Graphics card for just $ 100-150 traditionally enjoy maximum popularity. Devices that fall into this price category are often the best choice for entry-level gaming cards. Acceptable performance, good efficiency and reasonable price – these qualities especially appreciate the fans to play that are not willing to spend big money on their hobby. Most recently, NVIDIA has expanded its range of inexpensive graphics solutions, providing NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650. Look at what it is capable of innovation with a suggested price of $ 109. In his presentation of the new model in the line of digital adapters based on modern GPU architecture with Kepler, NVIDIA Corporation focuses on the fact that over the past few years has significantly increased the popularity of the display devices with a resolution of Full HD. According to statistics from the most popular digital distribution service games Steam, in early 2008, monitors with a resolution of 1920 × 1080 used about 1% of users, while the screens with 1280 × 1024 were approximately 40% of those who play.   Since then, the situation has changed radically – displays with Full HD with a share of 30% are the most popular display devices, and their share continues to steadily increase. Let’s see what NVIDIA offers for user who got a monitor having resolution Full HD, do not want to miss new games with DirectX 11, but not willing to spend to buy a video card priced more than $ 100. NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 The presented model NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 in the new line graphics cards of NVIDIA has a special role. This is a mass product, which will be produced in large editions. In this case, the developer is very important that the device was technologically and had the lowest cost of production. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 novelty is based on the GPU GK107, exactly the same as that of the GeForce GT 640 – the most accessible at the moment the decision on the architecture of the GPU Kepler. This is a fairly compact chip area of 118 mm ², which holds 1.3 billion transistors and is produced on 28-nanometer technology. To better understand the original position of competing devices from AMD and NVIDIA, we recall that the chips Cape Verde, underlying the Radeon HD 7750 and 7770, have an area of 123 mm ² and contain approximately 1.5 billion transistors. The size of the crystals in both cases is about the same. Given that for NVIDIA and AMD GPUs production company does TSMC, we can suggest that the cost of manufacturing the chips is very close. Because a significant advantage in the price war will not be any one of the parties – both the developer at this stage are equal. Returning to GK107 of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650, it has been noted that the data of this chip, contains 384 computing unit CUDA. Architectural core includes one cluster GPC (Graphics Processing Clusters), which has two multi-module SMXs. Texture units – 32, ROPs – 16. The nucleus has a cache of 256 KB L2.   In the case of the GeForce GTX 650, the graphics core is initially running at a high frequency 1058 MHz. GK107 do not support GPU Boost. This means that during exercise the chip operates at maximum specified frequency and accelerates dynamically depending on current conditions. Consider this fact insufficient or vice versa – dignity depends on your point of view you look at it. On the one hand, users who are not too keen on overclocking, maybe not overclock a bit of performance which could potentially provide the GPU Boost, activated in the older models of Kepler, on the other – the absence of such a mechanism allows enthusiasts to get more predictable performance, which will not be affected by factors affecting the range. Two 64-bit memory controllers in NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 provides an aggregate 128-bit backbone bus, which is an acceptable option for a device of this class. In the case of the GeForce GTX 650 uses high-speed GDDR5, which operates at a fairly high frequency – 5000 MHz, so the bandwidth is 80 GB / s. Recall that the decision on AMD chips Cape Verde also uses 128-bit bus, while in normal mode memory runs at 4500 MHz with high bandwidth of 72 GB / s. Here the solution from NVIDIA has a slight advantage. The GeForce GTX 650 can be held on board 1 GB, or 2 GB of memory. Given the positioning of the adapter, in most cases, we will see devices with less, but the 2-gigabyte version also will be available for sure. Declared energy consumption – 64 Tues Similar loads are acceptable for slot PCI Express x16, but the manufacturer still found it necessary to add a six-connector for additional power supply in the event that if the video card will not work in normal mode. The recommended power supply for the unit assembly system with GeForce GTX 650 is around 400 watts. NVIDIA developed a reference design for the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650. This graphics card has a very compact full-profile card only 145 mm long. The power subsystem contains a three-phase (2 +1) scheme of the stabilizer. It has drawn attention to the fact that the top edge of the card is not the typical connectors for SLI-bridge – this model does not use two video cards in a bundle. The cooling system of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 is very simple. Compact aluminium radiator visually somewhat resembling that of boxed cooler from the processors of Intel, just a little more in height. Obviously, from this model, do not expect superefficiency, but even this design is sure to be enough to chip temperature is not close to the stated threshold for GK107 to 98 degrees. On the front-panel of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650, it has three video outputs – a pair of DVI (DVI-I and DVI-D), and mini-HDMI. GeForce GTX 650 allows you to connect up to three displays. Strap adapter single-slot, but given the dimensions of the radiator, the card will also take the nearby lower slot.   MSI has introduced just four versions of GeForce GTX 650, which uses original circuit boards and cooling system. The model considered MSI N650 PE 1GD5/OC belongs to line adapters Power Edition, have reinforced the element base and the ability to manage the supply voltages major video sites (feature Triple Overvoltage).   Modification of the OS from the factory tuning is initially increased frequency of GPU. Graphics processor is running at 1124 MHz (6.2%), instead of 1058 MHz, while the 1GB of GDDR5 memory operating at 5000 MHz recommended.   For this model, MSI uses the original PCB design. PCB length is increased to 225, but the size is secondary, the main feature is the amplified voltage regulator. In this case, a four-phase diagram (3 +1), instead of the three-phase. Manufacturer equipped novelty chip GK107 convertible cooling TransThermal. We have already considered the video card, which has a similar design cooler. This CO allows to use extra fan, and you can install it over the main (Double Airflow) or to displace the protective plastic cover with a propeller and secure additional near him (Dual Fan).   Speaking directly about the cooler, it’s much more of a design than in the case of the reference model. In this case, a rather massive heat sink unit is made of aluminium. Copper heat sink, and the efficiency of heat distribution improved by S-shaped heat pipe. Power assembly and a pair of memory chips in contact with the heat sink through the heat seals. In normal mode, the design is blown 90-mm fan, the blades of which are produced in a Propeller Blade.   On top of the four-pin in GeForce GTX 650 is available for a second fan. Considering the previous MSI R7770 Power Edition 1GD5/OC with cooler TransThermal, one of the main complaints was the fan connection with the two-pin connector. However, it has a constant speed, which does not depend on the speed of the basic fan and resisted regulation. In the case of the GeForce GTX 650 Manufacturer upgraded circuitry. Additional fan is now connected with a four-socket, and its momentum but not the monitor (perhaps this option will be available in future versions of the utility MSI Afterburner), but changed simultaneously with the primary turns. Connector for additional power supply is located in the end of the board. Given overclocking GPU, as well as an upgraded power subsystem TDP video card MSI increased from 64 W to 70W.   The package bundle includes guide, small booklets with nuances and characteristics of a video card setup and use of the cooling system TransThermal. Also in the box includes a CD with drivers and utilities, with a six-pin molex to the connector for additional power adapter DVI-VGA, as well as mini-HDMI to full-length slot. Also included in delivery of an additional 90-mm axial fan and screws to secure it.   Inside: Outdoor bench (~ 25C) graphics chip warmed up to 29 degrees. The fan with rotating at 1100 rev / min, in this mode it works practically inaudible. Game battles GPU temperature increased to 49 degrees, and the fan speed – up to ~ 1600 r / min. The level of noise emitted CO remained at a very low level. FurMark chip could warm up to 56 C, and increase the speed to 1800 r / min.   It is in such circumstances, examined how the cooling effect on the installation of additional fans. In the Double Airflow, when the second propeller was mounted on top of the core, in the automatic mode, the temperature dropped to 2 degrees – up to 54C, but the turnovers fans minimally increased (max. 1920 r / min.) After creating the configuration Dual Fan, maximum heating down by one degree – up to 53 C, and the fan speed down to 1680 rev / min. In our view, it is the latter option is preferable, since in this case effectively blown power components. However, it is worth considering that the displacement guard to install a second fan, a slight increase total length card. Whether to further improve the temperature, given the very low heating chip even with one full-time fan? The manufacturer offers such an opportunity, and only to use it or not, everyone decides for himself. Acceleration   While experimenting with the graphics overclocking potential, it was possible to achieve stable operation GPU to 1244 MHz (+17.6% to the reference value), whereas memory stably 5850 MHz (+17%). At the time of testing was still not available version MSI Afterberner, which increases the parameter Power Limit, because the values obtained for the clock rate for the chip / memory rather be considered a “sighting.” After increasing the power capacity likely GK107 submit to strip in the 1300 MHz, however, it is rather symbolic limit who can not dramatically affect the final performance.   Performance   To evaluate the performance of GeForce GTX 650, picked up “the reviewers” a similar price range. First of all, it is interesting to assess the possibility of a novelty NVIDIA compared to those for the entry-level gaming cards from AMD chips Cape Verde – Radeon HD 7750 and HD 7770. In addition, it is interesting to compare the GTX 650 predecessor chip GF116 – GeForce GTX 550 Ti.   Here’s the new product NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 on the GK107 far ahead predecessor, it is in power consumption striking difference. With declared TDP of 64 watts and 116 watts for the GTX 650 and GTX 550 Ti, this difference is approximately preserved in practice at the time of measurement of energy consumption of the entire system under the playing load. When rates do not differ on the interest, and almost at times, it’s always impressive. Result of GeForce GTX 650:   NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 – is a progressive cost-effective solution with a good level of performance. Finally solutions to Kepler came to the segment available cards, which can be without any discount is attributed to the category of gaming. Previously presented model – GeForce GT 640 – in our opinion, more suitable for multimedia systems. Successful start for new solutions GK107 will largely depend on the retail value of cards. In this price range $ 10-20 can play a crucial role in selecting a particular device. With a minimal difference from the recommended retail price, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 will be a very interesting option for entry-level gaming platform, while overpriced at the start of sales can significantly reduce the interest in these solutions. GeForce GTX 650 falls in the price range with a very high competition. On the one hand it is present in the market in sufficient quantities GeForce GTX 550 Ti in cost from $ 110, on the other – have had time to get cheaper Radeon HD 7750, the price of which fell to $ 100-110. Even more formidable rival in the Radeon HD 7770, is offered for $ 120-135. In general, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 deserves special attention when choosing a cheap graphics card for gaming, but the determining factor of its success in the market will be the final cost of devices.