Nvidia GeForce GT 240 1 GB

Here NVIDIA are giving us a slightly faster model than the GT220 for an extra 20 pounds or so: the GeForce GT 240 1 GB. Is it better adapted for gaming and how does it do opposite the Radeon HD 5570?

Size, noise and heat

Quite short (16.7 cm), it's a full format card. You won't be able to fit it into an HTPC casing designed for low profile models. So mark a point up for the Radeon HD 5570 here - it's a low profile format card.

In terms of noise and heat we can't tell you how the NVIDIA stock card performs. We received an MSI model with a proprietary cooling system (see inset).

Energy consumption

Another point for the Radeon here. At 113 W in idle, the GeForce GT 240 is far behind the Radeon's 72 W score. In load, things are the same: 161 W for the GeForce, 144 W for the ATI.

Gaming performance

Once again the Radeon has the advantage, though this should be taken in context. The HD 5570 carries the day on the GT 240 when texture filters are activated. Unfortunately, neither of these cards can run recent games properly with filters on. Without filters, both cards are at the same level. You then have to drastically lower settings levels to hope to conserve any fluidity. Don't expect to do any gaming on a full-HD screen however!

As you can see, the GeForce GT 240 isn't for gamers. Only titles such as Team Fortress 2, World of Goo or the Sims will run comfortably on low res screens, and only if you lower graphics settings. For the gamers, then, best to spend just a little more and go for a higher performance model.