GeForce 256 DDR

GeForce 256 DDR is the more bandwidth-rich GeForce 256 variant and a stronger collector target.

CelsiusGeForce 256 SeriesDesktopDDR1999NVIDIA

Key Metrics

Architecture
Celsius
Launch Date
1999-12-20
Memory
32 MB DDR
Memory Bandwidth
4.8 GB/s
Interface
AGP 4x
Process Node
TSMC 220 nm
Bus Width
128-bit
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Why It Mattered

GeForce 256 DDR showed the first GeForce architecture with substantially better memory bandwidth than SDR boards. It is one of the clearest early examples of memory configuration changing the value of a GPU entry.

Collector Notes

Prioritize original coolers, DDR memory markings, retail bundle, and board-partner identity. Creative Annihilator Pro and other clearly identified DDR cards are more valuable than vague GeForce listings.

Common Failure Points

Fan failure, memory artifacts, and modified coolers are the key risks. Listings may blur SDR and DDR models, so memory-chip photos and model numbers matter.

Reviews1 review

Board-partner, reference-card, article, and video reviews that cover this GPU.

Related GPUs

Back to GeForce 256 Series

Next in series: GeForce 256 SDR
Sources

Sources reviewed: 2026-08-13

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. NVIDIA corporate timeline 1999Official timeline entry for GeForce 256 launchOpen source
  2. NVIDIA Blog GeForce 256 retrospectiveOfficial retrospective on GeForce 256 and hardware T&LOpen source
  3. DOS Days GeForce 256 DDR retro reviewBoard-level DDR/SDR, AGP, memory, and collector notesOpen source
  4. GeForce 256 graphics accelerator PDFPeriod GeForce 256 accelerator product materialOpen source
  5. NVIDIA First to Deliver High-Speed Memory Architecture to Mainstream MarketOfficial December 20, 1999 GeForce 256 DDR announcement and holiday-season availabilityOpen source
  6. NVIDIA GeForce 256 product pageOfficial product table explicitly listing a 128-bit memory interface and identifying August 31, 1999 as the introductionOpen source

Independent reference sources

  1. TechPowerUp GeForce 256 DDR GPU SpecsModel-level specification referenceOpen source

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