The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 is a mid-range graphics card that was released in 2012. It was part of the Kepler generation of graphics cards, which was a significant improvement over the previous Fermi generation. In this article, we will take a closer look at the GTX 650, its features, and its performance.
Release Date and Launch
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 was released on September 13, 2012. It was launched as a more affordable alternative to the higher-end GTX 660 and GTX 670 graphics cards. The GTX 650 was priced at around $109 at launch, making it an attractive option for gamers who wanted a decent graphics card without breaking the bank.
Key Features
The GTX 650 had several key features that made it an attractive option for gamers. Some of its key features include:
- Kepler Architecture: The GTX 650 was based on the Kepler architecture, which was a significant improvement over the previous Fermi architecture. Kepler provided better performance and power efficiency than Fermi.
- 768 CUDA Cores: The GTX 650 had 768 CUDA cores, which provided a significant boost in performance over the previous generation.
- 1GB GDDR5 Memory: The GTX 650 had 1GB of GDDR5 memory, which provided fast memory bandwidth and low power consumption.
- 128-Bit Memory Bus: The GTX 650 had a 128-bit memory bus, which provided a decent memory bandwidth for its time.
Performance
The GTX 650 was a mid-range graphics card, and its performance reflected that. It was capable of playing most games at medium to high settings, but it struggled with more demanding games. Here are some benchmarks that show the performance of the GTX 650:
| Game | Resolution | Frames Per Second |
| — | — | — |
| Battlefield 3 | 1080p | 40-50 FPS |
| Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 | 1080p | 50-60 FPS |
| The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim | 1080p | 30-40 FPS |
| Crysis 2 | 1080p | 20-30 FPS |
As you can see, the GTX 650 was capable of playing most games at medium to high settings, but it struggled with more demanding games like Crysis 2.
Comparison to Other Graphics Cards
The GTX 650 was compared to other graphics cards in its class, including the AMD Radeon HD 7770 and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti. Here’s a comparison of the three graphics cards:
| Graphics Card | CUDA Cores | Memory | Memory Bus |
| — | — | — | — |
| NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 | 768 | 1GB GDDR5 | 128-bit |
| AMD Radeon HD 7770 | 640 | 1GB GDDR5 | 128-bit |
| NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti | 192 | 1GB GDDR5 | 128-bit |
As you can see, the GTX 650 had more CUDA cores and better performance than the AMD Radeon HD 7770 and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti.
Power Consumption and Heat
The GTX 650 had a power consumption of around 65W, which was relatively low for its time. It also had a heat output of around 50°C, which was relatively cool for a graphics card.
Power Consumption Comparison
Here’s a comparison of the power consumption of the GTX 650 and other graphics cards in its class:
| Graphics Card | Power Consumption |
| — | — |
| NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 | 65W |
| AMD Radeon HD 7770 | 80W |
| NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti | 60W |
As you can see, the GTX 650 had lower power consumption than the AMD Radeon HD 7770, but higher power consumption than the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti.
Conclusion
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 was a mid-range graphics card that was released in 2012. It had several key features, including Kepler architecture, 768 CUDA cores, and 1GB GDDR5 memory. Its performance was decent, but it struggled with more demanding games. It also had relatively low power consumption and heat output. Overall, the GTX 650 was a good option for gamers who wanted a decent graphics card without breaking the bank.
Legacy
The GTX 650 was a popular graphics card in its time, and it remained a popular option for several years after its release. It was eventually replaced by the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 and GTX 750 Ti, which offered better performance and power efficiency.
Impact on the Gaming Industry
The GTX 650 had a significant impact on the gaming industry, as it provided a decent graphics card option for gamers who couldn’t afford higher-end graphics cards. It also helped to establish NVIDIA as a major player in the graphics card market.
Comparison to Modern Graphics Cards
The GTX 650 is now an outdated graphics card, and it has been replaced by much more powerful graphics cards. Here’s a comparison of the GTX 650 and a modern graphics card, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660:
| Graphics Card | CUDA Cores | Memory | Memory Bus |
| — | — | — | — |
| NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 | 768 | 1GB GDDR5 | 128-bit |
| NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 | 1408 | 6GB GDDR6 | 128-bit |
As you can see, the GTX 1660 has much more powerful specs than the GTX 650, and it offers significantly better performance.
In conclusion, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 was a mid-range graphics card that was released in 2012. It had several key features, including Kepler architecture, 768 CUDA cores, and 1GB GDDR5 memory. Its performance was decent, but it struggled with more demanding games. It also had relatively low power consumption and heat output. Overall, the GTX 650 was a good option for gamers who wanted a decent graphics card without breaking the bank.
What is the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650, and when was it released?
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 is a mid-range graphics card released by NVIDIA in September 2012. It was part of the GeForce 600 series and was designed to provide a balance between performance and power consumption. The GTX 650 was targeted at mainstream gamers who wanted to play popular games at medium to high settings without breaking the bank.
The GTX 650 was based on the 28nm GK107 GPU, which provided a significant improvement in performance and power efficiency compared to its predecessors. It featured 384 CUDA cores, 32 texture mapping units, and 16 raster operating units. The card also supported DirectX 11, OpenGL 4.2, and NVIDIA’s proprietary technologies like PhysX and 3D Vision.
What are the key specifications of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650?
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 had a core clock speed of 1058 MHz and a boost clock speed of 1110 MHz. It came with 1 GB or 2 GB of GDDR5 memory, depending on the variant, and had a memory bandwidth of 128 GB/s. The card also featured a 128-bit memory interface and supported a maximum resolution of 2560×1600 at 60 Hz.
In terms of power consumption, the GTX 650 had a TDP of 65W, which made it a relatively power-efficient option for its time. It required a 6-pin power connector and was compatible with a wide range of systems, including those with Intel Core i3 and i5 processors. The card also supported NVIDIA’s SLI technology, allowing users to combine multiple GTX 650 cards for improved performance.
How does the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 perform in games?
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 was capable of delivering smooth performance in popular games at medium to high settings. In games like League of Legends, Dota 2, and World of Warcraft, the card could handle high frame rates at 1080p resolution. However, in more demanding games like Battlefield 3 and Crysis 3, the card may have struggled to maintain high frame rates at ultra-high settings.
According to benchmarks, the GTX 650 was comparable to the AMD Radeon HD 7770 in terms of performance. However, the GTX 650 had an advantage in terms of power consumption and noise levels. Overall, the GTX 650 was a solid option for gamers who wanted to play popular games at medium to high settings without spending a fortune.
Is the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 compatible with modern systems?
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 is an older graphics card, and its compatibility with modern systems may be limited. While it can still be used with older systems that have a PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, it may not be compatible with newer systems that have a PCIe 4.0 x16 slot.
In addition, the GTX 650 may not support the latest graphics technologies like ray tracing, artificial intelligence-enhanced graphics, and variable rate shading. It also may not be compatible with the latest operating systems, including Windows 11. However, it can still be used with older operating systems like Windows 7 and Windows 10.
Can the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 be used for cryptocurrency mining?
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 can be used for cryptocurrency mining, but its performance may not be optimal. The card’s 384 CUDA cores and 1 GB or 2 GB of GDDR5 memory make it less suitable for mining cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
However, the GTX 650 can still be used for mining other cryptocurrencies like Litecoin and Dogecoin. According to benchmarks, the card can deliver a hash rate of around 100-200 KH/s, which is relatively low compared to modern graphics cards. Nevertheless, the GTX 650 can still be used for mining, especially for those who want to get started with cryptocurrency mining without spending a lot of money.
Is the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 still available for purchase?
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 is an older graphics card, and its availability may be limited. While it can still be found on online marketplaces like eBay and Amazon, the prices may vary depending on the seller and the condition of the card.
In general, it’s not recommended to purchase an older graphics card like the GTX 650, especially if you’re looking for a card that can handle modern games and graphics technologies. Instead, consider purchasing a newer graphics card that offers better performance, power efficiency, and compatibility with modern systems.
What are some alternatives to the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650?
If you’re looking for alternatives to the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650, consider the following options: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660, AMD Radeon HD 7850, or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750. These cards offer better performance, power efficiency, and compatibility with modern systems.
The GTX 660 is a more powerful version of the GTX 650, with 960 CUDA cores and 2 GB of GDDR5 memory. The Radeon HD 7850 is a competing card from AMD, with 1024 stream processors and 2 GB of GDDR5 memory. The GTX 750 is a more modern card from NVIDIA, with 512 CUDA cores and 2 GB of GDDR5 memory. These cards offer better performance and power efficiency than the GTX 650 and are more suitable for modern gaming and graphics applications.