NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030 GK107

The NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030 GK107 is an end-of-life entry-level graphics card built on the Kepler architecture and fabricated on TSMC's 28 nm process. It integrates 1,270 million transistors on a 118 mm² die, yielding a transistor density of 10.8M per square millimeter. Within the benchmark database, it holds the 50th percentile among all GPUs, placing it exactly at the median of recorded performance. The card was released on 2018-09-29, positioned between the GeForce 900 and GeForce 20 generations.

Memory Subsystem

The memory subsystem is defined by a 2 GB GDDR5 frame buffer on a 128-bit bus, with a peak bandwidth of 80.00 GB/s. The memory clock runs at 1250 MHz, which translates to 5 Gbps effective. For high-resolution workloads, this configuration is restrictive. The 2 GB capacity is a hard ceiling for modern texture-heavy assets, while the 80.00 GB/s bandwidth limits the rate at which frame buffers can be filled. Pixel fill rate is 8.464 GPixel/s, and texture fill rate is 33.86 GTexel/s, which further constrains performance at resolutions above 1080p. The 128-bit bus width is modest, and the data indicates that the memory subsystem is a primary bottleneck for any demanding graphical task. The combination of 16 ROPs and 32 TMUs works with this memory interface to define the card's fill-rate ceiling. At 1080p, the bandwidth may suffice for simple scenes, but at 1440p or higher, the 80.00 GB/s figure becomes a limiting factor, as the pixel rate of 8.464 GPixel/s cannot sustain high-resolution frame output. The 2 GB capacity also forces texture streaming and asset swapping in modern titles, which amplifies the impact of the bandwidth constraint.

Ray Tracing and Feature Set

The GK107 chip does not include dedicated ray tracing cores or tensor cores; these fields are null in the specification. Consequently, hardware-accelerated ray tracing and AI-based upscaling features are absent. The card supports DirectX 12 with a feature level of 11_0, which means it exposes the DirectX 12 API but is limited to the capabilities of the earlier feature level. OpenGL 4.6 and Vulkan 1.2.175 are supported, providing a modern API surface for compatible titles. The display outputs are limited to 2x DVI and 1x mini-HDMI 1.4a, which restricts modern monitor connectivity to a single digital output with limited bandwidth. The feature set is fundamentally that of a legacy Kepler part, with no path to advanced rendering techniques such as ray-traced shadows or reflections. The absence of tensor cores also precludes any form of AI-based frame generation or resolution scaling. For users relying on modern API features, the DirectX 12 (11_0) feature level is a notable limitation, as it omits features like variable rate shading and mesh shaders that require higher feature levels. The Vulkan 1.2.175 support does provide a degree of forward compatibility, but the underlying hardware lacks the compute resources to leverage advanced Vulkan extensions effectively.

Benchmark Performance

The database lists no benchmark scores for this GPU, and the nearestRivals array is empty. Therefore, direct percentage comparisons to specific competing models are unavailable. However, the percentile ranking of 50 indicates that it sits exactly at the median of all GPUs in the database, implying average performance relative to the full spectrum of hardware. The raw computational metrics provide context: FP32 compute is rated at 812.5 GFLOPS, pixel rate at 8.464 GPixel/s, and texture rate at 33.86 GTexel/s. These figures suggest a part suited for light 2D workloads and older 3D titles at low resolutions. The 384 shading units, 32 texture mapping units, and 16 ROPs define a narrow execution pipeline. Given the lack of rival data, the analysis rests on these absolute numbers and the percentile placement. The FP32 throughput of 812.5 GFLOPS is a hard limit for compute-heavy shaders, and the pixel rate of 8.464 GPixel/s caps the card's ability to fill the screen. In the absence of benchmark scores, the percentile of 50 is the only comparative signal, but it must be interpreted cautiously, as it aggregates all GPUs regardless of era or class. The 33.86 GTexel/s texture rate, while modest, can handle simple texture mapping but will struggle with anisotropic filtering and high-resolution textures.

How It Compares

The FACT PACK does not include nearest rival entries, so a rival-by-rival breakdown cannot be produced. The predecessor and successor are listed as GeForce 900 and GeForce 20 respectively, but no scores or specifications for those are provided. Qualitatively, the GT 1030 GK107 occupies a space between these generations, inheriting the Kepler architecture of the earlier era while being released under the GeForce 10 brand. The absence of benchmark scores means the database cannot quantify its position against any specific card. The percentile of 50 serves as the only comparative metric, indicating a median standing across the entire database. Without rival data, the analysis must rely on the intrinsic specifications, such as the 65 W TDP and single-slot design, which suggest a low-power, low-profile niche. The 28 nm process node and 1,270 million transistor count place it in the mid-range of that era's silicon, but no direct performance deltas can be stated. The card's 128-bit memory bus and 80.00 GB/s bandwidth are lower than typical parts from the GeForce 20 era, but again, no numbers for those parts are available for comparison. The 50th percentile ranking implies that half of all GPUs in the database perform worse, but this is a global aggregate that includes integrated and legacy parts, so it does not reflect modern discrete competition.

Who Should Consider It

Given the 2 GB GDDR5 memory, 80.00 GB/s bandwidth, and 812.5 GFLOPS FP32 performance, this card is suitable for basic desktop use, legacy applications, and undemanding games at 720p or 1080p with reduced settings. The 65 W TDP and 250 W suggested PSU indicate a system with modest power delivery requirements. The single-slot form factor and 147 mm length (5.8 inches) allow installation in compact chassis. However, for high-resolution gaming or modern titles, the memory capacity and bandwidth will prove insufficient. The lack of RT cores and tensor cores means no ray tracing or DLSS support. Users with a 2 GB frame buffer requirement and a need for a low-power, single-slot card might consider it, but the end-of-life status and the absence of benchmark scores in the database suggest caution for performance-critical use. The card's 384 shading units and 16 ROPs limit its ability to handle complex geometry and post-processing effects. For users who prioritize silent operation or minimal power draw, the 65 W TDP is a positive attribute, but the 1x 6-pin power connector adds a cable requirement that may not suit all systems. The PCIe 3.0 x16 bus interface is standard, but the card's limited compute rates mean it will not benefit from higher-bandwidth slots. Ultimately, the data points to a card that is best reserved for secondary displays, legacy systems, or as a basic output device, not as a primary gaming solution. The 2 GB capacity is a strict limit for modern game assets, and the 80.00 GB/s bandwidth cannot feed a high-resolution frame buffer efficiently.