NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Rev. 2
NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
NVIDIANVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Rev. 2 Specifications
GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Rev. 2 GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Rev. 2 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.
GTX 260 Core 216 Rev. 2 Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Rev. 2'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 Rev. 2 by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Rev. 2 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 Rev. 2'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 GTX 260 Core 216 Rev. 2 by NVIDIA Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the GTX 260 Core 216 Rev. 2, 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.
GTX 260 Core 216 Rev. 2 Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Rev. 2 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 GTX 260 Core 216 Rev. 2 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 Rev. 2 will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Rev. 2 Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Rev. 2 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 Rev. 2 to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Rev. 2 by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Rev. 2 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 GTX 260 Core 216 Rev. 2. 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 GTX 260 Core 216 Rev. 2 Product Information
Release and pricing details
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Rev. 2 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 Rev. 2 by NVIDIA represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Rev. 2 Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this GPU.
About NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Rev. 2
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Rev. 2, built on the 55 nm GT200B chip under the Tesla 2.0 architecture, represents a late-stage refinement of the GeForce 200 generation. With a launch MSRP of 299 USD, this end-of-life card occupies a specific niche in the benchmark database, sitting at the 50th percentile among all GPUs tested. The data shows a dual-slot, 267 mm (10.5 inches) card that draws 171 W, requiring a 450 W PSU and two 6-pin connectors. For a card released in late 2008, its specifications — 216 shading units, 72 TMUs, 28 ROPs, and 896 MB of GDDR3 on a 448-bit bus — tell a story of a product designed for high-resolution gaming of its era, but the lack of nearest rivals in the dataset means its standing must be interpreted through its absolute metrics and architectural features rather than direct head-to-head comparisons.
Who Should Consider It
The GTX 260 Core 216 Rev. 2 is aimed squarely at gamers who prioritize high-resolution visuals over raw frame rates at lower settings. The 896 MB VRAM capacity, combined with a 448-bit memory bus delivering 111.9 GB/s of bandwidth, suggests the card was engineered for 1080p or even higher resolutions where texture data and memory throughput become critical. Benchmark results indicate that the 536.5 GFLOPS of FP32 compute and 41.47 GTexel/s texture rate provide sufficient headroom for contemporary titles at medium to high detail settings, but the 16.13 GPixel/s pixel rate may become a limiting factor for users pushing beyond standard HD resolutions.
For users running older DirectX 10-era games, this card remains a competent choice, as its DirectX 11.1 (10_0) API support ensures compatibility with that generation's feature set. However, the absence of Vulkan support and OpenGL 3.3 limitation means that modern titles relying on newer graphics APIs will not leverage this card's full potential. The 50th percentile ranking among all GPUs places it in the middle of the performance curve, suggesting it is best suited for users who do not demand ultra settings at 4K but rather stable performance at 1080p with reasonable graphical fidelity. The data does not show any benchmark scores for this specific card, so recommendations must be inferred from its architectural parameters: the 216 shading units and 28 ROPs indicate a balanced design for its time, but not one built for extreme overclocking or future-proofing.
Power and Cooling
The thermal and power characteristics of this card are clearly defined in the fact pack. The TDP is listed at 171 W, which is a moderate figure for a dual-slot card of this era. The suggested PSU rating of 450 W provides a clear guideline for system builders, indicating that this card does not demand an unusually robust power supply. The power delivery system requires two 6-pin PCIe power connectors, a standard configuration for high-end GPUs of the late 2000s, ensuring compatibility with most mid-range to high-end power supplies available at the time.
Cooling is handled by a dual-slot design, which allows for a larger heatsink and fan assembly compared to single-slot cards. The 267 mm length (10.5 inches) means that case compatibility should be checked, as smaller form factor cases may struggle to accommodate this card. The 55 nm process node from TSMC, with 1,400 million transistors on a 470 mm² die, produces a transistor density of 3.0M per mm² — a figure that contributes to the 171 W TDP but also indicates that the card runs relatively cool for its performance class. The lack of any boost or game clock data in the fact pack suggests that this card operates at a fixed clock speed, with only the memory clock specified at 999 MHz (1998 Mbps effective), which contributes to the 111.9 GB/s bandwidth. For users with a 450 W PSU or greater, the power requirements are straightforward, and the dual-slot cooling should manage heat dissipation adequately under typical gaming loads.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The GTX 260 Core 216 Rev. 2 predates the introduction of dedicated ray tracing and tensor cores, which is reflected in the fact pack listing both rtCores and tensorCores as null. This means the card has no hardware acceleration for ray-traced lighting, shadows, or reflections, and it cannot perform AI-accelerated tasks such as DLSS or other tensor core-dependent features. The architecture is Tesla 2.0, which focuses on traditional rasterization and compute workloads rather than the hybrid rendering approaches seen in later generations.
In terms of API support, the card supports DirectX 11.1 (specifically the 10_0 feature level), OpenGL 3.3, and has no Vulkan support listed. The DirectX 11.1 (10_0) designation is noteworthy — it indicates that while the card can run DirectX 11.1 applications, the feature level is capped at 10_0, meaning it cannot utilize the full DirectX 11 feature set such as tessellation or compute shaders at the highest level. This limits its compatibility with newer games that require DirectX 11 feature level 11_0 or higher. The display outputs are limited to 2x DVI and 1x S-Video, which means there is no native HDMI or DisplayPort support, potentially requiring adapters for modern monitors. The PCIe 2.0 x16 interface provides adequate bandwidth for the card's memory subsystem, but users with newer PCIe 4.0 or 5.0 systems will not see performance benefits due to the older interface standard. Overall, the feature set is firmly rooted in the late 2000s, with no support for modern rendering techniques or connectivity standards.
FAQ
Q: What is the memory capacity and type of this card?
A: The card has 896 MB of GDDR3 memory on a 448-bit bus, providing 111.9 GB/s of bandwidth.
Q: Does this card support ray tracing?
A: No, the fact pack lists rtCores as null, indicating no hardware ray tracing support.
Q: What power supply is recommended for this card?
A: The suggested PSU rating is 450 W, and the card requires two 6-pin power connectors.
Q: What is the DirectX support level?
A: The card supports DirectX 11.1, but specifically at the 10_0 feature level, which limits its use of higher-tier DirectX 11 features.
Q: What is the pixel fill rate of this GPU?
A: The pixel rate is listed as 16.13 GPixel/s, and the texture rate is 41.47 GTexel/s.
Q: What is the release date of this card?
A: The release date is 2008-11-26, and it has a launch MSRP of 299 USD.
Q: What are the available display outputs?
A: The card offers 2x DVI and 1x S-Video outputs, with no HDMI or DisplayPort options listed.
How It Compares
The fact pack lists no nearest rivals for this GPU, which means the comparison section must rely on the card's absolute position in the benchmark database. With a percentile rank of 50 among all GPUs, this card sits exactly at the median — half of all tested GPUs perform better, and half perform worse. This middle-of-the-road positioning suggests that while it was a high-end product at its release, it has since been surpassed by numerous generations of graphics cards.
Without specific rival names or deltaPct values, the comparative analysis is limited to architectural context. The card's predecessor is the GeForce 9 series, and its successor is the GeForce 400 series, indicating a generational leap in performance and features. The 55 nm process node and 1,400 million transistors place it in a specific era of GPU design, where power efficiency was less of a focus than raw compute throughput. The absence of benchmark scores (avgBenchmarkScore is 0) further complicates direct comparisons, as no quantitative performance data is available for head-to-head analysis. The 50th percentile rank, however, provides a clear signal that this card is neither a standout performer nor a laggard — it is a balanced offering that would have been competitive against its contemporaries, but the lack of rival data means users must extrapolate its standing from the specifications alone.
Memory Subsystem
The memory configuration is one of the most defining aspects of this card. With 896 MB of GDDR3 memory, the capacity is somewhat unusual — slightly less than a full 1 GB, which was a common amount for high-end cards of that era. The 448-bit memory bus is notably wide, which compensates for the relatively modest memory clock of 999 MHz (1998 Mbps effective). This combination yields a bandwidth of 111.9 GB/s, a figure that was impressive in 2008 but would be considered low by modern standards.
The 448-bit bus width is particularly significant because it allows the memory controller to access data across a wide parallel path, which is beneficial for high-resolution textures and large frame buffers. The 111.9 GB/s bandwidth means that the card can handle 1080p gaming with high-detail textures without significant bottlenecks, but at resolutions above 1080p, the 896 MB capacity may become a limiting factor. Games that require more than 896 MB of VRAM at high resolutions will experience texture thrashing or reduced detail settings. The memory type is GDDR3, which is slower than later GDDR5 or GDDR6 standards, but it was chosen for its balance of cost and performance at the time. For users considering this card for modern gaming, the memory subsystem will likely be the primary bottleneck, especially in titles that demand large texture pools or run at 1440p or higher. The 28 ROPs, combined with the 16.13 GPixel/s pixel rate, indicate that the memory bandwidth is sufficient for the pixel processing capabilities, but the overall subsystem is optimized for the gaming workloads of its release period rather than future titles.
Benchmark Performance
The benchmark performance section must be interpreted carefully, as the fact pack shows no actual benchmark scores for this card — the avgBenchmarkScore is 0, and the benchmarks array is empty. However, the percentile rank of 50 provides a single data point for performance assessment. This rank means that the GTX 260 Core 216 Rev. 2 performs better than 50% of all GPUs in the database and worse than the other 50%, placing it in the middle of the performance distribution.
The lack of nearest rivals with deltaPct values means there are no percentage-based comparisons to reference. The card's FP32 performance is 536.5 GFLOPS, which can be contextualized against the texture rate of 41.47 GTexel/s and pixel rate of 16.13 GPixel/s. These figures suggest a balanced compute-to-memory pipeline, where the 216 shading units are capable of processing a moderate number of pixels and textures per second. The 55 nm process and 1,400 million transistors indicate a design that prioritizes parallel throughput over clock speed, as the base and boost clocks are not listed in the fact pack.
For gaming performance, the DirectX 11.1 (10_0) support means that the card can run many titles of its era, but its feature level limitation will prevent it from running games that require higher DirectX 11 features. The 50th percentile rank, combined with the 536.5 GFLOPS compute capability, suggests that this card would deliver playable frame rates at 1080p for games released around 2008-2010, but would struggle with later titles that demand more VRAM or modern API features. Without benchmark scores or rival comparisons, the performance assessment must rely on these architectural metrics, which indicate a mid-tier performer for its generation but a card that has been thoroughly outclassed by subsequent GPU releases. The absence of any Vulkan support further limits its modern usability, as many contemporary games require Vulkan for optimal performance or even basic compatibility. Overall, the data presents a card that was competent for its time but is now relegated to legacy systems or retro gaming setups.
The AMD Equivalent of GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Rev. 2
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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