GeForce 300 series
A series of rebranded OEM-only cards based on Tesla architecture.
The GeForce 300 series, built on Nvidia's Tesla architecture, launched in November 2009. These cards are essentially reworked versions of the GeForce 200 series, sold exclusively to OEMs. Most models support Direct3D 10.1, but the GT 330 is limited to Direct3D 10.0.
Nvidia's first entry, the GeForce 310, arrived on November 27, 2009. It was a rebrand of the older GeForce 210, not the newer Fermi design. On February 2, 2010, Nvidia announced the GT 320, GT 330, and GT 340 for OEMs only. The GT 340 is a direct rebadge of the GT 240 with identical specs, while the GT 320 and 330 were new cards, though still based on the previous GT200b and G92b architectures.
The GT 340 stands out for its scarcity. Released mainly for OEMs, it rarely reached general consumers. Some enthusiasts unofficially rebranded it by improving cooling, modifying the BIOS, and overclocking it, calling the result the "GTX 340." This unofficial variant became even rarer than the original.
Nvidia ended driver support for the GeForce 300 series on April 1, 2016. The final drivers were version 340.52 for Windows XP (32-bit, 64-bit, and Media Center Edition) on July 29, 2014, and version 342.01 (WHQL) for Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, and 10 (both 32-bit and 64-bit) on December 14, 2016.
Quick Facts
- Codename
- GT21x
- Architecture
- Tesla
- Created
- November 27, 2009
- Model
- GeForce series
- Transistors
- 260M 40 nm (GT218)
- Entry
- 310 / 315 / GT 320 / GT 330
- Midrange
- GT 340
- Openglversion
- OpenGL 3.3
- Openclversion
- OpenCL 1.1
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
On November 27, 2009, Nvidia released its first GeForce 300 series video card, the GeForce 310, a re-brand of the GeForce 210 and not based on the newer Fermi architecture. On February 2, 2010, Nvidia announced the release of the GeForce GT 320, GT 330 and GT 340, available to OEMs only. The Geforce GT 340 is simply a rebadged GT 240, sharing exactly the same specifications, while the GT 320 and 330 were newer cards (albeit still based on the previous generation GT200b and G92b architecture).
The GeForce GT 340 holds a unique position in the history of graphics cards due to its relative rarity. Released primarily for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), the GT 340 wasn't widely available to general consumers, making it less common in the mainstream market. One intriguing aspect of the GT 340 is its unofficial rebranding by some enthusiasts. These modders took the original GT 340, enhanced its cooling capabilities, modified the BIOS, and overclocked it, creating what they termed the 'GTX 340.' This variant, although unofficial, became even rarer than the original due to its limited production and unique modifications.
Reader's Guide
The GeForce 300 series represents a transitional period for Nvidia, consisting entirely of rebranded and refreshed cards from the GeForce 200 series, targeted exclusively at OEM system builders. Its significance lies in its role as a stopgap before the introduction of the Fermi architecture in the GeForce 400 series. The series is notable for its limited availability to general consumers, making it a niche product line. The GT 340, in particular, gained a small following among enthusiasts who unofficially modified it into a 'GTX 340' through cooling upgrades, BIOS modifications, and overclocking, creating a rare collector's item. Nvidia ceased driver support for the entire GeForce 300 series on April 1, 2016, with the final driver version 342.01 (WHQL) released on December 14, 2016, supporting Windows Vista through Windows 10. The series' legacy is that of a quiet, OEM-focused generation that nonetheless spawned a unique modding community around the GT 340.
Did You Know?
- The GeForce 310 is a re-brand of the GeForce 210.
- The GeForce GT 340 is a rebadged GT 240 with identical specifications.
- Enthusiasts created an unofficial 'GTX 340' by modifying the GT 340's cooling, BIOS, and overclocking.
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