NVIDIA RTX A2000 vs NVIDIA RTX A2000 12 GB Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data places the NVIDIA RTX A2000 and the NVIDIA RTX A2000 12 GB in a very specific relationship. They are, in terms of raw computational architecture, identical twins. Both use the GA106 chip, both run at the same clocks, and both have the same shader, texture, and render output unit counts. The only meaningful difference in the specifications is the memory size: 6 GB versus 12 GB.

Given that, the benchmark results are surprisingly one-sided in favor of the 6 GB model. In the 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 test, the 6 GB card scores 1345, while the 12 GB card scores 1309. That is a 2.8% lead for the smaller memory variant. In Geekbench OpenCL, the 6 GB card scores 67695 against 66998 for the 12 GB card, a 1% lead. The database records zero wins for the 12 GB card in the head-to-head comparison.

The implications for a buyer are clear from the data. If the workload fits within the 6 GB memory capacity, the 6 GB card is the one the benchmark evidence supports. It delivers a measurable, if modest, performance advantage in every test recorded. There is no scenario in the data where the 12 GB card wins a benchmark. The 12 GB card exists for a different reason: capacity. The data shows it is not faster, but it is the only choice if a workload requires more than 6 GB of video memory.

The decision, strictly from the data, is simple. For maximum performance in the recorded tests, choose the NVIDIA RTX A2000 with 6 GB. For workloads that demand a larger memory pool, the NVIDIA RTX A2000 12 GB is the only option, and the performance cost is a small but consistent deficit. The 12 GB card is the correct pick for memory-bound tasks; the 6 GB card is the correct pick for everything else.

FAQ

Q: Which card is faster in the benchmark data?

A: The NVIDIA RTX A2000 with 6 GB is faster. It wins the 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 test with a score of 1345 versus 1309, and the Geekbench OpenCL test with a score of 67695 versus 66998.

Q: How much faster is the 6 GB model in the head-to-head tests?

A: The 6 GB model leads by 2.8% in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 and by 1% in Geekbench OpenCL.

Q: Are the two cards different in any way besides memory size?

A: No. The specification data shows identical clock speeds (base 562 MHz, boost 1200 MHz), identical memory bus width (192 bit), identical memory bandwidth (288.0 GB/s), and identical compute resources (3328 shading units, 104 TMUs, 48 ROPs, 26 RT cores, 104 tensor cores).

Q: Why would anyone choose the 12 GB card if it is slower?

A: The 12 GB card offers double the memory capacity. The data shows it is slower in the recorded tests, but for applications that need more than 6 GB of memory, the 12 GB model is the only viable option between the two.

Q: How do the two cards compare to their nearest rivals in the database?

A: The 6 GB card has an average benchmark score of 46043, placing it near the NVIDIA RTX 5880 Ada Generation (45972, a 0.2% difference) and the Intel Arc A730M (45592, a 1% difference). The 12 GB card has an average score of 34154, placing it near the AMD Radeon RX 560 XT (34133, a 0.1% difference) and the NVIDIA RTX A1000 (34207, a 0.2% difference).

Q: What is the performance percentile for each card?

A: The 6 GB card sits at the 85th percentile against all GPUs, while the 12 GB card sits at the 79th percentile.

Architecture Differences

The architecture section of the database shows no differences between the two cards. Both are built on the Ampere architecture, using the GA106 chip fabricated by Samsung on an 8 nm process. The die size is identical at 276 mm², and the transistor count is identical at 12,000 million, yielding the same transistor density of 43.5M per mm².

The compute core configuration is also exactly the same. Each card has 3328 shading units, 104 texture mapping units, 48 render output units, 26 ray tracing cores, and 104 tensor cores. The API support is identical as well, with DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4.

The physical design matches. Both are dual-slot cards, 167 mm long and 69 mm high, with no power connectors and a suggested PSU of 250 W. They both use a PCIe 4.0 x16 bus interface and offer 4x mini-DisplayPort 1.4a outputs.

The only architectural variable that could differ is memory, but even the memory type and bus width are the same: GDDR6 on a 192 bit bus. The bandwidth is identical at 288.0 GB/s. The sole difference is the capacity, 6 GB versus 12 GB. The architecture is otherwise a perfect match, which means any performance difference in the benchmarks must stem from the memory configuration or other subtle factors not captured in the specification fields.

Specification Differences

The database lists only one specification field that differs between the two cards: memory size. The NVIDIA RTX A2000 has 6 GB of GDDR6 memory, while the NVIDIA RTX A2000 12 GB has 12 GB of GDDR6 memory.

Every other measurable specification is identical. The clocks are the same: base 562 MHz, boost 1200 MHz, and memory at 1500 MHz with 12 Gbps effective. The memory bus width is 192 bit on both, and the bandwidth is 288.0 GB/s on both. The power figures match at 70 W TDP and a 250 W suggested PSU. The dimensions, slot width, bus interface, and display outputs are all the same.

The release dates differ slightly. The 6 GB model was released on 2021-08-09, and the 12 GB model was released on 2021-11-22. Both are marked as end-of-life, both have the same predecessor (Quadro Turing) and successor (Workstation Ada), and both have the same launch MSRP of 449 USD.

The benchmark average scores differ significantly, which is notable given the identical specs. The 6 GB card has an average benchmark score of 46043, while the 12 GB card has an average of 34154. This is a large gap that does not appear in the individual head-to-head tests, suggesting the difference is driven by how the database aggregates results across different workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data records two tests. In the first, 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12, the NVIDIA RTX A2000 scores 1345 against the 12 GB model's 1309. The delta is 2.8% in favor of the 6 GB card. This is a direct measure of rasterization and DX12 performance, and the smaller memory card holds a clear edge.

In the second test, Geekbench OpenCL, the 6 GB card scores 67695, while the 12 GB card scores 66998. The delta here is 1% in favor of the 6 GB card. OpenCL is a general-purpose compute workload, and again the 6 GB variant comes out ahead.

The database also records a Geekbench Vulkan score for the 6 GB card of 69089, but no corresponding Vulkan score is listed for the 12 GB card. This missing data point is the only reason the head-to-head does not have a third comparison. The wins tally is 2 for the 6 GB card and 0 for the 12 GB card.

These results are counterintuitive given the identical specifications. The performance difference is small but consistent, and it appears in both a gaming-oriented DX12 test and a compute-oriented OpenCL test. The data suggests the 6 GB card has some advantage in the benchmark environment, possibly related to how the memory is managed or how the driver allocates resources for the smaller frame buffer.

The average benchmark scores tell a different story. The 6 GB card sits at 46043, while the 12 GB card sits at 34154. This is a 25.9% gap, much larger than the head-to-head deltas. The nearest rivals for the 6 GB card are the NVIDIA RTX 5880 Ada Generation at 45972 (0.2% delta) and the Intel Arc A730M at 45592 (1% delta). The 12 GB card's nearest rivals are the AMD Radeon RX 560 XT at 34133 (0.1% delta) and the NVIDIA RTX A1000 at 34207 (0.2% delta). The percentile ranks reflect this: 85th for the 6 GB card versus 79th for the 12 GB card.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data is unambiguous about where each card wins. The NVIDIA RTX A2000 with 6 GB wins every recorded head-to-head test. It wins 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 by 2.8% and Geekbench OpenCL by 1%. In the database's win tally, it has 2 wins and 0 losses. The 12 GB card has 0 wins and 2 losses.

The 12 GB card's advantage is not in performance but in capacity. It offers 12 GB of memory versus 6 GB, which is a doubling of the frame buffer. This makes it the logical choice for workloads that require large datasets or high-resolution textures that exceed 6 GB. The data does not record any benchmark where the 12 GB card wins, but the specification difference implies that memory-intensive applications are the only scenario where the 12 GB card is preferable.

The 6 GB card is the winner in all measured performance metrics. Its average benchmark score is 46043, which places it at the 85th percentile, while the 12 GB card's average of 34154 places it at the 79th percentile. The nearest rivals for the 6 GB card are much more powerful GPUs like the RTX 5880 Ada Generation and the Intel Arc A730M, while the 12 GB card's rivals are older or lower-tier products like the RX 560 XT and the RTX A1000.

For a user with a workload that fits in 6 GB, the data clearly points to the 6 GB model. It is faster in both recorded tests, and its average score is significantly higher. For a user with a workload that requires more than 6 GB, the 12 GB model is the only choice, and the performance penalty is a consistent but small deficit in the recorded benchmarks. The decision is not about which card is better overall, but which card fits the memory requirements of the task.