NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 vs NVIDIA Quadro K2100M Comparison

NVIDIA's Quadro K2100M and GeForce GTX 650 are both 28 nm Kepler parts built on the same GK106 die, yet they serve completely different purposes. The K2100M is a mobile workstation GPU, while the GTX 650 is a desktop gaming card. The benchmark data shows the Quadro edges ahead in two of three tests, but the GTX 650 counters in one. Below is a detailed comparison based solely on the provided specifications and scores.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The NVIDIA Quadro K2100M has an average benchmark score of 4151, which is 8.6% higher than the GeForce GTX 650's average of 3823.

Q: How do the two compare in Geekbench Metal performance?

A: The Quadro K2100M wins decisively in Geekbench Metal, scoring 3524 versus the GTX 650's 2400, a 46.8% advantage.

Q: Is there any test where the GeForce GTX 650 beats the Quadro?

A: Yes, in Geekbench Vulkan the GTX 650 scores 4524, while the Quadro K2100M scores 4343, giving the GTX 650 a 4% lead.

Q: What is the difference in memory capacity between the two cards?

A: The Quadro K2100M has 2 GB of GDDR5 memory, while the GeForce GTX 650 has 1024 MB (1 GB) of GDDR5 memory.

Q: Are these cards from the same architecture and process node?

A: Yes, both use the Kepler architecture on a 28 nm process node from TSMC, with identical transistor counts of 2,540 million and a die size of 221 mm².

Q: Which card has a higher transistor density?

A: Both cards have the same transistor density of 11.5M per mm², since they share the same die and process.

Architecture Differences

The Quadro K2100M and GeForce GTX 650 are built on the same foundational architecture, but they are configured differently. Both use the Kepler architecture and the GK106 chip family, but the Quadro uses the "GK106S" variant while the GTX 650 uses the standard "GK106". The manufacturing process is identical: 28 nm at TSMC, with 2,540 million transistors on a 221 mm² die.

The most significant architectural divergence lies in the compute resources. The Quadro K2100M has 576 shading units, 48 texture mapping units (TMUs), and 16 raster operation units (ROPs). In contrast, the GeForce GTX 650 is pared down to 384 shading units, 32 TMUs, and 16 ROPs. This means the Quadro has 50% more shading units and 50% more TMUs than the GTX 650, while the ROP count remains equal at 16.

The memory subsystem also differs. Both cards use a 128-bit memory bus with GDDR5, but the Quadro K2100M comes with 2 GB of memory, double the GTX 650's 1 GB. The memory clock speeds differ as well: the Quadro operates at 752 MHz (3 Gbps effective) yielding 48.13 GB/s of bandwidth, whereas the GTX 650 runs at 1250 MHz (5 Gbps effective) for 80.00 GB/s. Interestingly, the GTX 650 has significantly more bandwidth despite having less memory.

The power and form factor profiles are distinct. The Quadro K2100M is an MXM module with a 55 W TDP and no power connectors, designed for laptops. The GTX 650 is a single-slot desktop card with a 65 W TDP, requiring a 1x 6-pin power connector and a suggested 250 W power supply. The bus interfaces also differ: the Quadro uses MXM-A (3.0) while the GTX 650 uses PCIe 3.0 x16.

Both cards support the same API levels: DirectX 12 (11_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.175. Neither has ray tracing or tensor cores. The Quadro's display outputs are listed as "Portable Device Dependent," while the GTX 650 has 1x DVI and 2x DisplayPort 1.2 outputs.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark results show a clear split between the two cards. The Quadro K2100M wins two of the three tests, with the GeForce GTX 650 taking the remaining one.

In Geekbench Metal, the Quadro K2100M dominates. It scores 3524 against the GTX 650's 2400, a 46.8% advantage. This is the largest performance gap between the two in any test. The Quadro's higher shading unit count and TMU count likely contribute to this substantial lead in this particular workload.

The Geekbench OpenCL test is much closer. The Quadro K2100M scores 4587, while the GTX 650 scores 4545. The delta is only 0.9% in favor of the Quadro, making this effectively a tie. Given the GTX 650's higher memory bandwidth (80.00 GB/s vs 48.13 GB/s), it manages to nearly match the Quadro despite having fewer compute units.

The Geekbench Vulkan test is the only one where the GTX 650 comes out ahead. It scores 4524 versus the Quadro's 4343, a 4% difference. This suggests that the GTX 650's higher memory bandwidth and different driver optimization for the GeForce lineup give it an edge in Vulkan workloads.

Overall, the Quadro K2100M has a 2-to-1 win record in these benchmarks. Its average benchmark score of 4151 is higher than the GTX 650's 3823, but the individual test results show that the GTX 650 is competitive in certain scenarios.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two cards:

• Chip: Quadro K2100M uses GK106S; GTX 650 uses GK106.
• Generation: Quadro K2100M is from "Quadro Kepler-M (Kx100M)"; GTX 650 is from "GeForce 600".
• Base/Boost Clock: Quadro K2100M has a base and boost clock of 667 MHz; GTX 650 has no listed base or boost clock.
• Memory Clock: Quadro K2100M runs at 752 MHz (3 Gbps effective); GTX 650 runs at 1250 MHz (5 Gbps effective).
• Memory Size: Quadro K2100M has 2 GB; GTX 650 has 1024 MB.
• Memory Bandwidth: Quadro K2100M has 48.13 GB/s; GTX 650 has 80.00 GB/s.
• Shading Units: Quadro K2100M has 576; GTX 650 has 384.
• TMUs: Quadro K2100M has 48; GTX 650 has 32.
• Pixel Rate: Quadro K2100M is 8.004 GPixel/s; GTX 650 is 8.464 GPixel/s.
• Texture Rate: Quadro K2100M is 32.02 GTexel/s; GTX 650 is 33.86 GTexel/s.
• FP32 Performance: Quadro K2100M is 768.4 GFLOPS; GTX 650 is 812.5 GFLOPS.
• TDP: Quadro K2100M is 55 W; GTX 650 is 65 W.
• Slot Width: Quadro K2100M is MXM Module; GTX 650 is Single-slot.
• Power Connectors: Quadro K2100M has None; GTX 650 has 1x 6-pin.
• Suggested PSU: Quadro K2100M has none listed; GTX 650 has 250 W.
• Bus Interface: Quadro K2100M is MXM-A (3.0); GTX 650 is PCIe 3.0 x16.
• Display Outputs: Quadro K2100M is "Portable Device Dependent"; GTX 650 is 1x DVI, 2x DisplayPort 1.2.
• Dimensions (Length): Quadro K2100M has none listed; GTX 650 is 147 mm (5.8 inches).
• Release Date: Quadro K2100M released 2013-07-22; GTX 650 released 2013-11-26.
• Predecessor: Quadro K2100M's is "Quadro Fermi-M"; GTX 650's is "GeForce 500".
• Successor: Quadro K2100M's is "Quadro Maxwell-M"; GTX 650's is "GeForce 700".

The Verdict

The data points to the Quadro K2100M as the stronger performer overall. It has a higher average benchmark score (4151 vs 3823) and wins two of the three head-to-head tests. Its 50% more shading units and TMUs give it a clear compute advantage, and its 2 GB memory capacity is double that of the GTX 650.

However, the GTX 650 is not without merit. It has significantly higher memory bandwidth (80.00 GB/s vs 48.13 GB/s), which translates into higher pixel and texture rates (8.464 GPixel/s and 33.86 GTexel/s respectively) and a higher FP32 throughput (812.5 GFLOPS vs 768.4 GFLOPS). This explains its win in Vulkan and near-tie in OpenCL. The GTX 650 also has a desktop form factor with standard display outputs, making it easier to integrate into a traditional PC.

The Quadro K2100M's percentile rank among all GPUs is 25, which is higher than the GTX 650's 22. Its nearest rival is the AMD Radeon R5 M330 (delta -0.4%), while the GTX 650's closest competitor is the NVIDIA GeForce MX110 (delta -0.3%). These figures reinforce that the Quadro sits slightly higher in the overall performance distribution.

For a builder choosing between these two end-of-life cards, the Quadro K2100M is the better pick for compute-heavy tasks and mobile use, given its superior shading count and 2 GB memory. The GTX 650 is the choice for a desktop system where memory bandwidth and output flexibility matter more, and where the lower compute count is acceptable.

Where Each One Wins

NVIDIA Quadro K2100M wins in:

• Metal workloads: A 46.8% lead over the GTX 650, the largest margin in any test.
• OpenCL workloads: A narrow 0.9% edge, showing competitive compute performance.
• Compute unit count: 576 shading units versus 384, a 50% advantage.
• Memory capacity: 2 GB versus 1 GB, benefiting larger datasets.
• Power efficiency: 55 W TDP versus 65 W, drawing less power.
• Mobile integration: MXM module format for laptops, with no power connectors needed.

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 wins in:

• Vulkan workloads: A 4% lead over the Quadro, the only test it wins.
• Memory bandwidth: 80.00 GB/s versus 48.13 GB/s, a 66% advantage.
• Pixel and texture rates: 8.464 GPixel/s and 33.86 GTexel/s, both slightly higher than the Quadro.
• FP32 throughput: 812.5 GFLOPS versus 768.4 GFLOPS.
• Desktop connectivity: Standard PCIe 3.0 x16 slot and 1x DVI plus 2x DisplayPort outputs.
• Physical size: Single-slot 147 mm card, easier to fit in small cases.