NVIDIA GeForce GTX 295

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 295 is a graphics card built on the Tesla 2.0 architecture using the GT200B chip, fabricated on a 55 nm process at TSMC. It carries 1,400 million transistors on a 470 mm² die, yielding a transistor density of 3.0M / mm². The card is equipped with 896 MB of GDDR3 memory on a 448-bit bus, delivering 111.9 GB/s of bandwidth. In the benchmark database, it holds a 50th percentile rank among all tracked GPUs, though its average benchmark score is listed as 0, indicating no direct performance measurements were recorded. Its launch MSRP was 499 USD. The card succeeds the GeForce 9 generation and precedes the GeForce 400 series, positioning it as a transitional product in NVIDIA's lineup. It was released on January 7, 2009, and is now marked as end-of-life.

Benchmark Performance

The database places the GTX 295 at the 50th percentile of all GPUs tracked, meaning it sits exactly in the middle of the historical performance distribution. This is a neutral standing, neither high-end nor low-end. The raw compute metrics provide a clearer picture of its capabilities. The FP32 performance is rated at 596.2 GFLOPS, which is a measure of its single-precision floating-point throughput. The pixel rate is 16.13 GPixel/s, and the texture rate is 46.08 GTexel/s. These figures indicate a card that can handle geometry and pixel processing at a rate consistent with its mid-pack percentile. The memory subsystem operates at 999 MHz, with an effective data rate of 1998 Mbps. The 448-bit memory bus, combined with 896 MB of GDDR3, yields a bandwidth of 111.9 GB/s. This bandwidth is a critical factor; while the compute rates are respectable for its generation, the 896 MB frame buffer is relatively small, which will limit the card's ability to handle large textures or high resolutions without performance degradation. The average benchmark score is 0, so there are no direct scores to compare against rivals. However, the percentile rank of 50 suggests that in the database's aggregate scoring, this card outperforms half of the GPUs and underperforms the other half. For a card from its era, this indicates a balanced mid-range profile. The transistor density of 3.0M / mm² on the 470 mm² die shows a design that packs a substantial number of transistors into a relatively large area, which is typical for a card of its time.

Ray Tracing and Feature Set

The GTX 295 does not include dedicated ray tracing cores or tensor cores; both fields are null in the specifications. This means the card relies entirely on traditional rasterization techniques for rendering. Its API support is anchored by DirectX 11.1 (with a feature level of 10_0) and OpenGL 3.3. Notably, Vulkan support is absent. This places the card in a generation that predates the hardware-accelerated ray tracing found in later NVIDIA architectures. The lack of tensor cores also means no dedicated hardware for AI-based features. For users of this card, the feature set is limited to what DirectX 11.1 and OpenGL 3.3 can provide. The DirectX 11.1 (10_0) feature level indicates that while the driver supports the DirectX 11.1 API, the hardware itself is limited to the DirectX 10 feature set. This is an important distinction, as games requiring DirectX 11 features will run, but with reduced capabilities compared to true DirectX 11 hardware. OpenGL 3.3 support allows for a range of OpenGL applications, but again, it is not the latest version available. The architecture, Tesla 2.0, is a compute-oriented design that focuses on shading and texture throughput rather than dedicated acceleration blocks.

Who Should Consider It

Given the 896 MB frame buffer and 111.9 GB/s bandwidth, the GTX 295 is best suited for 1080p gaming with lower texture quality settings. The small memory capacity will become a bottleneck when loading high-resolution textures or running modern games that demand more video memory. For older titles, particularly those from the same generation as the card, the 596.2 GFLOPS of FP32 performance and the 16.13 GPixel/s pixel rate are sufficient to deliver playable frame rates at moderate settings. The card's display outputs include 2x DVI and 1x HDMI, allowing for multi-monitor setups. However, the memory constraints will limit the resolution and texture detail across multiple displays. The 50th percentile rank suggests that this card is not a high-end solution; it is a mid-range option that can handle older games and less demanding workloads. Users who play older games at 1080p will find it adequate, but those seeking to run modern, graphically intensive games at high settings will be disappointed. The card's dual-slot design and 267 mm length require a case with sufficient clearance. The height of 111 mm and width of 38 mm also factor into case compatibility, particularly with side panels and adjacent components.

How It Compares

The database lists no nearest rivals for the GTX 295, so there are no direct head-to-head scores or percentage deltas to reference. Its position is defined solely by its 50th percentile rank. Relative to its predecessor, the GeForce 9 series, the GTX 295 represents a significant architectural shift to the Tesla 2.0 architecture. The 55 nm process node, compared to the older GeForce 9 parts, allows for a higher transistor count of 1,400 million on a 470 mm² die. This increase in transistor count and die size enables the card's design. Compared to its successor, the GeForce 400 series, the GTX 295 lacks the newer features that the 400 series introduced, such as support for DirectX 11 at a full feature level. The GeForce 400 series also moved to a different architecture, but the pack does not specify those details. The GTX 295's position in the middle of the database's percentile distribution suggests it is a capable mid-range card for its time, but it is outclassed by later generations in both performance and feature set. The lack of Vulkan support and the limited DirectX feature level (10_0) further separate it from more modern GPUs. The card's 50th percentile standing means that in a historical context, it is exactly average, which is a notable position for a card from its release period.

Power and Cooling

The GTX 295 has a thermal design power (TDP) of 289 W, which is a substantial power draw for a graphics card. NVIDIA recommends a 600 W power supply for systems using this card. The power delivery requires one 6-pin and one 8-pin PCIe power connector. This means the power supply must have both connector types available. The card occupies a dual-slot form factor, with a length of 267 mm (10.5 inches), a height of 111 mm (4.4 inches), and a width of 38 mm (1.5 inches). The dual-slot cooler is necessary to dissipate the heat generated by the 289 W TDP. When installing this card, users must ensure their case has sufficient length clearance for the 267 mm card, as well as adequate airflow to handle the heat output. The 38 mm width indicates a thick cooler, which may obstruct adjacent PCIe slots on some motherboards. The power connector requirement of 1x 6-pin and 1x 8-pin is specific, and users should verify their power supply has these connectors available before purchase. The suggested 600 W PSU is a minimum recommendation; the actual power draw of the system will depend on other components. The card's end-of-life production status means that users will be relying on existing units or the used market, and the power and cooling requirements remain a constant consideration.

FAQ

Q: What is the thermal design power (TDP) of the GTX 295?

A: The TDP is 289 W.

Q: What power connectors does the GTX 295 require?

A: It requires one 6-pin and one 8-pin PCIe power connector.

Q: What is the suggested power supply wattage for a system with this card?

A: A 600 W power supply is suggested.

Q: Does the GTX 295 support Vulkan?

A: No, Vulkan support is not listed. It supports DirectX 11.1 (with a 10_0 feature level) and OpenGL 3.3.

Q: How much memory does the GTX 295 have, and what type is it?

A: It has 896 MB of GDDR3 memory.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the GTX 295?

A: The launch MSRP was 499 USD.