GEFORCE

NVIDIA GeForce GT 120M

NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores

1 GB
VRAM
MHz Boost
14W
TDP
128
Bus Width

NVIDIA GeForce GT 120M Specifications

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GeForce GT 120M GPU Core

Shader units and compute resources

The NVIDIA GeForce GT 120M 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 120M Clock Speeds

GPU and memory frequencies

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

GPU Clock
500 MHz
Memory Clock
500 MHz 1000 Mbps effective
Shader Clock
1250 MHz
GDDR GDDR 6X 6X

NVIDIA's GeForce GT 120M Memory

VRAM capacity and bandwidth

VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The GeForce GT 120M'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
1024 MB
VRAM
1,024 MB
Memory Type
DDR2
VRAM Type
DDR2
Memory Bus
128 bit
Bus Width
128-bit
Bandwidth
16.00 GB/s
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GeForce GT 120M by NVIDIA Cache

On-chip cache hierarchy

On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the GT 120M, 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 120M Theoretical Performance

Compute and fill rates

Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA GeForce GT 120M 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)
80.00 GFLOPS
Pixel Rate
4.000 GPixel/s
Texture Rate
8.000 GTexel/s
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Tesla Architecture & Process

Manufacturing and design details

The NVIDIA GeForce GT 120M 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 120M 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 120M Power & Thermal

TDP and power requirements

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

TDP
14 W
TDP
14W
Power Connectors
None
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GeForce GT 120M by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity

Dimensions and outputs

Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA GeForce GT 120M 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
IGP
Bus Interface
PCIe 2.0 x16
Display Outputs
Portable Device Dependent
Display Outputs
Portable Device Dependent
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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 120M. 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 120M Product Information

Release and pricing details

The NVIDIA GeForce GT 120M 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 120M 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
Jun 2009
Production
End-of-life
Predecessor
GeForce 9M
Successor
GeForce 200M

GeForce GT 120M Benchmark Scores

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No benchmark data available for this GPU.

About NVIDIA GeForce GT 120M

The NVIDIA GeForce GT 120M, built on the Tesla architecture with a 55 nm manufacturing process, delivers modest compute performance suitable for entry-level GPU-accelerated workloads of its era. With 1024 MB of DDR2 memory connected via a PCIe 2.0 x16 interface, this mobile GPU provides limited bandwidth and compute throughput, constraining its effectiveness in modern parallel computing tasks. The 14 W TDP reflects its position as a low-power discrete solution for thin-and-light notebooks, where thermal headroom was constrained. While it supports CUDA and basic OpenCL acceleration, the aging DDR2 memory and lack of modern instruction sets hinder its utility in current compute-heavy creator applications. Despite these limitations, the original GeForce GT 120M was positioned as a step-up option for users seeking more GPU power than integrated graphics could offer. As a mobile GPU from mid-2009, it targeted casual content creation rather than professional workloads. Performance in today’s context is largely obsolete for demanding computational pipelines.

  • Lacks support for modern video encoding standards like H.265/HEVC
  • No dedicated hardware for NVENC or VP9 decoding
  • Insufficient VRAM bandwidth for 1080p timeline scrubbing in NLEs
  • Not certified for professional apps like Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve
  • Does not support ECC memory or virtualization features
  • Missing enterprise-grade driver support such as NVIDIA RTX Enterprise or Quadro ISV certifications
The GeForce GT 120M by NVIDIA exemplifies the transitional phase in mobile GPU design, balancing power efficiency with basic acceleration for creative tasks of its time. Although marketed as a performance upgrade over integrated graphics, the NVIDIA GeForce GT 120M falls short in video editing workflows requiring real-time effects or color grading. Its absence from professional certification programs underscores its consumer-grade positioning, with no enterprise management or remote deployment capabilities. Even when released, the DDR2 memory variant of this GPU underperformed compared to its GDDR3 counterparts. Today, the GPU is obsolete for any serious content creation, lacking both the raw performance and software support ecosystem. As a legacy component, the GT 120M remains a footnote in NVIDIA's evolution toward creator-centric architectures. Nonetheless, it laid groundwork for future mobile GPUs designed with creators in mind. The NVIDIA GeForce GT 120M, while historically notable, offers no viable path for modern professional use.

The AMD Equivalent of GeForce GT 120M

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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