This article is devoted to new graphics cards from Gigabyte. We have two products based on NVIDIA GPUs from different price and performance ranges: GeForce GTS 250 (aka 9800 GTX+, based on the good old G92) and GeForce GTX 275 (an intermediate between GTX 260 and 285, closer to the latter in terms of speed).

Card specifications

Gigabyte GeForce GTS 250 Overclocked 1024MB
GPU: GeForce 9800 GTX (G92) Interface: PCI-Express x16 GPU frequencies (ROPs/Shaders): 805/1923 MHz (typical -- 738/1836 MHz) Memory frequencies (physical (effective)): 1207 (2414) MHz (typical -- 1100 (2200) MHz) Memory bus width: 256bit Vertex processors: - Pixel processors: - Unified processors: 128 Texture processors: 64 (BLF/TLF) ROPs: 16 Dimensions: 210x100x32 mm (the last figure is the maximum thickness) PCB color: blue RAMDACs/TDMS: integrated into GPU Output connectors: 1xDVI (Dual-Link/HDMI), 1xHDMI 1xVGA VIVO: not available TV-out: not available Multi-GPU operation: Hardware SLI
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 275 Durable 896MB
GPU: GeForce GTX 275 (GT200) Interface: PCI-Express x16 GPU frequencies (ROPs/Shaders): 633/1400 MHz (typical) Memory frequencies (physical (effective)): 1130 (2260) MHz (typical) Memory bus width: 448bit Vertex processors: - Pixel processors: - Unified processors: 240 Texture processors: 80 (BLF/TLF) ROPs: 32 Dimensions: 270x100x33 mm (the last figure is the maximum thickness) PCB color: blue RAMDACs/TDMS: on a separate NVIO chip Output connectors: 2xDVI (Dual-Link/HDMI), TV-out VIVO: not available TV-out: integrated into GPU Multi-GPU operation: Hardware SLI

Gigabyte GeForce GTS 250 Overclocked 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.
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 275 Durable 896MB
The graphics card has 896 MB of GDDR3 SDRAM allocated in 14 Hynix memory chips on the front side of the PCB. These memory chips are designed for the maximum frequency of 1250 (2500) MHz.

Card design

Comparison with the reference design, front view
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 275 Durable 896MB	Reference card NVIDIA GeForce GTX 275
Gigabyte GeForce GTS 250 Overclocked 1024MB	Reference card NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250

Comparison with the reference design, back view
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 275 Durable 896MB	Reference card NVIDIA GeForce GTX 275
Gigabyte GeForce GTS 250 Overclocked 1024MB	Reference card NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250

The GTS 250 is apparently a unique card designed by Gigabyte. Although equipped with a 256-bit memory bus, this PCB is designed as short as possible. On the other hand, it comes with a massive cooling system (to be described below). It should be added that the card allows to adjust its operating frequencies and voltages with a special utility.

GTX 275 is an original product. Its PCB only looks like reference (even though it's manufactured by Gigabyte, not purchased from NVIDIA as a ready product). In fact, this PCB is heavily modified (layout, protective screens and their quality, power supply). Power consumption is lower now (as PSU components consume power as well as like core and memory chips). The company promises lower operating temperatures and stability. We'll analyze temperatures below, and operating stability of this card is really high. We could even overclock the core to 750/2000 MHz without ruining stability. It really works.

The GTX 275 card has a TV-Out for an S-Video cable. And the GTS 250 has an 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)

The HDTV review is available here.

All cards require additional power, so each is bundled with a molex to 6-pin adapter, even though all modern PSUs have with such cables.