GeForce G310 Fermi - Nvidia news! 2010

The GTX 280 features 1024 MB, GDDR3 RAM (512 bit bus) and supports the DirectX 10. The standard frequences are: 602 MHz for the GPU, 1296 MHz for the shaders and 2214 MHz for the memory. The overclocked version takes those frequences to 650 MHz for the GPU, 1400 MHZ for the memory and 2300 Mhz for the shaders. Overclocking the card brings a 5.8% enhancement, in average.

As for general performance, the GeForce GTX 280 is the fastest card we tested so far. Between the GTX 260 and the GTX 280, the differences are only of 8.7%, which doesn’t exactly justify the price difference. The pressure coming the Radeon HD4870 competition has forced nVidia to lower the initial price for the GXT 280.

Even though the GTX 280 has the same lenght of its lower model, the GTX 269, and higher clock frequences, it doesn’t produce more noise. In 3D mode, the temperature reaches the 53 °C, but the fan only produces 37.7 db(A). If the GPU is kept cooled, the fan remains silent.

The GTX 280 substantially lowers its clock frequency in 2D mode, which makes it better than the HD 4850 on this aspect. As soon as it leaves the 3D mode, it goes on its low-performance 2D mode (400 Mhz on the GPU, 800MHz for shaders and 600Mhz for the memory) and the whole system only uses 130 watt. After a few minutes in idle mode, the clock frequences go even lower (still in 2D mode), to 300 MHz for the GPU, 600 MHz for the shaders and 200 MHz for the memory, and the general power usage goes down to 117 watt. On a maximum usage situation, the GTX 280 uses 352 watt. New Nvidia Cards November 2008.

The GeForce GTX 260 features 896 MB, GDDR3 RAM (on a 448 bit bus) and supports the DirectX 10 technology. The default clock speed is of 576 MHz for the GPU, 1242 MHz for the Shaders and 1998 MHz for the memory. On an overclocked card, these frequencies are enhanced up to 620, 1296 and 2160 MHz respectively.

Considering the 3D performance, the GTX 260 is comparable to the AMD Radeon HD 4870. At the resolution of 1280×1024, the GTX 260 is currently better, while at 1680×1050 (without anti-aliasing) the HD 4870 is superior by around 1.4%. With the anti-aliasing, the GTX 260 is 10% faster.

The noise generated from the GTX 260 while idle is reasonable, reaching the 38.1 dB(A). When it comes to the power consumption, the GTX 260 in 2D mode has a definitely lower consumption than the AMD cards. The consumption while idle is of 111 watt, and when in full mode, a system with the GeForce GTX 260 used 336 watt. New Nvidia Cards November 2008.

Nvidia increases the number of stream processors integrated in the GeForce GTX 260 graphic cards. The rest of the technical specifications haven’t changed, but many partners have decided to overclock these cards by default. That’s Zotac’s case, with their GeForce GTX 260 AMP2 Edition.

The Zotac GeForce GTX 260 AMP2! differentiates itself from the previous GeForce GTX 260 AMP! Edition only on the number of stream processors, leaving all the other features unchanged. Therefore, it features: a GUP with 650MHz frequency combined with 1.400MHz stream processors and 876 MB video memory, with an effective clock of 2100MHz; interesting increase for the GPU, with an increase of +11,3% for the clock and 12.7% for the stream processors.

The card is identical to its precedessor in layout and build, the only element that helps identify it is a different image on the plastic protection that covers the cooling system, in which it shows the AMP2! Edition sign. Despite the clock frequency enhancements, Zotac considered the card had enough power supply to handle it: hence, we will find two 6-pin PCI Express power supply connectors in this card as well.

The bundle pack supplied by Zotac features all the traditional connectors and adapters for video-in, also an user’s manual and a CD-ROM with all the installation drivers. The manufacturer also decided to feature, together with the card, the game Racedriver GRID, developed by Codemaster and one of the most interesting automobilistic simulators on the market so far.