Palit GeForce GTS 250 2048MB review | test

Posted by Hilbert Hagedoorn on: 03/02/2009 02:00 PM [ 0 comment(s) ]

Meet the GeForce GTS 250

As stated the GTS 250 is based off the GeForce 9800 GTX+ series of GPUs. In fact it is the exact same graphics processor, the G92b. Which by itself was a respin of the 65nm GeForce 8800 (G92) series using the same silicon footprint. The difference .. a smaller die-size of the graphics chipset and some internal efficiency features. Let's have a peek at the primary features.

Fabrication Process	55 nm
Graphics Clock (texture and ROP units)	738 MHz
Processor Clock (Shader units)	1836 MHz
Memory Clock (Clock rate / Data rate)	1100 MHz / 2200 MHz
Total Video Memory	512 or 1024 MB
Memory Interface	256-bit
Total Memory Bandwidth	70.4 GB/s
Processor Cores	128
ROP Units	16
Texture Filtering Units	64
Texture Filtering Rate	47.2 GigaTexels/sec
Connectors	2 x Dual-Link DVI-I
Form Factor	Dual Slot
Power Connectors	1 x 6-pin
Max Board Power (TDP)	150 watts
GPU Thermal Threshold1	105° C - 221 ° F

A lower die-size often equals lower core voltages, better energy efficiency and typically better clock speeds. When you understand that the G92B is based off the same chip that the 8800 GTS 512MB had, you'll also know that the GPU on the GTS 250 also has 128 shader processors to rock your games hard.

How many transistors do the NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 have you ask? No precise data has been given, but it's safe to assume roughly 754 million transistors. The stock core frequency of the GeForce GTS 250 will run at at 738 MHz, the shader processors at 1836 MHz and the memory at 2200 MHz (2x1100) effectively. Another advantage for the GTS 250 is that you can go three-way SLI with it.

Reference design GeForce GTS 250

But as far as the GTS 250 goes .. the differences need not be found in the GPU, but rather PCB design and power requirements. Well that and price of course as GeForce GTS 250 will launch this March, with 512MB and 1GB models, at $129 and $149 respectively. They'll get you excellent performance for the money you pay.

	GeForce 9800 GTX	GeForce 9800 GTX+	GeForce GTS 250
Stream (Shader) Processors	128	128	128
Core Clock (MHz)	675	738	738
Shader Clock (MHz)	1675	1836	1836
Memory Clock (MHz) x2	1100	1100	1100
Memory amount	512 MB	512 MB	512/1024 MB
Memory Interface	256-bit	256-bit	256-bit
HDCP	Yes	Yes	Yes
Two Dual link DVI	Yes	Yes	Yes

Palit GeForce GTS 250 2048 MB

Despite my dreary long intro on the GTS 250, Palit still decided to do it's own thing. They did not stick to the new PCB, not to the new reference cooler, and not to the memory configurations either. That's hardcore Guru3D style, we like it.

First glimpse: the card is a little weird to look at as it has a red PCB. Your first instinct will be, heck .. they shipped out the wrong card, this one has to be from ATI ! It's all good though.

The one thing that catches the eye is of course the cooler. It's actually heatpipe based and one of the more silent models we have tested for a while. It performs good as well, we'll show you that later on though.

Under the hood we'll find a G92B chip, the GeForce 9800 GTX+ aka GTS 250. Palit set it's clock frequencies default (reference) at 740 MHz on the core, 1836 MHz on the shader domain and 2200 MHz on the memory. But the big surprise that this graphics card embeds, it of course the massive among of graphics memory, no less than 2048MB GDDR3 memory. Also we spot a HDMI, DVI and VGA connector, as always there's nothing short of connectivity with Palit products.

Bundled with the product you'll find:

GeForce GTS 250 2048 MB
Driver CD
manual / quick install guide
HDMI->DVI dongle
SP/DIF cable
6-pin to 8-pin converter

Not exactly a fancy bundle, but all the basics are inserted, the additional value is to be found in customization. Palit's Sonic series of products come with a two-year warranty that includes cover for parts and labor at the shop where you purchased this product.

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