NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GS

The NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GS is an end-of-life graphics card built on the Curie architecture, specifically the G72 chip manufactured on a 90 nm process at TSMC. It contains 112 million transistors on an 81 mm² die, resulting in a transistor density of 1.4M per mm². The card is equipped with 4 texture mapping units and 2 render output units, and it pairs with 256 MB of DDR2 memory across a 64-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 4.256 GB/s. Released in January 2006, it holds the 50th percentile in the database's all-GPU ranking, though its recorded average benchmark score is zero due to a lack of submitted tests. The card outputs via 1x DVI, 1x VGA, and 1x S-Video, and it connects through a PCIe 1.0 x16 interface. This analysis interprets the card's raw throughput numbers, feature set, and power requirements, acknowledging the absence of direct rival data.

Benchmark Performance

The data shows a card defined by its fill-rate capabilities rather than raw shader throughput. With 4 TMUs and 2 ROPs, the 7300 GS achieves a pixel rate of 900.0 MPixel/s and a texture rate of 1.800 GTexel/s. These figures represent the maximum rate at which the card can write pixels and sample textures. In a fill-rate-bound scenario, a 900.0 MPixel/s pixel rate implies a ceiling for how many pixels can be processed per second, which directly impacts the achievable resolution and detail settings. The texture rate of 1.800 GTexel/s, meanwhile, suggests that the card can handle basic texture mapping without immediate bottlenecking, but the 64-bit memory bus and 4.256 GB/s bandwidth will likely throttle sustained throughput.

The absence of any benchmark scores in the fact pack means the average score is zero, and the nearestRivals array is empty. Consequently, no percentage deltas against competing GPUs can be computed. The only comparative metric available is the 50th percentile standing among all GPUs in the database. This median position indicates that, within the historical catalog, the 7300 GS sits at the midpoint of performance. However, without rival scores, it is impossible to state whether it is 10% ahead or 20% behind a specific competitor. The raw numbers suggest a modest performer, likely suitable for the era's entry-level DirectX 9 titles at low to medium settings. The pixel rate and texture rate are consistent with a card that prioritizes basic rasterization over complex shading.

Ray Tracing and Feature Set

The fact pack lists no RT cores and no tensor cores for the 7300 GS. This is consistent with the Curie architecture, which predates hardware ray tracing and tensor acceleration. The card supports DirectX 9.0c (specifically the 9_3 feature level) and OpenGL 2.1. Vulkan support is listed as null, meaning the card does not expose a Vulkan driver. For modern games that rely on Vulkan or DirectX 11/12, this card is not viable. The feature set is firmly rooted in the DirectX 9.0c era, limiting it to games and applications that target that API. The lack of tensor cores also precludes any AI-accelerated features such as DLSS, which did not exist at the time. The card's API support, therefore, defines its compatibility envelope: it can run legacy DirectX 9 titles and OpenGL 2.1 applications, but nothing newer. The absence of Vulkan is particularly notable, as it eliminates an entire class of modern cross-platform engines. The data indicates a feature set frozen in the mid-2000s, with no path to modern rendering techniques.

Who Should Consider It

Given the 256 MB DDR2 frame buffer, 64-bit bus, and 4.256 GB/s bandwidth, the 7300 GS is best suited for systems that require basic 2D output or run very old 3D games. The memory capacity and bandwidth are sufficient for low-resolution, low-detail workloads. The pixel rate of 900.0 MPixel/s and texture rate of 1.800 GTexel/s suggest that at low resolutions and low settings, the card can render simple scenes without excessive stutter. However, the 4.256 GB/s bandwidth is a severe constraint for texture-heavy scenes or any game that streams high-resolution textures. The card is not designed for high resolutions or high settings; its 256 MB VRAM will overflow quickly. The 50th percentile ranking implies it is an average performer in the database, but that average is skewed by the inclusion of many older cards. Users with a 200 W PSU and a PCIe 1.0 x16 slot could install this card, but they should temper expectations to legacy software. The display outputs—1x DVI, 1x VGA, and 1x S-Video—indicate a focus on CRT or early LCD monitors, further reinforcing its vintage positioning.

How It Compares

The fact pack's nearestRivals array is empty, so no direct rival comparisons with percentage deltas can be made. The database does not list any competing GPUs for this card, meaning the analysis must rely on absolute specifications and the overall percentile. The 7300 GS is a successor to the GeForce 6 PCIe series and a predecessor to the GeForce 8 series, but no specifications for those families are provided in the pack. Without rival data, the card's position in the market can only be inferred from its own metrics. The 50th percentile is the sole comparative anchor, placing it at the median of the database's historical GPU performance distribution. This is a neutral standing, but it does not illuminate how it stacks against specific contemporaries. The lack of rival entries in the fact pack is a notable gap, as it prevents a nuanced competitive analysis. The data simply shows a card that sits in the middle of the historical pack, with no measured opponents to benchmark against.

FAQ

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of the NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GS?

A: The card has a memory bandwidth of 4.256 GB/s, achieved via a 64-bit bus and 256 MB of DDR2 memory.

Q: What power supply is recommended for the 7300 GS?

A: The suggested PSU is 200 W, and the card has a TDP of 23 W. It requires no external power connectors.

Q: Does the 7300 GS support Vulkan?

A: No, the fact pack lists Vulkan support as null. It supports DirectX 9.0c (9_3) and OpenGL 2.1 only.

Q: How many texture mapping units and ROPs does the card have?

A: It has 4 TMUs and 2 ROPs, which produce a texture rate of 1.800 GTexel/s and a pixel rate of 900.0 MPixel/s.

Q: What is the process node and transistor count?

A: The card is manufactured on a 90 nm process at TSMC, with 112 million transistors on an 81 mm² die.

Q: What is the memory clock speed?

A: The memory clock is 266 MHz, with an effective data rate of 532 Mbps.

Power and Cooling

The 7300 GS has a TDP of 23 W, which is exceptionally low. This low power draw means the card can be powered entirely by the PCIe 1.0 x16 slot, and the fact pack confirms that no power connectors are required. The suggested PSU is 200 W, a modest recommendation that aligns with the card's low consumption. The card is a single-slot design, making it easy to install in compact cases. The fact pack does not provide length, height, or width dimensions, so physical clearance cannot be assessed. However, the single-slot form factor and lack of power connectors simplify installation. The 23 W TDP also means cooling is straightforward; a passive or small fan solution would suffice, though the pack does not specify the cooler type. The low power envelope is a defining characteristic, allowing integration into pre-existing systems without PSU upgrades, provided the system already has a 200 W unit.

Memory Subsystem

The memory subsystem of the 7300 GS consists of 256 MB of DDR2 memory on a 64-bit bus. The memory clock runs at 266 MHz, with an effective data rate of 532 Mbps, yielding a bandwidth of 4.256 GB/s. This bandwidth is a critical bottleneck for the card. A 64-bit bus halves the data path compared to wider buses, and the DDR2 memory at 266 MHz is not high-speed. For high resolutions, the 256 MB frame buffer is a severe limitation; modern textures exceed this capacity, causing the card to thrash. The 4.256 GB/s bandwidth limits the rate at which textures and geometry can be streamed from memory to the GPU. In practice, this means the card will struggle with any workload that requires high memory throughput. The pixel rate of 900.0 MPixel/s and texture rate of 1.800 GTexel/s are dependent on this memory bandwidth; if the memory cannot feed the ROPs and TMUs fast enough, the card will stall. For users targeting high resolutions, this memory subsystem is the primary constraint, making the card unsuitable for anything beyond basic 2D or very old 3D applications. The effective data rate of 532 Mbps, while a product of the 266 MHz clock, does not compensate for the narrow bus width.