Design

Now let's examine the cards.

Palit GeForce GTS 250 Sonic 2048MB
GPU: GeForce 9800 GTX (G92) Interface: PCI-Express x16 GPU frequencies (ROPs/Shaders): 740/1836 MHz (nominal -- 738/1836 MHz) Memory frequencies (physical (effective)): 1100 (2200) MHz (nominal -- 1100 (2200) MHz) Memory bus width: 256bit Vertex processors: - Pixel processors: - Unified processors: 128 Texture processors: 64 (BLF/TLF) ROPs: 16 Dimensions: 220x100x32 mm (the last figure is maximum thickness of the graphics card). PCB color: red RAMDACs/TDMS: integrated into GPU. Output connectors: 1xDVI (Dual-Link/HDMI), 1xHDMI. 1xVGA. VIVO: not available TV-out: not available. Multi-GPU operation: SLI (Hardware).
Zotac GeForce GTS 250 AMP! Edition 1024MB
GPU: GeForce 9800 GTX (G92) Interface: PCI-Express x16 GPU frequencies (ROPs/Shaders): 756/1890 MHz (nominal -- 738/1836 MHz) Memory frequencies (physical (effective)): 1150 (2300) MHz (nominal -- 1100 (2200) MHz) Memory bus width: 256bit Vertex processors: - Pixel processors: - Unified processors: 128 Texture processors: 64 (BLF/TLF) ROPs: 16 Dimensions: 220x100x32 mm (the last figure is maximum thickness of the graphics card). PCB color: green RAMDACs/TDMS: integrated into GPU. Output connectors: 2xDVI (Dual-Link/HDMI). VIVO: not available TV-out: not available. Multi-GPU operation: SLI (Hardware).

Palit GeForce GTS 250 Sonic 2048MB
The graphics card has 2048 MB of GDDR3 SDRAM allocated in 16 Hynix memory designed for the maximum frequency of 1250 (2500) MHz (eight chips on each side of the PCB.)
Zotac GeForce GTS 250 AMP! Edition 1024MB
The graphics card has 1024 MB of GDDR3 SDRAM allocated in 8 Hynix memory chips on the front side of the PCB. These memory chips are designed for the maximum frequency of 1250 (2500) MHz.

Comparison with the reference design, front view
Palit GeForce GTS 250 Sonic 2048MB	Reference NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS 512MB PCI-E
Zotac GeForce GTS 250 AMP! Edition 1024MB

Comparison with the reference design, back view
Palit GeForce GTS 250 Sonic 2048MB	Reference NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS 512MB PCI-E
Zotac GeForce GTS 250 AMP! Edition 1024MB

These cards use a GPU, which is no different from G92, it's just manufactured by the 55nm process technology.

Note that we've compared the new cards (their PCBs) with the 8800 GTS 512 instead of the 9800 GTX+. That's clear -- the new G92 (55nm) consumes less power, so a complex PCB is not necessary anymore. That's why the card is now shorter -- 220 mm versus 270 mm (9800GTX).

However, there are still some differences between the 8800 GTS and GTS 250. They have to do with the power circuits and 3-Way SLI support.

Graphics cards of this series feature soundcard connectors for transmitting audio stream to HDMI (via a DVI-to-HDMI adapter). That is, the graphics card does not have an audio codec, but it receives audio signal from an external sound card. So, if this feature is important to you, make sure the bundle contains a special audio cable.

Note that Palit engineers have installed two 6-pin power connectors, because the increased memory capacity requires higher load on the power module, while the regular GTS 250 has a single 6-pin connector (unlike the 9800 GTX+). It has become possible due to the lower power consumption of the GPU, manufactured by the 55nm process technology.

An analog monitor with a D-Sub (VGA) interface can be connected by means of a special DVI-to-D-Sub adapter. The bundle also includes a DVI-to-HDMI adapter (these graphics cards support video/audio output to HDMI receivers), so there should be no problems with such a monitor. And the GTX 295 has its own HDMI output.

Maximum resolutions and frequencies:

• 240 Hz maximum refresh rate
• 2048 x 1536 x 32bit @ 85Hz Max - analog interface
• 2560 x 1600 @ 60Hz Max - digital interface (all Dual-Link DVIs)

As for HDTV, a review is available here.

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