CPU
GPU
GeForce GTX 260
Popular choices:
FirePro V5900
Popular choices:
Performance Spectrum - GPU
About G3D Mark
G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The GeForce GTX 260 is positioned at rank 293 and the FirePro V5900 is on rank 290, so the FirePro V5900 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GTX 260
Performance Per Dollar FirePro V5900
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The FirePro V5900 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.7% higher G3D Mark score and 128.6% more VRAM (2 GB vs 896 MB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 260.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 260 | FirePro V5900 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.7%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+2.7%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / Tesla 2.0 (2007−2013)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2011 / TeraScale 3 (2010−2013)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+128.6%) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (267mm) | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The FirePro V5900 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the FirePro V5900 holds the technical lead. Priced at $15 (vs $449), it costs 97% less, resulting in a 2973.2% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 260 | FirePro V5900 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+2973.2%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($449) | ✅More affordable ($15) |
Performance Check
Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 7800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.
Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 260 and FirePro V5900
GeForce GTX 260
The GeForce GTX 260 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in June 16 2008. It features the Tesla 2.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 576 MHz. It has 192 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 182W. Manufactured using 65 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,200 points. Launch price was $449.
FirePro V5900
The FirePro V5900 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in May 24 2011. It features the TeraScale 3 architecture. The core clock speed is 600 MHz. It has 512 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,232 points.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GTX 260 scores 1,200 and the FirePro V5900 reaches 1,232 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.7% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 260 is built on Tesla 2.0 while the FirePro V5900 uses TeraScale 3, both on 65 nm vs 40 nm. Shader units: 192 (GeForce GTX 260) vs 512 (FirePro V5900). Raw compute: 0.4769 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 260) vs 0.6144 TFLOPS (FirePro V5900).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 260 | FirePro V5900 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 1,200 | 1,232+3% |
| Architecture | Tesla 2.0 | TeraScale 3 |
| Process Node | 65 nm | 40 nm |
| Shading Units | 192 | 512+167% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 0.4769 TFLOPS | 0.6144 TFLOPS+29% |
| ROPs | 28 | 32+14% |
| TMUs | 64+100% | 32 |
| L2 Cache | 224 KB | 512 KB+129% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 260 | FirePro V5900 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 (Compatible) | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce GTX 260 comes with 896 MB of VRAM, while the FirePro V5900 has 2 GB. The FirePro V5900 offers 128.6% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 64-bit. L2 Cache: 224 KB (GeForce GTX 260) vs 512 KB (FirePro V5900) — the FirePro V5900 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 260 | FirePro V5900 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 0.875 GB | 2 GB+129% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Bus Width | 128-bit+100% | 64-bit |
| L2 Cache | 224 KB | 512 KB+129% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 10_0 (GeForce GTX 260) vs 11.2 (FirePro V5900). Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 3.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 260 | FirePro V5900 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 10_0 | 11.2+12% |
| Max Displays | 2 | 3+50% |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 1st Gen (GeForce GTX 260) vs None (FirePro V5900). Decoder: NVDEC 1st Gen vs UVD 3.1. Supported codecs: H.264 (GeForce GTX 260) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (FirePro V5900).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 260 | FirePro V5900 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 1st Gen | None |
| Decoder | NVDEC 1st Gen | UVD 3.1 |
| Codecs | H.264 | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 260 draws 182W versus the FirePro V5900's 75W — a 83.3% difference. The FirePro V5900 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce GTX 260) vs 350W (FirePro V5900). Power connectors: 2x 6-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 267mm vs 229mm, occupying 2 vs 1 slots.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 260 | FirePro V5900 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 182W | 75W-59% |
| Recommended PSU | 500W | 350W-30% |
| Power Connector | 2x 6-pin | PCIe-powered |
| Length | 267mm | 229mm |
| Height | — | 112mm |
| Slots | 2 | 1-50% |
| Temp (Load) | — | 80 |
| Perf/Watt | 6.6 | 16.4+148% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 260 launched at $449 MSRP and currently averages $449, while the FirePro V5900 launched at $599 and now averages $15. The FirePro V5900 costs 96.7% less ($434 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 2.7 (GeForce GTX 260) vs 82.1 (FirePro V5900) — the FirePro V5900 offers 2940.7% better value. The FirePro V5900 is the newer GPU (2011 vs 2008).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 260 | FirePro V5900 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $449-25% | $599 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $449 | $15-97% |
| Performance per Dollar | 2.7 | 82.1+2941% |
| Codename | GT200 | Cayman |
| Release | June 16 2008 | May 24 2011 |
| Ranking | #821 | #812 |
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