NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra Mac Edition

The NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra Mac Edition is an entry-level graphics solution from the GeForce FX generation, built on the NV34 chip using TSMC’s 150 nm process. It integrates 45 million transistors on a 124 mm² die, resulting in a transistor density of 362.9K per mm². The card is positioned at the 50th percentile among all GPUs in the database, indicating it sits exactly at the median of the performance distribution.

Benchmark Performance

The FACT PACK lists an average benchmark score of 0 for this GPU, with no individual benchmark entries or nearest rivals provided. Consequently, there are no quantitative performance deltas to report against competing products. The percentile ranking of 50 places this card precisely in the middle of the database’s GPU population. This suggests that while it is not a top-tier performer, it is also not at the very bottom of the stack.

The texture rate of 1.300 GTexel/s and pixel rate of 1.300 GPixel/s are identical, reflecting a balanced 4 TMU and 4 ROP configuration. This symmetry indicates that the card is equally constrained in both texture-fill and pixel-fill operations. The memory subsystem consists of 128 MB of DDR memory on a 128-bit bus, delivering 10.40 GB/s of bandwidth. The memory clock operates at 325 MHz, with an effective data rate of 650 Mbps.

Given the lack of rival comparisons, the data shows that this GPU’s performance profile is defined more by its architectural limits than by competitive positioning. The 50th percentile ranking implies that half of the GPUs in the database perform better and half perform worse, but without specific benchmark scores, the exact magnitude of separation cannot be quantified. The absence of FP32 or FP16 throughput figures further limits any compute-oriented analysis. The pixel and texture rates are the only hard performance metrics available, and they suggest a card suited for basic 3D acceleration rather than demanding workloads.

Who Should Consider It

The benchmark results indicate that this card is intended for users with modest graphical demands. The 128 MB DDR memory capacity, combined with a 128-bit bus and 10.40 GB/s bandwidth, provides sufficient throughput for older or less demanding titles at lower resolutions. The 1.300 GPixel/s pixel rate and 1.300 GTexel/s texture rate are indicative of a GPU that can handle simple geometry and textures without significant bottlenecks.

Based on the scores, this GPU is appropriate for systems where the primary use is 2D desktop work, video playback, or light 3D applications from the era of its release. Gamers seeking playable frame rates in contemporary (relative to the card’s 2003 launch) 3D games would need to run them at low resolutions and reduced detail settings. The 2x DVI display outputs suggest a focus on dual-monitor productivity setups rather than high-refresh-rate gaming. The AGP Pro 8x bus interface places it in systems from the early 2000s, meaning it is not compatible with modern PCIe motherboards.

Users who prioritize compatibility with legacy Mac systems will find the Mac Edition designation relevant, as it is tailored for that platform. Those requiring more substantial 3D performance for CAD, 3D modeling, or modern gaming should look elsewhere, as the data shows this card lacks the raw throughput for such tasks. The 50th percentile ranking, while median, does not imply competitiveness in demanding scenarios; it merely reflects the midpoint of a broad range of GPU capabilities.

Power and Cooling

The FACT PACK does not specify a TDP value for this GPU, so no thermal design power figure can be cited. However, the cooling requirements are modest given the card’s specifications. The suggested PSU rating is 200 W, which is a low requirement, indicating that the card draws minimal power under load. The card is a single-slot design, ensuring it will fit in standard desktop cases without occupying adjacent expansion slots.

The power connector field is listed as "None," meaning the card draws all its power from the AGP Pro 8x slot itself. This simplifies installation, as no auxiliary PCIe power cables are required. The length of the card is 171 mm (6.7 inches), which is compact and should fit in most cases from its era. The absence of a dedicated power connector and the 200 W PSU recommendation suggest that even modest power supplies from the time could support this GPU.

For cooling, the single-slot design typically includes a passive heatsink or a small active fan. The 150 nm process node and low transistor count of 45 million contribute to reduced heat generation compared to larger, more complex GPUs. Users should ensure adequate case airflow, but the data does not indicate any unusual cooling demands. The end-of-life production status means that replacement cooling parts may be difficult to source, but the low power draw mitigates thermal stress on the card over time.

FAQ

Q: What is the memory configuration of the NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra Mac Edition?

A: The card features 128 MB of DDR memory on a 128-bit bus, with a memory clock of 325 MHz and an effective data rate of 650 Mbps, yielding a bandwidth of 10.40 GB/s.

Q: Does this GPU support DirectX 9?

A: Yes, the card supports DirectX 9.0a, along with OpenGL 1.5 (full) and OpenGL 2.0 (partial). No Vulkan support is listed in the FACT PACK.

Q: What power supply is recommended for this graphics card?

A: The suggested PSU rating is 200 W. The card requires no auxiliary power connectors, drawing all power from the AGP Pro 8x slot.

Q: How many display outputs does the card have?

A: The card provides 2x DVI display outputs, supporting dual-monitor configurations.

Q: What is the physical size of this GPU?

A: The card is 171 mm (6.7 inches) in length and occupies a single slot. No height or width dimensions are provided in the FACT PACK.

Q: What is the production status of the NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra Mac Edition?

A: The production status is listed as "End-of-life," and the release date is 2003-03-05. Its predecessor is the GeForce 4 Ti, and its successor is the GeForce 6 AGP.

Ray Tracing and Feature Set

The FACT PACK does not list any ray tracing (RT) cores or tensor cores for this GPU. This indicates that the card lacks dedicated hardware for ray-traced rendering and AI-accelerated workloads such as DLSS. The architecture is Rankine, which predates the introduction of such specialized cores. Consequently, any ray tracing functionality would be entirely software-based, which is impractical given the card’s limited pixel rate of 1.300 GPixel/s.

The API support includes DirectX 9.0a, which was the contemporary standard for Windows gaming, and OpenGL 1.5 (full) with partial OpenGL 2.0 support. The partial OpenGL 2.0 support means that some features of that specification are available, but not the complete set. The absence of Vulkan support is expected, as Vulkan was released much later than this card’s 2003 launch.

The feature set is basic, reflecting the entry-level positioning of the NV34 chip. The 4 TMUs and 4 ROPs are sufficient for the era’s shader model 2.0 games but lack the advanced features of higher-end GeForce FX models. The 2x DVI outputs are a notable feature for multi-monitor productivity, but the card does not include any display outputs beyond DVI, such as VGA or S-Video. The texture rate of 1.300 GTexel/s and pixel rate of 1.300 GPixel/s cap the card’s ability to handle complex scenes with multiple textures and lighting effects. For users seeking modern features like hardware ray tracing or tensor-based upscaling, the data clearly shows this GPU is not equipped for such tasks. The card’s feature set is firmly rooted in the early 2000s, offering compatibility with the software of that period but nothing beyond it.