Riva TNT2 Ultra

TNT2 Ultra was the high-clock enthusiast member of the TNT2 family before GeForce 256 arrived.

Reference GPU
FahrenheitRIVA TNT2 SeriesDesktopFlagshipDesktopSDR1999NVIDIA
Partial entry. Core specifications may be present, but history, variant notes, known issues, and source review may be incomplete.
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At a Glance

Entry Type
Reference GPU
Architecture
Fahrenheit
Series
RIVA TNT2 Series
GPU Die
NV5
Launch Date
1999-03-15
TMUs
2
ROPs
2
Memory
32 MB SDR
Bus Width
128-bit
Rec. PSU
200 W
Interface
AGP 4x
Data Confidence
Partial

Overview

Riva TNT2 Ultra is the performance-focused TNT2 variant. It matters because it shows how far NVIDIA pushed the pre-GeForce architecture with higher clocks, faster memory, and actively cooled partner boards.

For collectors, the interesting details are the board partner, cooler, memory chips, and whether the card is a genuine Ultra rather than a standard TNT2 or Pro. Complete retail examples and distinctive coolers are more valuable than anonymous pulls.

Why It Mattered

TNT2 Ultra represented the top end of NVIDIA's last major pre-GeForce desktop family. It is a useful benchmark for the late fixed-function era just before hardware transform and lighting changed the marketing and architecture story.

Collector Notes

Prioritize clear Ultra labeling, original cooler, fast memory chips, retail bundle, and board-partner identity. Creative, Diamond, ELSA, ASUS, Guillemot, and other period boards can differ in cooler and output layout.

Common Failure Points

Fan wear, noisy bearings, damaged heatsink clips, and memory artifacts are common risks. Some cards are mislabeled standard TNT2 or Pro boards, so chip and memory photos matter.

Used-Market Caution

Verify Ultra identity before paying a premium. Check cooler operation, 3D stability, memory artifacts, AGP compatibility, and whether the board has been modified or overclocked.

Known Issues

Known issues pending source review.

Related GPUs

Back to RIVA TNT2 Series

Previous in series: Riva TNT2 PRONext in series: Vanta LT
SourcesPartial

Sources reviewed: 2026-06-21

This entry is still being source-checked.

Data confidence and source status

Partial entry. Core specifications may be present, but history, variant notes, known issues, and source review may be incomplete.

  • Verified: core specifications and historical notes have been reviewed against listed sources.
  • Partial: core specifications may be present, but history, variant notes, known issues, and source review may be incomplete.
  • Imported: spec-only imported entry pending editorial source review.
  • Needs source review: narrative notes are incomplete until reviewed.

Primary / manufacturer sources

  1. DOS Days RIVA TNT2 SeriesTNT2, TNT2 Ultra, TNT2 Pro, M64, Vanta, and Vanta LT family contextOpen source
  2. Archived NVIDIA TNT2 product pageNVIDIA product positioning archiveOpen source

Independent reference sources

  1. TechPowerUp Riva TNT2 Ultra GPU SpecsModel-level specification referenceOpen source

Other sources

  1. Creative 3D Blaster RIVA TNT2 Ultra datasheetBoard-level TNT2 Ultra performance and cooler contextOpen source

Found an incorrect spec, missing source, or variant issue?

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