3 - The Gigabyte GeForce GTX 260 OC
Although the increased shader count should provide a significant boost to the shader compute power, other GPU denominators such as clock speeds remain the same. The GeForce GTX Core 216 SKUs will feature 72 texturing units and 28 ROPs. The updated GPU is technically called G200-103-A2 (the older core was G200-100-A2).The card still has a 448-bit (7x64-bit) wide GDDR3 memory bus with 896 MB of framebuffer/memory. It comes with 1.0 ns memory chips unless you stumble into OC models from difference board partners.
So the extra 24 shader processor cores will give the product a little more bite. Especially in this price-range.
GeForce 8800 Ultra |
GeForce 9800 GTX |
GeForce GTX 260 |
GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 |
GeForce GTX 280 | |
Stream (Shader) Processors | 128 | 128 | 192 | 216 | 240 |
Core Clock (MHz) | 612 | 675 | 576 | 576 | 602 |
Shader Clock (MHz) | 1512 | 1675 | 1242 | 1242 | 1296 |
Memory Clock (MHz) x2 | 1080 | 1100 | 999 | 999 | 1053 |
Memory amount | 768 MB | 512 MB | 896 MB | 896 MB | 1024 MB |
Memory Interface | 384-bit | 256-bit | 448-bit | 448-bit | 512-bit |
HDCP | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Two Dual link DVI | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The clock frequencies for the GTX 260 and Core 216 version remain the same, 576MHz on the GPU, and 999MHz for the GDDR3 memory. All that on a 448-bit memory interface. The power for the GTX 260 is fed by two six-pin connectors. Power consumption for this 10.5-inch board is 182W.
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 260 OC (Core 216)
So we've told you everything there is to know about the GPU -- but wait there's more :) We got some more shader processor loving and hey .. all we have to do is actually show it to you. Hey guys, as stated, there's a lot of different version of these products, most Core 216 products do come overclocked. Gigabyte opted to no pursue this. In the end that's going to save you some money as the product is roughly 30 to 50 bucks cheaper than competing pre-overclocked cards. It however does not mean the product can be clocked faster by yourself. Later on in the article we'll show you that this puppy can handle insane overclocks bringing it up-to GTX 280 performance. But you have to do it yourself though, don't worry though, we explain everything.
Since this IS the Core 216 version yet comes with standard clocks you can expect these frequencies: 576 MHz Core, 1242 MHz Shader domain and 2000 MHz memory (effective) on that GDDR3 memory. The product even at these clocks brings in a lot of bite, really nice performance.
Packaging and Accessories then, ye lad included in the box ye shall find:
- Gigabyte GeForce GTX 260 896MB OC edition
- Driver CD / manual / quick install guide
- 6-pin to Molex power cable (x2)
- VGA->DVI dongle (x2)
- HDMI adapter
- SP/DIF cable
Okay; pretty sober bundle really, yet we do receive the HDMI adapter and small SP/DIF cable. You hook it up to your mainboard/soundcard SPDIF lead, then connect the wire to the SP-DIF input on the card and now you'll have multi-channel audio over the HDMI HDCP v1.3 connection we just made.
GeForce GTX 260 |
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 260 OC | |
Shader Processors |
192 |
216 |
Core Clock (MHz) |
576 |
576 |
Shader Clock (MHz) |
1242 |
1242 |
Memory Clock (MHz) x2 |
999 |
999 |
Memory amount |
896 MB |
896 MB |
Memory Interface |
448-bit |
448-bit |
HDCP |
Yes |
Yes |
Two Dual link DVI |
Yes |
Yes |
Warranty
Gigabyte will give you a three year warranty on this product.
Step-Up programNo step-up program available.