NVIDIA GTX 780 3GB Graphics Card (Pre Owned)

NVIDIA's GTX 780 card launched in May 2013, just three months after the GTX Titan. This card is built on the same GK110 GPU as the Titan, with the memory reduced from 6GB to 3GB and the stream processor count slightly lower. Interestingly, despite the reduced memory and stream processors, the GPU runs at a slightly faster clock speed than the Titan to compensate for the lower power draw—meaning it comes close to matching the Titan in single-thread performance, at nearly half the price.

With a 384-bit memory interface and 48 ROPs fully intact, this card was considered one of the best "price-to-performance" high-end cards at the time of its launch. It also features the same premium metal cooler design as the GTX Titan, ensuring top-notch build quality.

Performance and Architecture

The GTX 780 features 2304 CUDA Cores, 192 texture units, and 48 ROPs. Base clocks range from 863-900 MHz, and boost clocks range from 900 MHz to 928 MHz, depending on the model. NVIDIA GPU Boost 2.0 technology dynamically adjusts clock speeds based on thermal and power levels, allowing the card to extract maximum performance in every situation.

The card also includes DirectX 11.1 (Feature Level 11_0), OpenGL 4.3 support, as well as features like NVIDIA PhysX, TXAA, FXAA, Adaptive Vertical Sync, and 3D Vision-Ready. GeForce Experience allows for one-click optimization of driver and game settings.

Memory and memory bandwidth

The card features 3GB of GDDR5 video memory, running at effective speeds of 6000-6008 MHz over a 384-bit memory interface. This provides memory bandwidth of approximately 288 GB/s, comparable to competitor cards like the AMD Radeon 7970 3GB. This wide memory bus gives this card a significant advantage in high-resolution and heavy-texture gaming, although 3GB of VRAM is now quite limited for today's modern games.

Display Output and Connectivity

The GTX 780 features two Dual-Link DVI, one HDMI 1.4b, and one DisplayPort 1.2 outputs. NVIDIA Surround Technology allows the card to support up to three or four displays. The PCI Express 3.0 x16 interface makes it easily compatible with any modern motherboard, and there's also the option to increase performance by creating a multi-card setup using an SLI configuration.

Cooling and Build

The card features a dual-slot design and measures approximately 267mm tall, so a mid-tower or full-tower cabinet is required. With a 250W TDP, the card features the same premium multi-fan/vapor-chamber cooling design as the GTX Titan, which keeps the card at stable and relatively silent temperatures even under heavy gaming loads.

Things to keep in mind during installation

Ensure the card is properly seated in the PCIe x16 slot and the power connectors (typically one 6-pin and one 8-pin) are connected. A PSU of at least 600W is recommended. Since this is an older card, download drivers from NVIDIA's legacy driver list, as the latest driver versions no longer support this card.

Who is this graphics card for?

The GTX 780 3GB is now only suitable for users who already own this card and want to use it for older AAA games, esports titles, or retro gaming setups. This card is no longer recommended for new purchases, as modern cards offer much better performance at a lower price and lower power draw. However, it remains an interesting option for vintage hardware collectors or those repurposing old builds.

GTX 780 3GB Specifications Table

GTX 780 3GB Price (New vs Second-Hand)

Note: This card is a high-end 2013 model and is now outdated by modern gaming standards, so its price has dropped significantly. Be sure to test the card's condition, the age of the thermal paste/pads, and the power draw before purchasing, as issues like capacitor degradation and thermal throttling can be common with such old high-TDP cards.