Leadtek WinFast GeForce 256 SDR

For quite some time, we have known that the GeForce is not the most overclockable chip in history. Remembering back in time to the days when the TNT2 chip could often reach a core speed of 150 MHz and a memory speed of 200 MHz and above with 5 Ns RAM, we could only wish for the same results in the GeForce.

Due to the fact that the fan and processor are essentially placed on top of one another without the use of any thermal compound, as well as the fact that the GeForce chip is cooled via the rather small and inefficient fan that we see on most reference boards, the Leadtek WinFast GeForce 256 SDR was only able to reach a maximum core speed of 130 MHz and a memory clock speed of 195 MHz. While it may seem that the RAM speed falls short of the 200 MHz it is produced to run at, it is most likely due to a poor yield on the batch of RAM on our specific card. As we have noted in the past, it is very likely that other cards with the EliteMT 5 Ns chips could be pushed higher. The maximum core speed, on the other hand, is not likely to change as long as the fan remains loose on the processor. A GeForce card running at 130/195 is nothing to be ashamed of, as the higher memory speed produces a faster card, but not as fast as some others that can reach higher core speeds as well.