NVIDIA GRID K160Q
NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
NVIDIANVIDIA GRID K160Q Specifications
GRID K160Q GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The NVIDIA GRID K160Q GPU core specifications define its raw processing power for graphics and compute workloads. Shading units (also called CUDA cores, stream processors, or execution units depending on manufacturer) handle the parallel calculations required for rendering. TMUs (Texture Mapping Units) process texture data, while ROPs (Render Output Units) handle final pixel output. Higher shader counts generally translate to better GPU benchmark performance, especially in demanding games and 3D applications.
GRID K160Q Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the GRID K160Q's performance in GPU benchmarks and real-world gaming. The base clock represents the minimum guaranteed frequency, while the boost clock indicates peak performance under optimal thermal conditions. Memory clock speed affects texture loading and frame buffer operations. The GRID K160Q by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
NVIDIA's GRID K160Q Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The GRID K160Q's memory capacity determines how well it handles high-resolution textures and multiple displays. Memory bandwidth, measured in GB/s, affects how quickly data moves between the GPU and VRAM. Higher bandwidth improves performance in memory-intensive scenarios like 4K gaming. The memory bus width and type (GDDR6, GDDR6X, HBM) significantly influence overall GPU benchmark scores.
GRID K160Q by NVIDIA Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the GRID K160Q, reducing the need to fetch data from slower VRAM. L1 and L2 caches store frequently accessed data close to the compute units. AMD's Infinity Cache (L3) dramatically increases effective bandwidth, improving GPU benchmark performance without requiring wider memory buses. Larger cache sizes help maintain high frame rates in memory-bound scenarios and reduce power consumption by minimizing VRAM accesses.
GRID K160Q Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA GRID K160Q against other graphics cards. FP32 (single-precision) performance, measured in TFLOPS, indicates compute capability for gaming and general GPU workloads. FP64 (double-precision) matters for scientific computing. Pixel and texture fill rates determine how quickly the GPU can render complex scenes. While real-world GPU benchmark results depend on many factors, these specifications help predict relative performance levels.
Kepler Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The NVIDIA GRID K160Q is built on NVIDIA's Kepler architecture, which defines how the GPU processes graphics and compute workloads. The manufacturing process node affects power efficiency, thermal characteristics, and maximum clock speeds. Smaller process nodes pack more transistors into the same die area, enabling higher performance per watt. Understanding the architecture helps predict how the GRID K160Q will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
NVIDIA's GRID K160Q Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the NVIDIA GRID K160Q determine PSU requirements and thermal management needs. TDP (Thermal Design Power) indicates the heat output under typical loads, guiding cooler selection. Power connector requirements ensure adequate power delivery for stable operation during demanding GPU benchmarks. The suggested PSU wattage accounts for the entire system, not just the graphics card. Efficient power delivery enables the GRID K160Q to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
GRID K160Q by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA GRID K160Q are critical for case compatibility. Card length, height, and slot width determine whether it fits in your chassis. The PCIe interface version affects bandwidth for communication with the CPU. Display outputs define monitor connectivity options, with modern cards supporting multiple high-resolution displays simultaneously. Verify these specifications against your case and motherboard before purchasing to ensure a proper fit.
NVIDIA API Support
Graphics and compute APIs
API support determines which games and applications can fully utilize the NVIDIA GRID K160Q. DirectX 12 Ultimate enables advanced features like ray tracing and variable rate shading. Vulkan provides cross-platform graphics capabilities with low-level hardware access. OpenGL remains important for professional applications and older games. CUDA (NVIDIA) and OpenCL enable GPU compute for video editing, 3D rendering, and scientific applications. Higher API versions unlock newer graphical features in GPU benchmarks and games.
GRID K160Q Product Information
Release and pricing details
The NVIDIA GRID K160Q is manufactured by NVIDIA as part of their graphics card lineup. Release date and launch pricing provide context for comparing GPU benchmark results with competing products from the same era. Understanding the product lifecycle helps evaluate whether the GRID K160Q by NVIDIA represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
GRID K160Q Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this GPU.
About NVIDIA GRID K160Q
The NVIDIA GRID K160Q is a Kepler-architecture virtualization card built around the GK107 chip, fabricated on TSMC's 28 nm process. It integrates 1,270 million transistors on a 118 mm² die, achieving a transistor density of 10.8M per mm². Released on June 27, 2013, this end-of-life product carries a launch MSRP of 125 USD. As a GRID (K1) generation part, it has no display outputs, positioning it exclusively for server-side rendering and virtual desktop infrastructure rather than direct video output. The card interfaces via PCIe 3.0 x16 and occupies an IGP slot width, indicating a low-profile design for rack-mounted servers. With a 130 W TDP and a suggested PSU of 300 W, it is designed for efficient operation in multi-GPU server environments.
Who Should Consider It
The GRID K160Q is not a consumer gaming card; the absence of display outputs removes any direct video connection. Instead, the data positions it for data centers and virtual desktop environments where rendering happens on the server and pixels are streamed to thin clients. The 50th percentile ranking against all GPUs in the database indicates a mid-pack standing in raw performance, but this must be interpreted within its virtualization context. The 192 shading units, 16 TMUs, and 16 ROPs provide a baseline for compute tasks. With 326.4 GFLOPS of FP32 throughput, the card can handle basic 3D rendering and office productivity in virtualized sessions. The 3.400 GPixel/s pixel rate and 13.60 GTexel/s texture rate suggest it can manage modest resolutions and low-to-medium detail settings. However, the 28.51 GB/s memory bandwidth will throttle texture-heavy workloads at higher resolutions. For administrators deploying virtual desktops, the specifications indicate this card is suitable for light CAD, 2D applications, and basic multimedia, but not for high-fidelity gaming or intensive simulation. The 50th percentile position implies it outperforms half of the tracked GPUs, yet the lack of benchmark scores means exact frame-rate expectations cannot be derived from this dataset. The 1024 MB frame buffer is another limiting factor; it will constrain the number of concurrent sessions and the texture complexity each session can handle. In practice, this card is best suited for low-resolution virtual sessions where texture sizes remain modest and the 28.51 GB/s bandwidth is not saturated.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The GRID K160Q has no dedicated ray tracing cores and no tensor cores, so hardware-accelerated ray tracing and AI-based features such as DLSS are entirely absent. API support includes DirectX 12 at the 11_0 feature level, OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.175. The DirectX 12 support is limited to the 11_0 feature level, meaning advanced DX12 features like mesh shaders and variable rate shading are not accessible. OpenGL 4.6 and Vulkan 1.2.175 provide modern compute and graphics pathways, which is useful for virtualized workloads that rely on these APIs. The 28 nm Kepler architecture is from 2013, and the data does not list any hardware encode or decode blocks, so video processing capabilities are not specified. For ray tracing, the absence of RT cores means any ray-traced effects would have to be computed on the 192 shading units, which would be prohibitively slow given the 326.4 GFLOPS FP32 rate. In a virtual desktop context, this card is best suited for traditional rasterization workloads. The lack of tensor cores also means no AI-based denoising or super-resolution features, which are increasingly common in modern virtualized GPU offerings. The API support for Vulkan 1.2.175 does allow for compute-heavy workloads, but the raw compute throughput is low enough that complex shaders will struggle.
How It Compares
The benchmark database lists no nearest rivals for the GRID K160Q, so direct head-to-head comparisons with specific competitor cards are not available in this dataset. The 50th percentile ranking against all GPUs serves as the primary positional reference. With 326.4 GFLOPS of FP32 compute and 28.51 GB/s of memory bandwidth, the card occupies the entry-level tier of the virtualized GPU market. Its 1,270 million transistors and 118 mm² die size are modest figures, reflecting the 28 nm process node's limitations. The absence of benchmark scores means no quantitative performance deltas can be established against any other GPU. However, the raw specifications indicate that it would be significantly outclassed by modern high-end GPUs in raw throughput, but its virtualization-specific design and low power draw (130 W TDP) make it a niche product. The 50th percentile placement suggests it is not a bottom-tier part, but it is far from a performance leader. Without rival data, comparisons must rely on the percentile and the absolute specifications provided. The 2013 release date and end-of-life production status further contextualize its position; it is a legacy part that has been superseded by newer architectures. The 28 nm process node is several generations behind current manufacturing, which explains the relatively low transistor density of 10.8M per mm² compared to modern chips.
FAQ
Q: Does the NVIDIA GRID K160Q have any display outputs?
A: No, the card has no display outputs, making it strictly a server-side compute or virtualization product.
Q: What is the memory configuration of the GRID K160Q?
A: It features 1024 MB of DDR3 memory on a 128-bit bus, delivering 28.51 GB/s of bandwidth. The memory clock is 891 MHz, with 1782 Mbps effective speed.
Q: Does the GRID K160Q support hardware ray tracing?
A: No, it has no RT cores, so hardware-accelerated ray tracing is not supported. Tensor cores are also absent, eliminating AI-accelerated features.
Q: What are the power requirements for the GRID K160Q?
A: The TDP is 130 W, and the suggested PSU rating is 300 W. No power connectors are listed in the specifications.
Q: What API levels does the GRID K160Q support?
A: It supports DirectX 12 (11_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.175.
Q: What is the production status and release date?
A: The card is end-of-life and was released on June 27, 2013.
Memory Subsystem
The GRID K160Q is equipped with 1024 MB of DDR3 memory, which is a small capacity by modern standards. The 128-bit memory bus and 28.51 GB/s bandwidth are the critical constraints for high-resolution workloads. The memory clock runs at 891 MHz, translating to 1782 Mbps effective. For virtual desktops, this bandwidth is sufficient for 2D applications and light 3D at low resolutions, but it will become a bottleneck when textures exceed the 1024 MB frame buffer. At higher resolutions, the limited bandwidth forces the GPU to thrash memory, reducing effective performance. The 16 ROPs and 3.400 GPixel/s pixel rate further limit fill-rate-heavy scenarios. In comparison to modern cards with GDDR6 and wider buses, the 28.51 GB/s figure is extremely low, meaning the card is best suited for low-resolution virtual sessions where texture sizes remain modest. The 50th percentile ranking suggests it is not the worst performer, but the memory subsystem is clearly the weakest link in the card's architecture. The 1024 MB capacity also limits the number of virtual machines that can be assigned to a single GPU, as each session consumes a portion of the frame buffer. For administrators, the memory constraints mean that this card is appropriate for task workers rather than power users who demand high-resolution displays or complex 3D models.
Power and Cooling
The GRID K160Q has a TDP of 130 W, which is modest for a GPU. The suggested PSU rating is 300 W, indicating that it can operate in systems with relatively small power supplies. No power connectors are listed in the specifications, suggesting the card may draw power solely from the PCIe 3.0 x16 slot. The slot width is listed as IGP, which implies a compact form factor suitable for dense server chassis. The 28 nm process node, while old, contributes to a reasonable power envelope. Cooling requirements are not explicitly detailed, but the 130 W TDP suggests that a passive heatsink with adequate server airflow could suffice. The end-of-life status means replacement parts may be difficult to source, but the low power draw and 300 W PSU recommendation make it an easy addition to existing server infrastructure. The lack of power connectors simplifies installation, as no additional cabling is needed. For data center operators, the 130 W TDP per card allows for high-density deployments, especially when paired with the IGP slot width that minimizes physical space usage. The 300 W PSU recommendation is a system-level guideline, not a per-card requirement, so multiple cards can be installed in a single server provided the aggregate power draw stays within the PSU's capacity.
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