GEFORCE

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216

NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores

896 MB
VRAM
MHz Boost
182W
TDP
448
Bus Width

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Specifications

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GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 GPU Core

Shader units and compute resources

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 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
216
Shaders
216
TMUs
72
ROPs
28
SM Count
27
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GTX 260 Core 216 Clock Speeds

GPU and memory frequencies

Clock speeds directly impact the GeForce GTX 260 Core 216'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 GTX 260 Core 216 by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.

GPU Clock
576 MHz
Memory Clock
999 MHz 1998 Mbps effective
Shader Clock
1242 MHz
GDDR GDDR 6X 6X

NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Memory

VRAM capacity and bandwidth

VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The GeForce GTX 260 Core 216'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
896 MB
VRAM
896 MB
Memory Type
GDDR3
VRAM Type
GDDR3
Memory Bus
448 bit
Bus Width
448-bit
Bandwidth
111.9 GB/s
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GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 by NVIDIA Cache

On-chip cache hierarchy

On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the GTX 260 Core 216, 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
224 KB
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GTX 260 Core 216 Theoretical Performance

Compute and fill rates

Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 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)
536.5 GFLOPS
FP64 (Double)
67.07 GFLOPS (1:8)
Pixel Rate
16.13 GPixel/s
Texture Rate
41.47 GTexel/s
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Tesla 2.0 Architecture & Process

Manufacturing and design details

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 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 GTX 260 Core 216 will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.

Architecture
Tesla 2.0
GPU Name
GT200
Process Node
65 nm
Foundry
TSMC
Transistors
1,400 million
Die Size
576 mm²
Density
2.4M / mm²
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NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Power & Thermal

TDP and power requirements

Power specifications for the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 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 GTX 260 Core 216 to maintain boost clocks without throttling.

TDP
182 W
TDP
182W
Power Connectors
2x 6-pin
Suggested PSU
450 W
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GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity

Dimensions and outputs

Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 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
267 mm 10.5 inches
Bus Interface
PCIe 2.0 x16
Display Outputs
2x DVI1x S-Video
Display Outputs
2x DVI1x S-Video
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NVIDIA API Support

Graphics and compute APIs

API support determines which games and applications can fully utilize the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216. 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
1.3
Shader Model
4.0
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GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Product Information

Release and pricing details

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 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 GTX 260 Core 216 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
Sep 2008
Launch Price
299 USD
Production
End-of-life
Predecessor
GeForce 9
Successor
GeForce 400

GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Benchmark Scores

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No benchmark data available for this GPU.

About NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216

Are you a creator diving into the archives of GPU history, wondering if the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 still holds up for modern workflows? Released back in September 2008 at a launch price of $299 USD, this Tesla 2.0 architecture beast on a 65 nm process packed 896 MB of GDDR3 VRAM and a 182 W TDP, interfacing via PCIe 2.0 x16. But does its CUDA capability, introduced as one of NVIDIA's early forays into general-purpose computing, make it viable for today's parallel processing tasks? OpenCL support came later, but can retrofitting it into creative pipelines yield results? For video editing, the GTX 260's hardware might handle basic 1080p timelines in software like Adobe Premiere, yet how does it fare against the multi-core demands of 4K footage? Driver support remains a mixed bag NVIDIA's legacy branches ensure stability for Windows 7 or earlier, but what about compatibility in virtualized environments? In workstation builds, enthusiasts often pair it with quad-core Xeons for cost-effective rendering farms, questioning if the power draw justifies the nostalgia. Ultimately, does resurrecting this card spark innovation or just highlight how far we've come?

Turning to the GTX 260 from NVIDIA, could its 216 CUDA cores redefine budget-conscious creator setups in legacy software? Video editing performance shines in era-appropriate apps like Sony Vegas 8, where hardware acceleration via CUDA eases effects rendering, but does it stutter on complex composites? Stability in drivers, particularly the 300-series branches, offers rock-solid operation for broadcast workflows, yet how secure is it against modern vulnerabilities? For workstation builds, integrating the NVIDIA GTX 260 into multi-GPU SLI configurations boosts throughput in 3ds Max simulations do the thermal limits hold up under prolonged loads? Here's a quick rundown of key considerations:

  1. CUDA cores enable accelerated encoding in tools like After Effects, questioning efficiency gains over CPU-only paths.
  2. GDDR3 memory bandwidth supports real-time playback, but does it bottleneck high-res exports?
  3. Legacy driver ecosystem ensures plug-and-play in older OSes, pondering upgrade paths to Vulkan wrappers.
  4. Low launch price appeals to tinkerers building custom rigs, yet is the ecosystem alive for parts sourcing?

So, as creators experiment with the GeForce GTX 260, does its historical footprint inspire hybrid modern-vintage pipelines, or is it better left as a collector's item?

The AMD Equivalent of GeForce GTX 260 Core 216

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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