NVIDIA GeForce 6700 XL
NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
NVIDIA GeForce 6700 XL Specifications
GeForce 6700 XL GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The NVIDIA GeForce 6700 XL GPU core specifications define its raw processing power for graphics and compute workloads. Shading units (also called CUDA cores, stream processors, or execution units depending on manufacturer) handle the parallel calculations required for rendering. TMUs (Texture Mapping Units) process texture data, while ROPs (Render Output Units) handle final pixel output. Higher shader counts generally translate to better GPU benchmark performance, especially in demanding games and 3D applications.
6700 XL Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the GeForce 6700 XL's performance in GPU benchmarks and real-world gaming. The base clock represents the minimum guaranteed frequency, while the boost clock indicates peak performance under optimal thermal conditions. Memory clock speed affects texture loading and frame buffer operations. The GeForce 6700 XL by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
NVIDIA's GeForce 6700 XL Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The GeForce 6700 XL's memory capacity determines how well it handles high-resolution textures and multiple displays. Memory bandwidth, measured in GB/s, affects how quickly data moves between the GPU and VRAM. Higher bandwidth improves performance in memory-intensive scenarios like 4K gaming. The memory bus width and type (GDDR6, GDDR6X, HBM) significantly influence overall GPU benchmark scores.
6700 XL Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA GeForce 6700 XL against other graphics cards. FP32 (single-precision) performance, measured in TFLOPS, indicates compute capability for gaming and general GPU workloads. FP64 (double-precision) matters for scientific computing. Pixel and texture fill rates determine how quickly the GPU can render complex scenes. While real-world GPU benchmark results depend on many factors, these specifications help predict relative performance levels.
Curie Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The NVIDIA GeForce 6700 XL is built on NVIDIA's Curie architecture, which defines how the GPU processes graphics and compute workloads. The manufacturing process node affects power efficiency, thermal characteristics, and maximum clock speeds. Smaller process nodes pack more transistors into the same die area, enabling higher performance per watt. Understanding the architecture helps predict how the 6700 XL will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
NVIDIA's GeForce 6700 XL Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the NVIDIA GeForce 6700 XL determine PSU requirements and thermal management needs. TDP (Thermal Design Power) indicates the heat output under typical loads, guiding cooler selection. Power connector requirements ensure adequate power delivery for stable operation during demanding GPU benchmarks. The suggested PSU wattage accounts for the entire system, not just the graphics card. Efficient power delivery enables the GeForce 6700 XL to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
GeForce 6700 XL by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA GeForce 6700 XL are critical for case compatibility. Card length, height, and slot width determine whether it fits in your chassis. The PCIe interface version affects bandwidth for communication with the CPU. Display outputs define monitor connectivity options, with modern cards supporting multiple high-resolution displays simultaneously. Verify these specifications against your case and motherboard before purchasing to ensure a proper fit.
NVIDIA API Support
Graphics and compute APIs
API support determines which games and applications can fully utilize the NVIDIA GeForce 6700 XL. DirectX 12 Ultimate enables advanced features like ray tracing and variable rate shading. Vulkan provides cross-platform graphics capabilities with low-level hardware access. OpenGL remains important for professional applications and older games. CUDA (NVIDIA) and OpenCL enable GPU compute for video editing, 3D rendering, and scientific applications. Higher API versions unlock newer graphical features in GPU benchmarks and games.
GeForce 6700 XL Product Information
Release and pricing details
The NVIDIA GeForce 6700 XL is manufactured by NVIDIA as part of their graphics card lineup. Release date and launch pricing provide context for comparing GPU benchmark results with competing products from the same era. Understanding the product lifecycle helps evaluate whether the GeForce 6700 XL by NVIDIA represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
GeForce 6700 XL Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this GPU.
About NVIDIA GeForce 6700 XL
The NVIDIA GeForce 6700 XL, positioned in the mid-range segment upon its November 2004 launch, was engineered to deliver a balanced gaming experience for its era. Utilizing the Curie architecture on a 110nm process, this card leveraged PCI Express 1.0 x16 to provide a substantial bandwidth increase over older AGP platforms. Its 128 MB of GDDR3 memory, while standard for the time, offered sufficient capacity for contemporary titles at resolutions like 1024x768 or 1280x1024. However, one must question how effectively this configuration managed the increasingly complex shader models and texture demands of games later in its lifecycle. The architectural choices made for this GPU, specifically the GeForce 6700 XL from NVIDIA, were clearly aimed at a cost-sensitive performance market. Its release timing placed it in direct competition with ATI's Radeon X700 series, creating a fierce battle for the enthusiast's dollar. Ultimately, the performance envelope of this product was defined by a specific period in PC gaming history.
When evaluating performance highlights, the capabilities of the NVIDIA GeForce 6700 XL appear firmly rooted in the technological context of 2004. Frame rates for DirectX 9.0c titles were acceptable at mainstream resolutions, though high-detail settings often required compromise. Technologies like ray tracing and AI-upscaling equivalents such as DLSS or FSR were non-existent for this generation, fundamentally limiting its visual fidelity by modern standards. The 128 MB VRAM capacity and its associated bandwidth became a primary bottleneck as texture sizes increased, raising questions about its longevity for future software. Thermal performance was typically managed by a single-slot active cooler, a design that may invite scrutiny regarding noise levels and sustained boost clocks under load. For the GeForce 6700 XL, optimal use cases were decidedly period-specific, excelling in games like Half-Life 2 and Far Cry but struggling with later, more demanding releases. This delineates a clear product lifecycle, where the 6700 XL served its purpose before rapid architectural advancements rendered it obsolete.
A deeper analysis of its specifications reveals several points for technical discussion. The use of a 110nm fabrication process, while standard for Curie-based GPUs, carried implications for power efficiency and thermal output compared to subsequent node shrinks. The PCIe 1.0 x16 interface, though forward-looking, provided more than enough bandwidth for this GPU's capabilities, leaving one to ponder if the interface was future-proofed more than the core silicon itself. The memory subsystem, comprising 128 MB of GDDR3, was a defining characteristic of NVIDIA's GeForce 6700 XL. We can itemize its key hardware considerations as follows:
- The Curie architecture's shader model 3.0 support was a key marketing advantage over prior generations.
- The 128 MB memory buffer was a minimum viable spec for new game releases even at its launch.
- PCI Express adoption was a strategic move, but did platform transition costs limit its market penetration?
- The single-slot cooling solution prioritized system compatibility over acoustic performance.
- As a product from NVIDIA, the GeForce 6700 XL's value proposition relied heavily on driver support and feature sets like PureVideo.
In conclusion, the legacy of this graphics card is that of a transitional product. It served users moving from AGP to PCI Express and from DirectX 9.0b to 9.0c, but its technological ceiling was quickly reached. The absence of modern features like hardware-accelerated ray tracing or AI frame generation starkly contrasts with today's GPUs, highlighting two decades of rapid innovation. For corporate evaluators, the product cycle of the NVIDIA GeForce 6700 XL offers a case study in mid-range GPU planning and lifecycle management. It prompts questions about balancing immediate performance targets with the accelerating pace of software demands. Ultimately, the GeForce 6700 XL stands as a definitive artifact of its generation, a reminder of the specific challenges and solutions that defined mid-2000s PC hardware.
The AMD Equivalent of GeForce 6700 XL
Looking for a similar graphics card from AMD? The AMD Radeon RX 480 offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.
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