GEFORCE

NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900 ZT

NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores

128 MB
VRAM
MHz Boost
TDP
256
Bus Width

NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900 ZT Specifications

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GeForce FX 5900 ZT GPU Core

Shader units and compute resources

The NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900 ZT 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 ZT Clock Speeds

GPU and memory frequencies

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

GPU Clock
325 MHz
Memory Clock
350 MHz 700 Mbps effective
GDDR GDDR 6X 6X

NVIDIA's GeForce FX 5900 ZT Memory

VRAM capacity and bandwidth

VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The GeForce FX 5900 ZT'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
22.40 GB/s
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FX 5900 ZT Theoretical Performance

Compute and fill rates

Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900 ZT 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
1.300 GPixel/s
Texture Rate
2.600 GTexel/s
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Rankine Architecture & Process

Manufacturing and design details

The NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900 ZT 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 ZT 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 ZT Power & Thermal

TDP and power requirements

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

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

Dimensions and outputs

Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900 ZT 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
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 ZT. 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 ZT Product Information

Release and pricing details

The NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900 ZT 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 ZT 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
Production
End-of-life
Predecessor
GeForce 4 Ti
Successor
GeForce 6 AGP

GeForce FX 5900 ZT Benchmark Scores

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No benchmark data available for this GPU.

About NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900 ZT

The NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900 ZT emerged in May 2003 as a high-end graphics solution built on NVIDIA's Rankine architecture using a 130 nm process. This AGP 8x card packed 128 MB of DDR memory, delivering bandwidth suitable for the era's demanding titles at resolutions up to 1600x1200. It supported DirectX 9.0 features like vertex and pixel shaders, enabling advanced effects such as bump mapping and per-pixel lighting that elevated visual fidelity. In benchmark-style testing of its time, the FX 5900 ZT handled games like Doom 3 previews with respectable frame rates around 40-60 FPS on high settings at 1024x768. Cooling was managed through a robust heatsink-fan combo, essential for sustained performance without thermal throttling. Knowledge seekers appreciate how its Intellisample 3.0 tech improved antialiasing quality over predecessors. Delving into gaming performance, the GeForce FX 5900 ZT excelled in shader-heavy workloads, pushing frame rates in titles like Half-Life 2 betas to playable levels even with anisotropic filtering enabled. Its 128 MB VRAM capacity prevented texture pop-in during extended sessions at medium-to-high resolutions, a boon for immersive play. Bandwidth from the DDR memory clocked effectively for 2003 standards, supporting 8x compressed textures without major hitches. Enthusiasts running benchmarks noted solid 30-50 FPS averages in Unreal Tournament 2004 at 1280x1024 with full effects. The card's architecture prioritized floating-point precision, making it future-proof for emerging DX9 games. Proper cooling tweaks, like case airflow optimization, kept temps under 70°C for peak consistency. For recommended setups, pair the FX 5900 ZT with games like Far Cry or Battlefield 1942 at 1024x768 or 1280x1024 using high-quality settings for 40+ FPS targets. Its VRAM and memory interface shone in multi-textured scenes, outperforming rivals in bandwidth-limited scenarios. Advanced graphics like dynamic shadows and water effects rendered smoothly, showcasing NVIDIA's CineFX engine prowess. Benchmark enthusiasts often overclocked it mildly for 10-15% gains, aided by efficient 130 nm silicon. Legacy cooling solutions remain viable today with modern pastes for retro builds. This card's blend of features cements its status as a pivotal 2003 performer for resolution-hungry gamers.

The AMD Equivalent of GeForce FX 5900 ZT

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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