GT730 1GB vs 2GB: Did I just waste money? Low / Mid card questions

[deadken]

I really miss the website GPU Review. If any can suggest a comparable site, please let me know.

I recently bought a Refurb HP DX 7400 (http://flash.newegg.com/Product/N82E16883281755) to use as a dedicated computer to run a bike trainer program. This program, Zwift, is basically a bike race video game. The requirements of the program are:
Minimum SpecsOS
Windows 7, or OS X 10.9
Processor Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory 4GB
Graphics 1GB dedicated GPU, or embedded Intel HD 4000/AMD R5
Hard Drive 4GB of free space

Recommended SpecsOS
Windows 7 or higher, OS X 10.9 or higher
Processor Dual Core i5 or AMD
Memory 8GB
Graphics 2GB Radeon R9 200 series, or NVidia GTX 650
Hard Drive 4GB of free space

Extreme SpecsOS
Windows 7 or higher, OS X 10.9 or higher
Processor Quad core Intel i7 or AMD
Memory 8GB
Graphics 2GB Radeon R9 290 series, or NVidia GTX 970
Hard Drive 4GB of free space

I plan on adding 2x2GB of memory I have laying around to bring it up to 6GB of RAM (8GB max supported by the Mobo).

I saw a GT 730 (1GB GDDR5, 64bit bus, Keppler) for $45 shipped in the hot deals section (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125775).
While digging around, I found a GT 730 (2GB GDDR5, 128bit bus, Keppler) for $66 shipped (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125775). I ordered the 2GB card and then as I read more and more now I see that the memory bus looks to be 64bit after all.

So, did I just waste $21 buying a card with 2GB of ram and a 64bit bus? I recognize that this card is an inexpensive card and am wondering if the 'extra' 1GB of memory won't be able to really be utilized given the other specs?

I'm wondering if there are better cards out there for the money. I realize that the power supply in this PC will be a limiting factor. I'll have to look and see if I have a better PSU laying around in my stash. If I do, I'm thinking I'd likely be better off buying something like a GT 740 with 2GB and a 128bit bus for $83 shipped (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125774&cm_re=gt_740-_-14-125-774-_-Product)

Any helpful comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[therealnickdanger]

Pretty sure the GT 730 is a rebranded GT 430 - an old GPU in a new wrapper. If you're willing to spend up to $80, you should be looking at the AMD R7 250 or refurbished GTX 750.

 

[Insert_Nickname]

Pretty sure the GT 730 is a rebranded GT 430 - an old GPU in a new wrapper. If you're willing to spend up to $80, you should be looking at the AMD R7 250 or refurbished GTX 750.

Well, there is a Fermi (GF108) re-brand floating around. But most of the retail 730's use Kepler (GK208). Be sure to check however, Google is your friend. Also, make sure to get one with GDDR5 memory.

 

[Flapdrol1337]

Well, a 730 may not be fast, but it's a million times better than the onboard and it's well within minimum requirements of your bike program thingy.

 

[SPBHM]

if you paid the difference expecting the card to have double the memory bandwidth and it doesn't, it was a waste of money... and in general, for this kind of card I think 1GB is fine.

I think the 730 is a rebranded GT 640 "v2" (gk208) and it physically only supports 64bit memory, unlike the original 640 (and 740, GK107) which is 128

I think

 

[Insert_Nickname]

I think the 730 is a rebranded GT 640 "v2" (gk208) and it physically only supports 64bit memory, unlike the original 640 (and 740, GK107) which is 128

You're quite right. The GK208 only has a 64bit memory interface, but there are GDDR5 models available. Which have ~2.75x the memory bandwidth of the DDR3 versions. It makes quite a difference in performance.

 

[AtenRa]

How much did you pay for the HP DX7400 ?? Windows included or not ??

 

[deadken]

How much did you pay for the HP DX7400 ?? Windows included or not ??

I paid $99.99 for the PC. The PC included Win 7 Pro. I figured it was better than paying $75 for Win 7 and upgrading an laptop I have or building another PC with all of the parts I have laying around. The link to the PC is in the OP.

Thanks for the information guys. I haven't received the card yet. I'm going to call Newegg and see if I can change my order to either the cheaper 64bit 1GB GT 730 or the 128bit 2GB GT 740. Thanks again for the input.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Well, a 730 may not be fast, but it's a million times better than the onboard and it's well within minimum requirements of your bike program thingy.

Pretty much this.

And the 128-bit version is superior. Even if you never use the extra 1GB of VRAM, the 1GB you DO use is running lots faster.

If... you know. If that matters.

There are better price/performance cards for a few bucks more, but it's not a bad deal either.

 

[RussianSensation]

Pretty much this.

And the 128-bit version is superior. Even if you never use the extra 1GB of VRAM, the 1GB you DO use is running lots faster.

I think Newegg has the specs wrong. The 730 card with model number GIGABYTE GV-N730D5-2GI REV2.0 in the OP is listed on Newegg as a 128-bit GDDR5 but Gigabyte only lists it as 64-bit GDDR5 2GB card:

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=5320#sp

^ In that case, it's better to get the 64-bit GDDR5 1GB version and save yourself $20 because the 2GB will never help a card this slow. But it's not that simple because there actually does exist a 128-bit GDDR5 version of low end GT700 series - the $60 GT740 128-bit GDDR5 1GB. ($100 less 20% off coupon ends April 30th, less $20 MIR = $60)

That means the real decision for the OP should be between a $42 GT730 64-bit GDDR5 1GB and a $60 GT740 128-bit GDDR5 1GB. The latter has 384 CUDA cores @ 1202mhz, but the former has 902mhz clock. I think here I would spend the extra $18 as the performance delta is likely 30-50%.

--- Side-note on various GT730 cards -----
The 64-bit GDDR5 version is actually faster than the 128-bit DDR3 version.

GT730 64-bit GDDR5 > GT730 128-bit DDR3
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html

"Our entry-level recommendation is Nvidia's GeForce GT 730 64-bit GDDR5. This card is essentially a GeForce GT 630 with more memory bandwidth. As a result, it lands between its predecessor and the GeForce GTX 650. That's a great starting point for gamers on a tight budget. If you're in the market for a solid sub-$100 discrete board, just be sure you have the 64-bit GDDR5 version in your shopping cart; the 128-bit model is actually slower due to a less-powerful GPU." ~ Source

GT730:

The first model of the card is one that comes with 96 CUDA cores and a 128-bit memory interface driving 1 GB of DDR3 memory. The GPU is clocked in at 700 MHz, and the memory at an effective frequency of 1.8 GHz.

The second and third models will both carry 384 CUDA cores clocked in at 902 MHz. One of these will carry 2 GB of DDR3 memory running over a 64-bit memory interface at a frequency of 1.8 GHz, while the other will address just 1 GB of memory, though this is DDR5 memory. It will still run over a narrow 64-bit bus, though.

If I do, I'm thinking I'd likely be better off buying something like a GT 740 with 2GB and a 128bit bus for $83 shipped (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125774&cm_re=gt_740-_-14-125-774-_-Product)

I think I'd go for the EVGA GT740 1GB GDDR5 128-bit for $60. The extra $20 for the 2GB doesn't make sense to me as that card is too slow. Also, if you are entering above $60 range and you have a spare power supply, there will be WAY better cards in the used market like the R9 265/270/270X/HD7850/7870. That's why I feel if you are going to spend above $60, at that point go used.

 

[deadken]

I think Newegg has the specs wrong. The 730 card with model number GIGABYTE GV-N730D5-2GI REV2.0 in the OP is listed on Newegg as a 128-bit GDDR5 but Gigabyte only lists it as 64-bit GDDR5 2GB card:

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=5320#sp

^ In that case, it's better to get the 64-bit GDDR5 1GB version and save yourself $20 because the 2GB will never help a card this slow.

Thanks for your input. You really give a well thought out and complete analysis. From what I can see, your comments are spot on! I called Newegg today and notified them of their mistake. They apologized and discounted this card to nearly the price point of the 1GB card. So, at that point I figured I'd keep it since for $5 more, I wouldn't have to deal with the rebate.

But it's not that simple because there actually does exist a 128-bit GDDR5 version of low end GT700 series - the $60 GT740 128-bit GDDR5 1GB. ($100 less 20% off coupon ends April 30th, less $20 MIR = $60)

That means the real decision for the OP should be between a $42 GT730 64-bit GDDR5 1GB and a $60 GT740 128-bit GDDR5 1GB. The latter has 384 CUDA cores @ 1202mhz, but the former has 902mhz clock. I think here I would spend the extra $18 as the performance delta is likely 30-50%.

Too bad I didn't see the EVGA 740 card. That's a whole lot better card for not much more money.

I think I'd go for the EVGA GT740 1GB GDDR5 128-bit for $60. The extra $20 for the 2GB doesn't make sense to me as that card is too slow. Also, if you are entering above $60 range and you have a spare power supply, there will be WAY better cards in the used market like the R9 265/270/270X/HD7850/7870. That's why I feel if you are going to spend above $60, at that point go used.

Thanks again for the information. At this point, I'll wait and get the GT 730, look for another PSU (I think I have a spare Antec 480Earthwatts), and then decide on what to do. I'm guessing if I don't keep the GT 730 2GB, I'll likely buy used.

 

[RussianSensation]

Thanks for your input. Thanks again for the information. At this point, I'll wait and get the GT 730, look for another PSU (I think I have a spare Antec 480Earthwatts), and then decide on what to do. I'm guessing if I don't keep the GT 730 2GB, I'll likely buy used.

You are very welcome! Hope the card meets your needs for budget/indie gaming, etc.

 

[TurtleCrusher]

I actually recommend the larger framebuffer (2GB), even if it's $20 more. In older games the 3650 in Sig is fast enough on the core but I run out of vram quickly, even on low settings. Back when it came out 256MB was fine. A couple years later? Nope.

GTAV uses about a gig of VRAM for me without anything fancy. It'd choke on a 1GB card, just like NBA 2K15 does. If all is equal, go with the larger framebuffer if budget allows.

 

[RussianSensation]

I actually recommend the larger framebuffer (2GB), even if it's $20 more. In older games the 3650 in Sig is fast enough on the core but I run out of vram quickly, even on low settings. Back when it came out 256MB was fine. A couple years later? Nope.

GTAV uses about a gig of VRAM for me without anything fancy. It'd choke on a 1GB card, just like NBA 2K15 does. If all is equal, go with the larger framebuffer if budget allows.

The thing is cards like 730 or even 740 are too slow. Your 3650 example doesn't apply in this case because any game that uses > 1GB of VRAM will smoke a 730 or even 740 to begin with.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html

If he is going to be spending $80+, a card like 730/740 2GB is just awful value for the money at that point. At that point you are competing with way faster cards like the $95 R9 260X, or better yet used HD7870/HD7950 that will mop the floor with all of these. Really I think budget cards only make sense for gaming at the $50-60 level, tops. Above that --> go used.