GEFORCE

NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250

NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores

1 GB
VRAM
MHz Boost
150W
TDP
256
Bus Width

NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 Specifications

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GeForce GTS 250 GPU Core

Shader units and compute resources

The NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 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
128
Shaders
128
TMUs
64
ROPs
16
SM Count
16
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GTS 250 Clock Speeds

GPU and memory frequencies

Clock speeds directly impact the GeForce GTS 250'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 GTS 250 by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.

GPU Clock
675 MHz
Memory Clock
1008 MHz 2 Gbps effective
Shader Clock
1620 MHz
GDDR GDDR 6X 6X

NVIDIA's GeForce GTS 250 Memory

VRAM capacity and bandwidth

VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The GeForce GTS 250'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
GDDR3
VRAM Type
GDDR3
Memory Bus
256 bit
Bus Width
256-bit
Bandwidth
64.51 GB/s
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GeForce GTS 250 by NVIDIA Cache

On-chip cache hierarchy

On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the GTS 250, 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
64 KB
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GTS 250 Theoretical Performance

Compute and fill rates

Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 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)
414.7 GFLOPS
Pixel Rate
10.80 GPixel/s
Texture Rate
43.20 GTexel/s
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Tesla Architecture & Process

Manufacturing and design details

The NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 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 GTS 250 will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.

Architecture
Tesla
GPU Name
G92B
Process Node
55 nm
Foundry
TSMC
Transistors
754 million
Die Size
260 mm²
Density
2.9M / mm²
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NVIDIA's GeForce GTS 250 Power & Thermal

TDP and power requirements

Power specifications for the NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 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 GTS 250 to maintain boost clocks without throttling.

TDP
150 W
TDP
150W
Power Connectors
1x 6-pin
Suggested PSU
450 W
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GeForce GTS 250 by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity

Dimensions and outputs

Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 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
Dual-slot
Length
229 mm 9 inches
Bus Interface
PCIe 2.0 x16
Display Outputs
2x DVI
Display Outputs
2x DVI
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NVIDIA API Support

Graphics and compute APIs

API support determines which games and applications can fully utilize the NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250. 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 GTS 250 Product Information

Release and pricing details

The NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 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 GTS 250 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
Mar 2009
Launch Price
199 USD
Production
End-of-life
Predecessor
GeForce 9
Successor
GeForce 400

GeForce GTS 250 Benchmark Scores

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No benchmark data available for this GPU.

About NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250

The NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 arrived in early 2009 as a refined iteration of its predecessor, positioning itself squarely in the mid-range market with a launch price of $199. Its value proposition was clear: offering robust performance for the price in contemporary titles, leveraging 1GB of GDDR3 memory which was a significant asset for higher resolutions and texture details at the time. Based on the mature Tesla architecture, this card was designed for gamers seeking smooth gameplay without the premium cost of flagship models. It served as a capable solution for playing popular games of its era, such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Left 4 Dead 2, at respectable settings. The GeForce GTS 250 provided a balanced blend of specifications, including a 150W TDP, which required thoughtful consideration for system power supplies. For buyers in its release window, it represented a sensible entry into capable gaming performance, effectively filling a crucial price-to-performance segment.

In its market landscape, the NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 competed directly with ATI's Radeon HD 4850, creating a fierce battleground for enthusiast attention. NVIDIA's offering typically held advantages in driver stability and feature sets like PhysX support, which were key selling points. The card's performance profile made it a popular choice for mainstream system builders and OEMs looking to include discrete graphics in pre-built machines. Its PCIe 2.0 x16 interface ensured broad compatibility with motherboards of that generation and even newer ones, though without the bandwidth benefits of PCIe 3.0. The 55nm process technology represented an efficiency improvement over earlier 65nm parts, allowing for slightly higher clock speeds within thermal constraints. Ultimately, the GTS 250 secured NVIDIA's presence in a highly competitive tier, appealing to users who prioritized a trusted brand and proven architecture.

Regarding future-proofing, the NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 was inherently limited by its architectural generation and DirectX 10 support, lacking the hardware for DirectX 11 which debuted later in 2009. This meant its longevity for upcoming, more demanding game titles was constrained from the outset. However, for users targeting a specific performance level for existing software, the 1GB frame buffer did offer some headroom. Today, evaluating this card involves understanding it purely as a legacy component; it is unsuitable for modern gaming but can serve specific retro or secondary display purposes. When considering a system pairing, several critical factors must be addressed to ensure stability and performance.

  1. Ensure your power supply unit has a robust +12V rail and at least one 6-pin PCIe power connector, as the 150W TDP demands adequate power delivery.
  2. Pair the card with a period-appropriate CPU, such as an Intel Core 2 Quad or AMD Phenom II X4, to avoid a significant processor bottleneck.
  3. Use a motherboard with a PCIe 2.0 or later slot, and confirm the chassis has sufficient space for the card's typically dual-slot cooler design.
  4. Install the card on a system running a legacy operating system like Windows 7 or earlier for optimal driver support and compatibility.
  5. Consider this hardware exclusively for legacy gaming, light desktop use, or as a functional collectible, not for any modern graphical workloads.

The AMD Equivalent of GeForce GTS 250

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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