NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250: A Rebadged 9800 GTX+
by Derek Wilson on March 3, 2009 3:00 AM EST- Posted in
- GPUs
More From CeBIT: New Mobile Parts
Unfortunately, we were unable to get any notebooks with these new GPUs to test them out before we tell you about them, but both NVIDIA and AMD are announcing new mobile GPUs today.
NVIDIA's move parallels what's happening on the desktop in that the newest additions to the mobile line up are 55nm G92 based parts with names in the new style NVIDIA has chosen. Actually, the entire lineup of 9xxxM series parts is being replaced by parts with new names. This is certainly more expected on the mobile side, as we usually do see much more lag in this space than on the desktop.
As for the specifics, the new parts are the top of the line models. The GTX 280M will be up to 50% faster than the 9800M GTX, which is nice in theory, but final performance will still be up to notebook makers who will set the final clocks on the part on a per notebook basis to accommodate their power budget. The GTX 260M is one step down from the 280M in that it has 112 SPs enabled (like the original G92 introduced as the 8800 GT) and lower maximum clock speeds.
These two high end GTX parts replace the top end 9800M parts, and subbing for the 9800M GS is the GTS 160M which will also offer improved performance, although we didn't get full specifications on this part. Rounding out the bottom of the lineup are the GT 130M and the G 110M.
On the AMD front, we see something a little more intriguing in the form of the first 40nm GPUs in the mobile space. Smaller die sizes, lower power and better power are promised, though the general naming will stay the same for AMD. The new 40nm 4800 series parts can be paired with either DDR3, GDDR3, or GDDR5; the choice is up to the notebook maker. AMD touts the fact that they can get about double the processing power in the same area with their new process, which will only benefit them going forward.
NVIDIA paints the GDDR5 option as overkill, but we really won't know about performance of either the new NVIDIA or AMD parts until we have hardware to test.
The NVIDIA and AMD supplied relative performance graphs are nearly useless in sorting out how these parts should compare to each other, so we'll really have to save the head to head for a time when we have hardware on our hands. 40nm could be a big plus for AMD, but remember that NVIDIA has made the first move in making mobile drivers available from their web site. The value of that is very high, as notebook OEMs tend not to like updating their drivers very often. Sure, it's possible to hack desktop drivers onto a mobile part, but it is a supreme headache and we hope AMD will soon follow in NVIDIA's footsteps with this move.
Back to the Tests at Hand
Now that we've covered all the announcements and introductory material, let's get to testing the hardware we've got in our hot little hands.
We got our card just a couple days ago, so we haven't had time to test everything, and we've only received one card so we haven't been able to test SLI with the 1GB version. We would also have added to our benchmarks by including 1280x1024 in our tests if we had had the time. This is a very important resolution for this class of hardware, but 1680x1050 should be a good enough indicator of relative performance in most cases so that this won't matter too much.
Our comparisons will be a little lop sided though. We've got two each (for single and dual configurations) of the 512MB 4850 and the 512MB GTS 250 (the 9800 GTX+). These comparisons we can do, and it's nice and neat as both parts are now set at a $130 (cutting recent street prices by about $15). We do have a GTS 250 1GB, but we don't have a 1GB 4850 to compare it to. On the flip side, since we've only got 1 GTS 250 1GB, we can't compare GTS 250 1GB SLI to the 4850 X2 2GB we have.
The test setup hasn't changed for this article, except that we've had to use the 182.08 for the GTS 250 1GB.
| Test Setup | |
| CPU | Intel Core i7-965 3.2GHz |
| Motherboard | ASUS Rampage II Extreme X58 |
| Video Cards | Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 4850 X2 2GB ATI Radeon HD 4870 512MB CrossFire ATI Radeon HD 4850 CrossFire ATI Radeon HD 4870 512MB ATI Radeon HD 4850 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 SLI NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GTX+ SLI NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 core 216 NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 1GB NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GTX+ |
| Video Drivers | Catalyst 8.12 hotfix ForceWare 181.22 |
| Hard Drive | Intel X25-M 80GB SSD |
| RAM | 6 x 1GB DDR3-1066 7-7-7-20 |
| Operating System | Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit SP1 |
| PSU | PC Power & Cooling Turbo Cool 1200W |
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KayKay - Tuesday, March 3, 2009 - link
on the "Final Words" pageLoses != Looses
MamiyaOtaru - Thursday, March 5, 2009 - link
"Loses" is correct. What are you saying?MamiyaOtaru - Wednesday, March 11, 2009 - link
Maybe the author already edited the article and the OP was pointing out an actual error that was there. I've seen that happen often enough, why would I fall into that trap.. I guess so many people write "looser" and "loose" that it was perfectly believable to me that he really was assuming those forms were correct. oops. I hope.Proteusza - Tuesday, March 3, 2009 - link
Brilliant segment, nice PR backfire for Nvidia.As I see it, the 1GB version of this card might be good enough to buy on its own merits - it stands up well to the 4850, while having lower power consumption and more video memory (which helps with some resolutions and AA combinations). That being said, a rehash is still a rehash, and its... somewhat surprising to see that nvidia doesnt have a proper GT 200 series mainstream GPU out yet. I guess it could show just how off balance they are from the 4870 and 4850 - you can see a mile away that they did not expect such good performance to be available for such a low price.
SiliconDoc - Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - link
It's funny, I think just about the opposite. It's not strange threre is no GT200 mainstream part, as there is no hole to fill, and it is strictly a high end GPU.What you have to finally realize, to understand, is that the best core of the red rooster crew IS the 4850.
IT IS IDENTICAL TO THE 4870 IN EVERY WAY EXCEPT IN THE MEMORY AND CLOCKS.
So the real issue is, the ATI CORE CANNOT COMPETE WITH THE GT200 CORE. IT CAN ONLY TRY BY DDR5 MEMORY, and even then it falls short.
Look at it this way - a 4870 minus the ddr5 IS the 4850. Take the top ati core with ddr3, and the top nvidia core with ddr3, both at a gig ram and same clocks.
YOU GOT THE 280 OR 285 (GT200) STOMPING THE ATI CORE INTO THE DIRT.
In the "midrange" (depending on what crazy range that entails for the red rooster fanboi) - the 4850 VS the 9800 flavors - here we see the 4850 top ati core with 512 ram is struggling to keep up with the over 2 years old nvidia core 250 (92b/80 for the whiners).
So, there is NO REASON for a "midrange" GT200 other than tech geek instatiable curiosity.
How would nvidia position the GT200 midrange part ? If it's below the GTX260/192, it crunches into the 9800GTX flavors - if below that - the 8800 88gs and the like...
SEE THE RED ROOSTERS HAVE THEIR INSANE, FRANKLY NUTBALL IDEA THAT THERE IS ROOM FOR A LOWER GT200.
NO SIR, the GT200 is the 285 AND IT STOMPS EVERY SINGLE CORE ATI HAS EVEN WHEN THAT 4850 CORE IS STUFFED ABOUT WITH NVIDIA GT200 CORE DOESN'T HAVE IT DDR5 IN THE FORM OF THE 1 GIG 4870 OVERCLOCKED !
So, it's really clear to me, the fanboys are spreading so much CRAP, they have otherwise intelligent persons confused and babbling stupidities.
Forget all their BS, and take a CLEAR VIEW.
The BEST CORE ati has to offer is 100% there and enabled on the 4850, and only ddr5 and massive clocking gets it to the 4870, which still can't touch the DDR3 gt200 - it DOESN'T EVEN TOUCH IT.
The GT200 with DDR5 would "ABSOLUTELY DESTROY UTTERLY THE 4870".
Nvidia CANNOT put such a tremendous CORE into a mid range low product unless they DUPLICATE the 9800 series, and it would be IMMENSE DUNCERY.
That must be why the idiot red roosters keep calling for it.
Like Derek, a supposed "reviewer".
No, he's a foolish red fanboy joke.
Yeah, I'm sick of the STUPIDTY.
The 4850 core goes in the 4830 because it's a lower end core, on par with the g92, NOT CAPABLE OF COMPETING WITH THE GT200.
How many times do I have to REPEAT IT, before the zombie repeat bot FUD and the total bs CRAP by "intelligent commenters" and "reviewers" - STOPS !
Gosh, the GT200 with DDR5 huh - no how about the G92/9800GTX with DDR5 - gueess what ? THAT'S EQUIVALENT TO A 4870 !
THINK ! THINK ! THINK ! TIME TO THINK !
Go look at the ATI gpu core charts here - then THINK about what I'm RANTING on !
Thanks if this helps you at all.
If it doesn't actually help the red rooster crazed liars, well then there is no help for you.
Galid - Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - link
First of all, you sound like a nvidia fanboy, when you get mad, you've gotta be a fanboy. No offense, but there's no clear point of view from someone that already chose a side. I owned both nvidia and ATI gpus in my life having problems and good days with both. I remember the drivers problems from ati and I remember my 6800gt with nforce2 chipset incompatibility or my 7900gt that burnt twice.Ati never wanted to compete with the higher end parts of GT200 they wanted to take on the midstream graphic processer which they did pretty well. Ati touches one of nvidia gt200 core(the gtx260) with it's radeon 4870 and everyone knows it, that's what heppened since it got first tested on anandtech. For a much lower price BTW. Yes 4850 is the best part bang for the bucks from ati but when you gotta choose between gtx260 or 4870, the price speaks by itself.
You forgot the 4850x2, ok it'S not being produced a lot which is weird considering it's some of the most interesting part from ati. kills completely gtx280 for a lower price?!?
That move from nvidia was clearly the best. you'Re right about that. Getting the best bang for the bucks part is an achievement in itself. They did it but quite poorly. Now they have the best of the best and quite the best bang for the bucks unless that radeon4870 for 150$ happens.
So it's ok if you wanna have the best perf whatever the price, it's a no brainer. But competition is good, it keeps prices down, red rooster dies it's gonna be bad for us.
SiliconDoc - Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - link
" You forgot the 4850x2, ok it'S not being produced a lot which is weird considering it's some of the most interesting part from ati. kills completely gtx280 for a lower price?! "Is that a question or a statement ? You don't really know. You don't really want to fight x-fire either - with still NO GAME PROFILES - NO FORCING, STILL BELOW TWO TWO GTS250 BECAUSE OF THAT - AND MORE EXPENSIVE- CHECK THE EGG LIAR!
SiliconDoc - Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - link
Ahh, yeah since you're obviously a liar here's your big problem, proof of that !RE: value?? by SiliconDoc, 14 hours ago
The cheapest 4870 1G at the egg right now is 194.99 + shipping and they go up well over $200 from there -
The cheapest GTX260/216 at the egg right now is 179.99 + shipping.
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Now let's look further - in order ! (second # after rebate)
4870 1g
199.99
199.99/169.99
199.99/179.99
214.99/194.99
234.99/209.99
239.99/214.99
GTC260/216
189.99/159.99
208.99/189.99
212.99/177.99
229.99/199.99
232.99/197.99
234.99/214.99
_______________________________
Oh well, another red fantasiacal lie exploded all over the place, AGAIN.
________________________________-
Sorry red, YOU LIED.
SiliconDoc - Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - link
You're another red rooster foofer." Ati never wanted to compete with the higher end parts of GT200 they wanted to take on the midstream graphic processer which they did pretty well. Ati touches one of nvidia gt200 core(the gtx260) with it's radeon 4870 and everyone knows it, that's what heppened since it got first tested on anandtech. For a much lower price BTW. Yes 4850 is the best part bang for the bucks from ati but when you gotta choose between gtx260 or 4870, the price speaks by itself. "
I HAD to write up the price chart - go check page 9 or 10 - then get back to me with an APOLOGY on your pricing LIE.
DO IT redrooster.
SiliconDoc - Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - link
Yes, there is a clear view, if you can do so HONESTLY.For instance, the 4830 is a tremendous value - that's the card I like from the red crew - and it hit the egg at $74, and I'm still kicking myself for not buying a half dozen.
Don't be so quick to judge.
If I'm incorrect, I will take correction, and apologize, and thank you. Know that.