The world of graphics cards can be confusing, with so many models and specifications to consider.
If you’re in the market for a new GPU, you might have come across two popular models, the GT 740 and the 750 Ti.
In this article, we’ll compare the two graphics cards in detail, examining their specs, performance, and price.
By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear idea of which graphics card is right for your needs.
Graphics Cards
The GT 740 and 750 Ti are both mid-range graphics cards from Nvidia, released in 2014. The GT 740 is an entry-level card, while the 750 Ti is a bit more powerful and expensive. Both cards are aimed at budget gamers who want decent performance without breaking the bank. Let’s dive into the specifics of each card.
Overview of GT 740
The GT 740 is based on Nvidia’s Kepler architecture and features 384 CUDA cores, a core clock speed of 993 MHz, and 1 GB of GDDR5 memory with a 128-bit interface. The card has a TDP of 64W and requires a 6-pin power connector. It supports DirectX 12, OpenGL 4.4, and OpenCL 1.1. The GT 740 is a low-profile card, making it a good choice for small form factor builds.
Overview of 750 Ti
The 750 Ti is also based on Nvidia’s Kepler architecture but features 640 CUDA cores, a core clock speed of 1020 MHz, and 2 GB of GDDR5 memory with a 128-bit interface. The card has a TDP of 60W and does not require an external power connector, making it a good choice for budget builds. It supports DirectX 12, OpenGL 4.4, and OpenCL 1.1.
Specs Comparison
| Spec | GT 740 | 750 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| CUDA Cores | 384 | 640 |
| Core Clock Speed | 993 MHz | 1020 MHz |
| Memory Amount | 1 GB | 2 GB |
| Memory Interface | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| TDP | 64W | 60W |
| Power Connector | 6-pin | None |
| DirectX Support | 12 | 12 |
| OpenGL Support | 4.4 | 4.4 |
| OpenCL Support | 1.1 | 1.1 |
Gaming Performance Comparison
When it comes to gaming performance, the 750 Ti outperforms the GT 740 in almost every game. The 750 Ti can handle most games at 1080p with medium to high settings, while the GT 740 struggles with newer titles. If you’re a casual gamer who mostly plays older games, the GT 740 might be sufficient, but for newer titles the 750 Ti is definitely the better choice.
Benchmark Comparison
Benchmark tests also confirm that the 750 Ti outperforms the GT 740. In 3DMark Fire Strike, the 750 Ti scores around 4,000 points, while the GT 740 scores around 2,500 points. Similarly, in Unigine Heaven benchmark, the 750 Ti scores around 800 points, while the GT 740 scores around 450 points. These benchmarks demonstrate that the 750 Ti has a significant advantage over the GT 740 in terms of graphics performance.
Power Consumption Comparison
When it comes to power consumption, the 750 Ti has a slight advantage over the GT 740. The 750 Ti has a TDP of 60W and does not require an external power connector, while the GT 740 has a TDP of 64W and requires a 6-pin power connector. This means that the 750 Ti can run on lower power and is more suitable for budget builds.
Price Comparison
In terms of price, the GT 740 is cheaper than the 750 Ti. At the time of writing, the GT 740 costs around $80, while the 750 Ti costs around $120. However, considering the performance difference between the two cards, the extra cost of the 750 Ti is worth it, especially for gamers who want to play newer titles.
Cooling and Noise Comparison
Both the GT 740 and 750 Ti have similar cooling solutions, with a single fan and a heatsink. However, the 750 Ti runs cooler and quieter than the GT 740, thanks to its more efficient architecture and lower power consumption. The GT 740 can get a bit noisy under heavy load, while the 750 Ti remains relatively quiet.
Overclocking Capability Comparison
If you’re interested in overclocking your graphics card, the 750 Ti is the better choice. The 750 Ti has a higher base clock speed and more CUDA cores, which means that it has more headroom for overclocking. However, the GT 740 can also be overclocked to some extent, but its performance gains are not as significant as the 750 Ti.
Video Editing and Rendering Performance Comparison
If you’re into video editing and rendering, the 750 Ti is the better choice. The 750 Ti has more CUDA cores and faster memory than the GT 740, which means that it can handle video editing and rendering tasks more efficiently. The 750 Ti also supports Nvidia’s CUDA technology, which can significantly accelerate video encoding and decoding tasks.
VRAM and Memory Bandwidth Comparison
The 750 Ti has twice the amount of VRAM as the GT 740, which means that it can handle higher resolution textures and larger scenes. The 750 Ti also has a higher memory bandwidth, which means that it can transfer data to and from the GPU faster than the GT 740. This results in smoother performance and less stuttering in games and other GPU-intensive tasks.
Pros and Cons of GT 740
Pros
- Cheaper than the 750 Ti
- Suitable for casual gaming and older titles
- Low-profile design
Cons
- Struggles with newer titles
- Requires a 6-pin power connector
- No support for Nvidia’s CUDA technology
Pros and Cons of 750 Ti
Pros
- Better gaming performance than the GT 740
- More CUDA cores and faster memory
- Can handle newer titles at 1080p with medium to high settings
- Does not require an external power connector
Cons
- More expensive than the GT 740
- Limited overclocking headroom
- Not suitable for 4K gaming
Conclusion
In conclusion, the GT 740 and 750 Ti are two budget graphics cards that offer decent performance for their price. However, the 750 Ti is the better choice for gamers who want to play newer titles at 1080p with medium to high settings. The 750 Ti outperforms the GT 740 in all aspects, including gaming performance, power consumption, cooling, and overclocking capability. While the GT 740 is cheaper than the 750 Ti, the extra cost of the 750 Ti is justified for its superior performance.
If you’re on a tight budget and only play older games, the GT 740 might be a viable option. However, if you want to future-proof your system and play newer games, the 750 Ti is the way to go.
FAQs
- Can the GT 740 handle 1080p gaming?
- Yes, the GT 740 can handle 1080p gaming, but it may struggle with newer titles.
- Does the 750 Ti require an external power connector?
- No, the 750 Ti does not require an external power connector.
- Can the GT 740 be overclocked?
- Yes, the GT 740 can be overclocked to some extent, but its performance gains are not as significant as the 750 Ti.
- Which graphics card is better for video editing, the GT 740 or 750 Ti?
- The 750 Ti is better for video editing, as it has more CUDA cores and faster memory.
- Is the 750 Ti suitable for 4K gaming?
- No, the 750 Ti is not suitable for 4K gaming, as it does not have enough VRAM or processing power.