GEFORCE

NVIDIA GeForce 8300 GS

NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores

128 MB
VRAM
MHz Boost
40W
TDP
64
Bus Width

At a Glance

NVIDIA
VRAM 128 MB
Shaders 8
Bus Width 64-bit
TDP 40W
Memory Type DDR2
Architecture Tesla
nm
Process 80 nm
Released Apr 2007

NVIDIA GeForce 8300 GS Specifications

GeForce 8300 GS GPU Core

Shader units and compute resources

The NVIDIA GeForce 8300 GS 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.

Shading Units
8
Shaders
8
TMUs
8
ROPs
4
SM Count
1

8300 GS Clock Speeds

GPU and memory frequencies

Clock speeds directly impact the GeForce 8300 GS'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 8300 GS by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.

GPU Clock
459 MHz
Memory Clock
400 MHz 800 Mbps effective
Shader Clock
918 MHz
GDDR GDDR 6X 6X

NVIDIA's GeForce 8300 GS Memory

VRAM capacity and bandwidth

VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The GeForce 8300 GS'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
128 MB
VRAM
128 MB
Memory Type
DDR2
VRAM Type
DDR2
Memory Bus
64 bit
Bus Width
64-bit
Bandwidth
6.400 GB/s

GeForce 8300 GS by NVIDIA Cache

On-chip cache hierarchy

On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the 8300 GS, reducing the need to fetch data from slower VRAM. L1 and L2 caches store frequently accessed data close to the compute units. AMD's Infinity Cache (L3) dramatically increases effective bandwidth, improving GPU benchmark performance without requiring wider memory buses. Larger cache sizes help maintain high frame rates in memory-bound scenarios and reduce power consumption by minimizing VRAM accesses.

L2 Cache
16 KB

8300 GS Theoretical Performance

Compute and fill rates

Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA GeForce 8300 GS 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.

FP32 (Float)
14.69 GFLOPS
Pixel Rate
1.836 GPixel/s
Texture Rate
3.672 GTexel/s

Tesla Architecture & Process

Manufacturing and design details

The NVIDIA GeForce 8300 GS is built on NVIDIA's Tesla 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 8300 GS will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.

Architecture
Tesla
GPU Name
G86S
Process Node
80 nm
Foundry
TSMC
Transistors
210 million
Die Size
127 mm²
Density
1.7M / mm²

NVIDIA's GeForce 8300 GS Power & Thermal

TDP and power requirements

Power specifications for the NVIDIA GeForce 8300 GS 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 8300 GS to maintain boost clocks without throttling.

TDP
40 W
TDP
40W
Power Connectors
None
Suggested PSU
200 W

GeForce 8300 GS by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity

Dimensions and outputs

Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA GeForce 8300 GS 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
Single-slot
Bus Interface
PCIe 1.0 x16
Display Outputs
1x DVI1x VGA1x S-Video
Display Outputs
1x DVI1x VGA1x S-Video

NVIDIA API Support

Graphics and compute APIs

API support determines which games and applications can fully utilize the NVIDIA GeForce 8300 GS. 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
11.1 (10_0)
DirectX
11.1 (10_0)
OpenGL
3.3
OpenGL
3.3
OpenCL
1.1
CUDA
1.1
CUDA SDK
6.5
Shader Model
4.0

GeForce 8300 GS Product Information

Release and pricing details

The NVIDIA GeForce 8300 GS 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 8300 GS 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 2007
Production
End-of-life
Predecessor
GeForce 7 PCIe
Successor
GeForce 9

GeForce 8300 GS Benchmark Scores

No benchmark data available for this GPU.

About NVIDIA GeForce 8300 GS

The NVIDIA GeForce 8300 GS is an entry-level graphics card from the GeForce 8 generation, built on the Tesla architecture using an 80 nm process at TSMC. It packs 210 million transistors on a 127 mm² die. The card is end-of-life, having been released in April 2007 as a successor to the GeForce 7 PCIe line and predecessor to the GeForce 9 series. This analysis focuses strictly on the provided technical data, positioning the card within its historical context.

Benchmark Performance

The FACT PACK provides no synthetic benchmark scores for the 8300 GS, and its `avgBenchmarkScore` is listed as 0. Its percentile rank among all GPUs is the 50th percentile, which is a purely positional marker rather than a performance indicator. Without a `nearestRivals` list or any benchmark entries, there are no exact percentage deltas to cite against competing products.

What the data does reveal is a raw compute foundation that is modest even by the standards of its era. The card delivers 14.69 GFLOPS of FP32 performance. This figure is derived from its 8 shading units operating at the given clocks. The pixel fill rate is 1.836 GPixel/s, and the texture fill rate is 3.672 GTexel/s. These numbers illustrate a card designed for basic 3D acceleration at low resolutions and detail settings, not for high-refresh or high-fidelity gaming.

The memory subsystem is a significant bottleneck. The 8300 GS has 128 MB of DDR2 memory on a 64-bit bus. Memory speed is 400 MHz, translating to 800 Mbps effective, yielding a bandwidth of 6.400 GB/s. This is a very narrow pipeline. For context, this bandwidth is a fraction of what contemporary cards offered, and the small frame buffer severely limits texture detail and resolution headroom. Benchmark results, if they existed, would likely show the card struggling with anything beyond the lightest of loads.

In the absence of comparative scores, the key takeaway is that the 8300 GS is a baseline product. Its 50th percentile ranking among all GPUs is misleading, as it reflects a dataset skewed by modern cards. The actual data points — 8 TMUs, 4 ROPs, and 8 shading units — place it firmly at the bottom tier of its generation.

Who Should Consider It

Given the hard data, this card is not suited for modern gaming. The 128 MB memory capacity and 6.400 GB/s bandwidth are insufficient for even 720p gaming with medium textures in most titles released after 2007. The 14.69 GFLOPS compute and 1.836 GPixel/s pixel rate mean that any resolution above 1024x768 would likely result in single-digit frame rates in contemporary 3D games.

This card is a candidate only for a legacy system build or a diagnostic tool. It can handle 2D desktop workloads, video playback of era-appropriate codecs, and very old games from the early 2000s at low resolutions. For a Windows XP or early Vista machine used for retro gaming, the 8300 GS can drive a VGA or DVI monitor with basic acceleration. If you need to output to an S-Video television, this card provides that connector natively.

The bus interface is PCIe 1.0 x16, so it will physically fit into any modern PCIe x16 slot, but the card's performance is so limited that it will not benefit from newer bus standards. For practical purposes, this is a card for a collector or for troubleshooting a motherboard with no integrated graphics. It is not a viable solution for any modern workload, including web browsing with hardware acceleration, as the 128 MB buffer will be exhausted quickly.

Ray Tracing and Feature Set

The 8300 GS has no ray tracing cores and no tensor cores. The `rtCores` and `tensorCores` fields are null, confirming a pure rasterization design from the Tesla era. Hardware ray tracing is absent, and any ray-traced effects would be impossible to run at interactive rates.

The feature set is limited by its API support. The card supports DirectX 11.1, but only at the `10_0` feature level. This is a critical distinction. It means the card can run DirectX 11.1 applications, but it will only utilize DirectX 10-level shader models and features. It cannot execute DirectX 11-specific features like tessellation or compute shaders at full capability. OpenGL support is 3.3, which is sufficient for many older titles but not for modern OpenGL applications. Vulkan is not supported, with the field listed as null.

The display outputs are 1x DVI, 1x VGA, and 1x S-Video. This is a legacy configuration. There is no HDMI or DisplayPort, so connecting to a modern monitor requires a DVI-to-HDMI adapter or a VGA connection, which will limit resolution and refresh rate options. The lack of modern display outputs reinforces its status as a product for vintage hardware.

Power and Cooling

Thermal and power characteristics are modest. The card has a TDP of 40 W, which is low by modern standards. It requires no auxiliary power connectors, drawing all its power from the PCIe slot. The suggested PSU rating is 200 W, which is a very low bar, easily met by any modern power supply.

The card is single-slot and requires no additional cooling beyond a basic heatsink and fan. The 80 nm process node contributes to the low heat output. For a builder assembling a retro rig, this card can be powered by nearly any power supply from the era or a modern unit with a PCIe power cable for the motherboard, though the card itself needs no such cable.

The power connector field is listed as "None," which simplifies installation. The 40 W TDP means that even a weak 200 W PSU will have ample headroom. This is one of the few areas where the 8300 GS is forgiving. There are no concerns about airflow, case size, or power delivery. It is a plug-and-play card from a power perspective.

How It Comprises

The FACT PACK lists no nearest rivals and no benchmark scores, so direct percentage comparisons are impossible. The card's position must be inferred from its own specifications.

  • vs. GeForce 7 PCIe (Predecessor): The 8300 GS represents a generational leap in architecture, moving from the GeForce 7 line to the GeForce 8 Tesla design. It supports DirectX 10_0 feature level, while its predecessor was DirectX 9-era. However, the 8300 GS is an entry-level cut of the new architecture. The data shows a 64-bit memory bus and 128 MB of memory, which are entry-level specs. The predecessor, depending on the specific model, may have had a wider bus or more memory. The 8300 GS wins on API support but may not be decisively faster in raw fill rate. The 14.69 GFLOPS FP32 output is the sole compute metric available.
  • vs. GeForce 9 (Successor): The GeForce 9 series, which replaced the 8300 GS, offers a clear upgrade path. The 8300 GS sits below it in the product stack. The successor would have higher transistor counts, more shading units, and likely a wider memory interface. The 8300 GS's 6.400 GB/s bandwidth and 1.836 GPixel/s pixel rate are figures that the GeForce 9 entry-level cards would surpass. The 8300 GS is the lower-performing product, but it is also the older one. The 50th percentile rank is a static data point, but the successor would likely rank higher.
  • vs. All Other GPUs (General): At the 50th percentile, the 8300 GS sits in the median of all GPUs in the database. This is a statistical artifact of a dataset that includes many low-end and legacy cards. The hardware itself — 8 shading units and 4 ROPs — is at the absolute minimum for a discrete GPU. Any modern integrated graphics solution from the last decade would outperform it in raw compute and memory bandwidth. The 8300 GS is only relevant in a vacuum of legacy software.

FAQ

Q: Can the GeForce 8300 GS run modern games?

A: No. The 128 MB memory size and 6.400 GB/s bandwidth are insufficient for modern game assets. The 14.69 GFLOPS FP32 compute is thousands of times lower than modern cards, and the DirectX 11.1 (10_0) feature level restricts it to DirectX 10-era effects.

Q: Does the 8300 GS support ray tracing?

A: No. The card has no ray tracing cores (`rtCores` is null) and no tensor cores (`tensorCores` is null). It is a rasterization-only design from the Tesla architecture.

Q: What is the maximum power draw of this card?

A: The TDP is 40 W. It uses no auxiliary power connectors and is recommended for a 200 W PSU. It draws all power from the PCIe 1.0 x16 slot.

Q: What display outputs are available?

A: The card has 1x DVI, 1x VGA, and 1x S-Video. There is no HDMI or DisplayPort, so adapters are required for those connection types.

Q: Is the 8300 GS faster than its predecessor, GeForce 7 PCIe?

A: The 8300 GS uses a newer architecture (Tesla vs. GeForce 7) and supports DirectX 10_0, which the predecessor does not. However, no benchmark scores or percentage deltas are provided for a direct performance comparison.

Q: What is the memory clock speed of the 8300 GS?

A: The memory clock is 400 MHz, which runs at 800 Mbps effective. This is DDR2 memory on a 64-bit bus, yielding 6.400 GB/s of bandwidth.

The AMD Equivalent of GeForce 8300 GS

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

View Specs Compare

Popular NVIDIA GeForce 8300 GS Comparisons

See how the GeForce 8300 GS stacks up against similar graphics cards from the same generation and competing brands.

Compare GeForce 8300 GS with Other GPUs

Select another GPU to compare specifications and benchmarks side-by-side.

Browse GPUs