9600 gt description. Energy consumption. Temperature regime. Power Consumption and Overclocking

General characteristics

Specifications

Connectivity

Mathematical block

At the time of sale in early 2008, the graphics accelerator model GeForce 9600 from NVidia belonged to middle-class solutions and allowed to solve most problems. At the same time, the use of the most advanced technological process significantly reduced its energy consumption. Well, the cost of such adapters was quite democratic and allowed them to be used in mid-level computing systems.

Accelerator niche

NVidia's graphics accelerators in early 2008 were distributed as follows:

To the decisions of the initial class belonged 8600 GT. Very modest characteristics and very low clock speeds ensured a minimum acceptable level of performance. At the same time, the cost of such video cards ranged from 100 to 120 dollars.

To middle-class solutions belonged 8800GT, 8800GTS and GeForce 9600 with the prefix GT. These adapters had quite similar characteristics and cost, but the use of improved production technology and increased clock speeds allowed the solution under consideration to outrun its competitors without any problems.

The flagship accelerator was 8800 Ultra. Decent competition, the decisions of the middle class, he could not make up, but the cost he had was significantly higher.

Equipment

In the delivery set, NVidia included the following in this case:

Graphic adapter.

Warranty card.

CD-ROM, which was recorded all the necessary software and documentation in electronic form.

User guide.

Adapter DVI TO HDMI.

A special adapter for powering the accelerator through an additional 6-pin connector.

Specifications of the chip

The G94 is the code name for the graphics chip that underpinned the GeForce 9600. Its characteristics indicate that it included 505 million transistor components. The clock frequency of this semiconductor element was 650 MHz, and it was manufactured according to the standards of the 65-nm process technology. Its predecessors of the series 8XXX, in turn, were produced according to the standards of 80 nm and had the worst performance characteristics in terms of energy efficiency. The number of shader processing units was 64 pieces, and their frequency in the nominal mode was 1625 MHz. Rasterization modules were included in the adapter only 16 pieces, and the number of TMU for each conveyor is 32.

Memory

The only type of memory, in conjunction with which the graphic accelerator in question could work, is GDDR3. The nominal effective frequency of the chips was 1800 MHz. The volume of the video buffer could be 512 MB or 1 GB. Carrier Bus Width random access memory   to the graphics processor was 256 bits. All the above listed allowed to get throughput at the level of 57.6 Gb / sec.

Communications

The GeForce 9600 adapter is installed in the 16X expansion slot of PCI Express. In the basic version, this adapter must be equipped with two digital DVI ports. But also some manufacturers could supplement them with analog VGA or digital HDMI. Therefore, equipment from the position of ports depends on the specific model, and this nuance must be taken into account before purchasing.

Energy consumption. Temperature conditions

The use of advanced manufacturing technology of the semiconductor processor base significantly reduced the level of power consumption. The video card NVidia GeForce 9600 GT has a thermal package of 95 watts. Of course, this number does not fit into the recommended 75 W, sufficient for video subsystem operation without additional power supply, but for typical graphics solutions of this class such a power arrangement is typical. The maximum temperature for this product is set by the manufacturer at 105 ° C. In the nominal mode, this value does not exceed 60 ° C, in the mode of acceleration and in solving the most demanding tasks, it can rise to 75 ° C.

Tests. Comparison with analogues

The GeForce 9600 graphics card is an average solution, and its most rational to compare with similar solutions. Since direct competitors from the AMD company were manufactured according to the obsolete technical process at that time, it is not worthwhile to compare them with the 9600 GT for the reason that at a comparable speed, the power consumption will be much higher. From the list of NVidia, this adapter can only be compared with the 8800 GTS and 8800 GT. The test bench was based on the set of system logic P35, RAM was standard DDR2 with a frequency of 800 MHz, and its volume was 2 Gb (2 modules of 1 Gb in order for the RAM controller to function in a two-channel mode, thereby increasing the speed about 10-15%). In the 3DMark06 synthetic test, adapters scored such conditional scores in the 1600X1200 mode:

Most likely, at the time of this test, there was no complete optimization of the drivers, and the performance of the later video card due to this was not significantly understated. On the other hand, the difference is not so big between them. Cardinally changing the alignment of forces in the game Gears Of War. In this case, we get as many fps at 1280x1024:

The difference, of course, one frame per second is not so big, but it still brings a more recent accelerator to the leaders of this test. The above results indicate that behind the 9600 GT lies a slightly modified 8800 GT, which is manufactured according to a new technical process. The difference between these graphics cards is minimal. And in some cases, a representative of an earlier generation bypasses his updated modification.

Cost

At the very beginning of sales NVidia GeForce 9600 could be purchased at a price of 150-170 dollars. Given the positioning and technical specifications, this approach to pricing has been justified. Now such an accelerator can be purchased at a price of 1500 (used in the use of the solution) to 3000 (absolutely new accelerators) rubles. To buy such an adapter for a new PC is now inexpedient. New integrated video accelerators have an equal level of performance, and they do not need to be purchased additionally. But to repair the old PC, such an accelerator can still be bought.

Graphical mid-level accelerator with acceptable technical parameters   and the comparable performance is NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT. The characteristics of this solution, its specifications, test results and comparison with analogues will be discussed in detail in this material.

Positioning

Initially, NVIDIA positioned itself as a graphical mid-level solution for the GeForce 9600 GT accelerator. Characteristics, productivity and the cost of it once again confirmed. Above in the model range of this manufacturer were solutions 9800 GT, with improved specifications and speed. But at the same time the price increased significantly. The discrete graphics accelerators were the accelerators 9500 GT, 9400 GT and 9300 GT. Performance, like the price, they were lower, but still they had better performance than those integrated into the motherboard graphics cards.

Package Contents

Typical indicators of video accelerator of the average level boasted the discrete accelerator NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT. His characteristics were shown on a proprietary box. Inside the latter was a graphics adapter. In addition to it, you can also find here documentation that included a user's guide, a set of promotional brochures and, of course, a warranty card. Also in the list of delivery there is a disk with the current versions of drivers and other diagnostic software. Some additional adapters for the organization mode CrossFire   in the list of supply the manufacturer did not include. That is, when you organize a video subsystem with several adapters of this manufacturer, you will have to purchase such an accessory separately.

Graphics Processor

A reasonably efficient processor solution lay at the heart of the 9600 GT. The characteristics he really had were appropriate. Its code name for the manufacturer's nomenclature is G94. The graphics processor includes 505 million transistors. The number of processor cores in this case was 64 pieces. The clock frequency of each of them was equal to a fixed 650 MHz. The frequency of the chip as a whole was 1650 MHz, and the speed of texture mapping was 20.8 billion / s. In the production of this silicon crystal, the norms of 65 nm of the technological process were applied.

Memory

The 9600 GT is aimed at work in combination with the standard GDDR3 memory. The specifications indicate that the recommended clock frequency of the RAM chips should be equal to 1800 MHz. It is possible to equip the video accelerator and less fast RAM, but such a constructive solution will reduce the performance of the video subsystem. If you install the RAM chips with a higher frequency, then the capabilities of the latter will not be fully used. The bus bandwidth of the operational device is 256 bits. The amount of RAM in this case is fixed at 512 MB.

Specifications for power consumption and temperature

From the standpoint of energy consumption, there were two version of NVIDIA 9600 GT. The characteristics indicated the presence of a more efficient modification of this video card, the heat packet of which was 96 W. As a result, it is impossible to provide power supply of such a product with only one PCI Express slot with a limit of 75 W, and such video accelerators were equipped with an additional power connector to solve this problem. The second version of the accelerator was more energy efficient and consumed 59 watts. In this configuration, there was no need to use an additional connector and only the PCI-X 16X slot was used to organize the power supply. The recommended power of the power supply for the first execution of the accelerator was 300 W, and in the second case it is necessary to use a solution capable of giving out 400 W. The maximum temperature in both cases was the same and was 105 ° C.

Communication and supported permissions

The standard list of communications equipped with a GeForce 9600 GT. To connect to the motherboard of the computer, the unified PCI-E version 16X was used. Its recommended version is 2.0. But it is also possible to install adapters in slots 1.X (in this case the graphics subsystem as a whole slowed down) or 3.0 (in this combination the expansion card slot of the motherboard was not fully used). The list of ports for connecting monitors in this case consists of:

Results in the tests. Comparison with competitors

It is most optimal to compare this product with those video cards that have a comparable level of performance. it graphics adapters   GeForce models GT240, GT440 and GT520 and Radeon HD models 5570, 6570 and 6670. Also at the heart of the test bench is the i7-965 CPU, the motherboard based on the X58 chipset, the DDR3 2х2 Gb RAM with the frequency of 1600 MHz, the hard disk 1Тб 7200 об / min. Tests were carried out in the resolution of 1280x1024 and with high quality of the output image. In the game Borderlands in this case, we got such results in FPS:

9600 GT - 34-47.

HD 6670 - 30-42.

2. HD 6570 is 25-37.

These results indicate that only the first 3 video cards provide a comfortable level of gameplay in this mode. The next three adapters are on the border and in some cases the number of FPS they will have to sink. Well, in the case of the GT520, you will definitely have to lower the quality of the output image. In turn, in the game Bulletstorm, the arrangement of the adapters varies as follows:

HD 6670 - 48-59.

HD 6570-41-51.

9600 GT - 41-50.

In this case, all video cards, except GT520, show decent results. But at the same time one thing is important: the hero of this article competes on an equal footing with the HD6670, HD6570 and HD5570 adapters, which use faster high-speed memory standard GDDR5.Esche more interesting results are obtained in the game Crysis 2:

1. 9600 GT - 38-47.

The leader in this case has not changed - HD6670. But 9600 GT approaches it, which bypasses the HD6570 and 5570. In the latter two cases, as noted earlier, faster memory. This point points to a more advanced GPU architecture, which, in combination with the worst RAM, is able to show better results. The only adapter whose results do not allow you to get comfortable gameplay is the GT520. In the rest it can be noted that in the mode of 1280x1024 better video card   GeForce 9600 GT. Its characteristics primarily allow you to give acceptable FPS and play comfortably in most applications.

The cost. Compliance with the price tag specifications

At the current time in the new state it is impossible to purchase the GeForce 9600 GT. The characteristics of this GPU in the used state allow its owners to sell at a price of 700-3000 rubles. Given the capabilities and specifications, this accelerator fully complies with these specifications.

Ninth generation of video cards from Nvidia was born in early 2008. The center of attention will be the chipset of the middle price category - GeForce 9600 GT. Characteristics, test results, general impression of stability of work - all this you can find below. As a result, you can determine the choice of a budget video card.

History of appearance

In 2008, when AMD was busy with the release of budget video cards, Nvidia only had copies of the top-end version. Thus, they deprived themselves of the largest segment of consumers. The question arose about creating a competitor for the Radeon 3800 Series. The first thing we tried was to occupy this niche with a weaker version of the top geForce video cards   8800. was reduced to ridiculous 256 MB. And the board was released for sale. However, among PC users this modification of the video card has not gained popularity.

The profit from sales was negligible. All because the cost of such a top chip is high enough to cut its performance and sell at a low price. As a result, the ninth series came to the fore. Initially, production was planned to begin no earlier than a year later. In particular, this refers to the first GT. The characteristics of the video card are at an average level: between 8600 and 8800 GTS. From the AMD range, the 3800 series became a competitor.

The motto for increasing sales of 9600 GT was the following phrase: good performance for small money. From the review, you'll find out whether the statement was confirmed or not about the Nvidia 9600 GT video card, the characteristics of which are impressive. This graphic chip has become a real founder of a whole generation of new chipsets that have brought even greater popularity to the company and significantly expanded the customer base both among customers of iron hi-end class and in the middle price segment.

Nvidia 9600 GT: specifications

So, let's see what the video card is like. The basis for it was the 8800 GTS chipset. Only trimmed by parameters. Since the 8800 GTS was just an interim development, the technology of which was used later in 9800. The base for the card was the G94 chipset, the same as in the 8800 series. You ask: why then it is much cheaper and what saves the manufacturer? The answer is quite simple. The 9600 GT cuts the number of streaming processes by half, compared to the older model. This allowed to significantly reduce the price. But the increase in performance was achieved due to the use of identical tires with a bit width of 256 bits. This allowed us to achieve higher CPU and shader processing rates.

According to the manufacturer, the video card 9600 GT, whose characteristics are truncated, is more productive than the 8800 series by as much as 15%. That's a breakthrough in technology! A little later we will determine in practice tests whether this is true or not. Also, the video card is equipped with 512 MB of internal memory, support for SLI mode (simultaneous connection to the system of up to three identical video cards running in parallel). It has a DirectX 10 interface and all the necessary connectors for connecting monitors, outputting images to a TV and so on.

External review of the video card

The board was slightly smaller than its predecessor, mainly due to the simplification of technology. This allows you to install it in a fairly tight budget building. After all, the 9600 GT (the characteristics of the middle-end level) should match its class, whatever one may say. Throughout the board area there are a number of holes that are designed to improve heat transfer. From the top it is closed by a plastic casing with a radiator and one cooler. This is sufficient to maintain a stable low temperature even at high loads.

Test results

For the tests in the games the following stand was installed. Process from Intel - Core 2 Duo, dual-core with a frequency of 3 Hz per core. In addition, there were 4 GB of RAM, hDD   volume 750 GB and power supply Acbel for 500 watts. The testing was carried out in those games that were relevant at the time of release of the 9600 GT. The characteristics of the bench computer also correspond to that time.

Based on the performance in the games Crysis, Call of Duty 4, Bioshock, Lost Planet. All of them were launched with support for DirectX 10 and at the maximum settings with Full-HD resolution. The first game (Crysis) behaved very badly - only 10 frames per second. Affects the budget of the model of the video card. In Call of Duty 4 and Bioshock, the game produces stable 40 frames per second at the maximum settings. This is already good for the average price segment of video chips. In Lost Planet it was comfortable to play on medium or low settings   with the maximum screen resolution.

Power Consumption and Overclocking

Let's move on to power consumption. Engineers of Nvidia have managed to reduce power consumption by as much as 15%. Creators show by all means belonging to the middle class video card Nvidia   9600 GT: characteristics, power consumption, performance are exactly on good level   for their price. Do not forget the creators of the video card and about the amateur experiment on his iron. Overclocking options decided not to touch. Therefore, at their own risk, owners can try to create from a board with an average performance of a real monster and conqueror of modern games.