Laptop Reviews

Is the NVIDIA GeForce 740M Good for Gaming in 2024?

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The NVIDIA GeForce 740M is an entry-level, older GPU that was released in 2013, and it’s now quite outdated for gaming in 2024. Here’s a breakdown of how it fares today:

  1. Performance: The 740M was designed for basic tasks and light gaming back when it was released. With only 384 CUDA cores and limited memory bandwidth, it struggles with modern games, especially at higher resolutions or demanding settings.
  2. Modern Games: It won’t handle most AAA games released after 2020 at playable frame rates. You might be able to run some older or indie titles, but you’ll need to lower the resolution (often 720p or less) and graphics settings to Low.
  3. Driver Support: NVIDIA has ended active support for the 740M, meaning it doesn’t receive new driver optimizations. This can lead to compatibility issues with newer games.

For gaming in 2024, upgrading to a more recent GPU (even from the GTX 1000 series) would be a better investment. That would give you a significantly better gaming experience across a wider range of titles.

As technology rapidly advances, it’s common to wonder if an older GPU can still keep up with today’s gaming demands. The NVIDIA GeForce 740M, introduced in 2013, was once an entry-level option for casual gaming. In 2024, however, gaming has moved forward significantly. So, how does the GeForce 740M perform today, and is it still a viable choice for gaming? Let’s take a closer look.

1. Performance Overview

When it launched, the NVIDIA GeForce 740M was intended for lightweight gaming and multimedia tasks, making it a modest choice even by 2013 standards. With 384 CUDA cores and a clock speed of around 810 MHz, it could handle basic gaming and daily multimedia functions at the time.

Today, however, gaming standards have shifted. Most newer games demand considerably more power to achieve smooth and visually appealing gameplay, and the 740M’s specs simply don’t provide the horsepower needed for modern gaming requirements. Even in its prime, it was meant for older or less graphically intensive games, and it struggles with games released after 2018.

2. Handling Modern Games

For players interested in the latest AAA titles or even certain mid-range games from recent years, the 740M is likely to fall short. Here’s why:

  • Resolution Limitations: The GeForce 740M typically performs best at lower resolutions, such as 720p. In 1080p, which has become the standard for many gamers, performance takes a noticeable hit. Even at 720p, newer games often require settings to be at Low, and even then, performance can be choppy.
  • Frame Rates: The 740M generally won’t be able to reach a stable 30 frames per second (FPS) in demanding titles, let alone 60 FPS, which is the standard for smoother gameplay. Even older AAA games from 2015-2017 may struggle on this GPU.
  • Low Power and Memory: With limited memory bandwidth, the 740M struggles to render modern textures, effects, and environments. This can lead to lag, slow load times, and stuttering, detracting from the gaming experience.

3. Driver Support and Compatibility

As a legacy GPU, the GeForce 740M no longer receives driver updates from NVIDIA. This lack of support can cause compatibility issues with recent games, as newer titles often rely on updated drivers for optimal performance and stability. With outdated drivers, you may encounter glitches, crashes, or even be unable to launch some games altogether.

4. Can It Handle Indie or Older Titles?

Not all hope is lost for the 740M. If you’re interested in less demanding games, such as indie titles or retro games from before 2015, the GeForce 740M can still offer a decent experience. Many indie games have low graphical demands, allowing the 740M to handle them without significant issues. Popular titles like Stardew Valley, Terraria, and older versions of Minecraft should be playable on this GPU.

That said, even some indie games with complex graphics or physics (like Hades or Celeste) may require lower settings to run smoothly.

5. Alternatives for 2024 Gaming

If you’re looking for a cost-effective GPU upgrade, there are several options that can provide a much better gaming experience:

  • NVIDIA GTX 1000 Series or Above: The GTX 1050 or GTX 1060 are reasonably priced GPUs that deliver substantially better performance than the 740M. They can handle most modern games at medium to high settings, depending on the game and resolution.
  • NVIDIA GTX 1650 and 1660 Series: These GPUs are even more powerful and can handle AAA games at 1080p with respectable frame rates. They also have more modern driver support and can handle demanding textures and resolutions with ease.
  • AMD Alternatives: AMD’s RX 500 Series, such as the RX 570 or RX 580, offers solid performance at an affordable price and can handle most current games at 1080p with mid-to-high settings.

Laptops featuring the NVIDIA GeForce 740M

Laptops featuring the NVIDIA GeForce 740M were popular around 2013–2014. These laptops were mostly mid-range and designed for casual users rather than heavy gamers. Here are some examples of laptops that came with the 740M GPU:

1. Acer Aspire V3-772G

  • Specs: Intel Core i7 (4th Gen), up to 16GB RAM, Full HD display
  • Purpose: This laptop was designed for general-purpose use and light multimedia work. It offered decent performance for the time and was often used for work or school.

2. Lenovo IdeaPad Z510

  • Specs: Intel Core i5 or i7 (4th Gen), 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD
  • Purpose: Known for its solid build and decent multimedia capabilities, the IdeaPad Z510 was positioned as an affordable entertainment laptop.

3. HP Pavilion 15 Series (2013–2014 models)

  • Specs: Intel Core i5 or i7 (3rd or 4th Gen), 8GB RAM, HD display
  • Purpose: HP’s Pavilion series offered a range of mid-tier models with the 740M, aimed at both work and light gaming.

4. Dell Inspiron 15 7537

  • Specs: Intel Core i5 or i7 (4th Gen), up to 16GB RAM, touchscreen options
  • Purpose: The Inspiron 15 7537 was a multimedia laptop with a premium build and a focus on design, aimed at professionals needing a versatile machine.

5. ASUS N550JV

  • Specs: Intel Core i7 (4th Gen), Full HD display, up to 16GB RAM
  • Purpose: Aimed at multimedia and light gaming, the N550JV was praised for its high-quality display and audio, making it popular with users who wanted a balanced laptop.

These models are now somewhat dated in terms of hardware and performance, particularly for gaming or demanding tasks. However, they remain functional for basic tasks and could be a budget option for general use if available secondhand.

NVIDIA GeForce 740M can manage these Games

Despite its age, the NVIDIA GeForce 740M can still run a selection of older or less demanding games. Here’s a list of games that should be playable on the 740M, along with tips for optimal settings:

Older AAA Titles (Low-Medium Settings)

For these, it’s best to use 720p resolution and Low settings for smoother performance:

  1. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011) – Playable at Low-Medium settings.
  2. Bioshock Infinite (2013) – Runs on Low settings at 720p.
  3. Mass Effect Trilogy (2007–2012) – Playable on Low-Medium settings.
  4. Far Cry 3 (2012) – Playable on Low settings.
  5. Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (2013) – Runs on Low settings with reduced resolution.

Popular Indie Games (Medium-High Settings)

These tend to have lower system requirements and should run well on Medium settings:

  1. Stardew Valley (2016) – Smooth gameplay on Medium-High settings.
  2. Undertale (2015) – Very low requirements, easily playable.
  3. Terraria (2011) – Runs smoothly on High settings.
  4. Hollow Knight (2017) – Playable at Medium settings.
  5. Celeste (2018) – Runs on Medium settings, with occasional performance drops.

Light Esports Titles (Low Settings)

These are optimized for lower-end systems but still require Low settings on the 740M:

  1. League of Legends – Playable at Low settings with reduced effects.
  2. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO) – Low settings, 720p for smooth FPS.
  3. Dota 2 – Playable at Low settings.
  4. Rocket League – Low settings, 720p for a playable experience.
  5. Team Fortress 2 – Runs well on Low-Medium settings.

Older Open-World Titles (Low Settings)

For more complex open-world games, settings need to be set to the lowest with 720p resolution:

  1. GTA V (2015) – Possible to play at very Low settings, but expect low FPS.
  2. Fallout: New Vegas (2010) – Playable on Low-Medium settings.
  3. The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings (2011) – Runs on Low settings.
  4. Red Faction: Guerrilla (2009) – Playable at Low settings.
  5. Just Cause 2 (2010) – Runs on Low settings.

The NVIDIA GeForce 740M can manage these games, especially if settings are adjusted to balance quality and performance. If gaming is a priority, however, upgrading to a more recent GPU will offer a much smoother and more enjoyable experience.

Read: What is the Use of a Graphics Card in a Laptop Besides Playing Games on it?

Conclusion

In 2024, the NVIDIA GeForce 740M is far from ideal for gaming. While it might handle older or lighter games at low settings, it’s simply too underpowered to keep up with the demands of modern gaming. The lack of driver updates and limited performance means it’s more suited for multimedia tasks and very light gaming.

If gaming is your priority, upgrading to a newer GPU, even one that’s a few generations old, will provide a vastly improved experience. While the 740M has had a solid run, gaming in 2024 requires more power, memory, and driver support than it can deliver.