Gigabyte GeForce GT 730: overview, description, specifications and reviews

Manufacturers of computer processors in recent years have made great efforts to develop the capabilities of integrated graphics. This applies to Intel products, and to AMD processors. Still, interest in discrete graphics cards is also not weakening, which is why companies are trying to cover both directions, toughening the competition. Ironically, one of the most promising segments in this area are entry-level graphics adapters. It is to this category is the Nvidia GT 730 card, which was successfully mastered by the partners of the developer, and in particular by Gigabyte. Despite the low budget and, as a result, low productivity potential, the device is widely used as a basis for implementing various ideas of manufacturers in terms of using graphics resources.

General information on the GT 730

As a platform for the video card we used the GK107 processor. In part, this decision led to the preservation of the basic parameters of the adapter, but the authors left the possibility for integration of GDDR5 and 64-bit interface, which is not bad for an entry-level card. At the same time, the Nvidia GT 730 is interesting because it already has several different options in the standard version. That is, the model as a whole remains the same, and the partners of the developer modify it, but in terms of characteristics of strict initial values there. The same memory is presented in the form of a DDR3 module with a frequency of 1.8 GHz and a GDDR5 device at 5 GHz.

It is noteworthy that the version with 96 CUDA cores has also been released. As experts note, it is based on the Fermi GPU platform. If this is the case, then in this version the GPU must function at a frequency of 700 MHz. In turn, memory for such GT 730 will be available unless in the form of DDR3. As for third-party manufacturers, most of them use a low-profile PCB as a base. In some cases, a passive cooling system is also used - among these is the version of MSI. And now it is worth to look more closely at the modification from Gigabyte.

Gigabyte version specifications

Before the start of production, the company revised this video card from Nvidia. In this case, no special changes have occurred - the device only uses the maximum possible potential of the basic version. But it's also not bad, because its functionality Gigabyte GeForce GT 730 looks more than worthy. You can verify this with the example of the graphics adapter:

• Implementation of the interface - PCI Express;
• Technological process of production - 28 nm;
• Video memory - 2 GB;
• Processor frequency - 902 MHz;
• Type of memory - module GDDR5;
• Frequency of graphics memory - 5 GHz;
• Bit depth - 64 bit;
• Connectors - modern DVI and HDMI and a place for an aging D-SUB;
• The permission on the maximum possibilities - 4096х2160;
• The length of the body is 17.7 cm;
• The optimum power the manufacturer recommends is 300 W;
• Cooling scheme - traditional active;
• Guarantee - 3 g.

Features of single-layer version from Gigabyte

The modification is based on the GK208-400 chip using the same 28 nm process technology. The device provides 384 processor streams, and also differs by the forced frequency of the GPU - perhaps the main feature of the Gigabyte GeForce GT 730, which may be of interest to the consumer. In particular, the developers have increased this figure from 902 MHz to 1 GHz. In other respects, there are already quite a lot of features of the basic version - for example, GDDR5 memory up to 1 Gb, as well as 64 bit interface with a frequency of 5 GHz. In terms of design, the creators did not offer anything fundamentally new. The usual printed circuit board was used , in which, of course, the brand concept of the Ultra Durable 2 brand is involved. The cooling is realized by the traditional scheme, including a radiator and a fan, whose diameter is 8 cm. It is based on an aluminum plate that closes the board.

Positive reviews

The main advantage of the video card is affordability. As the users note, among the budget variants there are not so many offers that can be compared with the GeForce GT 730. The reviews, in particular, note good functionality, compactness, quiet operation and a competently arranged cooling system. Many use the device specifically for watching movies by connecting to a TV via HDMI. By the way, this is one of the key tasks along with the games that manufacturers are targeting their video cards.

Some owners also note the beneficial effect on the operational capabilities of the 384-nuclear CUDA that the GeForce GT 730 is equipped with. The performance reviews, of course, are mostly negative, but compared to other representatives of the budget segment, 5 GHz from GDDR5 looks good. In addition, there are laudatory comments regarding low power consumption and a worthy realized design of the motherboard.

Negative feedback

The greatest number of negative responses about this card comes from gamers. Of course, sophisticated gamers to representatives of the budget group of entry-level video cards do not even look closely, but those who hoped to increase the performance from overclocking the adapter did not satisfy the resource of the GT 730. Reviews also criticize the model for its fragility. It would seem that a fairly efficient cooling system, coupled with a well thought out design and simple architecture, should ensure the service life of the device, but there are a lot of negative statements on this score.

Also, many card owners point out the uselessness of the advanced stuffing in the form of GDDR5 memory to 64-bit. The fact is that the main resource GT 730 does not allow in full spectrum to reveal the potential of the platform with a good processor. As a result, the schedule in games is slowed even with minimal requirements. The only application for this device, according to many users, is the modernization of old computers. But even here it is not all simple. Budget video cards, in addition to low cost, are valued for their reliability. They really do, due to the work with low productivity, increase the operational period. But in this case, and this advantage is in question. However, the risk can justify itself, because in Gigabyte provide a 3-year warranty on the model.

How much is?

On the cost as one of the strengths of the model Gigabyte GT 730, it makes sense to talk separately. It is really attractive even against low-budget competitors. In the Russian market the device is available at a price of 4-5.5 thousand rubles. For comparison, we can say that the entry-level firm models are estimated at 7-8 thousand rubles. However, in such cases, there can not be any deviations in performance beyond the minimum given by the budgetary GeForce.

But is the model bad in its qualities against the background of other representatives of the same price category? Of course, the card not only looks decent in its qualities, but also has its own advantages - for example, the ventilation system, GDDR5 memory and CUDA processor. Another thing is that in practice these advantages of GT 730 do not give the expected effect.

Asus version

Asus demonstrates an example, as well as a minimal technical data, you can create a good graphics system. By the way, this version uses memory GDDR3, but, according to the owners, it was able to squeeze out surprisingly high efficiency. Despite this, the Asus GeForce GT 730 still remains an entry-level card with limited functionality. As practice shows its use in 3D games, there are no obvious downtime, and the speed is quite decent.

Also worth noting is the availability of proprietary technologies, which are provided in Asus. First of all, we should note the GPU Tweak system, thanks to which you can monitor the characteristics of the card, as well as provide its overclocking. Next comes Super Alloy Power - a set of components that make up the element base of the video card. Perhaps, it is due to the components in the case of this version of the adapter that there are almost no complaints about reliability. It is possible that this is facilitated by the work of a dust-proof fan, although the card's performance in this case also does not involve excessive heating.

MSI Version

The offer from MSI also looks decent, although it does not presuppose high power and functional refinements. The company successfully used the unique FXAA smoothing mode, which significantly improved the quality of the "picture". As a result, the image from MSI GT 730 became clearer, but without increasing the load on its resource. In practice, this advantage is especially noticeable when watching movies, when you need to scale the screen. In general, the broadcast is smooth, without distortion and delays. We can say that the developers managed to realize the multimedia direction of the video card. With games, the situation remains the same. By the way, for those who choose a card for movies and communication with the TV via HDMI, we can note the quality of the TrueHD system. It provides high-quality transmission of multi-channel HD sound.

Palit version

In Palit in many respects followed recommendations Nvidia, therefore development can be carried to classical representatives of a ruler. However, this in itself gave a lot of advantages to the video card. So, unlike Asus GeForce GT 730, the model received a compact base height of 64 mm. This means that the adapter can be used in cases where integration of full-size devices is unacceptable. For this Palit engineers can be praised by connoisseurs of aging HTPC-type cases. Power is realized on the basis of a two-phase circuit, that is, it is assumed that the core and chips with memory are separately supplied. From the user's point of view, the model is interesting for its multimedia capabilities. In addition to watching movies, Palit also offers advanced map capabilities in terms of integration.

Conclusion

By and large, the GT 730 graphics card does not offer users anything new. It would seem that an inexpensive entry-level model and nothing should be promised. However, in this model, even the inherent advantages of the budget segment are cut. Among them, reliability can be noted. But the cost and warranty period from Gigabyte somewhat justify such a purchase. All the same for 5 thousand rubles. It's not easy to find a video card that can provide the same viewing capabilities for movies over HDMI in high definition.