GeForce GTS 450 Performance Review

System Setup and Sotware List

We'll be running 5 games using the reference GTS 450.

Our review "software suite" consists of:

•   GeForce GPU driver v260.52
•   GeForce 3D Vision driver v260.52
•    Evga Precision 2.0.0
•   FRAPS 3.1.2 (March 4th)
•   Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit Service Pack 2
•    Mafia 2
•   Batman Arkham Asylum
•   BioShock 2
•   Metro 2033
•   Resident Evil 5
•   Unigine Heaven Benchmark 2.0

Our review hardware consists of (my PC):

•   CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad QX6700 @2,666MHz
•   Motherboard: MSI P7N SLI Platinum
•   GPUs: Reference GTS 450
•   Memory: 4GB (2x 2GB) Corsair Dominator PC2-8500 @800MHz
•   Hard Drive: Western Digital 250GB SATA 7,200RPM
•   PSU: Enermax Galaxy DXX 1,000 Watt
•   PC Monitor: Samsung 22" 2233RZ
•    GeForce 3D Vision Kit

Our testing methodology involves me playing a game and recording 2 minute sections using Fraps. I get at least 3 two minute runs and then I average the Minimum, Maximum and Average FPS numbers. The AA and AF settings in the Nvidia control panel were set to Application Controled because the GTS 450 is a midrange product meant for the average gamer.

14 Comments

Monday, September 13, 2010 1:05:23 AM

anonymousD
n00b

looking good. seems that adding a second one works out very well. wrong pricing though.

Monday, September 13, 2010 9:25:01 AM

Steve
The Progenitor

@anonymousD $129.99 is the MSRP Nvidia gave everyone. If partners go above that price, then they better be selling you an overclocked or fancy custom model.

Monday, September 13, 2010 9:33:18 AM

ultima
Senior Member

considering it runs on-par with a 5770

either way it'll be a good price for ppl
looking for a decent mid-range card

might actually make amd bring their prices down a bit. considinger 2 of them would be cheaper than a 5850. yet outperform it too

Monday, September 13, 2010 11:53:09 AM

TribalDragon
n00b

Looking forward the O.C. capabilities of this card

Monday, September 13, 2010 1:31:26 PM

saintjimmy
That's His Name so Don't Wear it Out!

Pretty sad that the GTS 250 outperforms it at times (according to Tom's Hardware, both at default clocks). I don't think this will be as much of a game-changer as the GTX 460. Maybe the 5750 price will finally come closer to the 4850 price and actually make it a viable option?

Monday, September 13, 2010 4:43:24 PM

Casecutter
Member

I don't care how the Green Marketing put's their spin on the "your optimum resolution" someone paying today $130 for a graphics card... should have or will invest in 1920x very soon. I like this tag -line "It's the card if your going backwards".

If you find a reference unit they're not worth getting cause the good cores are cherry picked for Sonic Platinums, FPB (Free Performance Boost), SuperClocked, DirectCU TOP, Cyclone, Calibre, Super OC, God every variant is a premium . So now with the 57XX series bieing sold for now close to a year now, all I see is this is Nvidia's FAILURE of midstream market based on this all new Femi architecture...

If they had them for $100 they'd still be too power hungry. It's the GTX series release all over except on a lower scale. Those who got 5770's for $135; 6 months ago have been playing the rest have turned blue in the face waiting.

Monday, September 13, 2010 10:40:46 PM

aura_enchanted
Member

its a skippable card at 140-150 bucks the hd 5770 and gtx 460 are pocket change away
and the 5750 can overclock to meet its reference results.
a gtx 260 core 192 sometimes takes this card to the cleaner.. i dont see a point in it or the gts 455

Monday, September 13, 2010 11:17:21 PM

saintjimmy
That's His Name so Don't Wear it Out!

Which is why I'm glad I got a Toxic 5850 (also premium!) for $250, and am laughing at nVidia right now for taking soooo long on their midrange, while I got a good deal on an ATI card.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010 1:20:12 AM

ultima
Senior Member

well i'm not sure who got the 5770's for 135, 6 months ago. they are now down that low now.

i paid about that for my 5750...6 mths ago
and that was on sale.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010 2:09:12 PM

Casecutter
Member

An XFX at $132 back in April/May 5 Mo's while early March it was $143. http://bensbargains.net/deal/138601/ Or a Powercolor for $133 end of March... http://bensbargains.net/deal/135452/ While even back first of the year those 512Mb Powercolors went for $130, and by end of March could have been had for $120. Sure "only a budget 512Mb", but using Nvidia's spin-tactic that would have been plenty for 1280x back then. I'd love to see the differance a referance GTS450 brings against that $120 card @ 1680x today. While remembering that someone has enjoyed for 6mo's in their "average" system and today with drivers improvments it's not that handicapped . That's the horse race and all that time you've enjoyed the ride! Don't let new different that's supposedly sexier ruin that. You'll look back in a couple of year's thinking that was a good time and was cheap to keep.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010 12:25:00 AM

anonymousD
n00b

yes, i know.

still, its a good folding card. or good because ati drops prices because of it. failure, not quite but less than expected yes. :)

Wednesday, September 15, 2010 3:24:06 PM

Casecutter
Member

Is it just me, or is the fast release of ATI Catalyst 10.9 a tell-tale sign that HD6XXX are ready for distribution to the reviewers.

Friday, September 17, 2010 9:59:54 PM

anonymousD
n00b

retail cards are(have) already being made, so why not? :)

Tuesday, May 24, 2011 11:25:15 AM

m200349
n00b

Ive just got my GTS 450 2GB version i think i get reasonable FPS with it Like in Crysis i get 38-40 maxed please say what u think about my GPU is good or should i look at getting something else.

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