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NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 Review | 118 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£430
  • Avg. price in US: ~$500
  • VRAM: 2 GB
  • Memory bus width: 256 bit
  • Thermal Design Power (TDP): 195 W

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 review. Compare 118 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among graphics cards and if it is worth buying.

4.2

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the graphics card's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best graphics cards on the market.

Score components:

90.0%

3.8

Technical Score

10.0%

7.6

User score

Poor
3.8

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the graphics card's technical performance, covering key areas such as gaming and rendering performance, ray tracing, memory configuration, power efficiency, cooling, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare graphics cards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

44.0%

2.1

Performance

24.0%

3.6

Memory

12.0%

6.9

Power & Cooling

11.0%

4.5

Platform & Features

5.0%

8.3

Design

4.0%

6.5

Connectivity & Media

Poor
7.6

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

10

User reviews

30.0%

1.9

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
5.0
(4)
amazon
5.0
(3)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

Very good
  • 3.1
    Gaming

    Score components:

    45.0%

    1.1

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    1.0

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 4.1
    Video editing

    Score components:

    35.0%

    7.0

    AV1 encode

    30.0%

    1.0

    VRAM

    20.0%

    1.1

    Floating-point performance

    15.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 2.4
    1080p

    Score components:

    55.0%

    1.1

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    1.0

    VRAM

    10.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 2.4
    1440p

    Score components:

    50.0%

    1.1

    Floating-point performance

    30.0%

    1.0

    VRAM

    15.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 2.8
    4K

    Score components:

    40.0%

    1.1

    Floating-point performance

    35.0%

    1.0

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

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Best prices in UK

Best rankings

?

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 680 is a high-end graphics card built on the 28nm Kepler architecture, featuring 1,536 CUDA cores, a base clock of 1,006 MHz (boostable to 1,058 MHz), and 2 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit interface. It was a flagship release known for introducing GPU Boost technology, which dynamically adjusts clock speeds for better performance, and supporting up to four concurrent displays via its HDMI, DisplayPort, and dual DVI outputs. Main pros include its impressive power efficiency for its time with a 195W TDP, quiet operation, and strong 1080p performance in classic titles. However, modern cons include its limited 2 GB VRAM buffer which struggles with contemporary AAA titles, a lack of hardware-level DirectX 12 feature support (stuck at 11_0), and the cessation of official driver updates as it has reached end-of-life status.

Technical Specifications of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the graphics card's technical performance, covering key areas such as gaming and rendering performance, ray tracing, memory configuration, power efficiency, cooling, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare graphics cards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

44.0%

2.1

Performance

24.0%

3.6

Memory

12.0%

6.9

Power & Cooling

11.0%

4.5

Platform & Features

5.0%

8.3

Design

4.0%

6.5

Connectivity & Media

3.8
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a technical score of 3.77 points, which is lower than that of 91.3% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

10

User reviews

30.0%

1.9

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
5.0
(4)
amazon
5.0
(3)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

7.6
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a user score of 7.58 points, which is lower than that of 81.8% of products in this category.
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the graphics card.
When it matters: When you prefer a graphics card that has already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
1.9
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a popularity of 1.9 points, which is lower than 51.3% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the graphics card's overall rating with its cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for a graphics card that offers a strong balance of performance, features, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

4.2

Overall score

40.0%

8.3

Price

5.4
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a quality-to-price ratio of 5.4 points, which is lower than 92.1% of products in this category.
3DMark Time Spy benchmark score
What it is: Benchmark result from 3DMark Time Spy, a synthetic DirectX 12 test often used as a quick gaming-performance reference.
When it matters: When you need a fast rough performance sort before digging into game-specific reviews and frame-rate data.

Importance: LOW

?
3DMark Port Royal score
What it is: Benchmark result from 3DMark Port Royal, a synthetic test focused on ray tracing performance.
When it matters: When ray tracing matters in the games you actually play and you want one quick way to separate stronger and weaker RT cards.

Importance: LOW

N/A
PassMark (G3D) result
What it is: Overall GPU performance score in PassMark G3D benchmark
When it matters: When you need one broad score to sort cards into rough performance tiers.

Importance: LOW

?
PassMark (DirectCompute) result
What it is: PassMark score for DirectCompute performance tests
When it matters: When compute workloads matter alongside gaming performance.

Importance: LOW

2,910 points
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 scores 2910 points in PassMark DirectCompute, which is lower than 65.1% of graphics cards.
Floating-point performance
What it is: Theoretical floating-point compute performance of the GPU.
When it matters: When rendering, AI, or heavy compute work needs strong single-precision throughput.

Importance: LOW

3.25 TFLOPS
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 delivers 3.25 TFLOPS floating-point performance, which is lower than that of 93.5% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.1% of graphics cards.
Show more
VRAM
What it is: Total video memory available on the graphics card
When it matters: When you play at high settings, use texture mods, or work with large creative projects.

Importance: HIGH

2 GB
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has 2 GB of VRAM, which is less than 94.5% of graphics cards and equal to 3.9% of graphics cards.
Memory type
What it is: Type of graphics memory used (GDDR6, HBM2e, etc.)
When it matters: When memory technology is part of the buying decision because it affects bandwidth class, power use, and product positioning.

Importance: LOW

GDDR5
GDDR version
What it is: Generation of GDDR memory used by the graphics card.
When it matters: When you want to separate older memory generations from newer ones before comparing bandwidth, power behavior, and market tier.

Importance: LOW

GDDR5
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 uses GDDR5 memory, which is older than on 85% of graphics cards and equal to 13.2% of graphics cards.
Memory bus width
What it is: Width of the memory interface bus in bits
When it matters: When you care about steadier performance at higher resolutions, heavier texture settings, or ray-traced workloads that stress memory traffic.

Importance: HIGH

256 bit
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 uses a 256 bit memory bus, which is wider than that of 49.5% of graphics cards and equal to that of 36.1% of graphics cards.
Maximum memory bandwidth
What it is: Maximum data transfer rate between GPU and its memory
When it matters: When 4K gaming, ray tracing, or creator work can choke a slower memory subsystem.

Importance: HIGH

192.2 GB/s
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 reaches 192.2 GB/s memory bandwidth, which is lower than that of 87% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.9% of graphics cards.
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PCI Express (PCIe) version
What it is: Version of PCI Express interface supported
When it matters: When you are pairing the card with an older motherboard and want to avoid leaving bandwidth or future compatibility on the table.

Importance: LOW

3.0
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 supports PCIe 3.0, which is older than on 77.6% of graphics cards and equal to 20.3% of graphics cards.
PCIe lanes
What it is: Number of PCI Express lanes used for communication
When it matters: When limited lane width could bottleneck the card in some systems.

Importance: LOW

x16
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 uses x16 PCIe lanes, which is more than 31.5% of graphics cards and equal to 68.6% of graphics cards.
DirectX version
What it is: Highest supported DirectX API version
When it matters: When you play newer Windows games that depend on the latest graphics features.

Importance: LOW

12
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 supports DirectX 12, which is older than on 92.7% of graphics cards and equal to 7.1% of graphics cards.
Vulkan version
What it is: Highest supported Vulkan API version
When it matters: When modern games, emulators, or creative apps lean on Vulkan support.

Importance: LOW

1.2
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 supports Vulkan 1.2, which is older than on 96% of graphics cards and equal to 2.5% of graphics cards.
OpenGL version
What it is: Highest supported OpenGL API version
When it matters: When older games or pro apps still depend on OpenGL compatibility.

Importance: LOW

4.6
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 supports OpenGL 4.6, which is more advanced than on 4.8% of graphics cards and equal to 95.2% of graphics cards.
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Max displays supported
What it is: Total number of external displays supported simultaneously
When it matters: When you run a multi-monitor desk for sim racing, trading, or editing.

Importance: LOW

4
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 supports up to 4 displays, which is more than 7.8% of graphics cards and equal to 89.2% of graphics cards.
Max digital resolution
What it is: Maximum supported digital display resolution
When it matters: When you plan to drive 4K or 8K panels at their native resolution.

Importance: LOW

?
DisplayPort outputs
What it is: Number of DisplayPort video outputs
When it matters: When your setup needs several high-refresh monitors without adapters.

Importance: LOW

1
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 offers 1 DisplayPort outputs, which is fewer than 89.5% of graphics cards and equal to 8.6% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort version
What it is: Version of DisplayPort standard supported
When it matters: When your monitor setup depends on newer DisplayPort features for higher refresh rates, higher resolution, or better cable flexibility.

Importance: LOW

1.2
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 supports DisplayPort 1.2, which is older than on 93.6% of graphics cards and equal to 4.8% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort link rates
What it is: Supported data link rates for DisplayPort connections
When it matters: When you are pushing high resolution and refresh rate over DisplayPort.

Importance: LOW

5.4 Gbps
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 supports DisplayPort link rates up to 5.4 Gbps, which is slower than on 90.9% of graphics cards and equal to 8% of graphics cards.
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Thermal Design Power (TDP)
What it is: Typical power consumption under full load (TDP)
When it matters: When you need a realistic idea of power draw before choosing a PSU or case.

Importance: MEDIUM

195 W
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a TDP of 195 W, which is lower than that of 55.2% of graphics cards.
Power consumption while under peak load
What it is: Peak power draw of the graphics card under maximum load.
When it matters: When transient-heavy gaming loads could stress your power supply.

Importance: LOW

195 W
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 draws 195 W under peak load, which is lower than 55.9% of graphics cards and equal to 0.1% of graphics cards.
Recommended PSU wattage
What it is: Recommended wattage of the system power supply
When it matters: When you are checking whether your current power supply is enough.

Importance: LOW

550 W
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 recommends a 550 W PSU, which is lower than that of 63.3% of graphics cards and equal to that of 12.8% of graphics cards.
Board power limit
What it is: Maximum configurable power limit for the GPU board
When it matters: When you care about how far the card can be pushed through tuning or factory power settings.

Importance: LOW

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PCIe power spec
What it is: PCIe power delivery specification followed
When it matters: When you are checking whether the slot and external cables match the card's intended power-delivery standard.

Importance: LOW

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Size
What it is: Physical size of the GPU card
When it matters: When you need the card to fit a compact case without blocking nearby hardware.

Importance: LOW

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Length
What it is: Physical length of the GPU card
When it matters: When front radiators or drive cages leave only limited GPU clearance.

Importance: LOW

256 mm
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 is 256 mm long, which is shorter than 65.8% of graphics cards.
Height
What it is: Physical height of the GPU card
When it matters: When side panels, brackets, or tight case layouts reduce vertical clearance.

Importance: LOW

111 mm
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 is 111 mm tall, which is shorter than 89.6% of graphics cards and equal in height to 5.6% of graphics cards.
Slot width
What it is: Number of PCIe slots occupied by the card
When it matters: When you need room for another PCIe card or better airflow under the GPU.

Importance: LOW

2 slot/s
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 occupies 2 slot/s, which is slimmer than 49.2% of graphics cards and equal in width to 47.3% of graphics cards.
Weight
What it is: Total weight of the graphics card
When it matters: When sag, bracket support, or shipping stress matters in your build.

Importance: LOW

792 g
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 weighs 792 g, which is lighter than 71.5% of graphics cards.
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NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 vs the average graphics card

  • 16x larger L2 cache
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has more L2 cache than the average graphics card (512 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.
    What it is: Total size of the GPU’s L2 cache memory
    When it matters: When cache size can help the GPU feed data faster in demanding scenes.

    Importance: LOW

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has more L2 cache than the average graphics card (512 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.512 MB vs 32 MB
  • 16 mm lower card height
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 is shorter than the average graphics card (111 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.
    What it is: Physical height of the GPU card
    When it matters: When side panels, brackets, or tight case layouts reduce vertical clearance.

    Importance: LOW

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 is shorter than the average graphics card (111 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.111 mm vs 127 mm
  • 15.4% lower PSU requirement
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (550 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.
    What it is: Recommended wattage of the system power supply
    When it matters: When you are checking whether your current power supply is enough.

    Importance: LOW

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (550 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.550 W vs 650 W
  • 2 more DVI outputs
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (2 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
    What it is: Number of DVI display outputs available
    When it matters: When you still use an older monitor that depends on DVI.

    Importance: LOW

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (2 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.2 vs 0
  • 29.37 mm shorter card length
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 is shorter than the average graphics card (256 mm vs 285.37 mm). The average graphics card has a length of 285.37 mm.
    What it is: Physical length of the GPU card
    When it matters: When front radiators or drive cages leave only limited GPU clearance.

    Importance: LOW

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 is shorter than the average graphics card (256 mm vs 285.37 mm). The average graphics card has a length of 285.37 mm.256 mm vs 285.37 mm
  • Supports multi-GPU linking
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
    What it is: Supports NVIDIA SLI or AMD CrossFire multi-GPU setup
    When it matters: When you still run legacy multi-GPU gaming or rendering workflows.

    Importance: LOW

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
  • Better FP64 ratio
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a better FP64 ratio than the average graphics card (1:24 vs 1:64).
    What it is: Ratio of double-precision (FP64) to single-precision (FP32) performance
    When it matters: When you need to know whether FP64 is merely present or genuinely useful.

    Importance: LOW

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a better FP64 ratio than the average graphics card (1:24 vs 1:64).1:24 vs 1:64
  • Supports NVLink
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 supports NVLink, the average graphics card does not.
    What it is: Supports NVIDIA NVLink or bridge connection for multi-GPU setups
    When it matters: When a professional or niche multi-GPU workflow needs a bridge connection.

    Importance: LOW

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 supports NVLink, the average graphics card does not.
  • Better FP64 ratio
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a better FP64 ratio than the average graphics card (1:24 vs 1:64).
  • 16x larger L2 cache
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has more L2 cache than the average graphics card (512 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.
  • Supports multi-GPU linking
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
  • Supports NVLink
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 supports NVLink, the average graphics card does not.
  • 2 more DVI outputs
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (2 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
  • 15.4% lower PSU requirement
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (550 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.
  • 16 mm lower card height
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 is shorter than the average graphics card (111 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.
  • 29.37 mm shorter card length
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 is shorter than the average graphics card (256 mm vs 285.37 mm). The average graphics card has a length of 285.37 mm.

Total
Performance
Memory
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling
Design
  • 57.7% lower boost clock speed
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,058 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.
  • 32 fewer compute units
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (8 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
  • 47.6% lower base clock speed
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,006 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.
  • 79.5% lower pixel rate
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (33.9 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 165.2 GPixel/s.
  • 65.8% lower texture rate
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (128.8 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.
  • 32 fewer ROPs
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has fewer ROPs than the average graphics card (32 vs 64). The average graphics card has 64 ROPs.
  • 56 fewer TMUs
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (128 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
  • 85.9% lower compute throughput
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a lower compute throughput than the average graphics card (3.3 TFLOPS vs 23.105 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has compute throughput of 23.105 TFLOPS.
  • 2,816 fewer FP32 units
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has fewer FP32 units than the average graphics card (1,536 vs 4,352). The average graphics card has 4,352 FP32 units.
  • 10 GB less VRAM
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (2 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
  • 68.4% slower memory speed
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (6,008 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.
  • 57.1% lower memory bandwidth
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a lower memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (192.2 GB/s vs 448 GB/s). The average graphics card has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s.
  • 87.5% smaller L1 cache
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has fewer L1 cache than the average graphics card (16 vs 128). The average graphics card has 128 L1 cache.
  • 14.2% slower VRAM clock
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a lower VRAM clock than the average graphics card (1,502 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.
  • 5.6x larger process node
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a higher process node than the average graphics card (28 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.
  • 11 older
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 was released earlier than the average graphics card (2,012 vs 2,023).
  • Older PCIe version
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 supports an older PCIe version than the average graphics card (3 vs 4.0).
  • No XeSS support
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 does not support XeSS, the average graphics card does.
  • No mesh shaders
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 does not support mesh shaders, the average graphics card does.
  • Older Vulkan version
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 supports an older Vulkan version than the average graphics card (1.2 vs 1.4).
  • No DirectStorage support
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 does not support DirectStorage, the average graphics card does.
  • Worse SAM support
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 offers worse SAM support than the average graphics card (no vs yes).
  • Older encoder generation
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 uses an older encoder generation than the average graphics card (1 vs 8). The average graphics card uses encoder generation 8.
  • Older DirectX version
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 supports an older DirectX version than the average graphics card (12 vs 12 Ultimate).
  • Older shader model
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 supports an older shader model than the average graphics card (6.5 vs 6.8).
  • 83.8% fewer transistors
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has fewer transistors than the average graphics card (3,540 million vs 21,900 million). The average graphics card has 21,900 million transistors.
  • 2 fewer DisplayPort outputs
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has fewer DisplayPort outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 3). The average graphics card has 3 DisplayPort outputs.
  • No AV1 encoding
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No AV1 decoding
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 does not support AV1 decoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No DSC support
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 does not support DSC, the average graphics card does.
  • Older HDMI version
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 supports an older HDMI version than the average graphics card (1.4a vs 2.1).
  • Older DisplayPort version
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 supports an older DisplayPort version than the average graphics card (1.2 vs 1.4a).
  • Not VR ready
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 is not VR ready, while the average graphics card is.
  • Older NVDEC generation
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a lower NVDEC generation than the average graphics card (1 vs 6). The average graphics card offers NVDEC generation 6.
  • 2 fewer fans
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has fewer fans than the average graphics card (1 vs 3).
  • No fan stop
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 does not support fan stop, the average graphics card does.
  • 13 °C higher load temperature
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a higher load temperature than the average graphics card (80 °C vs 67 °C). The average graphics card has a load temperature of 67 °C.
  • 42.7 dB noisier at idle
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a higher idle noise level than the average graphics card (42.7 dB vs 0 dB). The average graphics card has an idle noise level of 0 dB.
  • 6 dB noisier under load
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a higher load noise level than the average graphics card (41 dB vs 35 dB). The average graphics card has a load noise level of 35 dB.
  • 7 °C higher idle temperature
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a higher idle temperature than the average graphics card (45 °C vs 38 °C). The average graphics card has an idle temperature of 38 °C.
  • 5 °C lower thermal ceiling
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a lower thermal ceiling than the average graphics card (98 °C vs 93 °C). The average graphics card has a thermal ceiling of 93 °C.
  • No backplate
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 does not include a backplate, the average graphics card does.
  • No RGB lighting
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 does not include RGB lighting, the average graphics card does.
  • 57.7% lower boost clock speed
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,058 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.
    What it is: Maximum boost frequency the GPU can reach under load
    When it matters: When you want a rough idea of peak advertised frequency, while knowing real sustained clocks still depend on cooling and power limits.

    Importance: HIGH

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,058 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.1058 MHz vs 2500 MHz
  • 5.6x larger process node
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a higher process node than the average graphics card (28 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.
    What it is: Size of the manufacturing process in nanometers
    When it matters: When process node differences may affect power, heat, and overall efficiency.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a higher process node than the average graphics card (28 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.28 nm vs 5 nm
  • 32 fewer compute units
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (8 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
    What it is: Total number of shader multiprocessors or compute units
    When it matters: When you want a better sense of the GPU's overall parallel hardware resources before relying on game benchmarks alone.

    Importance: HIGH

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (8 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.8 vs 40
  • 2 fewer fans
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has fewer fans than the average graphics card (1 vs 3).
    What it is: Total number of cooling fans
    When it matters: When you compare cooler designs and want one more clue about thermal potential.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has fewer fans than the average graphics card (1 vs 3).1 vs 3
  • 10 GB less VRAM
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (2 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
    What it is: Total video memory available on the graphics card
    When it matters: When you play at high settings, use texture mods, or work with large creative projects.

    Importance: HIGH

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (2 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.2 GB vs 12 GB
  • 47.6% lower base clock speed
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,006 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.
    What it is: Base operating frequency of the GPU core under standard conditions
    When it matters: When you want to understand the card's guaranteed starting frequency instead of looking only at optimistic boost figures.

    Importance: HIGH

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,006 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.1006 MHz vs 1920 MHz
  • 79.5% lower pixel rate
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (33.9 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 165.2 GPixel/s.
    What it is: Number of pixels the GPU can render per second
    When it matters: When you play at high resolutions or care about older raster-heavy games.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (33.9 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 165.2 GPixel/s.33.86 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s
  • 65.8% lower texture rate
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (128.8 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.
    What it is: Number of textured pixels the GPU can process per second
    When it matters: When fast texture handling matters in high-refresh gaming workloads.

    Importance: HIGH

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (128.8 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.128.8 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s
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Performance
Memory
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling
Design

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
5.0
4 Reviews
amazon
5.0
3 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680?

  • High energy efficiency with significant performance-per-watt improvements over previous generations
  • Top-tier gaming performance for its era, capable of handling modern titles smoothly at launch
  • Quiet and cool operation, even under heavy load conditions
  • Supports up to four monitors and 3D Vision Surround on a single card
  • Relatively compact physical profile compared to its predecessors, improving airflow and case compatibility

What customers dislike about NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680?

  • Limited VRAM (standard 2GB) can struggle with high-resolution textures and modern AAA gaming
  • Lack of full DirectX 12 support, leading to compatibility issues with newer game releases
  • Blocks adjacent expansion slots due to its dual-slot design
  • Requires a high-quality power supply with specific 6-pin PCIe connectors
  • Higher idle power consumption compared to some competitors that feature deep-sleep power states

Expert reviews

H
hardwarecanucks.com
05/08/2012
MSI GTX 680 Lightning Review

The MSI GTX 680 Lightning is a premium, overclocker-focused graphics card that delivers outstanding performance by bypassing NVIDIA’s strict architectural limits. Utilizing the updated AfterBurner 2.2.3 software alongside the built-in LN2 BIOS, reviewers achieved an impressive maximum boost clock of 1450MHz and memory speeds over 6.788GHz (QDR) under air cooling. Thanks to its...Read more

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hardwarecanucks.com
08/04/2012
EVGA GeForce GTX 680 SC+ Review

The EVGA GeForce GTX 680 SC+ is a factory-overclocked graphics card based on NVIDIA’s reference design, featuring a base clock of 1058MHz and a boost clock that frequently reaches between 1215MHz and 1275MHz in real-world applications. Its standout physical feature is a custom black anodized aluminum backplate designed to improve aesthetics and provide minor PCB cooling. While the...Read more

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guru3d.com
08/04/2012
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 680 OC editionGo to product viewer dialogue for this item. review

The Guru3D review highlights the Gigabyte GeForce GTX 680 OC Edition as a highly capable, custom-engineered graphics card utilizing NVIDIA's 28nm "Kepler" architecture. A major pro of this specific model is its factory overclock, pushing the base clock frequency up to 1071 MHz (compared to the 1006 MHz reference speed) to offer a direct performance edge over the competing AMD Radeon...Read more

T
tomshardware.com
22/03/2012
GeForce GTX 680 2 GB Review: Kepler Sends Tahiti On Vacation

GeForce GTX 680 Benchmark Review Summary Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 680 delivers a strong performance foundation built on its next-generation Kepler architecture, efficiently changing the competitive landscape against AMD’s Graphics Core Next (GCN) architecture. In Metro 2033 (DX11) benchmarks using High detail settings, the GTX 680 establishes an early lead at standard resolutions,...Read more

D
digitalfoundry.net
23/03/2012
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 Review

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 marks a significant leap in graphics technology by transitioning to a 28nm architecture, which delivers roughly twice the performance per watt compared to its predecessor, the GTX 580. Built on the "Kepler" design, this dual-slot card features 1536 CUDA cores and 2GB of GDDR5 memory running at a 6GHz clock speed, all while shrinking the physical die size...Read more

U
uk.pcmag.com
02/05/2012
Nvidia GeForce GTX 680 - Review 2012

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 680, released in 2012, earned an "Outstanding" 4.5 rating for its impressive leap in power efficiency and performance. Built on the Kepler architecture, the card features 1,536 CUDA cores and a base clock speed of 1,006MHz, which can dynamically boost higher thanks to its new GPU Boost technology. Notably, it is more compact than previous flagships at 10...Read more

O
overclockersclub.com
22/03/2012
NVIDIA GTX 680Go to product viewer dialogue for this item. Review

The Overclockers Club review of the NVIDIA GTX 680 highlights the Kepler-based GPU as a fast and power-efficient single-GPU solution, boasting 1536 CUDA cores and a 195W TDP. Key advantages include impressive performance-per-watt, quiet operation, and the efficiency of GPU Boost technology, which allowed for significant overclocking to 1305MHz on the core. Conversely, the review...Read more

T
techpowerup.com
22/03/2012
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 Kepler 2 GBGo to product viewer dialogue for this item. Review

The TechPowerUp review highlights the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 as a landmark 28 nm Kepler release, offering superior performance-per-watt and beating the Radeon HD 7970 in gaming benchmarks. Key advantages include smart dynamic clocking, quiet cooling, and supports for up to four monitors. Conversely, the card lacks deep low-power states, resulting in higher idle power usage, and...Read more

G
guru3d.com
22/03/2012
GeForce GTX 680 SLI review

The Guru3D GeForce GTX 680 SLI review details a multi-GPU configuration that delivers exceptional performance scaling in DirectX 11 titles, providing faster, seamless results than single-card alternatives at launch. Key advantages include impressive scaling in demanding games like Battlefield 3, low idle noise, and, despite high performance, relatively low power consumption of under...Read more

L
legitreviews.com
21/03/2012
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 Video Card Review

The Legit Reviews NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 Video Card Review marks the highly anticipated debut of the 28nm 'Kepler' core architecture (GK104), officially dethroning the aging Fermi-based GTX 580. Priced at a competitive suggested retail price of $499, the card delivers massive structural upgrades, tripling the CUDA core count to 1,536 and doubling the texture units compared to its...Read more

W
www4.anandtech.com
22/03/2012
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 Review

The AnandTech review concludes that the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680Go to product viewer dialog for this item. successfully retook the single-GPU performance crown at launch, utilizing the 28nm Kepler GK104 architecture to deliver significant improvements in efficiency. Key pros highlighted include superior power efficiency, a quieter stock cooler, and advanced features such as GPU Boost...Read more

T
tomshardware.com
22/03/2012
GeForce GTX 680 2 GB Review: Kepler Sends Tahiti On Vacation

GeForce GTX 680 The GeForce GTX 680 marks a significant architectural shift for Nvidia, built on the 28nm GK104 "Kepler" graphics processor to directly compete with AMD’s Graphics Core Next (GCN) architecture. Originally designed with a gamer-first mindset that de-emphasizes general-purpose compute performance, it effectively operates as a refined "hunter" class card that has been...Read more

G
guru3d.com
21/03/2012
Geforce GTX 680 review

The Guru3D review of the GeForce GTX 680 highlights the 28nm Kepler (GK104) architecture as the fastest single-GPU card upon release, featuring 1536 CUDA cores at a 1006 MHz base clock and 2GB of GDDR5. Key advantages include GPU Boost technology, efficient NVENC video transcoding, excellent acoustic performance at 41 dBA, and a 79°C thermal profile under load, making it a powerful...Read more

H
hardwareluxx.de
06/03/2013
Test: ASUS GeForce GTX 680 DirectCU II mit 4 GB Speicher Hardwareluxx

This review from Hardwareluxx evaluates the ASUS GeForce GTX 680 DirectCU II graphics card featuring an expanded 4 GB GDDR5 video memory buffer. Built on NVIDIA's 28 nm "Kepler" GK104 architecture, the card incorporates 1,536 CUDA cores, 128 texture units, and a 256-bit memory interface running at a stock base clock of 1006 MHz (1059 MHz Boost) and a memory clock of 1502 MHz....Read more

(Translated)Show original
H
hardwareluxx.de
25/08/2012
Test: 3x GeForce GTX 680 - EVGA, Gigabyte und POV - Hardwareluxx

This Hardwareluxx review provides a comparative analysis of three custom NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 graphics cards: the EVGA SC Signature 2, the Gigabyte Super Overclock, and the Point of View (POV) TGT Beast. While all three share identical underlying 28 nm GK104 Kepler architecture specs (such as 1,536 shader units and 2,048 MB of GDDR5 VRAM), they drastically diverge in clock speeds,...Read more

(Translated)Show original
C
comptoir-hardware.com
22/03/2012
Test • nVIDIA GeFORCE GTX 680

This review from Le Comptoir du Hardware evaluates the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680, which was launched on March 22, 2012, as NVIDIA's direct response to AMD's high-end Radeon HD 7970. Built on the new 28 nm Kepler architecture (specifically the GK104 chip), the graphics card was tested against a panel of 14 other GPUs across 20 different video games to see if NVIDIA could reclaim the...Read more

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H
hd-tecnologia.com
22/03/2012
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 Review - HD Tecnología If you would like to expand your search to include video-based benchmarking analyses or comparative char...

The review from HD Tecnología focuses on the launch of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 and details how its 28nm Kepler architecture shifts the graphics landscape through a balance of speed, smoothness, and expanded features. Built around the new SMX (multistreaming multiprocessor) engine, the card features 1536 CUDA cores operating at a base clock of 1006 MHz. The author highlights major...Read more

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X
xataka.com
15/06/2012
Zotac NVidia GTX 680Go to product viewer dialog for this item., análisis

The Xataka review positions the Zotac Nvidia GeForce GTX 680 as one of the most powerful graphics cards on the market at its time of evaluation, highlighting its 28-nanometer "Kepler" core architecture. Tested on a high-end Mountain GTM 3000 system at a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels, the GPU demonstrated exceptional capabilities, delivering highly competitive frame rates across...Read more

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N
noticias3d.com
8 de noviembre de 2012
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 680 4 GB OC

Based on the review, the Gigabyte GeForce GTX 680 4 GB OC (model GV-N680OC-4GD) features the GK104 chip and builds upon the reference model by doubling the VRAM to 4 GB GDDR5, alongside factory overclocking with clock speeds of 1,071/1.137/6.008 MHz. While the reviewer warns that adding extra VRAM to low- or mid-range graphics cards is often a marketing trap that can slow down...Read more

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T
tomshw.it
22/03/2012
Nvidia GeForce GTX 680, GK104 Kepler è la GPU più potente per i videogiochi

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 680 review highlights a strategic pivot toward a highly efficient, gaming-centric design rather than a massive, power-hungry compute monster like its predecessors. Built on the 28-nanometer GK104 Kepler architecture, this 25-cm graphics card balances peak performance with smart thermal and power management. It features a reference blower fan that cleanly...Read more

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H
hwupgrade.it
22/03/2012
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680: arriva Kepler

Overview and Architecture The review evaluates the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680, which introduces the 28-nanometer Kepler architecture (specifically the GK104 GPU core) to compete with AMD’s Radeon HD 7970. Priced competitively at around €499 (including VAT), it delivers strong overall gaming performance, making it highly attractive to enthusiasts. Architecturally, the GK104 core features...Read more

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