bit bus width is typical for a low-end part, and it limits the amount of data that can be transferred per clock cycle. For the 384 shading units, this bandwidth is sufficient for basic tasks, but it will constrain performance in memory-intensive scenarios such as high-resolution textures or large framebuffers.
At high resolutions, the combination of limited capacity and bandwidth becomes a critical factor. 2 GB of VRAM is the minimum for many modern games, but the 28.80 GB/s bandwidth may cause stuttering or reduced frame rates when textures exceed the available memory. The pixel rate of 5.800 GPixel/s and texture rate of 23.20 GTexel/s are also modest, further limiting the card's ability to push high-resolution output. For users who plan to run at 1080p, the GT 730M will likely require low to medium detail settings to maintain playable frame rates. The memory subsystem is a clear bottleneck, and the data shows that the GPU is best paired with displays at 720p or lower.
The AMD Equivalent of GeForce GT 730M
Looking for a similar graphics card from AMD? The AMD Radeon RX 480 offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.
Popular NVIDIA GeForce GT 730M Comparisons
See how the GeForce GT 730M stacks up against similar graphics cards from the same generation and competing brands.
Compare GeForce GT 730M with Other GPUs
Select another GPU to compare specifications and benchmarks side-by-side.
Browse GPUs