NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT
NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
NVIDIANVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT Specifications
GeForce 9800 GT GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT 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.
9800 GT Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the GeForce 9800 GT'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 9800 GT by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
NVIDIA's GeForce 9800 GT Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The GeForce 9800 GT'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 9800 GT by NVIDIA Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the 9800 GT, 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.
9800 GT Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT 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 9800 GT 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 9800 GT will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
NVIDIA's GeForce 9800 GT Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT 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 9800 GT to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
GeForce 9800 GT by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT 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 9800 GT. 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 9800 GT Product Information
Release and pricing details
The NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT 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 9800 GT by NVIDIA represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
GeForce 9800 GT Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this GPU.
About NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT
The NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT is a mid-range graphics card from the GeForce 9 generation, built on the Tesla architecture with the G92B chip. Fabricated on a 55 nm process at TSMC, it integrates 754 million transistors on a 260 mm² die, yielding a transistor density of 2.9 million per square millimeter. In the benchmark database, it holds a 50th percentile position among all GPUs, placing it exactly at the median of the entire performance spectrum. This card is end-of-life, succeeded by the GeForce 200 series, and it originally launched with a launch MSRP of 160 USD.
How It Compares
The data set for the 9800 GT contains no nearest-rival entries, so a direct comparison against specific competing cards is not possible. Instead, its percentile rank of 50 provides the sole comparative anchor: it outperforms exactly half of all GPUs in the database and lags behind the other half. This median standing suggests a balanced profile that was typical of mainstream cards from its generation. Its predecessor is the GeForce 8 series, and its successor is the GeForce 200 series, but no benchmark deltas or scores are available for these or any other rivals. The absence of rival data means that any performance assessment must rely on intrinsic specifications and the theoretical peak rates recorded in the fact pack.
The 9800 GT's position at the 50th percentile is notable because it indicates that, despite being an older architecture, it still sits within the middle of a database that likely includes both much older and much newer hardware. This could reflect a wide spread of benchmark results, or it could indicate that the card's performance is genuinely average relative to the entire pool. Without specific rival scores, the percentile is the only quantitative comparison available.
Memory Subsystem
The 9800 GT is equipped with 512 MB of GDDR3 memory on a 256-bit bus, yielding a memory bandwidth of 57.60 GB/s. The memory clock runs at 900 MHz, with an effective data rate of 1800 Mbps. This configuration was typical for a mid-range card of its time. The 256-bit bus width is particularly significant: it allows a high bandwidth per bit, which helps maintain throughput when rendering at higher resolutions where fill-rate demands increase. The pixel rate of 9.600 GPixel/s and texture rate of 33.60 GTexel/s are closely aligned with the memory bandwidth, suggesting a balanced design that does not bottleneck the shading units.
The 512 MB frame buffer is modest by contemporary standards, but it was adequate for the resolutions and texture sizes common at launch. For modern high-resolution gaming, 512 MB would be severely limiting, especially with large textures and high anti-aliasing settings. The 57.60 GB/s bandwidth, while sufficient for 720p and 1080p at moderate settings, could become a constraint when pushing beyond that. The card's memory subsystem is thus a reflection of its era, offering a reasonable balance for its intended use case.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The 9800 GT has no dedicated ray tracing cores and no tensor cores, as indicated by null values for rtCores and tensorCores. Its feature set is anchored in the DirectX 11.1 API, but with a hardware feature level of 10_0. This means it can run DirectX 11.1 software, but the actual rendering capabilities are limited to the earlier DirectX 10 feature set. OpenGL 3.3 is supported, but there is no Vulkan support. Consequently, the card cannot accelerate modern ray-traced effects or AI-based features such as DLSS. It is strictly a rasterization-oriented GPU from the Tesla architecture era.
The lack of ray tracing and tensor cores is expected for a card from 2008, but it underscores the 9800 GT's incompatibility with contemporary graphics features. The DirectX 11.1 (10_0) designation is a peculiarity: it supports the API but only at the feature level of DirectX 10, meaning that any DirectX 11-specific features like tessellation or compute shaders are not available in hardware. OpenGL 3.3 support provides a baseline for cross-platform applications, but the absence of Vulkan limits its utility in modern Linux or Vulkan-based titles. For users interested in legacy gaming or basic 3D acceleration, the feature set is adequate; for modern AAA titles, it is not.
Who Should Consider It
Given its 50th percentile standing, the 9800 GT is a mid-range card that suits users targeting 720p or 1080p resolutions with moderate detail settings in games from its generation. The 512 MB frame buffer and 57.60 GB/s bandwidth are sufficient for older titles, but they will struggle with modern high-resolution textures. The FP32 compute throughput of 336.0 GFLOPS and the pixel rate of 9.600 GPixel/s indicate that it can handle basic 3D rendering and light productivity tasks. However, its lack of ray tracing and tensor cores makes it unsuitable for next-generation features.
This card is best suited for users who have a collection of older games or who need a basic display output for a secondary machine. The single-slot design and 229 mm length make it easy to fit in compact cases, and the 125 W TDP is modest enough for a wide range of power supplies. It is not a card for high-refresh-rate or 4K gaming, but it can serve as a reliable entry-level option for emulation, light 2D/3D work, or as a stopgap for a system that does not demand modern graphics capabilities. The launch MSRP of 160 USD positioned it as an affordable mid-range option at release, though it is now end-of-life.
Benchmark Performance
The database contains no benchmark entries for the 9800 GT, and the average benchmark score is recorded as 0, which is not a meaningful performance metric. The theoretical peak rates, 336.0 GFLOPS FP32, 33.60 GTexel/s texture fill, and 9.600 GPixel/s pixel fill, provide a baseline for its computational capabilities. The 50th percentile rank across all GPUs suggests that, when compared against a broad mix of historical and contemporary cards, it sits exactly at the median. This implies that a user upgrading from a much older GPU would see a significant improvement, while those from newer generations would notice a substantial deficit. Without direct rival data, a precise delta percentage cannot be provided, but the percentile position offers a relative anchor.
The lack of benchmark scores is a limitation, but the theoretical numbers offer a rough estimate. The FP32 throughput of 336 GFLOPS is a measure of the card's raw compute power, which is relevant for physics simulations and certain compute workloads. The texture rate of 33.60 GTexel/s indicates how quickly the card can sample textures, which directly impacts gaming performance at high detail levels. The pixel rate of 9.600 GPixel/s determines how fast the card can fill the screen with pixels, a key factor for resolution scaling. These figures, combined with the memory bandwidth, paint a picture of a card that was competitive in its day but is now far behind modern GPUs.
Power and Cooling
The 9800 GT has a thermal design power (TDP) of 125 W, which is moderate for its era. NVIDIA recommends a 300 W power supply unit, and the card requires a single 6-pin PCIe power connector. It occupies a single slot and has a length of 229 mm (9 inches). These power and physical requirements make it compatible with most mid-range ATX cases and power supplies from its time. The single-slot design is a benefit for space-constrained builds, though the 125 W TDP still demands adequate case airflow.
The 300 W PSU recommendation is a conservative figure that accounts for a typical system configuration. The single 6-pin connector is standard for that generation and is readily available on most power supplies. The card's length of 229 mm means it will fit in most mid-tower cases, but users with small form factor cases should verify clearance. The single-slot cooler is a compact solution, but it may be less efficient than dual-slot designs, potentially leading to higher noise levels under load. Overall, the power and cooling requirements are modest and should not pose a challenge for most builders.
FAQ
Q: Does the GeForce 9800 GT support DirectX 11?
A: It supports the DirectX 11.1 API but only at a hardware feature level of 10_0, meaning it cannot utilize full DirectX 11 features such as tessellation.
Q: What is the memory capacity and type?
A: It has 512 MB of GDDR3 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing 57.60 GB/s of bandwidth.
Q: What power supply is required?
A: The suggested PSU is 300 W, and the card uses one 6-pin power connector.
Q: Does the card have ray tracing cores?
A: No, the rtCores field is null, and it also lacks tensor cores, so it cannot accelerate ray tracing or AI-based features.
Q: What is the process node and die size?
A: It is fabricated on a 55 nm process at TSMC, with a die size of 260 mm² and 754 million transistors.
Q: What is the launch MSRP?
A: The launch MSRP was 160 USD.
The AMD Equivalent of GeForce 9800 GT
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