Nvidia GeForce GTX 285 review

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The Nvidia GeForce GTX 285 is a considerably high-speed single-GPU graphics card. However it has been facing serious competition from the ATI 5000 series. The GTX 285 was introduced by Nvidia as a single core alternative to the GTX 295 which is equipped with double graphics chip. A spin-off of the GTX 280, GTX 285 has undergone several changes. Whether it has kicked up the performance of the product is a matter that can be settled after an analysis of its features.

GPU

GTX 285 follows in the footsteps of GTX 280 using 240 stream processors, 80 texture units, 32 ROPs. But the GPU clock has speeded up from 602 MHz to a workable 648 MHz . Even after an increase, it does not do much to enhance the overall working of the interface. A 170 MHz increase has pepped up the speed of the stream processor clock to 1476 MHz. Apart from these features, it is a pretty downhill ride in terms of computing speed and the rest.

Video memory

The GTX does not belie the construct of a classic Nvidia graphics card. The memory clock times at 2484 MHz. Breathing on GTX 285’s neck is the ATI 5770. The ATI specimen is further quipped with a GDDR5 memory while GTX 285 used the passé GDDR3. But it is absolutely no competition for the GTX for its great bus-width and bandwidth. It kicks up as storm because of a bus width strength notching up to 512 bits/sec. The image quality is fairly good at a 2560x 1600 resolution.

The card has dual DVI ports as well as HDTV port. However, many may severely feel the need for a Display Port. Annoyingly, one has to use his own display port or adaptor to make use of the display interface.

Technologies supported

GeForce gives the gamer a first-hand feel in video games. Nvidia offers a technology called Phys X that adds more definition to the games and devises different reactions to the gamer’s movements. Stereoscopic 3D and fast image processing add to the heightened experience of gaming. Besides these, the card also allows the transcoding of high-definition images to any compatible device of your choice.

GTX 285 offers the ubiquitous Scaling Link Interface or SLI configuration with a 2way or 3 way output. This results in an effortless combination of multiple graphics to produce an integrated output.

Appearance

The card resembles its older cousin, the GTX 280, in form. It has a plastic cooler mantle and measure up to 10.5”. With an unpretentiously low power requirement, a dual 6 pin PCI connector, this machine has absolutely no hassles. This is chiefly due to a rehauling of the power circuit that has cut down on the maximum quoted power on board. NVidia has also intelligently upgraded the GTX 285 from the frilly 280 by moving the PCB chips on the top. Now the heat sink used to cool the GPU core can function as a cooler for the PCB chips as well.

Summary

An improved clock speed has stepped up the GPU performance and hence is an attractive pick. However, the price is a big turn-off since GTX 470, equipped with superior gadgetry, also falls into the same price bracket as that of the GTX 285.

About The Author

The author is the founder of eches.net. He was brought up and is currently living in a small town at the northernmost of Malaysia.