NVIDIA GRID K500
NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
NVIDIANVIDIA GRID K500 Specifications
GRID K500 GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The NVIDIA GRID K500 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 K500 Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the GRID K500'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 K500 by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
NVIDIA's GRID K500 Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The GRID K500'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 K500 by NVIDIA Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the GRID K500, 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 K500 Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA GRID K500 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 K500 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 K500 will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
NVIDIA's GRID K500 Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the NVIDIA GRID K500 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 K500 to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
GRID K500 by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA GRID K500 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 K500. 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 K500 Product Information
Release and pricing details
The NVIDIA GRID K500 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 K500 by NVIDIA represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
GRID K500 Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this GPU.
About NVIDIA GRID K500
The NVIDIA GRID K500 is an end-of-life, dual-slot Kepler-generation accelerator built on TSMC’s 28 nm process, featuring 3,540 million transistors on a 294 mm² die. Its benchmark percentile places it at the 50th percentile of all GPUs, indicating a mid-pack standing in overall performance. The card ships with 4 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus, delivering 160.0 GB/s of bandwidth, and its compute capabilities include 2.289 TFLOPS of FP32 throughput. With no display outputs and a 225 W TDP, this is a server-oriented part rather than a consumer graphics board. The following analysis interprets the available data for potential users.
Who Should Consider It
The GRID K500 is suited for virtual desktop infrastructure or remote workstation deployments where physical display outputs are unnecessary. Because it has no display outputs, it cannot drive a monitor directly; instead, data must be streamed or passed through a host system. The 50th percentile ranking means it sits in the middle of the GPU performance distribution—adequate for moderate compute or virtualized workloads, but not a top-tier accelerator. For resolution and settings guidance, the card’s 4 GB memory and 160.0 GB/s bandwidth suggest it can handle 1080p and possibly 1440p workloads with reduced detail levels, but 4K high-fidelity gaming or rendering would likely strain the memory capacity and bandwidth. The FP32 rate of 2.289 TFLOPS indicates reasonable single-precision compute for scientific or professional applications, though not for heavy simulation or AI training. Users with legacy virtualized graphics needs or low-density server deployments where a 225 W power envelope is acceptable may find this card serviceable. However, given its end-of-life status and mid-pack percentile, it is not a primary choice for new high-performance builds; rather, it fits niche scenarios where Kepler-era compatibility or specific virtual GPU features are required.
How It Compares
The FACT PACK lists no nearest rivals for the GRID K500, so direct comparative scores against specific competing models are unavailable. In the absence of such data, the performance positioning must be inferred from the percentile field. A 50th percentile rank places this card exactly at the median of all GPUs in the database, meaning half of the recorded GPUs are faster and half are slower. This is a meaningful anchor: the GRID K500 does not excel in raw speed, nor is it among the weakest entries. Its 2.289 TFLOPS FP32 throughput and 160.0 GB/s memory bandwidth are consistent with a mid-range Kepler part, but without rival names or deltaPct values, no quantitative comparisons can be made. The absence of benchmark scores further limits cross-model analysis; the avgBenchmarkScore field is 0, indicating no aggregated performance metric is available. Therefore, the only reliable comparison is the percentile, which shows the card as a balanced middle performer. For users expecting a high-end virtual GPU, the data suggests otherwise; for those needing a modest accelerator, it fits the median profile.
Power and Cooling
The GRID K500 has a TDP of 225 W, which defines its maximum thermal design power under sustained load. NVIDIA recommends a suggested PSU of 550 W for systems housing this card. This PSU recommendation accounts for the card’s power draw plus typical system components, but the exact wattage of other parts is not specified in the FACT PACK. The card is dual-slot in width, meaning it occupies two expansion slots in a chassis, which is standard for server accelerators with passive cooling or high airflow requirements. No power connector details are provided, so the specific pin configuration (e.g., 6-pin or 8-pin) remains unknown; however, the 225 W TDP typically requires at least one auxiliary power connector. The physical length is 267 mm (10.5 inches), which must be accommodated in the server or workstation case. Since the card has no display outputs, cooling is likely passive, relying on chassis airflow rather than an integrated fan—though the FACT PACK does not confirm this. For power planning, the 225 W TDP combined with a 550 W PSU recommendation indicates that this card is not power-hungry by modern standards, but it still requires a dedicated power budget. The dual-slot design and 267 mm length are the key mechanical constraints for installation.
FAQ
Q: What is the memory size and type?
A: The GRID K500 has 4 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus, with a total bandwidth of 160.0 GB/s.
Q: Does this card support DirectX 12?
A: It supports DirectX 12 (11_0), meaning it is compatible with DirectX 12 feature level 11_0, not the full 12_0 feature set.
Q: What is the recommended power supply wattage?
A: The suggested PSU is 550 W, while the card’s own TDP is 225 W.
Q: Can I connect a monitor to this GPU?
A: No, the GRID K500 has no display outputs, so it cannot directly drive a monitor; it is intended for server or virtualized environments.
Q: What is the production status?
A: The card is end-of-life, and its release date was 2014-07-01.
Q: What is the bus interface?
A: It uses PCIe 3.0 x16, which is a standard server expansion slot interface.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The GRID K500 does not include dedicated ray tracing cores or tensor cores, as indicated by null values for both in the FACT PACK. This means the card lacks hardware acceleration for real-time ray tracing and AI-based tensor operations, which are common in modern GPUs. Its architecture is Kepler, which predates the RTX series and its associated RT and tensor hardware. The card’s API support includes DirectX 12 (11_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.175. The DirectX 12 (11_0) label signifies that while the card can run DirectX 12 applications, it does so at the feature level 11_0, limiting some modern rendering techniques. OpenGL 4.6 and Vulkan 1.2.175 provide broader compatibility for professional and Linux-based workloads. With no RT cores, any ray-traced effects would be handled via compute shaders on the 1536 shading units, which would be inefficient given the 2.289 TFLOPS FP32 throughput. For users requiring ray tracing, this card is not suitable; for traditional rasterization or compute tasks, the Kepler architecture remains functional but dated. The lack of tensor cores also rules out AI-accelerated features like DLSS or similar deep-learning super-sampling.
Memory Subsystem
The memory subsystem of the GRID K500 consists of 4 GB of GDDR5 memory connected via a 256-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 160.0 GB/s. This configuration is typical for mid-range GPUs of its era. The 4 GB capacity is modest by modern standards, which is a limiting factor for high-resolution textures or large datasets. At 1080p, 4 GB is generally sufficient for most games with medium to high settings, but at 1440p, memory-intensive titles may exceed this capacity, causing texture swapping or reduced performance. At 4K, the 4 GB capacity becomes a severe bottleneck, as modern games often require 6-8 GB or more for high-detail assets. The 160.0 GB/s bandwidth is also a constraint; memory bandwidth is crucial for data throughput in rendering and compute tasks. For comparison, this bandwidth is sufficient for 1080p gaming but may struggle with 1440p high-refresh-rate scenarios where the GPU must fetch large amounts of texture and geometry data quickly. The 256-bit bus width is a standard width for this performance class, but the effective 5 Gbps memory speed (1250 MHz base) is moderate. Overall, the memory subsystem is balanced for the card’s compute capabilities, but users targeting high resolutions or large VRAM allocations would find it inadequate. The 50th percentile performance ranking aligns with this memory profile—neither exceptional nor deficient.
The AMD Equivalent of GRID K500
Looking for a similar graphics card from AMD? The AMD Radeon RX 480 offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.
Popular NVIDIA GRID K500 Comparisons
See how the GRID K500 stacks up against similar graphics cards from the same generation and competing brands.
Compare GRID K500 with Other GPUs
Select another GPU to compare specifications and benchmarks side-by-side.
Browse GPUs