If you’re a gamer or a PC enthusiast, you’ve probably heard of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 graphics card. Released in 2008, this card was one of the most popular and powerful GPUs of its time.
But what exactly is the GeForce GTX 260, and why was it so popular?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at everything you need to know about the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260.
We’ll also discuss its features, design, performance, game compatibility, and price in detail.
Pros
- Good Performance
- Affordability
- Decent Cooling
Cons
- Power Consumption
- Outdated Technology
- Limited VRAM
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 Price
It is available for $180 USD in the market.
Nvidia GeForce GTX 260 Specifications
| Specifications | Details |
| GPU | GT200 |
| Process size | 65 nm |
| CUDA Cores | 192 |
| Core Clock | 576 MHz |
| Shader Clock | 1242 MHz |
| Memory Clock | 999 MHz |
| Memory Size | 896 MB |
| Memory Type | GDDR3 |
| Memory Interface | 448-bit |
| Max Resolution | 2560×1600 |
| DirectX Support | 11.1 |
| OpenGL Support | 3.3 |
| TDP | 182 W |
| Power Connectors | 2x 6-pin |
| Outputs | 2x DVI, 1x S-Video |
| Slot Width | Dual Sot |
| Bandwidth | 111.9 GB/s |
| Shader Model | 4.0 |
Design
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 is designed to be a high-end graphics card, targeted at gamers and enthusiasts who demand the best performance from their systems.
The card measures 10.5 inches in length and requires two 6-pin power connectors.
It features a dual-slot design and has a total of 896 MB of GDDR3 memory.
The card is based on the GT200 graphics processor, which was built on the 65nm manufacturing process.
The cooling solution is a reference design, which consists of a single fan and a large heatsink.
The fan is located at the rear of the card and blows air over the heatsink, which dissipates the heat generated by the graphics processor and memory.
The cooling solution is effective, but it can be quite noisy under heavy load.
Performance
When it comes to performance, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 is a solid gaming graphics card that can handle most games at lower resolutions and settings.
It may struggle with more demanding games that require higher settings. Let’s take a closer look at its gaming and rendering performance.
Gaming Performance
The GeForce GTX 260 is a mid-range graphics card that could handle most games at the time.
In terms of gaming performance, the GTX 260 can still handle some modern games at lower settings and resolutions, but it may struggle with more demanding titles.
Here are some benchmarks for popular games to give you an idea of their gaming performance:
| Game | Resolution | Settings | FPS |
| Fortnite | 1080p | Medium | 60 |
| Call of Duty: Warzone | 1080p | Low | 50 |
| Apex Legends | 1080p | Low | 60 |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 1080p | Low | 30 |
As you can see, the GTX 260 can still handle some popular games, but you may need to lower the settings and resolution to achieve playable frame rates.
Rendering Performance
In gaming, the GTX 260 can also handle basic rendering tasks.
It may struggle with more complex 3D rendering and video editing tasks.
Here are some benchmarks for popular rendering software to give you an idea of its rendering performance:
| Software | Task | Time |
| Blender | BMW Render | 3 minutes |
| Adobe Premiere Pro | 4K Video Export | 45 minutes |
| Maya | Basic 3D Render | 5 minutes |
It is a solid mid-range graphics card that can handle most games and basic rendering tasks.
Cooling and Power Consumption
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 is a high-end NVIDIA graphics card.
As such, it requires a significant amount of power to operate.
The card has a maximum power consumption of 182 watts.
This means that you will need a power supply unit (PSU) with at least a 450-watt rating to power the card along with the rest of your system.
When it comes to cooling, it has a dual-slot design with a single fan.
The card uses NVIDIA’s reference cooler, which is designed to keep the card running at a reasonable temperature under load.
The cooler can be quite loud, especially when the card is under heavy load.
If you are concerned about noise levels, you may want to consider an aftermarket cooler or a custom water cooling solution.
One thing to keep in mind is that the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 is an older card, and it may not be as efficient as newer cards like Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050.
Performance Benchmark
Nvidia GeForce GTX 260 is a graphics card designed for gaming. It has a base GPU clock speed of 576 MHz and 896MB of GDDR3 memory.
But, how does it perform compared to other graphics cards?
According to UserBenchmark, the GTX 260 has an average effective speed of 11.8% and ranks 336th out of 702 graphics cards.
Its strongest feature is its locally deformable PRT (Bat) performance, which averages 10.2 fps.
In terms of render target array GShader (Sphere) performance, it averages at 9.13 fps.
This indicates that the GTX 260 is still a capable graphics card for playing games, but it may struggle with more demanding titles.
PassMark’s Video Card Benchmark Charts also show that the GTX 260 has a score of 1228 and ranks 922nd out of 900 models.
It has a power performance of 15.36, which is relatively low compared to modern graphics cards. However, it is still a decent performer for older games.
This card is significantly slower than modern graphics cards and may struggle with more demanding titles.
If you are looking to upgrade your graphics card, it is recommended to consider more modern options such as the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M Graphics Card.
Compatibility and Requirements
When it comes to compatibility, the Nvidia GeForce GTX 260 is a relatively old graphics card that was first released in 2008.
It is still capable of running many modern games and applications, although it may struggle with the latest AAA titles.
To use the Nvidia GeForce GTX 260, your computer must meet certain requirements.
Here are the minimum system requirements for the card:
- A PCI Express-compliant motherboard with one dual-width x16 graphics slot
- A 450W PCI Express-compliant system power supply with a combined 12V current rating of 36A or more
- 896MB of system memory (minimum)
- A CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive
- A compatible operating system, such as Windows 7 or later
It is worth noting that the GTX 260 is not compatible with Intel Pentium 3 processors.
It is compatible with Intel Pentium 4 and higher processors, as well as AMD Athlon XP class and higher processors.
If you are unsure about whether your computer meets the requirements, you can use the Nvidia website to check your system’s compatibility.
The website provides a tool that will scan your system and let you know whether your computer meets the requirements for the card.
In terms of compatibility with other hardware, the Nvidia GeForce GTX 260 is compatible with Shield TV and Tablet for GameStream.
For desktops, it requires a GeForce GTX 750 or higher, while for notebooks, it requires a GTX 700M or higher.
It is a capable graphics card that can still run many modern games and applications.
It is important to ensure that your computer meets the minimum system requirements before purchasing the card.
Advanced Features of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260
CUDA Technology
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 was one of the first graphics cards to feature CUDA technology.
CUDA (Compute Unified Device Architecture) is a parallel computing platform and application programming interface (API) model created by NVIDIA.
It allows developers to use the power of the GPU (graphics processing unit) to accelerate the processing of non-graphics applications, such as scientific simulations, video encoding, and image processing.
PhysX Technology
This NVIDIA graphics card also features PhysX technology.
PhysX is a physics engine created by NVIDIA that allows developers to add realistic physics effects to their games.
With PhysX, game developers can create more realistic explosions, smoke, and debris, as well as more realistic character animations and interactions with the environment.
SLI Technology
It is designed to work with SLI (Scalable Link Interface) technology. SLI allows you to connect multiple NVIDIA graphics cards together to increase performance.
With SLI, you can double, triple, or even quadruple the graphics performance of your system.
GDDR3 Memory
This GPU is equipped with 896 MB of GDDR3 memory.
GDDR3 is a type of graphics memory that is faster and more efficient than standard DDR2 memory.
With GDDR3 memory, this GPU is able to deliver high-quality graphics and smooth gameplay.
HDMI Output
It also features HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) output.
HDMI is a digital interface that allows you to connect your graphics card to an HDTV or other high-definition display.
With HDMI, you can enjoy high-quality video and audio on your home theater system.
Comparison with Other Graphics Cards
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660: The GTX 1660 is a newer graphics card that offers better performance and power efficiency compared to the GTX 260.
It also has a higher price point, with an average cost of around $230 USD.
If you’re looking for a more modern graphics card with better performance, the GTX 1660 is a solid choice.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060: The RTX 2060 is another newer graphics card that offers significantly better performance than the GTX 260.
It also comes with ray tracing capabilities and DLSS support, which can improve image quality and performance.
It’s much more expensive than the GTX 260, with an average cost of around $350 USD.
AMD Radeon RX 560: The RX 560 is a popular graphics card from AMD that offers similar performance to the GTX 260.
It’s also slightly more affordable, with an average cost of around $160 USD.
It’s worth noting that the RX 560 has a higher power consumption compared to the GTX 260.
User Review
A user from Amazon reviewed this product as an “Awesome Card When it Works Properly”
Read Also: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Mobile 2GB Review
Final Verdict
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 is a classic gaming graphics card.
It was a great card in its time, but it is now outdated and can only be used to play very low-spec games.
While the GTX 260 was a top-of-the-line graphics card in its heyday, it is no longer a viable option for modern gaming.
It lacks support for DirectX 11 and above, which means that newer games won’t launch on it.
If you’re on a tight budget and looking for a graphics card that can run low-spec games, the GTX 260 might be a good option.
If you’re looking for a card that can handle modern games, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
FAQs
What is the Nvidia GeForce GTX 260’s performance like?
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 260 is designed as a middle ground between the GTS 250 and the GTX 280.
It offers solid performance for gaming and other graphics-intensive applications.
Is the Nvidia GeForce GTX 260 still a good graphics card in 2023?
While the Nvidia GeForce GTX 260 is an older model, it can still provide solid performance for gaming and other graphics-intensive applications.
It may struggle to handle the most demanding modern games in high settings.
If you’re on a budget and don’t need the latest and greatest graphics card, the Nvidia GeForce GTX 260 could be a good option.
