Nvidia GeForce GTX 470: A Comprehensive Overview
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 470 is a mid-to-high-end graphics card released in March 2010 as part of Nvidia’s Fermi architecture (GF100). Targeted at gamers and professionals seeking robust performance, the GTX 470 was one of the pioneers in Nvidia’s 400 series, delivering better efficiency and performance than its predecessors. It also introduced DirectX 11 support, enhancing gaming visuals and computational capabilities.
Key Specifications
| Specification | GTX 470 |
|---|---|
| Architecture | Fermi (40nm) |
| CUDA Cores | 448 |
| Base Clock | 607 MHz |
| Shader Clock | 1215 MHz |
| Memory | 1.28GB GDDR5 |
| Memory Interface | 320-bit |
| Memory Speed | 3348 MHz (effective) |
| Memory Bandwidth | 133.9 GB/s |
| TDP (Power Draw) | 215W |
| Price at Launch | $349 |
Features and Capabilities
1. Performance
With 448 CUDA cores, the GTX 470 provided a substantial upgrade over earlier cards like the GTX 285. It was capable of handling 1080p gaming at medium-to-high settings in most titles available at the time.
2. Architecture
The GTX 470 was part of the Fermi architecture, which introduced:
- DirectX 11 support for advanced rendering techniques.
- Nvidia 3D Vision and PhysX for enhanced gaming visuals.
- CUDA technology for parallel computing and professional workloads.
3. Gaming Performance
The GTX 470 was designed for 1080p gaming, delivering smooth performance in titles such as Crysis, Battlefield: Bad Company 2, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. However, it struggled with ultra settings in more demanding games, requiring compromises to maintain playable frame rates.
4. Memory
The card came with 1.28GB of GDDR5 VRAM on a 320-bit interface, sufficient for 1080p textures and workloads at the time. However, this amount is now considered inadequate for modern gaming.
5. Power Efficiency
With a TDP of 215W, the GTX 470 was power-hungry compared to its competition. It required a dual 6-pin PCIe power connector and a recommended 550W power supply, making it less energy-efficient than modern GPUs.
6. Professional Use
In addition to gaming, the GTX 470 was suitable for compute-intensive tasks such as video encoding, 3D rendering, and simulations, thanks to its CUDA cores and Fermi architecture.
Benchmarks
| Game (1080p High Settings) | GTX 470 (FPS) |
|---|---|
| Crysis | 38 |
| Battlefield: Bad Company 2 | 54 |
| Metro 2033 | 24 |
| Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 | 60+ |
| Far Cry 2 | 52 |
Pros and Cons
Pros
- DirectX 11 support: Brought more realistic graphics and rendering effects.
- Good performance for its era: Handled 1080p gaming well for most 2010 titles.
- CUDA cores: Benefited professional and computational workloads.
- Enhanced gaming visuals: Nvidia technologies like PhysX and 3D Vision added immersive elements.
Cons
- Power consumption: High TDP of 215W made it less energy-efficient.
- Heat generation: Ran hot under load, requiring efficient cooling solutions.
- Noise levels: Stock cooling solutions could be noisy during heavy gaming.
- Outdated VRAM size: 1.28GB is insufficient for modern games.
Modern Relevance
The GTX 470 has been surpassed by multiple generations of GPUs, making it unsuitable for modern gaming. It can still handle older games or act as a backup card for light tasks, but its performance, efficiency, and features pale compared to newer models like the GTX 1660 or RTX series.
Conclusion
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 470 was a solid performer in its prime, delivering reliable 1080p gaming and professional computing capabilities. While it introduced significant advancements like DirectX 11 and improved compute power, its high power consumption and heat output limited its appeal. Today, the GTX 470 is a relic of Nvidia’s Fermi era, remembered for pushing gaming and professional workloads forward in 2010.
