GEFORCE

NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 Mac Edition

NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores

512 MB
VRAM
MHz Boost
50W
TDP
128
Bus Width

NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 Mac Edition Specifications

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GeForce GT 120 Mac Edition GPU Core

Shader units and compute resources

The NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 Mac Edition 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.

Shading Units
32
Shaders
32
TMUs
16
ROPs
8
SM Count
4
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GT 120 Mac Edition Clock Speeds

GPU and memory frequencies

Clock speeds directly impact the GeForce GT 120 Mac Edition'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 GT 120 Mac Edition by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.

GPU Clock
550 MHz
Memory Clock
800 MHz 1600 Mbps effective
Shader Clock
1400 MHz
GDDR GDDR 6X 6X

NVIDIA's GeForce GT 120 Mac Edition Memory

VRAM capacity and bandwidth

VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The GeForce GT 120 Mac Edition'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
512 MB
VRAM
512 MB
Memory Type
GDDR3
VRAM Type
GDDR3
Memory Bus
128 bit
Bus Width
128-bit
Bandwidth
25.60 GB/s
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GeForce GT 120 Mac Edition by NVIDIA Cache

On-chip cache hierarchy

On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the GT 120 Mac Edition, 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.

L2 Cache
32 KB
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GT 120 Mac Edition Theoretical Performance

Compute and fill rates

Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 Mac Edition 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.

FP32 (Float)
89.60 GFLOPS
Pixel Rate
4.400 GPixel/s
Texture Rate
8.800 GTexel/s
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Tesla Architecture & Process

Manufacturing and design details

The NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 Mac Edition 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 GT 120 Mac Edition will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.

Architecture
Tesla
GPU Name
G96C
Process Node
55 nm
Foundry
TSMC
Transistors
314 million
Die Size
121 mm²
Density
2.6M / mm²
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NVIDIA's GeForce GT 120 Mac Edition Power & Thermal

TDP and power requirements

Power specifications for the NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 Mac Edition 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 GT 120 Mac Edition to maintain boost clocks without throttling.

TDP
50 W
TDP
50W
Power Connectors
None
Suggested PSU
250 W
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GeForce GT 120 Mac Edition by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity

Dimensions and outputs

Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 Mac Edition 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
145 mm 5.7 inches
Bus Interface
PCIe 2.0 x16
Display Outputs
1x DVI1x mini-DisplayPort
Display Outputs
1x DVI1x mini-DisplayPort
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NVIDIA API Support

Graphics and compute APIs

API support determines which games and applications can fully utilize the NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 Mac Edition. 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
11.1 (10_0)
DirectX
11.1 (10_0)
OpenGL
3.3
OpenGL
3.3
OpenCL
1.1
CUDA
1.1
Shader Model
4.0
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GeForce GT 120 Mac Edition Product Information

Release and pricing details

The NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 Mac Edition 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 GT 120 Mac Edition 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
Jan 2009
Production
End-of-life
Predecessor
GeForce 9
Successor
GeForce 200

GeForce GT 120 Mac Edition Benchmark Scores

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No benchmark data available for this GPU.

About NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 Mac Edition

The NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 Mac Edition was engineered to deliver a solid visual upgrade for Mac users of its era. Built on the 55 nm Tesla architecture, this card's 512 MB of GDDR3 VRAM provided a substantial buffer for handling higher resolution desktops and basic 3D tasks. With a PCIe 2.0 x16 interface, it ensured sufficient bandwidth for the data demands of contemporary applications. The modest 50-watt TDP meant this GPU was an ideal drop-in solution, requiring no additional power connectors and fitting into a wide range of Mac systems. Its release in early 2009 positioned it as a key component for enhancing the graphics capabilities of machines that relied on integrated solutions. This particular Mac Edition card was tailored specifically for the Mac ecosystem, ensuring driver and form factor compatibility right out of the box.

When assessing performance, the GeForce GT 120 for Mac excelled in improving the overall user experience rather than demanding gaming. It supported resolutions that were impressive for the time, making it suitable for photo editing and video playback on large displays. The 512 MB frame buffer allowed for smoother rendering of complex user interfaces and basic 3D modeling, though it was not intended for cutting-edge games. The architecture's efficiency meant that even with its capabilities, the card maintained a cool and quiet operation under typical loads. For users seeking a reliable upgrade path for their pre-unibody Mac Pros or iMacs, this graphics solution offered a balanced profile of features without excessive power draw.

The optimal use case for this NVIDIA offering was clearly defined by its specifications and power profile. It served as an excellent entry-level discrete GPU for professionals working in 2D design or as a dedicated card for driving a secondary monitor. The memory specifications, while not suited for modern textures, were adequate for the operating systems and software of the late 2000s. This Tesla-based card found its niche by providing a certified, stable graphics option for the Mac platform, ensuring reliability for day-to-day computational tasks. Ultimately, the GT 120 Mac Edition represented a specific moment in Apple's hardware evolution, providing a crucial bridge for expanded visual output before more powerful solutions became commonplace.

The AMD Equivalent of GeForce GT 120 Mac Edition

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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