NVIDIA GeForce GT 220M
NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
NVIDIA GeForce GT 220M Specifications
GeForce GT 220M GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The NVIDIA GeForce GT 220M 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.
GT 220M Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the GeForce GT 220M'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 220M by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
NVIDIA's GeForce GT 220M Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The GeForce GT 220M'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.
GeForce GT 220M by NVIDIA Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the GT 220M, 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.
GT 220M Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA GeForce GT 220M 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.
Tesla Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The NVIDIA GeForce GT 220M 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 220M will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
NVIDIA's GeForce GT 220M Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the NVIDIA GeForce GT 220M 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 220M to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
GeForce GT 220M by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA GeForce GT 220M 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.
NVIDIA API Support
Graphics and compute APIs
API support determines which games and applications can fully utilize the NVIDIA GeForce GT 220M. 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.
GeForce GT 220M Product Information
Release and pricing details
The NVIDIA GeForce GT 220M 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 220M by NVIDIA represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
GeForce GT 220M Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this GPU.
About NVIDIA GeForce GT 220M
The NVIDIA GeForce GT 220M graphics launched in mid-2009 as a budget-oriented mobile GPU, targeting users who needed basic graphical capabilities beyond integrated solutions without breaking the bank. Its 1GB of DDR2 VRAM was a notable spec on paper for the time, offering a buffer for textures in older games. However, the use of slower DDR2 memory, rather than the faster GDDR3, significantly bottlenecked its real-world performance. This placed the NVIDIA GeForce GT 220M graphics firmly in the entry-level segment, suitable only for casual gaming at low settings and mainstream multimedia tasks. From a pure cost analysis perspective, it delivered on its promise of being an affordable discrete option for budget notebooks. Systems equipped with this GPU were positioned as a step above basic models, providing a minor boost for a minimal price premium.
In terms of market positioning, the NVIDIA GeForce GT 220M graphics competed against low-end offerings from AMD and older Intel integrated graphics. It was never intended for enthusiasts or even mainstream gamers, instead serving as a specification checkbox for OEMs to market "discrete graphics." The 55nm Tesla architecture was already dated at release, being a derivative of older desktop parts adapted for mobile use. Its 14-watt TDP was a key advantage, allowing it to be fitted into thinner, cooler-running laptops without major battery life compromises. This efficiency was its primary selling point over more powerful but hungrier chips. Consequently, it found a home in a variety of general-purpose consumer laptops where 3D performance was a secondary concern.
Assessing the longevity of the NVIDIA GeForce GT 220M graphics reveals a product with an extremely limited useful lifespan for gaming. Even at launch, it struggled with titles from that era, and driver support has long since ceased. For basic desktop composition and video playback, it may have served adequately for several years. However, the rapid advancement of graphics APIs and game engines quickly left this GPU behind, making it obsolete for any modern task. Its legacy is as a stopgap solution that allowed users to run software requiring a discrete GPU, but little more. Today, even the most basic modern integrated graphics solutions vastly outperform it in every metric, sealing its fate as a historical footnote.
System requirements for the NVIDIA GeForce GT 220M graphics were minimal, which was its defining characteristic. The MXM-II interface meant it was soldered onto notebook motherboards, offering no upgrade path for end-users. It demanded no special cooling solutions beyond what a standard budget laptop chassis could provide, thanks to its low thermal design power. This made the NVIDIA GeForce GT 220M graphics a simple, low-risk component for manufacturers to integrate. For the user, it required no additional power connectors or case space, as it was entirely self-contained within the laptop purchase. Ultimately, it was a plug-and-play component that provided a modest performance lift over baseline systems, with its main requirement being a consumer's modest expectations.
The AMD Equivalent of GeForce GT 220M
Looking for a similar graphics card from AMD? The AMD Radeon RX 480 offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.
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