NVIDIA GeForce GTX 275
NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
NVIDIANVIDIA GeForce GTX 275 Specifications
GeForce GTX 275 GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 275 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 275 Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the GeForce GTX 275'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 275 by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 275 Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The GeForce GTX 275'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 275 by NVIDIA Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the GTX 275, 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 275 Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 275 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 275 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 275 will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 275 Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 275 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 275 to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
GeForce GTX 275 by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 275 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 275. 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 275 Product Information
Release and pricing details
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 275 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 275 by NVIDIA represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
GeForce GTX 275 Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this GPU.
About NVIDIA GeForce GTX 275
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 275, built on the GT200B chip and Tesla 2.0 architecture, arrived on January 14, 2009, with a launch MSRP of 249 USD. Fabricated on a 55 nm process at TSMC, the card packs 1,400 million transistors into a 470 mm² die, yielding a transistor density of 3.0M / mm². Now marked end-of-life, it sits at the 50th percentile in the benchmark database, indicating median performance across all tracked GPUs. The card uses a dual-slot cooler, spans 267 mm (10.5 inches) in length, and connects via PCIe 2.0 x16.
Benchmark Performance
The GTX 275 delivers 673.9 GFLOPS of FP32 compute, 17.72 GPixel/s pixel fill, and 50.64 GTexel/s texture fill. These figures come from 240 shading units, 80 texture mapping units, and 28 ROPs. The benchmark array in the fact pack is empty, so no direct benchmark scores are available, but the 50th percentile ranking places it exactly at the median of all GPUs tracked in the database. This means that in a head-to-head comparison against the entire field, the GTX 275 is neither a performance outlier nor a laggard; it represents the midpoint of historical GPU performance. The 673.9 GFLOPS figure indicates a capable shader throughput for its generation, while the 50.64 GTexel/s texture rate suggests strong texturing capabilities relative to its pixel rate. The 17.72 GPixel/s pixel rate is modest by modern standards, but for the era it was a balanced configuration. Because no nearest rivals are listed in the fact pack, exact percentage deltas against specific competitors cannot be provided. Instead, the data shows a card that was designed to deliver consistent, mid-range performance across a variety of workloads. The texture rate being significantly higher than the pixel rate (50.64 vs 17.72) points to an architecture that prioritizes texture-heavy scenes over pure fill-rate tasks, which aligns with the 80 TMUs and 28 ROPs configuration.
Power and Cooling
The GTX 275 has a thermal design power (TDP) of 219 W, which is a substantial draw for a single-GPU card. To feed this, the card requires two 6-pin power connectors, and the manufacturer suggests a 550 W power supply unit (PSU). The dual-slot cooler is necessary to dissipate the 219 W of heat, and the card's 267 mm (10.5 inches) length means it will fit in most mid-tower cases, but users with compact cases should verify clearance. The 550 W PSU recommendation is a conservative figure that accounts for the rest of the system's draw, and the dual 6-pin connectors are mandatory—a single 6-pin will not suffice. The 55 nm process node (TSMC) helps manage power, but 219 W is still a significant load. For a system with a typical CPU and a few drives, a quality 550 W unit provides adequate headroom. The end-of-life status means replacement coolers may be harder to find, so thermal paste renewal and fan maintenance are advisable for long-term use. The dual-slot design also means the card occupies two expansion slots, which is standard for high-TDP parts of this generation.
Who Should Consider It
The GTX 275 is best suited for users running older games or applications that fit within its 896 MB frame buffer. With 127.0 GB/s of memory bandwidth, the card can handle 1080p-class workloads at medium settings, though the 896 MB capacity will be a bottleneck for modern texture-heavy titles. The 240 shading units and 80 TMUs provide enough compute for DirectX 11.1 (10_0) titles, but the lack of Vulkan support limits modern API compatibility. For a retro gaming rig or a period-correct build, the GTX 275 offers a solid experience at lower resolutions. The 50th percentile ranking means it outperforms half of the GPUs in the database, so it can still handle esports titles or older AAA games. However, for users aiming at high resolutions or maximum settings, the 896 MB VRAM and 127.0 GB/s bandwidth will quickly become limiting. The card's 17.72 GPixel/s pixel rate also caps fill-rate-intensive scenarios. In short, it's a card for legacy systems, not for modern high-end gaming. The 2x DVI display outputs limit connectivity to digital monitors only, so users with DisplayPort-only displays will need adapters.
FAQ
Q: What is the thermal design power (TDP) of the GTX 275?
A: The TDP is 219 W.
Q: What power connectors does the GTX 275 require?
A: It requires two 6-pin power connectors.
Q: What is the suggested power supply wattage for a system with the GTX 275?
A: A 550 W power supply is suggested.
Q: What type and amount of memory does the GTX 275 have?
A: It has 896 MB of GDDR3 memory on a 448-bit bus, providing 127.0 GB/s of bandwidth.
Q: Which APIs are supported by the GTX 275?
A: It supports DirectX 11.1 (10_0) and OpenGL 3.3. It does not support Vulkan.
Q: What is the process node and transistor count of the GTX 275?
A: It uses a 55 nm process and contains 1,400 million transistors.
How It Compares
The fact pack for the GTX 275 does not list any nearest rivals, so a direct comparison against specific named competitors with exact percentage deltas is not possible from the provided data. The card's 50th percentile ranking across all GPUs in the database places it exactly in the middle of the performance distribution. This means it outperforms roughly half of the GPUs tracked and is outperformed by the other half. Its predecessor is the GeForce 9 series, and its successor is the GeForce 400 series, indicating its position in NVIDIA's product stack. Without rival data, the best contextualization is the percentile figure: it is a median performer. For users familiar with the era, the GTX 275 sits between the older GeForce 9 parts and the newer GeForce 400 parts, but specific performance deltas against those families are not included in the fact pack. The absence of rival data means the 50th percentile is the sole comparative metric available, and it suggests a card that was neither a flagship nor an entry-level product. The 673.9 GFLOPS FP32 throughput and 127.0 GB/s bandwidth are the key internal metrics that define its performance envelope, but without rival scores, any external comparison would be speculative.
Memory Subsystem
The GTX 275 is equipped with 896 MB of GDDR3 memory, which is a modest capacity by today's standards but was a deliberate choice for its time. The memory operates at 1134 MHz, translating to 2.3 Gbps effective, and is connected via a 448-bit bus. This wide bus is the key to the card's 127.0 GB/s memory bandwidth. The 448-bit width compensates for the relatively low memory clock, allowing the card to move data efficiently. For high-resolution rendering, the 127.0 GB/s bandwidth is a critical factor; it determines how quickly textures and frame data can be read from and written to memory. The 896 MB capacity, however, is a limiting factor for large textures and high-resolution buffers. In practice, the card can handle 1080p-class workloads with moderate texture detail, but it will struggle with ultra-high-resolution textures or multi-monitor setups. The 28 ROPs work in conjunction with the memory subsystem to deliver a pixel rate of 17.72 GPixel/s. The balance between the 448-bit bus and the 1134 MHz clock is a classic design trade-off: a wide bus yields high bandwidth without requiring extreme memory speeds. For users considering this card, the 127.0 GB/s bandwidth is the most important memory metric, as it directly impacts performance in memory-intensive scenarios. The GDDR3 type is older, but it was standard for the era, and the 896 MB capacity was sufficient for the games of its generation. Overall, the memory subsystem is well-balanced for its intended use, though it is a clear bottleneck for modern software.
The AMD Equivalent of GeForce GTX 275
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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