GEFORCE

NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GTO

NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores

256 MB
VRAM
MHz Boost
TDP
256
Bus Width

NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GTO Specifications

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GeForce 6800 GTO GPU Core

Shader units and compute resources

The NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GTO 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.

TMUs
12
ROPs
12
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6800 GTO Clock Speeds

GPU and memory frequencies

Clock speeds directly impact the GeForce 6800 GTO'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 6800 GTO by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.

GPU Clock
350 MHz
Memory Clock
500 MHz 1000 Mbps effective
GDDR GDDR 6X 6X

NVIDIA's GeForce 6800 GTO Memory

VRAM capacity and bandwidth

VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The GeForce 6800 GTO'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.

Memory Size
256 MB
VRAM
256 MB
Memory Type
GDDR3
VRAM Type
GDDR3
Memory Bus
256 bit
Bus Width
256-bit
Bandwidth
32.00 GB/s
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6800 GTO Theoretical Performance

Compute and fill rates

Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GTO 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.

Pixel Rate
4.200 GPixel/s
Texture Rate
4.200 GTexel/s
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Curie Architecture & Process

Manufacturing and design details

The NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GTO 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 6800 GTO will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.

Architecture
Curie
GPU Name
NV45
Process Node
130 nm
Foundry
TSMC
Transistors
222 million
Die Size
287 mm²
Density
773.5K / mm²
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NVIDIA's GeForce 6800 GTO Power & Thermal

TDP and power requirements

Power specifications for the NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GTO 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 6800 GTO to maintain boost clocks without throttling.

Power Connectors
1x 6-pin
Suggested PSU
200 W
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GeForce 6800 GTO by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity

Dimensions and outputs

Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GTO 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.

Slot Width
Dual-slot
Bus Interface
PCIe 1.0 x16
Display Outputs
2x DVI
Display Outputs
2x DVI
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NVIDIA API Support

Graphics and compute APIs

API support determines which games and applications can fully utilize the NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GTO. 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.

DirectX
9.0c (9_3)
DirectX
9.0c (9_3)
OpenGL
2.0 (full) 2.1 (partial)
OpenGL
2.0 (full) 2.1 (partial)
Shader Model
3.0
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GeForce 6800 GTO Product Information

Release and pricing details

The NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GTO 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 6800 GTO by NVIDIA represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.

Manufacturer
NVIDIA
Release Date
Apr 2004
Production
End-of-life
Predecessor
GeForce PCX
Successor
GeForce 7 PCIe

GeForce 6800 GTO Benchmark Scores

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No benchmark data available for this GPU.

About NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GTO

When investigating the NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GTO for a potential retro or legacy workstation build, its position in the landscape is defined by the transitional Curie architecture. Released in 2004, this card was built on a 130 nm process and equipped with 256 MB of GDDR3 memory, specs that were respectable for tackling professional 2D applications and light 3D viewport modeling of that era. For compute performance, it's crucial to temper expectations; the GTO was not a dedicated compute card and its Shader Model 3.0 support, while forward-looking for games, offered limited utility for GPGPU tasks compared to modern alternatives. Its suitability for content creation was similarly confined to its time, capable of accelerating basic photo editing and CAD work but quickly overwhelmed by complex scenes or high-resolution textures. Driver support from NVIDIA has long been ended for this series, posing a significant stability risk with modern operating systems and creative software. The PCIe 1.0 x16 interface, while functional, becomes a severe bottleneck for any data-intensive workflows by today's standards, cementing this card's role as a historical artifact rather than a practical tool.

  • Architecture & Process: Curie architecture on a 130 nm manufacturing node.
  • Memory Configuration: 256 MB of GDDR3 VRAM.
  • Interface: PCI Express 1.0 x16 bus.
  • Driver Status: Legacy driver support only, unsuitable for modern OS stability.
  • Compute Profile: Lacks dedicated compute features, focused on fixed-function and early shader pipelines.
  • Multi-GPU: Could utilize Scalable Link Interface (SLI), but driver and application support is now non-existent.

Delving into multi-GPU considerations, this graphics processor could theoretically be paired via NVIDIA's SLI technology, but this path is fraught with insurmountable issues for any serious workstation use today. The required driver profiles and application support for SLI in professional software were never widespread and are now completely obsolete, making a dual-card configuration more of a curiosity than a performance booster. For any content creation task, the severe limitations of 256 MB of frame buffer would be immediately apparent, causing constant texture swapping and crippling performance in even moderately complex projects. Evaluating the GeForce 6800 GTO against period competitors like the ATI Radeon X800 series highlights its positioning as a modified gaming card, not a workstation-focused solution like a Quadro. In a modern context, this card's value lies purely in nostalgia or as a component for restoring a period-accurate system, not for any meaningful computational workload. Its legacy is that of a capable gaming card for its day, but the "GTO" moniker doesn't translate to proficiency in the demanding, precision-driven environment of content creation.

The AMD Equivalent of GeForce 6800 GTO

Looking for a similar graphics card from AMD? The AMD Radeon RX 480 offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.

AMD Radeon RX 480

AMD • 8 GB VRAM

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