NVIDIA GeForce GTS 360M
NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
NVIDIA GeForce GTS 360M Specifications
GeForce GTS 360M GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The NVIDIA GeForce GTS 360M 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.
GTS 360M Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the GeForce GTS 360M'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 360M by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
NVIDIA's GeForce GTS 360M Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The GeForce GTS 360M'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 GTS 360M by NVIDIA Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the GTS 360M, 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.
GTS 360M Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA GeForce GTS 360M 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 2.0 Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The NVIDIA GeForce GTS 360M is built on NVIDIA's Tesla 2.0 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 360M will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
NVIDIA's GeForce GTS 360M Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the NVIDIA GeForce GTS 360M 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 360M to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
GeForce GTS 360M by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA GeForce GTS 360M 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 GTS 360M. 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 GTS 360M Product Information
Release and pricing details
The NVIDIA GeForce GTS 360M 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 360M by NVIDIA represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
GeForce GTS 360M Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this GPU.
About NVIDIA GeForce GTS 360M
The NVIDIA GeForce GTS 360M, a mobile GPU from the early 2010s, was engineered to handle demanding professional workloads in a portable form factor. Leveraging its 1 GB of GDDR5 memory, this graphics processor offered a significant advantage for memory-intensive applications compared to its contemporaries. Built on the 40 nm process and featuring the Tesla 2.0 architecture, it aimed to deliver a balance of performance and power efficiency, with a TDP of 38 watts. The card's capabilities were particularly relevant for tasks such as CAD modeling and real-time data visualization, where responsive graphical output is critical. Its MXM-II interface ensured compatibility with a range of mobile workstations, making it a versatile component for business-class laptops. We can identify several key aspects of its design philosophy:
- Prioritization of memory bandwidth for complex scene manipulation.
- Optimization for sustained performance under thermal constraints.
- Integration into systems requiring reliable graphical computation.
When evaluating the 3D rendering potential of this particular NVIDIA mobile solution, its architectural strengths come into focus. The Tesla 2.0 foundation provided support for contemporary shader models, enabling more complex lighting and texture effects. While not designed as a dedicated rendering card, the 360M could competently handle viewport rendering in applications like Autodesk 3ds Max or Maya for preliminary design reviews. The GDDR5 memory was crucial here, reducing bottlenecks when handling large textures and geometry data sets. However, its performance would be outpaced by modern integrated graphics, placing it firmly as a legacy solution for older systems. Its value lies in understanding the historical capabilities of mobile GPUs for content creation tasks before the widespread adoption of CUDA for accelerated rendering.
Driver support and long-term stability are paramount for enterprise deployment. NVIDIA has a reputation for providing sustained driver updates for its professional-grade cards, though support for older mobile GPUs like the GeForce GTS 360M eventually reaches its end-of-life. For systems still running this hardware, obtaining the final certified drivers is essential for system compatibility and security. The investigation into driver archives reveals that this model benefited from the unified driver architecture, meaning a single driver package supported a wide range of products, simplifying IT management. Stability was a key selling point, minimizing downtime in professional environments where reliability is non-negotiable.
Examining the enterprise features of the GTS 360M graphics card reveals its intended market. Unlike its consumer-oriented counterparts, this GPU was often bundled in laptops targeting business and development users who required more than basic graphics. Its feature set was tailored for reliability and compatibility with professional software suites rather than maximizing gaming frame rates. The use of the MXM-II interface allowed manufacturers to offer a upgradeable graphics path in certain laptop models, a feature appreciated in corporate IT cycles. While it lacked dedicated enterprise management features found in Quadro-branded cards, it served as a capable solution for general-purpose professional use where a balance of cost and performance was necessary.
The AMD Equivalent of GeForce GTS 360M
Looking for a similar graphics card from AMD? The AMD Radeon RX 480 offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.
Popular NVIDIA GeForce GTS 360M Comparisons
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