Inno3D GeForce GT 220 1 GB

, on Nov 11th, 2009, in Graphics Cards. Manufacturer: Inno3D

Introduction

Currently NVIDIA is releasing new versions of their lower end graphics card series. All new cards are based on NVIDIA's first 40 nm graphics processors. The GeForce GT 220 uses the GT216 GPU, while the G 210 uses the GT218 processor. Both cards are positioned in the lower end of the performance spectrum, with performance in the 9500 GT range. This is also the first time that NVIDIA offers a DirectX 10.1 compliant GPU. NVIDIA's Reviewers Guide states "The GeForce GT 220 is the perfect GPU for Microsoft Windows 7". I respectfully disagree, a Windows 7 graphics card should have support for DirectX 11 in my opinion, no matter if DirectX 11 is popular yet. NVIDIA has also worked on the media PC features and now lets you transmit the HDMI audio signal through the PCI-Express bus without the need for any SPDIF cable. Full HD video decode acceleration, NVIDIA CUDA and PhysX are also present on this card making this an all-round entry level solution if you are looking for a basic graphics card that works well for desktop use, and allows for casual gaming.

Like many other board-partners, Inno3D has engineered their own GeForce GT 220 design, by using NVIDIA's PCB together with their own thermal solution.

We are testing the 1 GB variant of Inno3D's GeForce GT 220, if you want to save some money, a 512 MB version is available too.

	Radeon HD 4350	GeForce 9400 GT	Radeon HD 4550	GeForce 9500 GT	GeForce GT 220	Inno3D GT 220	Radeon HD 4670	GeForce 9600 GT
Shader units	80	16	80	32	48	48	320	64
ROPs	4	8	4	8	8	8	8	16
GPU	RV710	G96	RV710	G96	GT216	GT216	RV730	G94
Transistors	242M	314M	242M	314M	486M	486M	512M	505M
Memory Size	256 MB	512M	512 MB	256 MB / 512 MB	512 MB / 1024 MB	1024 MB	512 MB	512 MB
Memory Bus Width	64 bit	128 bit	64 bit	128 bit	128 bit	128 bit	128 bit	256 bit
Core Clock	600 MHz	550 MHz	600 MHz	550 MHz	625 MHz	625 MHz	750 MHz	650 MHz
Memory Clock	500 MHz	400 MHz	400 MHz	900 MHz	790 MHz / 1012 MHz	800 MHz	1000 MHz	900 MHz
Price	$35	$40	$45	$45	$69 - $79	$74	$67	$80