Recently, Nvidia has unveiled new graphics "low end" in his series of GeForce 200. Engraved in 40 nanometers, these chips are the only cards of the firm to the chameleon to support DirectX 10.1. The first was the G210 and GT 220 specifications which leave no doubt of their destination: everything except the game, except in 640x480 or even 800x600. Joking aside, they are below a 9600 GT in terms of specifications, not enough to show off so. By cons, they accelerate video decoding VC-1, MPEG-2, H.264 AVC and MPEG-4, which may make it possible alternatives for Media Center.

More recently came a GeForce GT 240, also enjoying a fine engraving of 40 nanometers and supports DirectX 10.1. It is not just another card based on the old generation of NVIDIA GeForce 8 series but a derivative of GT200 chip. It features 96 stream processors against 128 for the GTS 250 and 112 for the GTS 240, which is a slightly overclocked 9800 GT, reserved for OEMs. Its GPU is clocked at 550 MHz and shaders at 1340 MHz Cores. The memory is the problem with these cards because the choice of the type of RAM is left to the partners. Some models are accompanied by GDDR5 but others do not hesitate to use the good old GDDR3 sometimes with very low frequencies. The bus is 128-bit, in such case, the bandwidth drops to a level well below. Already the successive changes of denomination chips Nvidia is painful but if more manufacturers are anything and everything as memory, there's really what losing the consumer path, even the most discerning.

The GeForce 240 GT is in the charging zone ranging from 60 to 100 euros. In the sixty euros, was entitled to versions with 512 MB or 1024 MB of GDDR3 memory. Beyond 70 euros, there are cards with 1GB of GDDR3, but the frequency adjusted upwards or models then 512 MB of GDDR5. Finally, close to 100 euro, were entitled to cards using 1 GB of GDDR5 with frequency and revised upwards. This applies to the Gainward GeForce 240 GT 1GB Golden Sample is it that we test with multiple objectives. First, we will evaluate it in recent games in 1680x1050 to situate facing the GTS 250 and face the Radeon 4770, 4850 and others. The more powerful cards are also included for reference. Then we wondered if this card could serve as a card dedicated to PhysX to accompany a more powerful GPU, in this case a GTX 285. The test was done in Batman and Darkest of Days.

Gainward GeForce GT 240 1024 GDDR5 GS

For this test, Gainward has given us his most powerful GT 240, the Golden Sample (GS). It adopts 1024 MB of GDDR5 on a 128-bit bus and, like other GT 240, 96 stream processors. The frequencies are not the core as the GPU goes from 550 to 585 MHz and memory from 1700 to 1890 MHz. The menu is short and has no external power connector, the PCI-Express x16 is therefore adequate. Gainward opted for a cooling system of his own consisting of a small aluminum radiator topped by a 80 mm fan. In terms of output, it is entitled to a standard VGA D-Sub, a DVI-I and HDMI output. In terms of technologies supported include the bulk PhysX, CUDA, DirectX 10.1, DirectCompute, PureVideo HD, OpenCL and OpenGL 3.2.

Tests

Test Setup:

• Motherboard Gigabyte GA-EX58-DU5 (Intel X58)
• Intel Core i7 Extreme 975 3.33 GHz (Hyper-Treading disabled)
• 3x2 GB DDR3-1600 Corsair
• MD12 Seasonic Power 850 watts
• Heatsink Zalman CNPS 9900 LED
• Hard Drive Western Digital Velociraptor 150GB
• Hard Drive Samsung 500GB
• Samsung DVD Player
• LCD HP LP3065 30-inch
• ATI Catalyst 9.11 drivers
• Nvidia Drivers 195.62 WHQL
• Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit


Conclusion

The GeForce 240 GT is not a renaming more from Nvidia as it is a revamped GT200 chip to support DirectX 10.1 and enjoying a fine engraving of 40 nanometers. If performance is inadequate 1680x1050 in many games lately, even with the overclocked Gainward version we tested, it will be interesting for people playing in lower resolutions and want to update their configuration. Except for the price of our Gainward, nearly 100 euro you can buy a 4850 or 4770, more powerful cards.
In the end what remains there to this Gainward GT 240? Consumption very well controlled, silent operation, making it attractive for integration into a Media Center. For games, however, putting a few dollars more and buy a Radeon HD 5750 supports DirectX 11 that we already starting from 100 euros.

As with other GeForce GT 240 not overclocked, you will need to ensure their specifications. Some are equipped with only 512MB of memory and sometimes it is not GDDR5 but GDDR3. If for use as Media Cnet is not too disabling, it can be if you intend to play with.

Anyway, Nvidia continues to sink with some interesting models and gradually leaves eaten by ATI at all levels. It will not be allowed to drag too long Fermi pain of being in a situation that lapses can also allow time for ATI to polish his arms for the next generation ...