GEFORCE

NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900

NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores

128 MB
VRAM
MHz Boost
TDP
256
Bus Width

NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900 Specifications

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GeForce FX 5900 GPU Core

Shader units and compute resources

The NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900 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.

TMUs
8
ROPs
4
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FX 5900 Clock Speeds

GPU and memory frequencies

Clock speeds directly impact the GeForce FX 5900'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 FX 5900 by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.

GPU Clock
400 MHz
Memory Clock
425 MHz 850 Mbps effective
GDDR GDDR 6X 6X

NVIDIA's GeForce FX 5900 Memory

VRAM capacity and bandwidth

VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The GeForce FX 5900'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
DDR
VRAM Type
DDR
Memory Bus
256 bit
Bus Width
256-bit
Bandwidth
27.20 GB/s
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FX 5900 Theoretical Performance

Compute and fill rates

Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900 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.

Pixel Rate
1.600 GPixel/s
Texture Rate
3.200 GTexel/s
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Rankine Architecture & Process

Manufacturing and design details

The NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900 is built on NVIDIA's Rankine 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 FX 5900 will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.

Architecture
Rankine
GPU Name
NV35
Process Node
130 nm
Foundry
TSMC
Transistors
135 million
Die Size
207 mm²
Density
652.2K / mm²
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NVIDIA's GeForce FX 5900 Power & Thermal

TDP and power requirements

Power specifications for the NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900 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 FX 5900 to maintain boost clocks without throttling.

Power Connectors
1x Molex
Suggested PSU
200 W
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GeForce FX 5900 by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity

Dimensions and outputs

Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900 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
Length
218 mm 8.6 inches
Bus Interface
AGP 8x
Display Outputs
1x DVI1x VGA1x S-Video
Display Outputs
1x DVI1x VGA1x S-Video
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NVIDIA API Support

Graphics and compute APIs

API support determines which games and applications can fully utilize the NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900. 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
9.0a
DirectX
9.0a
OpenGL
1.5 (full) 2.0 (partial)
OpenGL
1.5 (full) 2.0 (partial)
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GeForce FX 5900 Product Information

Release and pricing details

The NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900 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 FX 5900 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
May 2003
Launch Price
399 USD
Production
End-of-life
Predecessor
GeForce 4 Ti
Successor
GeForce 6 AGP

GeForce FX 5900 Benchmark Scores

📊

No benchmark data available for this GPU.

About NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900

The NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900, built on the ambitious Rankine architecture, entered a professional landscape primarily defined by DirectX 8.1. For creators in 2003, its 128MB of DDR memory and AGP 8x interface provided a foundation for entry-level 3D modeling and CAD work, where high fill rates were beneficial. However, its core design prioritized complex pixel shaders, which offered limited advantages in the professional OpenGL applications of the era compared to dedicated workstation cards. Video editing performance was constrained by the lack of dedicated video encoding hardware, placing the entire computational load on the CPU and system memory. This made real-time effects preview and rendering of standard-definition timelines a cautious, often sluggish, process. While the card could accelerate certain filters via DirectX, it was not a transformative tool for video professionals. Its value in professional workloads was as a cost-conscious compromise, not a specialist solution. The GeForce FX 5900 Ultra's sibling often overshadowed it, even in this creative niche.

Long-term viability for creators was heavily influenced by NVIDIA's driver support, which remained consistent for the card's AGP ecosystem. Stability for creative applications was generally reliable post-launch, though performance optimizations were naturally funneled toward newer gaming-focused architectures. Multi-GPU considerations, via NVIDIA's SLI technology, were not a practical path for this generation in a professional context, as application scaling was poor and the setup introduced significant cost and compatibility complexity. The 130nm process technology also meant these cards were power-hungry and thermally demanding in a sustained rendering environment. For a modern creator examining this legacy hardware, its significance lies in marking a transitional point in GPU programmability. This particular Rankine-based GPU ultimately served as a stepping stone, highlighting the growing divide between gaming accelerators and the specialized hardware soon to define the creator market.

The AMD Equivalent of GeForce FX 5900

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

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