NVIDIA RTX 3500 Embedded Ada Generation vs NVIDIA Rubin GPU Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded data places the NVIDIA RTX 3500 Embedded Ada Generation and the NVIDIA Rubin GPU in entirely different performance tiers, with each part designed for a distinct workload profile. The RTX 3500 Embedded Ada Generation is a mobile-class, low-power part built for embedded systems, while the Rubin GPU is a massive server accelerator targeting the highest-end compute environments. Neither part wins in the other’s intended domain, but the data shows a clear split in where each one excels.

The RTX 3500 Embedded Ada Generation wins decisively in pixel throughput, a metric that matters for graphics-oriented tasks such as rendering, visualization, and display processing. Its pixel rate of 144.0 GPixel/s dwarfs the Rubin GPU’s 54.41 GPixel/s, a 2.65x advantage. This is a direct consequence of the RTX 3500’s 64 ROPs versus the Rubin GPU’s 24 ROPs. For any workload that relies on rasterization output, fill-rate-bound operations, or frame buffer writes, the RTX 3500 is the stronger part.

The Rubin GPU wins in almost every other measurable category. Its FP32 throughput is 130.0 TFLOPS versus 23.04 TFLOPS on the RTX 3500, a 5.64x lead. The FP16 gap is even larger: the Rubin GPU delivers 260.0 TFLOPS (2:1) against the RTX 3500’s 23.04 TFLOPS (1:1), representing an 11.3x advantage. Texture rate also favors the Rubin GPU at 2,031.2 GTexel/s versus 360.0 GTexel/s, a 5.64x difference. Memory bandwidth is the most extreme differentiator: the Rubin GPU’s 22.1 TB/s is 51.2x higher than the RTX 3500’s 432.0 GB/s.

The win split reflects the fundamental design goals. The RTX 3500 Embedded Ada Generation is a single-slot IGP with no display outputs, a 100 W TDP, and a 300 W suggested PSU, making it suitable for compact, power-constrained systems. The Rubin GPU is an SXM Module with a 2300 W TDP and a 2700 W suggested PSU, which positions it for rack-scale servers where density and raw compute dominate.

Architecture Differences

The two GPUs come from different foundry processes and architectural generations. The RTX 3500 Embedded Ada Generation uses the AD104 chip on a 5 nm process from TSMC, while the Rubin GPU uses the GR100 chip on a 3 nm process, also from TSMC. The process node difference is significant: 3 nm allows for 230.8M transistors per mm² versus 121.8M per mm² on the 5 nm node.

Transistor counts show the scale gap. The RTX 3500 packs 35,800 million transistors on a 294 mm² die. The Rubin GPU integrates 336,000 million transistors on a 1456 mm² die, which is 9.4x more transistors and a 4.95x larger die area. These are not comparable parts in any physical sense; the Rubin GPU is a data-center-class chip designed for maximum compute density.

Core configurations differ sharply. The RTX 3500 has 5120 shading units, 160 TMUs, 64 ROPs, 40 RT cores, and 160 tensor cores. The Rubin GPU has 28,672 shading units, 896 TMUs, 24 ROPs, and 896 tensor cores, but it does not list RT core count in the database. The shader count advantage for the Rubin GPU is 5.6x, and the tensor core advantage is 5.6x as well. The ROP deficit on the Rubin GPU (24 versus 64) is unusual and explains its lower pixel rate.

Memory architecture is another major divergence. The RTX 3500 uses 12 GB of GDDR6 on a 192-bit bus, yielding 432.0 GB/s bandwidth. The Rubin GPU uses 288 GB of HBM4 on a 16384-bit bus, producing 22.1 TB/s bandwidth. The bus width difference is 85.3x, and the memory capacity difference is 24x.

Clock behavior also differs. The RTX 3500 has a base clock of 1725 MHz and a boost clock of 2250 MHz. The Rubin GPU has a base clock of 700 MHz and a boost clock of 2267 MHz. The boost clocks are similar, but the base clock on the RTX 3500 is much higher, reflecting its lower power envelope.

The interface and power delivery systems are distinct. The RTX 3500 uses PCIe 4.0 x16, while the Rubin GPU uses PCIe 6.0 x16. The RTX 3500 has no power connectors and a 100 W TDP, while the Rubin GPU has no listed power connector but consumes 2300 W TDP. The suggested PSU ratings are 300 W for the RTX 3500 and 2700 W for the Rubin GPU.

API support is a differentiator. The RTX 3500 supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4. The Rubin GPU has N/A for all three APIs, indicating it is not intended for conventional graphics workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark list is empty in the database, so the comparison must rely on the recorded specification-derived performance metrics. The biggest wins each way are clear from the data.

The RTX 3500 Embedded Ada Generation wins in pixel rate by a factor of 2.65, delivering 144.0 GPixel/s versus the Rubin GPU’s 54.41 GPixel/s. This is the only major metric where the RTX 3500 leads. The ROP count difference (64 versus 24) is the direct cause, and this advantage would manifest in any fill-rate-bound scenario.

The Rubin GPU wins in FP32 by a factor of 5.64, delivering 130.0 TFLOPS versus 23.04 TFLOPS. The FP16 advantage is larger still: 260.0 TFLOPS versus 23.04 TFLOPS, an 11.3x margin. This FP16 ratio difference (2:1 versus 1:1) means the Rubin GPU can process half-precision data at double the rate of FP32, while the RTX 3500 processes both at the same rate.

Texture rate shows a 5.64x lead for the Rubin GPU, with 2,031.2 GTexel/s versus 360.0 GTexel/s. This follows from the TMU count difference (896 versus 160). Memory bandwidth is the most lopsided metric: 22.1 TB/s versus 432.0 GB/s, a 51.2x advantage for the Rubin GPU. This bandwidth advantage would be critical for large dataset processing, HBM4 access patterns, and memory-bound kernels.

Transistor density also favors the Rubin GPU at 230.8M per mm² versus 121.8M per mm², a 1.89x improvement. Shading unit count, tensor core count, and texture unit count all favor the Rubin GPU by the same 5.6x ratio, reflecting the larger chip.

The RTX 3500’s only other advantage is base clock speed: 1725 MHz versus 700 MHz, a 2.46x difference. Boost clocks are nearly identical (2250 MHz versus 2267 MHz), so the RTX 3500’s higher base clock gives it a better sustained performance profile at lower power.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has higher FP32 performance?

A: The NVIDIA Rubin GPU, at 130.0 TFLOPS, which is 5.64x higher than the RTX 3500 Embedded Ada Generation’s 23.04 TFLOPS.

Q: Why does the RTX 3500 have a better pixel rate despite being a smaller chip?

A: The RTX 3500 has 64 ROPs versus the Rubin GPU’s 24 ROPs, and its pixel rate is 144.0 GPixel/s compared to 54.41 GPixel/s.

Q: What memory technology does each GPU use?

A: The RTX 3500 uses 12 GB of GDDR6 on a 192-bit bus, while the Rubin GPU uses 288 GB of HBM4 on a 16384-bit bus.

Q: Do both GPUs support the same APIs?

A: No. The RTX 3500 supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4. The Rubin GPU lists N/A for all three APIs.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The RTX 3500 has a 100 W TDP with a 300 W suggested PSU, while the Rubin GPU has a 2300 W TDP with a 2700 W suggested PSU.

Q: Which GPU has more tensor cores?

A: The Rubin GPU has 896 tensor cores, compared to 160 on the RTX 3500, a 5.6x difference.

Specification Differences

The two GPUs differ in nearly every specification field. Process node: 5 nm for the RTX 3500, 3 nm for the Rubin GPU. Transistors: 35,800 million versus 336,000 million. Die size: 294 mm² versus 1456 mm². Transistor density: 121.8M per mm² versus 230.8M per mm².

Base clock: 1725 MHz versus 700 MHz. Boost clock: 2250 MHz versus 2267 MHz. Memory clock: 2250 MHz (18 Gbps effective) versus 2695 MHz (10.8 Gbps effective). Memory size: 12 GB versus 288 GB. Memory type: GDDR6 versus HBM4. Bus width: 192 bit versus 16384 bit. Bandwidth: 432.0 GB/s versus 22.1 TB/s.

Shading units: 5120 versus 28,672. TMUs: 160 versus 896. ROPs: 64 versus 24. RT cores: 40 versus null (not listed). Tensor cores: 160 versus 896. Pixel rate: 144.0 GPixel/s versus 54.41 GPixel/s. Texture rate: 360.0 GTexel/s versus 2,031.2 GTexel/s. FP32: 23.04 TFLOPS versus 130.0 TFLOPS. FP16: 23.04 TFLOPS (1:1) versus 260.0 TFLOPS (2:1).

TDP: 100 W versus 2300 W. Slot width: IGP versus SXM Module. Power connectors: None versus null (not listed). Suggested PSU: 300 W versus 2700 W. Bus interface: PCIe 4.0 x16 versus PCIe 6.0 x16. Display outputs: No outputs for both. APIs: DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, Vulkan 1.4 versus N/A for all. Release date: 2023-03-20 versus 2025-12-31. Predecessor: Ampere-MW versus Server Blackwell. Successor: Blackwell-MW versus null. Production status: Active for both. Percentile vs all GPUs: 50 for both. Average benchmark score: 0 for both.