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MSI GeForce GTX 780 Review | 118 Data compared

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  • Avg. price: ~£560
  • VRAM: 3 GB
  • Memory bus width: 384 bit
  • Thermal Design Power (TDP): 250 W

MSI GeForce GTX 780 review. Compare 118 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among graphics cards and if it is worth buying.

4.0

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the graphics card's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best graphics cards on the market.

Score components:

90.0%

4.0

Technical Score

10.0%

?

User score

Poor
4.0

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the graphics card's technical performance, covering key areas such as gaming and rendering performance, ray tracing, memory configuration, power efficiency, cooling, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare graphics cards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

44.0%

2.5

Performance

24.0%

3.7

Memory

12.0%

6.5

Power & Cooling

11.0%

5.1

Platform & Features

5.0%

7.8

Design

4.0%

6.6

Connectivity & Media

Poor
?

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

?

User reviews

30.0%

?

Popularity

  • 6.3
    Gaming

    Score components:

    45.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    1.3

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 5.6
    Video editing

    Score components:

    35.0%

    7.0

    AV1 encode

    30.0%

    1.3

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    15.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 6.3
    1080p

    Score components:

    55.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    1.3

    VRAM

    10.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 6.0
    1440p

    Score components:

    50.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    30.0%

    1.3

    VRAM

    15.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 5.6
    4K

    Score components:

    40.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    35.0%

    1.3

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • No image
No image

Best prices in UK

    N/A~ £560

Best rankings

?

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The MSI GeForce GTX 780 is a high-performance graphics card built on the 28nm GK110 Kepler architecture, featuring 2,304 CUDA cores, 192 texture mapping units, and 3GB of GDDR5 memory on a wide 384-bit interface. Designed for enthusiasts, MSI’s Gaming variant typically includes the Twin Frozr IV cooling system with dual 10cm fans and 'Military Class 4' components for enhanced durability. Key advantages include its significant factory overclocking (reaching up to 1006 MHz boost), quiet operation under load, and strong thermal performance that keeps the GPU around 65-77°C. However, it suffers from a high power draw of 250W requiring at least a 600W PSU, and its aging architecture lacks support for modern features like Ray Tracing, DLSS, and full DirectX 12 hardware compatibility.

Technical Specifications of MSI GeForce GTX 780

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the graphics card's technical performance, covering key areas such as gaming and rendering performance, ray tracing, memory configuration, power efficiency, cooling, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare graphics cards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

44.0%

?

Performance

24.0%

?

Memory

12.0%

?

Power & Cooling

11.0%

?

Platform & Features

5.0%

?

Design

4.0%

?

Connectivity & Media

4.0
MSI GeForce GTX 780 has a technical score of 3.99 points, which is lower than that of 89.7% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

0.0

User reviews

30.0%

1.0

Popularity

?
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the graphics card.
When it matters: When you prefer a graphics card that has already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
1.0
MSI GeForce GTX 780 has a popularity of 1 points, which is lower than 55.9% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the graphics card's overall rating with its cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for a graphics card that offers a strong balance of performance, features, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

4.0

Overall score

40.0%

7.6

Price

5.1
MSI GeForce GTX 780 has a quality-to-price ratio of 5.1 points, which is lower than 95.9% of products in this category.
3DMark Time Spy benchmark score
What it is: Benchmark result from 3DMark Time Spy, a synthetic DirectX 12 test often used as a quick gaming-performance reference.
When it matters: When you need a fast rough performance sort before digging into game-specific reviews and frame-rate data.

Importance: LOW

?
3DMark Port Royal score
What it is: Benchmark result from 3DMark Port Royal, a synthetic test focused on ray tracing performance.
When it matters: When ray tracing matters in the games you actually play and you want one quick way to separate stronger and weaker RT cards.

Importance: LOW

N/A
PassMark (G3D) result
What it is: Overall GPU performance score in PassMark G3D benchmark
When it matters: When you need one broad score to sort cards into rough performance tiers.

Importance: LOW

?
PassMark (DirectCompute) result
What it is: PassMark score for DirectCompute performance tests
When it matters: When compute workloads matter alongside gaming performance.

Importance: LOW

3,997 points
MSI GeForce GTX 780 scores 3997 points in PassMark DirectCompute, which is lower than 54.8% of graphics cards.
Floating-point performance
What it is: Theoretical floating-point compute performance of the GPU.
When it matters: When rendering, AI, or heavy compute work needs strong single-precision throughput.

Importance: LOW

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VRAM
What it is: Total video memory available on the graphics card
When it matters: When you play at high settings, use texture mods, or work with large creative projects.

Importance: HIGH

3 GB
MSI GeForce GTX 780 has 3 GB of VRAM, which is less than 94% of graphics cards and equal to 0.5% of graphics cards.
Memory type
What it is: Type of graphics memory used (GDDR6, HBM2e, etc.)
When it matters: When memory technology is part of the buying decision because it affects bandwidth class, power use, and product positioning.

Importance: LOW

GDDR5
GDDR version
What it is: Generation of GDDR memory used by the graphics card.
When it matters: When you want to separate older memory generations from newer ones before comparing bandwidth, power behavior, and market tier.

Importance: LOW

GDDR5
MSI GeForce GTX 780 uses GDDR5 memory, which is older than on 85% of graphics cards and equal to 13.2% of graphics cards.
Memory bus width
What it is: Width of the memory interface bus in bits
When it matters: When you care about steadier performance at higher resolutions, heavier texture settings, or ray-traced workloads that stress memory traffic.

Importance: HIGH

384 bit
MSI GeForce GTX 780 uses a 384 bit memory bus, which is wider than that of 89.3% of graphics cards and equal to that of 7.3% of graphics cards.
Maximum memory bandwidth
What it is: Maximum data transfer rate between GPU and its memory
When it matters: When 4K gaming, ray tracing, or creator work can choke a slower memory subsystem.

Importance: HIGH

288.4 GB/s
MSI GeForce GTX 780 reaches 288.4 GB/s memory bandwidth, which is lower than that of 69.6% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.1% of graphics cards.
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PCI Express (PCIe) version
What it is: Version of PCI Express interface supported
When it matters: When you are pairing the card with an older motherboard and want to avoid leaving bandwidth or future compatibility on the table.

Importance: LOW

3.0
MSI GeForce GTX 780 supports PCIe 3.0, which is older than on 77.6% of graphics cards and equal to 20.3% of graphics cards.
PCIe lanes
What it is: Number of PCI Express lanes used for communication
When it matters: When limited lane width could bottleneck the card in some systems.

Importance: LOW

x16
MSI GeForce GTX 780 uses x16 PCIe lanes, which is more than 31.5% of graphics cards and equal to 68.6% of graphics cards.
DirectX version
What it is: Highest supported DirectX API version
When it matters: When you play newer Windows games that depend on the latest graphics features.

Importance: LOW

12
MSI GeForce GTX 780 supports DirectX 12, which is older than on 92.7% of graphics cards and equal to 7.1% of graphics cards.
Vulkan version
What it is: Highest supported Vulkan API version
When it matters: When modern games, emulators, or creative apps lean on Vulkan support.

Importance: LOW

1.2
MSI GeForce GTX 780 supports Vulkan 1.2, which is older than on 96% of graphics cards and equal to 2.5% of graphics cards.
OpenGL version
What it is: Highest supported OpenGL API version
When it matters: When older games or pro apps still depend on OpenGL compatibility.

Importance: LOW

4.3
MSI GeForce GTX 780 supports OpenGL 4.3, which is older than on 99.2% of graphics cards and equal to 0.5% of graphics cards.
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Max displays supported
What it is: Total number of external displays supported simultaneously
When it matters: When you run a multi-monitor desk for sim racing, trading, or editing.

Importance: LOW

4
MSI GeForce GTX 780 supports up to 4 displays, which is more than 7.8% of graphics cards and equal to 89.2% of graphics cards.
Max digital resolution
What it is: Maximum supported digital display resolution
When it matters: When you plan to drive 4K or 8K panels at their native resolution.

Importance: LOW

4096x2160
MSI GeForce GTX 780 supports a maximum digital resolution of 4096x2160, which is lower than that of 56.4% of graphics cards and equal to that of 2.4% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort outputs
What it is: Number of DisplayPort video outputs
When it matters: When your setup needs several high-refresh monitors without adapters.

Importance: LOW

1
MSI GeForce GTX 780 offers 1 DisplayPort outputs, which is fewer than 89.5% of graphics cards and equal to 8.6% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort version
What it is: Version of DisplayPort standard supported
When it matters: When your monitor setup depends on newer DisplayPort features for higher refresh rates, higher resolution, or better cable flexibility.

Importance: LOW

1.2
MSI GeForce GTX 780 supports DisplayPort 1.2, which is older than on 93.6% of graphics cards and equal to 4.8% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort link rates
What it is: Supported data link rates for DisplayPort connections
When it matters: When you are pushing high resolution and refresh rate over DisplayPort.

Importance: LOW

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Thermal Design Power (TDP)
What it is: Typical power consumption under full load (TDP)
When it matters: When you need a realistic idea of power draw before choosing a PSU or case.

Importance: MEDIUM

250 W
MSI GeForce GTX 780 has a TDP of 250 W, which is higher than that of 58.4% of graphics cards and equal to that of 6.1% of graphics cards.
Power consumption while under peak load
What it is: Peak power draw of the graphics card under maximum load.
When it matters: When transient-heavy gaming loads could stress your power supply.

Importance: LOW

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Recommended PSU wattage
What it is: Recommended wattage of the system power supply
When it matters: When you are checking whether your current power supply is enough.

Importance: LOW

600 W
MSI GeForce GTX 780 recommends a 600 W PSU, which is lower than that of 55.7% of graphics cards and equal to that of 7.5% of graphics cards.
Board power limit
What it is: Maximum configurable power limit for the GPU board
When it matters: When you care about how far the card can be pushed through tuning or factory power settings.

Importance: LOW

?
PCIe power spec
What it is: PCIe power delivery specification followed
When it matters: When you are checking whether the slot and external cables match the card's intended power-delivery standard.

Importance: LOW

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Size
What it is: Physical size of the GPU card
When it matters: When you need the card to fit a compact case without blocking nearby hardware.

Importance: LOW

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Length
What it is: Physical length of the GPU card
When it matters: When front radiators or drive cages leave only limited GPU clearance.

Importance: LOW

266 mm
MSI GeForce GTX 780 is 266 mm long, which is shorter than 63.5% of graphics cards and equal in length to 0.1% of graphics cards.
Height
What it is: Physical height of the GPU card
When it matters: When side panels, brackets, or tight case layouts reduce vertical clearance.

Importance: LOW

111 mm
MSI GeForce GTX 780 is 111 mm tall, which is shorter than 89.6% of graphics cards and equal in height to 5.6% of graphics cards.
Slot width
What it is: Number of PCIe slots occupied by the card
When it matters: When you need room for another PCIe card or better airflow under the GPU.

Importance: LOW

2 slot/s
MSI GeForce GTX 780 occupies 2 slot/s, which is slimmer than 49.2% of graphics cards and equal in width to 47.3% of graphics cards.
Weight
What it is: Total weight of the graphics card
When it matters: When sag, bracket support, or shipping stress matters in your build.

Importance: LOW

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MSI GeForce GTX 780 vs the average graphics card

  • 128 bit wider memory bus
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has a wider memory bus than the average graphics card (384 bit vs 256 bit). The average graphics card has a memory bus width of 256 bit.
    What it is: Width of the memory interface bus in bits
    When it matters: When you care about steadier performance at higher resolutions, heavier texture settings, or ray-traced workloads that stress memory traffic.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has a wider memory bus than the average graphics card (384 bit vs 256 bit). The average graphics card has a memory bus width of 256 bit.384 bit vs 256 bit
  • 48x larger L2 cache
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has more L2 cache than the average graphics card (1,536 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.
    What it is: Total size of the GPU’s L2 cache memory
    When it matters: When cache size can help the GPU feed data faster in demanding scenes.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has more L2 cache than the average graphics card (1,536 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.1536 MB vs 32 MB
  • 16 mm lower card height
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 is shorter than the average graphics card (111 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.
    What it is: Physical height of the GPU card
    When it matters: When side panels, brackets, or tight case layouts reduce vertical clearance.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 780 is shorter than the average graphics card (111 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.111 mm vs 127 mm
  • 2 more DVI outputs
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (2 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
    What it is: Number of DVI display outputs available
    When it matters: When you still use an older monitor that depends on DVI.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (2 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.2 vs 0
  • 8 °C lower idle temperature
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has a lower idle temperature than the average graphics card (30 °C vs 38 °C). The average graphics card has an idle temperature of 38 °C.
    What it is: GPU temperature measured while the graphics card is idle.
    When it matters: When the system stays on for long periods and you care whether the card runs cool and relaxed outside of gaming sessions.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has a lower idle temperature than the average graphics card (30 °C vs 38 °C). The average graphics card has an idle temperature of 38 °C.30 °C vs 38 °C
  • 7.7% lower PSU requirement
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (600 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.
    What it is: Recommended wattage of the system power supply
    When it matters: When you are checking whether your current power supply is enough.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (600 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.600 W vs 650 W
  • Better FP64 ratio
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has a better FP64 ratio than the average graphics card (1:24 vs 1:64).
    What it is: Ratio of double-precision (FP64) to single-precision (FP32) performance
    When it matters: When you need to know whether FP64 is merely present or genuinely useful.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has a better FP64 ratio than the average graphics card (1:24 vs 1:64).1:24 vs 1:64
  • Supports NVLink
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 supports NVLink, the average graphics card does not.
    What it is: Supports NVIDIA NVLink or bridge connection for multi-GPU setups
    When it matters: When a professional or niche multi-GPU workflow needs a bridge connection.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 780 supports NVLink, the average graphics card does not.
  • Better FP64 ratio
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has a better FP64 ratio than the average graphics card (1:24 vs 1:64).
  • 128 bit wider memory bus
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has a wider memory bus than the average graphics card (384 bit vs 256 bit). The average graphics card has a memory bus width of 256 bit.
  • 48x larger L2 cache
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has more L2 cache than the average graphics card (1,536 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.
  • Supports NVLink
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 supports NVLink, the average graphics card does not.
  • 2 more DVI outputs
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (2 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
  • 8 °C lower idle temperature
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has a lower idle temperature than the average graphics card (30 °C vs 38 °C). The average graphics card has an idle temperature of 38 °C.
  • 7.7% lower PSU requirement
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (600 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.
  • 16 mm lower card height
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 is shorter than the average graphics card (111 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.
  • 19.37 mm shorter card length
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 is shorter than the average graphics card (266 mm vs 285.37 mm). The average graphics card has a length of 285.37 mm.

Total
Performance
Memory
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling
Design
  • 28 fewer compute units
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (12 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
  • 55.1% lower base clock speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (863 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.
  • 55.9% lower texture rate
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (166 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.
  • 16 fewer ROPs
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has fewer ROPs than the average graphics card (48 vs 64). The average graphics card has 64 ROPs.
  • 2,048 fewer FP32 units
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has fewer FP32 units than the average graphics card (2,304 vs 4,352). The average graphics card has 4,352 FP32 units.
  • 9 GB less VRAM
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (3 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
  • 68.4% slower memory speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (6,008 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.
  • 35.6% lower memory bandwidth
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has a lower memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (288.4 GB/s vs 448 GB/s). The average graphics card has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s.
  • 14.2% slower VRAM clock
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has a lower VRAM clock than the average graphics card (1,502 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.
  • 50% smaller L1 cache
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has fewer L1 cache than the average graphics card (64 vs 128). The average graphics card has 128 L1 cache.
  • 5.6x larger process node
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has a higher process node than the average graphics card (28 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.
  • 10 older
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 was released earlier than the average graphics card (2,013 vs 2,023).
  • Older PCIe version
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 supports an older PCIe version than the average graphics card (3 vs 4.0).
  • No XeSS support
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 does not support XeSS, the average graphics card does.
  • No mesh shaders
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 does not support mesh shaders, the average graphics card does.
  • Older Vulkan version
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 supports an older Vulkan version than the average graphics card (1.2 vs 1.4).
  • No DirectStorage support
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 does not support DirectStorage, the average graphics card does.
  • Worse SAM support
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 offers worse SAM support than the average graphics card (no vs yes).
  • Older DirectX version
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 supports an older DirectX version than the average graphics card (12 vs 12 Ultimate).
  • 84.4% larger GPU die
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has a higher GPU die size than the average graphics card (561 mm² vs 304.25 mm²). The average graphics card has a GPU die size of 304.25 mm².
  • No sampler feedback
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 does not support sampler feedback, the average graphics card does.
  • Older OpenGL version
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 supports an older OpenGL version than the average graphics card (4.3 vs 4.6).
  • 100% fewer transistors
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has fewer transistors than the average graphics card (7 million vs 21,900 million). The average graphics card has 21,900 million transistors.
  • 2 fewer DisplayPort outputs
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has fewer DisplayPort outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 3). The average graphics card has 3 DisplayPort outputs.
  • No AV1 encoding
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No AV1 decoding
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 does not support AV1 decoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No DSC support
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 does not support DSC, the average graphics card does.
  • Older HDMI version
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 supports an older HDMI version than the average graphics card (1.4a vs 2.1).
  • Older DisplayPort version
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 supports an older DisplayPort version than the average graphics card (1.2 vs 1.4a).
  • Not VR ready
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 is not VR ready, while the average graphics card is.
  • Older NVDEC generation
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has a lower NVDEC generation than the average graphics card (1 vs 6). The average graphics card offers NVDEC generation 6.
  • Lower display resolution
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 supports a lower maximum digital resolution than the average graphics card (4096x2160 vs 7680x4320). The average graphics card supports a maximum digital resolution of 7680x4320.
  • No fan stop
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 does not support fan stop, the average graphics card does.
  • 16.3% higher TDP
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has a higher TDP than the average graphics card (250 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
  • 6 °C higher load temperature
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has a higher load temperature than the average graphics card (73 °C vs 67 °C). The average graphics card has a load temperature of 67 °C.
  • No backplate
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 does not include a backplate, the average graphics card does.
  • 5.6x larger process node
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has a higher process node than the average graphics card (28 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.
    What it is: Size of the manufacturing process in nanometers
    When it matters: When process node differences may affect power, heat, and overall efficiency.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has a higher process node than the average graphics card (28 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.28 nm vs 5 nm
  • 28 fewer compute units
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (12 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
    What it is: Total number of shader multiprocessors or compute units
    When it matters: When you want a better sense of the GPU's overall parallel hardware resources before relying on game benchmarks alone.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (12 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.12 vs 40
  • 9 GB less VRAM
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (3 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
    What it is: Total video memory available on the graphics card
    When it matters: When you play at high settings, use texture mods, or work with large creative projects.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (3 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.3 GB vs 12 GB
  • 55.1% lower base clock speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (863 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.
    What it is: Base operating frequency of the GPU core under standard conditions
    When it matters: When you want to understand the card's guaranteed starting frequency instead of looking only at optimistic boost figures.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (863 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.863 MHz vs 1920 MHz
  • 68.4% slower memory speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (6,008 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.
    What it is: Effective memory data rate combining clock and bus width
    When it matters: When you compare how quickly each card can push data through its memory subsystem.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (6,008 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.6008 MHz vs 19000 MHz
  • 55.9% lower texture rate
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (166 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.
    What it is: Number of textured pixels the GPU can process per second
    When it matters: When fast texture handling matters in high-refresh gaming workloads.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (166 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.166 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s
  • No fan stop
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 does not support fan stop, the average graphics card does.
    What it is: Fans automatically stop when temperature is low
    When it matters: When the PC spends a lot of time at idle and you care about keeping the desktop quiet during browsing, office work, or video playback.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 780 does not support fan stop, the average graphics card does.No vs yes
  • 2 fewer DisplayPort outputs
    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has fewer DisplayPort outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 3). The average graphics card has 3 DisplayPort outputs.
    What it is: Number of DisplayPort video outputs
    When it matters: When your setup needs several high-refresh monitors without adapters.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 780 has fewer DisplayPort outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 3). The average graphics card has 3 DisplayPort outputs.1 vs 3
Total
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Power & Cooling
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Graphic comparison of MSI GeForce GTX 780 and

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Third-party reviews

What customers like about MSI GeForce GTX 780?

  • Excellent cooling performance from the TwinFrozr cooler, often keeping the card below 75°C under load.
  • Remarkably quiet operation, with fans that are barely audible even when stressed.
  • Strong out-of-the-box overclocking that brings performance close to the flagship GTX Titan for a lower price.
  • Premium build quality featuring a sturdy design, metal reinforcement plate, and high-grade components.
  • Available in a 6GB VRAM variant which provides better longevity for texture-heavy games compared to the standard 3GB model.

What customers dislike about MSI GeForce GTX 780?

  • High power consumption (250W TDP), requiring a high-quality 550W+ power supply.
  • The 3GB VRAM on base models can be a bottleneck for modern titles or high-resolution gaming.
  • Large physical size may cause clearance issues in smaller cases or interfere with SLI configurations due to the stiffness rib.
  • Lack of a full-cover backplate on some models, leaving the PCB exposed.
  • Legacy status means no support for modern features like Ray Tracing, DLSS, or the latest DirectX 12 optimizations.

Expert reviews

G
guru3d.com
19/06/2014
MSI GeForce GTX 780 Gaming OC 6 GB Graphics Card Review TechPowerUp

The Guru3D review details the MSI GeForce GTX 780 Gaming OC 6 GB graphics card, which is a refreshed version of the original GK110-based GPU. A major pro highlighted in the review is its expanded 6 GB GDDR5 framebuffer, providing a vital memory reserve for texture-heavy titles like Watch Dogs and Grand Theft Auto at ultra-quality settings. Performance-wise, the card delivers...Read more

G
guru3d.com
02/07/2013
MSI GeForce GTX 780 GamingGo to product viewer dialogue for this item. review

The Guru3D review highlights the MSI GeForce GTX 780 Gaming Edition (SKU N780 TF 3GD5/OC) as a powerful, 28nm GK110 Kepler-based graphics card featuring 2,304 CUDA cores and 3GB of VRAM. A major pro is its custom TwinFrozr IV dual-fan cooling system, which is rated to dissipate up to 450W of heat. This allows the card to run exceptionally cool at around 60°C under full load while...Read more

T
techpowerup.com
08/07/2013
MSI GTX 780 TwinFrozr Gaming 3 GB Review | TechPowerUp

The TechPowerUp review of the MSI GTX 780 TwinFrozr Gaming 3 GB highlights a quiet, high-performing card based on the NVIDIA GK110 architecture, featuring a factory overclock that delivers 4% higher performance than reference models, closely approaching the GTX Titan's performance. Its TwinFrozr IV cooler effectively manages temperatures to prevent throttling, with the card noted...Read more

G
guru3d.com
19/06/2014
MSI GeForce GTX 780 Gaming OC 6 GB Graphics Card Review | Guru3d

The MSI GeForce GTX 780 Gaming OC 6 GB graphics card utilizes the GK110 GPU architecture, delivering 2304 CUDA cores with a factory-overclocked base core clock of 954 MHz and a 1006 MHz boost clock. The standout feature of this hardware revision is its massive 6 GB of GDDR5 video memory running on a 384-bit interface, doubling the 3 GB capacity found on standard reference models....Read more

O
overclockers.com
18/10/2013
MSI N780 Lightning Video Card Review - Overclockers

The MSI N780 Lightning is identified as a heavily over-engineered, flagship GK110 Kepler GPU designed specifically for extreme overclocking enthusiasts, featuring a 10-layer PCB, 16 phase power delivery, and a robust TriFrozr cooling system that maintains low temperatures despite high factory overclocks. Key features for enthusiasts include an external GPU Reactor for noise...Read more

T
techpowerup.com
26/06/2014
MSI GTX 780 Gaming 6 GB Review | TechPowerUp

The TechPowerUp review of the MSI GTX 780 Gaming 6 GB highlights the card's doubled 6 GB GDDR5 memory, factory-overclocked speeds exceeding the GTX Titan, and the exceptionally quiet Twin Frozr IV cooling system. It demonstrates high power efficiency and superior overclocking potential, making it a robust, albeit specialized, offering in the 28nm GK110 segment. However, the review...Read more

O
overclock3d.net
26/07/2013
MSI GTX780 Gaming Review

The MSI GTX 780 Gaming is praised as a "brutally fast" performer, featuring the efficient Twin Frozr cooler and high factory overclocks that secured it a Gold Award. Its exceptional overclocking headroom and synthetic performance—exceeding even a GTX Titan in 3D Mark Vantage—make it a standout option for enthusiasts. While delivering top-tier performance, the review notes that the...Read more

G
guru3d.com
28/08/2013
MSI GeForce GTX 780 LIGHTNING review - Guru3d

The Guru3D review of the MSI GeForce GTX 780 Lightning highlights a heavily redesigned, enthusiast-grade graphics card built on NVIDIA’s massive 7.1-billion transistor GK110 GPU architecture. Shipped with 3GB of GDDR5 memory on a 384-bit interface, this model features a major factory overclock, pushing the base core clock to 980 MHz and the boost clock to 1033 MHz. The card's...Read more

H
hardwarezone.com.sg
26/09/2013
MSI N780 Lightning GeForce GTX 780 - A Titan in Disguise? | HardwareZone

The MSI N780 Lightning GeForce GTX 780 review by HardwareZone Singapore highlights a heavily overengineered, enthusiast-class graphics card that delivers exceptional, out-of-the-box performance. Equipped with a factory-overclocked core frequency of 980MHz and a robust 20-phase power design, the card successfully rivals the significantly more expensive GeForce GTX Titan. Key...Read more

T
techpowerup.com
30/08/2013
MSI GTX 780 Lightning 3 GB Review | TechPowerUp

The TechPowerUp review of the MSI GTX 780 Lightning 3 GB highlights the card as an heavily over-engineered flagship aimed at extreme overclocking, featuring a substantial 980 MHz core overclock and high-end components like a 16 phase VRM, "Twin BIOS" for LN2, and the TriFrozr cooling solution. Key pros include exceptional power delivery, the "GPU Reactor" for voltage stability, and...Read more

Video reviews

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