NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS Rev. 3
NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
NVIDIANVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS Rev. 3 Specifications
GeForce 8400 GS Rev. 3 GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS Rev. 3 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 Rev. 3 Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the GeForce 8400 GS Rev. 3'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 Rev. 3 by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
NVIDIA's GeForce 8400 GS Rev. 3 Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The GeForce 8400 GS Rev. 3'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 Rev. 3 by NVIDIA Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the 8400 GS Rev. 3, 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 Rev. 3 Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS Rev. 3 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 2.0 Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS Rev. 3 is built on NVIDIA's Tesla 2.0 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 Rev. 3 will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
NVIDIA's GeForce 8400 GS Rev. 3 Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS Rev. 3 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 Rev. 3 to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
GeForce 8400 GS Rev. 3 by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS Rev. 3 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 Rev. 3. 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 Rev. 3 Product Information
Release and pricing details
The NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS Rev. 3 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 Rev. 3 by NVIDIA represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
GeForce 8400 GS Rev. 3 Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this GPU.
About NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS Rev. 3
Launched in mid-2010, the NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS Rev. 3 is an end-of-life entry-level graphics card built on the 40 nm Tesla 2.0 architecture. With a 50th percentile standing among all GPUs and a negligible average benchmark score, this card targets basic display output rather than interactive 3D performance.
Benchmark Performance
The GeForce 8400 GS Rev. 3 posts an average benchmark score of 0, placing it at the 50th percentile against all GPUs tracked in this database. This combination of a zero score and median percentile ranking suggests the card is essentially non-competitive for gaming workloads, yet its position implies that a substantial portion of the GPU population consists of similarly low-end or legacy parts. The FP32 compute throughput is 19.68 GFLOPS, which is emblematic of a card designed for 2D desktop acceleration and video playback rather than shader-heavy applications. Pixel and texture rates are both 2.080 GPixel/s and 2.080 GTexel/s respectively, indicating balanced but extremely limited rasterization capabilities. With only 8 shading units, 4 texture mapping units, and 4 ROPs, the card can render basic frames but will struggle with any resolution above standard definitions or any game released after its launch window. The memory clock runs at 400 MHz with an effective data rate of 800 Mbps, which, combined with the 64-bit bus, yields a bandwidth of 6.400 GB/s — a figure that bottlenecks even modest texture loads. Benchmark results indicate this card is best understood as a display adapter for office tasks, where its compute and fillrate limitations are irrelevant to the workload.
How It Compares
The nearestRivals array is empty for this entry, meaning the database contains no directly comparable GPUs with score deltas to report. This absence is telling: the 8400 GS Rev. 3 occupies a niche so far below modern or even contemporary low-end parts that the system cannot pair it with meaningful performance rivals. In the absence of direct comparisons, the data must be interpreted through absolute specifications. The 19.68 GFLOPS FP32 throughput and 6.400 GB/s memory bandwidth are orders of magnitude below any GPU released in the last decade, making the card categorically different from even integrated graphics solutions. Without rival scores, the 50th percentile ranking is a statistical artifact — it reflects a dataset skewed heavily by low-spec legacy cards, not competitive positioning. The empty rival list also suggests that no modern benchmark suite includes this card, reinforcing its status as a museum piece. For users encountering this card, the practical takeaway is that it has no measurable gaming performance peer; it exists solely as a functional output device.
Power and Cooling
The 8400 GS Rev. 3 carries a thermal design power of just 25 W, which places it in the lowest tier of GPU power consumption. This low TDP means the card requires no auxiliary power connectors — the powerConnectors field explicitly lists "None" — and draws all its power through the PCIe 2.0 x16 slot. The suggested PSU rating is 200 W, a figure that is nearly universal in even the most modest desktop power supplies. Cooling is handled by a single-slot design, and the card’s physical profile — 170 mm in length, or 6.7 inches — allows it to fit in compact cases. The absence of a power connector and the minimal slot width indicate that the card generates so little heat that passive or low-speed fan solutions suffice. For system builders, the 25 W TDP means no PSU upgrade is necessary for any system with a functional power supply, and the single-slot form factor preserves expansion options. The low power draw is consistent with the card’s 40 nm process node and 260 million transistor count — a small chip measuring 57 mm² — which together produce minimal thermal output. The 4.6M transistors per mm² density is low by modern standards, further confirming that this card was engineered for efficiency over performance.
FAQ
Q: What is the maximum memory bandwidth of the 8400 GS Rev. 3?
A: The card provides 6.400 GB/s of bandwidth, derived from a 64-bit bus running at 400 MHz with an effective 800 Mbps data rate.
Q: Does this card require a dedicated power cable?
A: No, the power connectors field lists "None," and the card draws all required power from the PCIe 2.0 x16 slot, with a suggested PSU rating of 200 W.
Q: What is the transistor count and die size?
A: The GT218S chip contains 260 million transistors on a 57 mm² die, fabricated on TSMC’s 40 nm process, yielding a transistor density of 4.6M per mm².
Q: Which APIs are supported for graphics rendering?
A: The card supports DirectX 11.1 (with a 10_1 feature level) and OpenGL 3.3, but no Vulkan support is listed.
Q: How many display outputs does it have?
A: The card includes 1x DVI, 1x VGA, and 1x S-Video output, making it suitable for legacy monitors and basic multi-display setups.
Q: What is the pixel fillrate?
A: The pixel rate is 2.080 GPixel/s, matching the texture rate of 2.080 GTexel/s, indicating equal rasterization and texturing throughput.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The 8400 GS Rev. 3 has no ray tracing cores and no tensor cores, as indicated by the null values in the FACT PACK. This is consistent with its Tesla 2.0 architecture, which predates dedicated RT and AI hardware by nearly a decade. The card’s API support includes DirectX 11.1 (at the 10_1 feature level) and OpenGL 3.3, while Vulkan is not supported. The DirectX 10_1 feature level is significant — it means the card cannot run games that require DirectX 11-specific features, even though the driver reports a higher API version. The 10_1 level restricts the card to shader model 4.1, which limits complex geometry and tessellation effects. From a feature perspective, the card offers no hardware acceleration for ray tracing, no deep learning super sampling, and no variable rate shading. The absence of tensor cores also means no AI-based upscaling technologies are available. For users seeking modern rendering features, this card is a non-starter; it is limited to basic DirectX 10-era effects and OpenGL 3.3 workloads. The lack of Vulkan support further isolates it from current cross-platform game engines, which increasingly rely on Vulkan for low-level hardware access. The feature set is fundamentally a legacy display stack, not a gaming platform.
Memory Subsystem
The memory subsystem of the 8400 GS Rev. 3 is a 512 MB pool of DDR2 memory connected via a 64-bit bus. The memory clock is 400 MHz with an effective data rate of 800 Mbps, producing a total bandwidth of 6.400 GB/s. This bandwidth figure is critically low for high-resolution rendering; at 1080p, modern games can require memory bandwidth in excess of 100 GB/s, and even at 720p, the 6.400 GB/s ceiling will cause severe texture thrashing. The 512 MB capacity is equally limited — it can hold a single high-resolution texture set or a small number of framebuffers, but will spill to system memory under any significant load. The DDR2 type is also a legacy standard, with higher latency than DDR3 or GDDR5, further reducing effective throughput. For high resolutions, the data is unambiguous: the 64-bit bus and DDR2 memory make this card unsuitable for anything beyond 1024x768 with reduced detail settings. The memory subsystem’s theoretical peak of 6.400 GB/s is a hard bottleneck that no clock or driver optimization can overcome. Even for 2D desktop use, the bandwidth is adequate but unremarkable. The card’s memory architecture is a textbook example of entry-level cost cutting, prioritizing minimal die size and board complexity over any semblance of performance headroom.
Who Should Consider It
The 8400 GS Rev. 3 is not a gaming card by any modern measure, and the data supports this conclusion: the 19.68 GFLOPS FP32 throughput and 6.400 GB/s bandwidth are insufficient for any 3D workload beyond basic Windows Aero effects. Users who should consider this card are those with legacy systems requiring a discrete output solution for 2D desktop productivity, office suites, or video playback at standard definition. The 25 W TDP and absence of power connectors make it an easy drop-in for older prebuilt machines with weak power supplies — the 200 W suggested PSU is nearly universally available. For multi-monitor setups using DVI and VGA, the card provides two simultaneous outputs, though the S-Video port is obsolete. At 1080p resolution, the card will fail to maintain playable frame rates in any game released after 2010, and even older titles from the DirectX 9 era will require lowest settings and reduced resolutions. The 50th percentile ranking against all GPUs is misleading — it reflects the large number of similarly dated parts in the database, not any real capability. The card is best suited for a headless server, a retro Windows XP machine, or a basic troubleshooting spare. For any gaming intent, the data shows this card is categorically unsuitable, and users should seek any alternative — even integrated graphics from the same era would provide comparable or better performance with fewer compatibility issues.
The AMD Equivalent of GeForce 8400 GS Rev. 3
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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