NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690
NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
NVIDIANVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 Specifications
GeForce GTX 690 GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 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 690 Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the GeForce GTX 690'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 690 by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 690 Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The GeForce GTX 690'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 690 by NVIDIA Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the GTX 690, 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 690 Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 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.
Kepler Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 is built on NVIDIA's Kepler 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 690 will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 690 Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 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 690 to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
GeForce GTX 690 by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 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 690. 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 690 Product Information
Release and pricing details
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 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 690 by NVIDIA represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
GeForce GTX 690 Benchmark Scores
geekbench_openclSource
Geekbench OpenCL tests GPU compute performance using the cross-platform OpenCL API. This shows how NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 handles parallel computing tasks like video encoding and scientific simulations. OpenCL is widely supported across different GPU vendors and platforms.
Top 5 Performers
Top 5 PerformersNearby Performers
Nearby Performersgeekbench_vulkanSource
Geekbench Vulkan tests GPU compute using the modern low-overhead Vulkan API. This shows how NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 performs with next-generation graphics and compute workloads. Vulkan offers better CPU efficiency than older APIs like OpenGL. Modern games and applications increasingly use Vulkan for cross-platform GPU acceleration.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
About NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 is a Kepler-architecture graphics card built on TSMC's 28 nm process, featuring the GK104 chip with 3,540 million transistors on a 294 mm² die. It ships with 2 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus, delivering 192.3 GB/s of bandwidth, and is rated for a 300 W TDP with a launch MSRP of 999 USD. In the benchmark database, it holds an average score of 15,730 points across Geekbench OpenCL and Vulkan tests, placing it in the 57th percentile of all GPUs. The card's closest rivals are the AMD Radeon Pro W5500, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080, the AMD Radeon R9 M380, and the AMD Radeon RX 7600S, with performance deltas ranging from 1.7% behind to 1.5% ahead.
Benchmark Performance
The GTX 690's average benchmark score of 15,730 derives from a Geekbench OpenCL result of 16,480 and a Vulkan result of 14,979. The OpenCL score is 10.0% higher than the Vulkan score, suggesting that the card's compute-oriented drivers are more mature than its Vulkan path, though both scores land in a similar performance tier. Against its nearest rivals, the card sits in a tightly packed band: it is 0.4% behind the AMD Radeon Pro W5500 (15,786), 1.3% ahead of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 (15,531), 1.5% ahead of the AMD Radeon R9 M380 (15,504), and 1.7% behind the AMD Radeon RX 7600S (15,996). These deltas are all within a 3.2% spread, indicating that the GTX 690's performance is effectively equivalent to a cluster of modern and older mid-range parts. The 57th percentile placement reinforces this: the card outperforms roughly 57% of all GPUs in the database, yet it does not break into the upper echelons. In practical terms, the GTX 690 offers consistent, if not class-leading, throughput in OpenCL and Vulkan workloads, with the OpenCL result being the stronger of the two.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The GTX 690 has no dedicated ray tracing cores and no tensor cores, as indicated by the null entries for those fields. This means the card relies entirely on traditional rasterization and compute shaders for rendering. In terms of API support, it exposes DirectX 12 with a feature level of 11_0 — a partial implementation that lacks some of the more advanced DX12 features — as well as OpenGL 4.6 and Vulkan 1.2.175. The Vulkan version is relatively recent, but without hardware acceleration for ray tracing or AI-based features like DLSS, the card's feature set is limited to conventional graphics paths. The absence of tensor cores also rules out any machine-learning accelerated workloads that depend on such hardware. For users seeking ray-traced effects or modern upscaling technologies, the GTX 690 offers no support; it is purely a rasterization-focused product. The API coverage does allow for broad compatibility with contemporary titles, but the feature level ceiling means some DX12 effects may be unavailable or run in a compatibility mode.
Memory Subsystem
The GTX 690 is equipped with 2 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 192.3 GB/s. The memory clock is 1502 MHz with an effective data rate of 6 Gbps. This configuration is modest by current standards, particularly the 2 GB capacity. At high resolutions such as 4K, texture-heavy scenes can easily exceed 2 GB of VRAM, leading to potential stuttering or reduced texture quality as data is swapped. The 192.3 GB/s bandwidth is also a limiting factor for high-resolution rendering, where the GPU must fetch large amounts of data per frame. However, for 1080p and lighter workloads, the capacity and bandwidth are adequate. The 256-bit bus is a reasonable width for the era, but the total memory footprint is a clear bottleneck for modern titles with large texture packs. Benchmark results do not specifically isolate memory-bound scenarios, but the card's overall score suggests that memory constraints may cap its performance in demanding resolutions.
Power and Cooling
The GTX 690 carries a TDP of 300 W, which is substantial for a card of its generation. NVIDIA recommends a 700 W power supply, and the card requires two 8-pin PCIe power connectors. The dual-slot cooler design is 279 mm long, 111 mm tall, and 38 mm wide, indicating a large heatsink and fan assembly to dissipate the 300 W of heat. The power connector layout means that any system housing this card must have a PSU with sufficient wattage and the correct connectors, plus a case with enough clearance for the 279 mm length. The 38 mm width (1.5 inches) is typical of dual-slot cards, but it may obstruct adjacent PCIe slots in some motherboards. The high TDP also implies that the card will generate significant heat under load, and the dual-slot design is necessary to keep temperatures within safe limits. Given its end-of-life production status, the GTX 690 is no longer manufactured, but its power and cooling requirements remain relevant for any system that still uses it.
How It Compares
vs. AMD Radeon Pro W5500: The GTX 690 trails the W5500 by a mere 0.4% in average benchmark score, a difference of just 56 points. This places the two cards on essentially equal footing in the tested workloads. The W5500 is a professional-grade GPU, but the GTX 690 holds its own despite its consumer-oriented pedigree. The delta is within the noise margin of most benchmarks, so users should expect near-identical performance.
vs. NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080: The GTX 690 leads the GTX 1080 by 1.3%, a margin of 199 points. This is a notable result given that the GTX 1080 is from a later generation and typically considered a more capable card. The data shows the GTX 690 outperforming its newer counterpart in these specific OpenCL and Vulkan tests, though the difference is small. This suggests that the GTX 690's compute capabilities are well-optimized in the benchmark suite.
vs. AMD Radeon R9 M380: The GTX 690 is 1.5% ahead of the R9 M380, with a 226-point advantage. The R9 M380 is a mobile-oriented GPU, and the GTX 690's desktop design likely contributes to its higher throughput. The lead is modest but consistent, indicating that the GTX 690 can match or exceed this mobile part in raw compute performance.
vs. AMD Radeon RX 7600S: The GTX 690 falls 1.7% behind the RX 7600S, a difference of 266 points. The RX 7600S is a modern mobile GPU, and its slight edge over the GTX 690 reflects advancements in architecture and efficiency. Still, the gap is narrow, and the GTX 690 remains competitive despite being several generations older. The delta is within the typical variance of benchmark runs, so the two cards are effectively comparable in these tests.
The AMD Equivalent of GeForce GTX 690
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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