NVIDIA released its leading GeForce GTX 260 graphics card on June 16th, 2008. The card supports DirectX 11.1 and has been developed using the 65 nm production methods and the GT200 graphics adapter in its G200-100-A2 model. It implements DirectX 11 but only has a functionality grade of 10_ 0, making it very difficult to use with several DirectX 11 and DirectX 12 programs. With 1,500 million transistors and a die surface of 576 mm2, the GT200 visual effects processor is a substantial device. NVIDIA has disabled specific rendering devices on the GeForce GTX 260 to acquire the package’s minimum shader ratio compared to the wholly released GeForce GTX 280, which utilizes the comparable GPU but also has all 245 shaders accessible.
It has 65 texture mapping modules, 28 ROPs, and 192 shading modules. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 and NVIDIA’s 896 MB GDDR3 storage are linked with a 448-bit data connector. Memory performs at 999 MHz, whereas the GPU works at 576 MHz.
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 has two slots and requires two 6-pin power ports, with a peak power demand of 182 W. Two DVI and one S-Video output are supplied for monitors. A PCI-Express 2.0 x16 connection is being used to interconnect the GeForce GTX 260 to the remaining portion of the devices. The card has a dual-slot cooling effect and a diameter of 267 mm. Most probably, you know that at the time of its release, it was priced at $449.
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Key Features of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260
It is reasonable to guess that GTX 260s are indeed being created from GT200 cores that have a few minor issues since the GTX 260 uses the same GT200 transistor as the GTX 280. The remainder of the microprocessor could still be operated without difficulties by disconnecting the troublesome section. It gives nVidia, offers potential from other more wasted chips, and gives us more affordable cards with equal performance. Observing how GT200 is constructed only involves facilitating this viewpoint.
The processing and texturing units on the chip are divided into separate sections; each one operates relatively individually. Consequently, it would not be too tough to deactivate the linked texturing modules and ROPs if there is indeed an issue with a few of the computing core parts, for instance, the top left side.
The current look of Nvidia’s card layouts is one that we prefer. The GeForce 8800 GTX, with its black PCB, enhances the overall, and the gunmetal PCI bracket initiates it all. Then over the previous year, it has already been maintained and even advanced, becoming the GTX 280, your top graphics card till present. Consequently, it’s comforting to find that now the GTX 260 is the latter card’s actual representation.
The shroud is formed of the same all-encompassing black polymer coating that supports the card’s front and channels air over the heatsink. The device’s backside has a black-painted metal frame that functions as a heatsink and covers the sensitive hardware from damage caused by scratches or electrical disturbances.
Nvidia GeForce GTX 260 Fan Control
The fan is as excellent as always, practically silent whenever running PC activities and therefore only turning up when necessary, and even that varies on temperature. At even full speed, the sound it emits is noticeable but not loud enough to wake up the neighbors. Furthermore, it is a wonderful method for removing heat from the device instead of permitting a concentration of warm air within.
Regarding temperature, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 performs considerably better than the GTX 280 while under stress, which is not surprising given the lesser speed rate and much less active principles.
Even though it’s hard to determine the GTX 260 sips power, its decreased power consumption, as well as when inactive or under overpressure, is also represented in its reduced heat production. On a conscious plane, the GTX 260 has a few minor defects and is ultimately a fantastic card.
Additional Information About Nvidia GeForce GTX 260
When Nvidia released the 8800 GTS, a card that featured the same processor as a much more pricey version but now with many of its abilities deactivated, Nvidia was capable of lowering the card’s total length. With the GTX 260, it hasn’t occurred. The GTX 260 is just as wide as the GTX 280 at 270mm; however, before anyone purchases, make damn sure you have quite enough space. You may well have problems integrating this card among most small PC models.
We’re also disappointed to discover that Nvidia has eliminated the power signal LED, which was viewable on the GTX 280’s back of the device. It was a helpful slight tweak that immediately identified if the system had that much power (i.e., all of the wires were appropriately connected). In this much more valuation corner of the industry, it’s apparent because the significantly few additional dollars this might have cost were too worthwhile. Additionally, none of ATI’s rival cards seem to have such functionality.
Its same trio of output alternatives — DVI and one analog—is provided by almost all of today’s high GPUs. The other enables S-Video directly and tends to use the supplied adapter for composite and element output capability. At the same time, the earlier version may provide a virtual audio signal to be used with an HDMI-to-DVI adapter.
Yet again, I’m leaving GPGPU functionality just on the wayside for the future and would instead refocus on what is most essential: gameplay! We’ll return this device to take a closer look when enough GPU-accelerated programming is granted access.
Of course, there is no issue with the testing procedure; we run through the check numerous times to understand that the results are compatible. Our analysis involves a wide range of manual run-throughs and automated time demos. We subsequently provide you with the estimate of the dependable tests.
Conclusion
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 is a respectable card that provides functionality that is nearly as effective as the GTX 280s and at a much more cheap rate. The ATI HD 4870, which prices the same and then runs massively better in the evaluations, is its single drawback. Though there’s not much variation, and both cards will still be excellent, we’d have to conclude that the HD 4870 maintains the excellent recommendation.
