NVIDIA GRID K280Q
NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
NVIDIANVIDIA GRID K280Q Specifications
GRID K280Q GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The NVIDIA GRID K280Q 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 K280Q Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the GRID K280Q'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 K280Q by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
NVIDIA's GRID K280Q Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The GRID K280Q'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 K280Q by NVIDIA Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the GRID K280Q, 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 K280Q Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA GRID K280Q 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 K280Q 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 K280Q will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
NVIDIA's GRID K280Q Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the NVIDIA GRID K280Q 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 K280Q to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
GRID K280Q by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA GRID K280Q 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 K280Q. 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 K280Q Product Information
Release and pricing details
The NVIDIA GRID K280Q 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 K280Q by NVIDIA represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
GRID K280Q Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this GPU.
About NVIDIA GRID K280Q
The NVIDIA GRID K280Q is a Kepler-generation GPU built on the GK104 chip, fabricated on a 28 nm process at TSMC. It packs 3,540 million transistors on a 294 mm² die, with a transistor density of 12.0M per mm². This is a server-side virtualization card: it has no display outputs, uses an IGP slot width, and belongs to the GRID (K2) generation. The card is end-of-life, released on June 27, 2013, with a launch MSRP of 1,875 USD. It offers 4 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus, delivering 160.0 GB/s of bandwidth, and its compute resources include 1,536 shading units, 128 texture mapping units, and 32 ROPs. The FP32 throughput is 2.289 TFLOPS, with a pixel rate of 23.84 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 95.36 GTexel/s. Its memory clock runs at 1250 MHz, effective 5 Gbps. The card occupies the 50th percentile among all GPUs in the database, though no benchmark scores are recorded for it.
Who Should Consider It
The GRID K280Q is not a consumer graphics card. Its absence of display outputs and its IGP form factor make it unsuitable for direct connection to a monitor. Instead, it is aimed at data centers and virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) deployments where GPU acceleration is delivered to virtual machines. The 4 GB GDDR5 frame buffer is ample for multiple concurrent virtual sessions, and the 160.0 GB/s memory bandwidth provides sufficient data throughput for typical cloud workloads. The 2.289 TFLOPS of FP32 compute places it in a moderate performance tier; it can handle 3D rendering, CAD, and light media processing, but it is not a high-end compute part. Because the fact pack contains no benchmark scores, resolution- or settings-specific guidance cannot be derived from the data. However, the memory capacity and bandwidth suggest that it can support 1080p-class virtualized graphics for office productivity and basic visualization, though not demanding AAA gaming. The 50th percentile ranking among all GPUs indicates it sits in the middle of the performance distribution, which is reasonable for a mid-generation Kepler product aimed at shared infrastructure rather than single-user performance.
The card’s end-of-life status means it is no longer in production, but existing deployments may still rely on it for legacy VDI environments. Its support for DirectX 12 (11_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.175 ensures compatibility with modern graphics APIs, though the underlying hardware predates dedicated ray tracing and tensor cores. The lack of those specialized units means it is not suited for workloads that depend on RTX-class features. For organizations that need a straightforward GPU for virtualized OpenGL or DirectX workloads without ray tracing, the K280Q can still serve, but its age and limited compute headroom make it a niche choice today.
How It Compares
The fact pack does not list any nearest rivals for the GRID K280Q. Without comparative data, the only reference point is its own percentile of 50, which indicates that, across all GPUs in the database, it sits exactly at the median. This is a purely positional measure; it does not convey how the card performs relative to specific competitors. Because no benchmark scores are provided, we cannot quantify its performance advantage or deficit against any other product. The absence of rival data also means we cannot comment on relative specifications such as memory bandwidth or FP32 throughput. In the absence of a comparison set, the analysis must rely on the card’s absolute specifications and its intended role. The K280Q’s 4 GB memory and 160 GB/s bandwidth are modest by modern standards, but they were reasonable for a 2013 server GPU. Its 2.289 TFLOPS FP32 rate is roughly one-third of what a mid-range consumer card from the same era offered, but that is expected for a product designed for virtualization efficiency rather than raw single-user performance. Without a direct rival, we cannot state a percentage lead or deficit; the data simply does not support such a comparison.
Benchmark Performance
The benchmark array for the GRID K280Q is empty, and the average benchmark score is recorded as 0. Consequently, no measured performance data exists in the fact pack. What we can analyze are the theoretical peak rates: FP32 compute is 2.289 TFLOPS, pixel fill rate is 23.84 GPixel/s, and texture fill rate is 95.36 GTexel/s. These numbers represent the card’s maximum throughput under ideal conditions, not real-world results. The memory bandwidth of 160.0 GB/s is a hard ceiling for data movement. The 50th percentile ranking is the only relative performance indicator available, and it suggests that the card is neither a high-end nor a low-end part in the database’s universe of GPUs. However, because the database may contain many modern GPUs, a 50th percentile position implies that the K280Q is outclassed by most contemporary parts in raw compute. Without actual scores, we cannot produce delta percentages against any rival. The theoretical numbers, taken together, indicate a GPU that was mid-range in 2013 but is now far behind current offerings. The lack of benchmark data also means we cannot assess its stability, thermal behavior, or real-world scaling across applications. The only conclusion is that the card’s theoretical throughput is modest, and its end-of-life status further limits its relevance in modern environments.
FAQ
Q: What is the launch MSRP of the NVIDIA GRID K280Q?
A: The launch MSRP is 1,875 USD.
Q: How much memory does the GRID K280Q have, and what type is it?
A: It has 4 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus, with a bandwidth of 160.0 GB/s.
Q: Does the GRID K280Q support DirectX 12?
A: Yes, it supports DirectX 12 (11_0), along with OpenGL 4.6 and Vulkan 1.2.175.
Q: What is the power consumption and recommended PSU for this card?
A: The TDP is 225 W, and the suggested PSU is 550 W.
Q: Are there any display outputs on the GRID K280Q?
A: No, the card has no display outputs, indicating it is intended for virtualized environments.
Q: Is the GRID K280Q still in production?
A: No, it is end-of-life, with a release date of June 27, 2013.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The GRID K280Q has no dedicated ray tracing cores and no tensor cores, as these fields are null in the specification. This means it cannot perform hardware-accelerated ray tracing or tensor operations. Its feature set is based on the Kepler architecture, which includes 1,536 shading units, 128 texture mapping units, and 32 ROPs. These are general-purpose compute and graphics units, not specialized accelerators. The card supports DirectX 12 (11_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.175, which cover the major graphics APIs. However, the DirectX 12 support is at the 11_0 feature level, meaning it does not expose the full DirectX 12 feature set, such as mesh shaders or variable rate shading. The lack of display outputs also means that any rendering must be passed to a virtual machine or a remote client; the card does not directly drive a monitor. The 4 GB GDDR5 frame buffer is the primary storage for frame data, and the 160.0 GB/s bandwidth is sufficient for the card’s compute throughput. For workloads that rely on rasterization and traditional shader-based rendering, the K280Q can function, but it will not benefit from modern ray-traced effects or AI-accelerated features. Its feature set is firmly anchored in the 2013 era, and its end-of-life status reinforces that it is a legacy product.
Power and Cooling
The GRID K280Q has a TDP of 225 W, which is a moderate power draw for a server GPU. The suggested PSU rating is 550 W, but this is a system-level recommendation; because the card is designed for servers, the actual power supply is typically part of the chassis. The power connector requirements are not specified in the fact pack, and the slot width is listed as IGP, which likely means it is a mezzanine or integrated form factor rather than a standard PCIe add-in card. The bus interface is PCIe 3.0 x16, so it can be installed in a standard slot, but the IGP designation suggests it may be a module for a blade server. Cooling is not detailed, but given the TDP, a capable air or server-grade cooling solution is required. The card has no display outputs, so it does not need to fit a typical graphics card bracket. Its 28 nm process and 3,540 million transistors on a 294 mm² die indicate a relatively dense design for its time. The 225 W TDP is in line with other Kepler-based server GPUs, and the 550 W PSU recommendation provides a comfortable margin for the rest of the system. Without explicit cooling specifications, we cannot state the exact thermal solution, but the card’s form factor and server orientation imply that passive or forced-air cooling is used in a chassis designed for such modules.
The AMD Equivalent of GRID K280Q
Looking for a similar graphics card from AMD? The AMD Radeon RX 480 offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.
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