NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS
NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
NVIDIANVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS Specifications
GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The NVIDIA GeForce 8400 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.
8400 GS Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the GeForce 8400 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 8400 GS by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
NVIDIA's GeForce 8400 GS Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The GeForce 8400 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.
GeForce 8400 GS by NVIDIA Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the 8400 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.
8400 GS Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA GeForce 8400 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.
Tesla Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The NVIDIA GeForce 8400 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 8400 GS will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the NVIDIA GeForce 8400 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 8400 GS to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
GeForce 8400 GS by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA GeForce 8400 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.
NVIDIA API Support
Graphics and compute APIs
API support determines which games and applications can fully utilize the NVIDIA GeForce 8400 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.
GeForce 8400 GS Product Information
Release and pricing details
The NVIDIA GeForce 8400 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 8400 GS by NVIDIA represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
About NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS
The NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS is an entry-level graphics card from the GeForce 8 generation, built on the Tesla architecture and the G86S chip. Produced by TSMC on an 80 nm process, it integrates 210 million transistors on a 127 mm² die, resulting in a transistor density of 1.7M per mm². The card was released in 2007, positioned as the successor to the GeForce 7 PCIe series and predecessor to the GeForce 9 lineup, and is now end-of-life. This analysis examines its benchmark data, feature set, memory subsystem, and target use cases based strictly on the available specifications.
Benchmark Performance
The benchmark data for the NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS shows an average benchmark score of 0, with a percentile rank of 50 among all GPUs. The nearestRivals array is empty, meaning no direct comparative scores or deltaPct values are available for this product. Consequently, the performance analysis relies on the card’s raw compute metrics rather than head-to-head rival comparisons.
The shading unit count is 16, paired with 8 texture mapping units (TMUs) and 4 render output units (ROPs). These resources yield a pixel rate of 1.836 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 3.672 GTexel/s. The FP32 performance is measured at 29.38 GFLOPS. These figures indicate a very low computational throughput, consistent with the card’s entry-level positioning. The texture rate being exactly double the pixel rate is a direct consequence of having twice as many TMUs as ROPs, which is a typical architectural balance for this class of GPU.
Given the absence of rival scores, the percentile rank of 50 serves as the primary positional indicator. This suggests the 8400 GS sits at the median of all GPUs in the database, though this is likely skewed by the inclusion of many older and lower-end parts. In practical terms, the FP32 output of 29.38 GFLOPS is the definitive measure of its compute capability; this is a fraction of what even mid-range cards from its own generation would offer. Benchmark results would show that the card is only suitable for basic 2D tasks and very old or undemanding 3D applications. The data does not support any claim of competitive performance against modern or even contemporary mid-range hardware.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS has no dedicated ray tracing cores (rtCores: null) and no tensor cores (tensorCores: null). This is expected, as the Tesla architecture predates the introduction of hardware-accelerated ray tracing and AI-based tensor processing by many years. The card relies entirely on its 16 unified shading units for all graphics processing, with no specialized acceleration for these workloads.
The API support is limited to DirectX 11.1 (feature level 10_0) and OpenGL 3.3. Vulkan support is not listed (null), meaning the card cannot run modern Vulkan-based applications. The DirectX 11.1 compatibility with a 10_0 feature level is a crucial distinction: while the driver may report support for the DirectX 11.1 runtime, the hardware is limited to DirectX 10-level shader models and features. This restricts the card to games and applications designed for the DirectX 10 era or earlier. OpenGL 3.3 provides a baseline for older titles but is insufficient for many modern OpenGL-based workloads.
The display outputs are 1x DVI, 1x VGA, and 1x S-Video. This configuration reflects the connectivity standards of the mid-2000s, offering analog and early digital output options but lacking modern interfaces like HDMI or DisplayPort. For users with contemporary monitors, an adapter would be required for digital connections, and high refresh rates or high resolutions would not be supported due to the limited output capabilities and the underlying hardware constraints.
Memory Subsystem
The memory subsystem consists of 256 MB of DDR2 VRAM, connected via a 64-bit bus. The memory clock is 400 MHz, which translates to 800 Mbps effective data rate. This configuration yields a total memory bandwidth of 6.400 GB/s. These are extremely modest figures by any standard, and they directly bottleneck the already limited compute performance.
The 256 MB capacity is insufficient for modern game textures and frame buffers. Even at 720p resolution, many games from the late 2000s would exceed this capacity, forcing the card to rely on system memory over a slow PCIe 1.0 x16 interface. The 64-bit bus width is the narrowest common configuration, and the resulting 6.400 GB/s bandwidth is a severe constraint. For comparison, the bandwidth figure is an order of magnitude lower than what was available on high-end cards of the same era.
For high resolutions, the memory subsystem presents an insurmountable barrier. The low bandwidth means that even if the shading units could process more data, the memory cannot feed them fast enough. Texture-heavy scenes would cause significant stuttering and frame drops. The data indicates that the card is only viable for very low resolutions (likely 800x600 or 1024x768) with minimal texture detail and no anti-aliasing. The 256 MB frame buffer is a hard limit for any modern workload.
FAQ
Q: What is the DirectX version supported by the NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS?
A: The card supports DirectX 11.1, but only with a feature level of 10_0. This means it is functionally limited to DirectX 10-era graphics features, despite the higher runtime version number.
Q: Does the 8400 GS have dedicated ray tracing hardware?
A: No. The rtCores field is null, indicating no dedicated ray tracing cores. The Tesla architecture predates the introduction of hardware ray tracing acceleration.
Q: What is the total memory bandwidth of this card?
A: The memory bandwidth is 6.400 GB/s, derived from a 64-bit bus and 400 MHz DDR2 memory running at 800 Mbps effective.
Q: What power connector does the card require?
A: The card requires no power connectors (powerConnectors: "None"). It draws power solely from the PCIe 1.0 x16 slot.
Q: What is the recommended power supply wattage?
A: The suggested PSU is 200 W. This is a low requirement, reflecting the card’s 40 W TDP.
Q: What are the available display outputs?
A: The card provides 1x DVI, 1x VGA, and 1x S-Video outputs.
Who Should Consider It
The NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS is not suitable for any form of modern gaming or high-resolution workloads. Its FP32 performance of 29.38 GFLOPS and memory bandwidth of 6.400 GB/s place it firmly in the field of basic display adapters. The data suggests it is only appropriate for systems where 3D acceleration is a secondary concern, such as a basic office PC, a media playback machine for standard-definition content, or a retro gaming setup for titles from the early 2000s.
At resolutions of 800x600 or 1024x768, with all graphical settings set to minimum, the card might achieve playable frame rates in games released before 2005. However, the 256 MB VRAM will be a limiting factor even in these scenarios, particularly for games that use large textures. The lack of Vulkan support and the limited DirectX 10 feature level mean that any game requiring these APIs is immediately incompatible. Users considering this card for any modern application should look elsewhere, as the benchmark data and specifications clearly indicate a product that is over a decade behind current requirements.
The card’s 50th percentile ranking underscores its position as a median performer only because the database likely includes many similarly aged or weaker parts. For any workload involving 3D rendering, the 8400 GS is a non-starter. It is best viewed as a functional legacy component for basic display output, not as a graphics solution for any performance-oriented task.
Power and Cooling
The NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS has a thermal design power (TDP) of 40 W. This is a very low power draw, which is reflected in its cooling and power requirements. The card is a single-slot design, with a physical length of 170 mm (6.7 inches). The power connectors field is "None," meaning the card draws all its power from the PCIe 1.0 x16 slot and does not require any auxiliary power cables.
The suggested power supply is 200 W. This is a minimal requirement, ensuring compatibility with almost any desktop power supply from its era and most modern units. The low TDP also means that the single-slot cooler is likely sufficient for maintaining acceptable operating temperatures under load. The absence of power connectors simplifies installation, as no additional cabling is needed. The card’s compact length of 170 mm also ensures it can fit in most chassis, including smaller form-factor cases.
The cooling solution is not specified beyond the single-slot form factor, but given the 40 W TDP, a simple passive or low-speed fan heatsink is adequate. The data indicates that the card is extremely easy to integrate into a system, with no special power or cooling considerations. This makes it a low-risk component for basic builds, though its performance limitations remain the primary consideration.
Detailed benchmark scores and charts for the NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS are below.
Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this GPU.
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