Company NVIDIA continues to build its line of graphics cards based on the 28-nanometer GPU architecture with Kepler. The most demanding enthusiasts and fans to play in cheap already have plenty to choose from, but now Californians into the battle a solution for those who considered approach to the selection of the graphics card, not considering it necessary to spend a significant amount of the “game” piece of iron. Now it’s turn of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti. Let’s look at what it is capable of innovation with a price tag of $ 150?
GeForce GTX 650 Ti
In the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti graphics processor used is GK106, the same as in the case of the older model GeForce GTX 660. Nominal value for the operating clock frequency of the chip is – 925 MHz. In this case, the GPU Boost technology is not supported, because above the setpoint graphics core during operation does not accelerate.
Recall that uses architecture GK106 Kepler, performed on 28-nm process technology and contains 2.54 billion transistors. In the case of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti, the chip has some simplifications. First of all, we note the decrease in the number of modules SMXs from 5 to 4. Each of them has 192 computing unit, which means that their total number decreased from 960 to 768. Texture units also decreased in proportion – from 80 to 64, but now 16 ROP units, instead of 24.
For the GeForce GTX 650 Ti has 128-bit memory bus that the adapter of this level can already be considered a certain limitation. However, to compensate for a possible lack of memory bandwidth (CAP), the clock chips GDDR5 is the recommended value is quite high – 5400 MHz, which provides bandwidth at 86.4 GB / s.
For the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti uses printed circuit board with the same design as for the GeForce GTX 650. This means that the reference graphics card is very compact. It has Dual-slot cooling system, although its design is very simple. Obviously, the cooler is designed to meet the low power graphics card and declared TDP – 110W. Adapter requires more power, to connect it to the PCB placed six-slot. For systems with quad-core processors and the GeForce GTX 650 Ti manufacturer recommends using the PSU from 400W.
Like other members of the family Kepler, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti offers support PhysX, Adaptive VSync, NVIDIA Surround modes and smoothing TXAA, FXAA, however, it can not engage the SLI. The loss is small, yet adapters that level do not often appear in the doubles..
Technical characteristics of Graphics cards:
ZOTAC GTX650TI 2GB AMP! Edition (ZT-61103-10M)
Traditionally, modify video AMP! Edition from ZOTAC have improved frequency formula. In this case, factory tuning is serious proportions. Chip frequency is increased from 925 to 1033 MHz (+11.7%), while the memory runs at 6200 MHz (14.8%), instead of the recommended 5400 MHz.
This new Graphics card is very compact. The cooler is covered by a plastic cover on top of black. At the heart of the cooling system is simple aluminium heatsink design, which is blown 90-mm fan axial. The blades of the last made of translucent plastic and have an orange color. In combination with a black PCB and the sleeve of the same color looks pretty impressive.
The length of the circuit board – 145 mm, total length adapter, including some serving top cover – 155 mm. Adapter barely larger than the slot PCI-Express x16, because installing the video card, even in a compact body, no problem.
PCB is very similar to the reference, however, is different. The stabilizer is made by a three-phase circuit (2 +1). Modification of AMP! Edition, in addition to what is overclocking, is on board 2 GB of memory. In this case, 4 chips were located above and to the right near the GPU, yet the same number of chips available on the reverse side.
The reference card NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti has three video outputs – a pair of DVI, and mini-HDMI, while video card ZOTAC has a mounting plate four interface connectors: two DVI, and the same number of full-HDMI.
The package bundle is different something extraordinary: a guide, a brochure for quick installation, disk drivers, a couple with at Molex connector for additional power supply and DVI to VGA.
Price
The recommended price of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti for the U.S. market – $ 149 for a model with 1 GB of memory, the reference PCB and clock speeds. Price accelerated graphics card with 2 GB of memory from ZOTAC initially marked at $ 189. In the latter case, a significant difference from the original, however, in our view, the retail price is still to determine the real market demand.
Inside:
In terms of cooling efficiency, Coolers are pretty well-proven. Despite the modest structure, its capacity was enough to take the heat from the GK106 and do it without much strain.
Note that the fan is connected with two contacts, which means that the rotation speed is not regulated by PWM, and by changing the voltage. However, the rate of the algorithm is very complicated. The fact is that virtually any workload steadily rotating fan at 23% of maximum, and only after a merciless Furmark GPU warmed to 66 degrees, the speed increased to 25%. The quantitative performance is uncertain, since the actual speed in this case is not monitored, but in the general tone of the work with tables moderate growth speed will not change. The cooler works very quietly, regardless of the conditions. In general, the cooling system is not serious claims, but certainly more flexible control algorithm here would be very appropriate.
Performance:
Indicators shodw, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti with the reference values of the frequencies are on average 10-15% lower than that of the forced card. It is sure to be considered during the general assessment of the new devices on the chip GK106. However, let us not forget that in the retail GeForce GTX 650 Ti from many vendors is to get a tune, with higher clock speeds, while the reference formula will be used only for the most affordable modifications.
For the foregoing reasons, in the test it was not evaluated the performance of pre-GeForce GTX 650 Ti. However, even the data do provide an idea of the potential of the new solution. So, after further acceleration, GeForce GTX 650 Ti can almost equal match for the GeForce GTX 560 and Radeon HD 6870. Even if you omit the very encouraging results in synthetic 3DMark 11 and Lost Planet 2, a novelty on the GK106, on average showing very good results. NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti is well ahead of Radeon HD 7770, however, given the cost of the latter at $ 120, this is not surprising.
It is also interesting to compare the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti features and formal predecessor GTX 550 Ti. The predecessor of the new product is not only inferior to GK106. Between them if they do not divide, the very material difference. Owners of video cards on the GF116, wishing to change the graphics card, you have to look in the direction of faster solutions to fully enjoy the contrast and to obtain satisfaction from the upgrade. However, the figures – is evidence that the technology is not standing still.
If we compare the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti with younger model without index “Ti”, it is obvious that this adapter different levels. Twice the number of computing processors and texture units allows novelty off the low-end model for performance parts. The difference is so great that it may be asked, what was the device on a chip GK107 generally refers to the family of GTX? However, the difference in the cost of adapters is also significant because the parity in price / performance ratio on the whole maintained, it is important to remember that in the case of the GTX 650 index “Ti»” is heavy.
Results
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti – compact, cost-effective solution that can provide an acceptable speed for Full HD modes with medium or even high quality graphics in any modern games. Indicators accelerated graphics very decent against the proposals on the market in the same price category. With retail value in $ 150-160 novelty is sure to be very popular.
Take a short historical digression, we note that the GeForce GTX 550 Ti at the time of its announcement (March 2011) are also offered for $ 150. After a year and a half for the same money we get a device with significantly increased level of performance, which also became much more economical. Of course, during the “console stagnation” effect on the rate of development of graphics cards for PCs, but the slogan “more functional, faster, more energy efficient” is still relevant.
Representing the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti, NVIDIA has taken the operating space, in which a main competitor at the moment there is still no alternative proposals based on modern GPU. AMD certainly try to respond to such an attack. It is likely that to take that step it will help partners who complete the sale of graphics chips Barts (HD 6850/6870) and they can now offer the most interesting options in the way of price categories. One step is to reduce the cost of Radeon HD 7850, which is the version with 1 GB of memory, may fall in price to $ 169. However, the decision of a higher level, while for direct competition with the GeForce GTX 650 Ti in the line of AMD lacks a more affordable model of the chip Pitcairn. It’s time for the announcement of Radeon HD 7830 and a new bout of irreconcilable rivals?
This was all about latest arrival and an affordable powerful graphics card solution i.e. NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti.