NVIDIA ION HX
NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
NVIDIANVIDIA ION HX Specifications
ION HX GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The NVIDIA ION HX 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.
ION HX Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the ION HX'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 ION HX by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
NVIDIA's ION HX Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The ION HX'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.
ION HX Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA ION HX 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 Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The NVIDIA ION HX is built on NVIDIA's Tesla 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 ION HX will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
NVIDIA's ION HX Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the NVIDIA ION HX 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 ION HX to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
ION HX by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA ION HX 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 ION HX. 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.
ION HX Product Information
Release and pricing details
The NVIDIA ION HX 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 ION HX by NVIDIA represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
ION HX Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this GPU.
About NVIDIA ION HX
The NVIDIA ION HX is a 65 nm integrated graphics processor built on the Tesla architecture, positioned as an entry-level IGP solution from 2008. It carries 282 million transistors on a 162 mm² die, yielding a transistor density of 1.7M per mm². With its End-of-life production status and a 50th percentile ranking against all GPUs, the ION HX occupies a historical niche focused on compact and low-power systems rather than high-end performance. This analysis examines the data available for this part, interpreting its specifications and positioning within the context of its era.
Benchmark Performance
The FACT PACK provides no benchmark scores or nearest rivals for the NVIDIA ION HX, which is itself a significant data point. The `benchmarks` array is empty, and `nearestRivals` contains no entries. The `avgBenchmarkScore` is 0, and the `percentileVsAllGpus` is 50. This percentile suggests the ION HX sits at the median of all GPUs ever cataloged, but this figure must be interpreted with caution given the absence of actual performance data. The median ranking implies that, within the database's historical scope, half of all GPUs are slower and half are faster, but without concrete rival deltas, the practical meaning remains abstract.
The raw compute figures offer a clearer baseline. The ION HX delivers 35.20 GFLOPS of FP32 performance, a figure indicative of its modest shader throughput. The pixel rate stands at 1.800 GPixel/s, while the texture rate is 3.600 GTexel/s. These numbers translate to a part capable of basic 2D acceleration and very light 3D workloads, but the data strongly suggests it was never intended for demanding applications. The absence of any benchmark scores or rival comparisons means no percentage deltas can be cited, and the performance narrative must be built solely on these absolute specifications. The 50th percentile, in this context, likely reflects the sheer volume of low-end parts in the database rather than a competitive standing against modern or even contemporary discrete GPUs.
Memory Subsystem
The memory configuration of the ION HX is defined by its "System Shared" designation across all relevant fields: size, type, and bus width. Memory bandwidth is listed as "System Dependent," which is a critical qualifier. This means the ION HX has no dedicated VRAM; it relies entirely on the host system's main memory, and the performance of that shared memory determines the graphics bandwidth. For high resolutions, this architecture imposes significant limitations. The lack of a dedicated bus width number or a fixed bandwidth figure means the memory subsystem's performance is variable and unpredictable, tied directly to the system's RAM speed and configuration.
For any analysis of high-resolution gaming or heavy texture workloads, the implications are clear: the ION HX would be bottlenecked by both the shared memory interface and the limited compute resources. The "System Shared" type, typical of integrated graphics, means the memory controller and system RAM bandwidth are shared with the CPU, further reducing available throughput for graphics tasks. The data does not specify a maximum resolution or provide any memory clock figures, so the analysis must conclude that the ION HX is fundamentally constrained by its dependency on system memory, making it unsuitable for resolutions beyond basic desktop usage or very low-detail legacy applications.
Power and Cooling
The ION HX has a TDP of 20 W, a figure that classifies it as a very low-power component. This thermal design power is consistent with its integrated nature, as the `slotWidth` is listed as "IGP" (Integrated Graphics Processor). The absence of a `suggestedPsu` figure in the FACT PACK indicates that no specific power supply recommendation was provided, which is typical for integrated solutions that draw power from the motherboard rather than a dedicated power connector. The `powerConnectors` field is null, confirming that no external power cables are required.
The 20 W TDP has practical implications for system design. It allows for passive cooling solutions or very small active coolers, making the ION HX suitable for compact, low-noise, or fanless builds. The lack of a PSU recommendation suggests that any standard system power supply, even a low-wattage unit, would suffice. However, the data does not provide a specific PSU wattage, so the analysis must remain qualitative: the ION HX is an ultra-low-power IGP that places minimal demands on the thermal and power delivery systems of a host computer. The `busInterface` is "PCI," which predates PCIe, further indicating the age and integration level of this part.
How It Compares
The `nearestRivals` array in the FACT PACK is empty, so there are no direct comparison points provided. This absence of data is noteworthy. Without named rivals, scores, or deltaPct values, it is impossible to position the ION HX against specific competing GPUs from its era or any other. The percentileVsAllGpus of 50 offers a general context, but it is not tied to any particular competitor.
The data implies that the ION HX existed in a competitive vacuum within this database, or that its performance was so far removed from cataloged rivals that no meaningful comparisons were recorded. The lack of rivals means no paragraphs can be written on specific competitor deltas. The only comparative statement possible is the 50th percentile ranking, which, as noted, is a broad statistical measure rather than a direct head-to-head result. This positions the ION HX as a middle-of-the-pack part in the historical database, but the practical significance of that ranking is muted without concrete rival data.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The ION HX has no dedicated ray tracing cores, as indicated by the null value for `rtCores`. Similarly, `tensorCores` are absent, meaning the hardware lacks any AI-acceleration features. The architecture is "Tesla," which predates the introduction of dedicated RT and tensor core hardware in NVIDIA's lineup. The API support is limited: DirectX 11.1 (10_0) and OpenGL 3.3. The DirectX version notation is unusual, indicating feature level 10_0, which means it supports DirectX 10-level features despite the 11.1 API designation. Vulkan is not supported, as the `vulkan` field is null.
This feature set places the ION HX firmly in an era before hardware-accelerated ray tracing and AI-based upscaling. The absence of RT and tensor cores means any modern ray-traced workloads or DLSS-style features are entirely out of the question. The API support, while including DirectX 11.1, is capped at a 10_0 feature level, which limits modern game compatibility to titles that can run on DirectX 10-class hardware. OpenGL 3.3 support provides some legacy compatibility but is insufficient for modern OpenGL applications. The feature set is a reflection of the 2008 release date, focused on basic 3D acceleration rather than advanced rendering techniques.
FAQ
Q: What is the process node of the NVIDIA ION HX?
A: The ION HX is manufactured on a 65 nm process node, with a die size of 162 mm² and 282 million transistors, resulting in a transistor density of 1.7M per mm².
Q: How much video memory does the ION HX have?
A: The ION HX has no dedicated video memory. The memory size, type, and bus width are all listed as "System Shared," meaning it uses the host system's main memory, with bandwidth that is system dependent.
Q: What is the thermal design power of the ION HX?
A: The ION HX has a TDP of 20 W and is classified as an IGP (Integrated Graphics Processor) with a slot width of "IGP." No power connectors are required, and no specific PSU is suggested.
Q: Does the ION HX support hardware ray tracing?
A: No, the ION HX has no ray tracing cores (rtCores is null). It also lacks tensor cores, so it does not support any hardware-accelerated AI features.
Q: What APIs are supported by the ION HX?
A: The ION HX supports DirectX 11.1 (with a 10_0 feature level) and OpenGL 3.3. Vulkan is not supported.
Q: What is the FP32 performance of the ION HX?
A: The ION HX delivers 35.20 GFLOPS of FP32 performance, with a pixel rate of 1.800 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 3.600 GTexel/s.
Who Should Consider It
The data for the NVIDIA ION HX points to a very specific use case. Given the 35.20 GFLOPS FP32 performance, 1.800 GPixel/s pixel rate, and 3.600 GTexel/s texture rate, this is not a GPU for any modern gaming or graphics-intensive workload. The 20 W TDP and IGP classification, combined with the "System Shared" memory, make it suitable for basic desktop tasks, legacy 2D applications, or very old 3D games that ran on DirectX 10-class hardware. The 50th percentile ranking against all GPUs is misleading in a modern context; it reflects historical distribution, not current capability.
The absence of RT cores, tensor cores, and Vulkan support further narrows its applicability. Users would consider the ION HX only for retro systems, low-power file servers, or embedded applications where display output is a secondary concern. The "Portable Device Dependent" display outputs suggest it was designed for laptops or compact devices, reinforcing its role as a low-cost, low-power companion to an entry-level CPU. For any resolution above basic VGA or early HD standards, the system-dependent bandwidth would likely become a severe bottleneck, making the ION HX unsuitable for high-resolution work. In short, the ION HX is a historical curiosity, relevant only to those building period-accurate systems or requiring the absolute minimum in graphics capability.
The AMD Equivalent of ION HX
Looking for a similar graphics card from AMD? The AMD Radeon RX 480 offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.
Popular NVIDIA ION HX Comparisons
See how the ION HX stacks up against similar graphics cards from the same generation and competing brands.
Compare ION HX with Other GPUs
Select another GPU to compare specifications and benchmarks side-by-side.
Browse GPUs