NVIDIA GRID K520
NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
NVIDIANVIDIA GRID K520 Specifications
GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The NVIDIA GRID K520 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 K520 Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the GRID K520'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 K520 by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
NVIDIA's GRID K520 Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The GRID K520'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 K520 by NVIDIA Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the GRID K520, 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 K520 Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA GRID K520 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 K520 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 K520 will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the NVIDIA GRID K520 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 K520 to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
GRID K520 by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA GRID K520 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 K520. 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 K520 Product Information
Release and pricing details
The NVIDIA GRID K520 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 K520 by NVIDIA represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
About NVIDIA GRID K520
The NVIDIA GRID K520 is a dual-slot, server-oriented GPU built on the Kepler architecture. It uses the GK104 chip, manufactured on TSMC's 28 nm process, with 3,540 million transistors on a 294 mm² die, yielding a transistor density of 12.0M per mm². Released on 2013-07-22, it is now end-of-life. The card has no display outputs, indicating its role in virtualized environments. Its memory operates at 1250 MHz (5 Gbps effective), and it connects via PCIe 3.0 x16.
Benchmark Performance
The FACT PACK records no benchmark scores for the GRID K520; the average benchmark score field is 0, and the percentile against all GPUs is 50. This places the card exactly at the median of the database, meaning it is neither a high performer nor a low performer in the aggregate distribution. Without specific benchmark data or a list of nearest rivals, we cannot provide percentage deltas or direct comparisons. The theoretical compute metrics, however, give some indication of its capability: FP32 performance is 2.289 TFLOPS, pixel rate is 23.84 GPixel/s, and texture rate is 95.36 GTexel/s. These figures are consistent with a mid-range Kepler part, but they do not translate directly to real-world workload performance, especially in virtualized environments where resources are shared. The 1536 shading units, 128 TMUs, and 32 ROPs further define the raw compute architecture. The 50th percentile is a static ranking that does not vary with application, and the absence of measured scores means that any interpretation of its performance must rely solely on these theoretical specifications.
How It Compares
The FACT PACK lists no nearest rivals for the GRID K520, and no comparative scores or delta percentages are available. Consequently, we cannot state which GPUs it outperforms or trails. The only positioning metric is the 50th percentile, which indicates that it sits exactly at the midpoint of all GPUs in the database. This suggests that, in aggregate, half of the recorded GPUs are faster and half are slower. However, because the database contains no benchmark score for this card, the percentile is likely derived from other factors or is a placeholder. Without rival names, we cannot provide the one-short-paragraph-per-rival analysis that would normally appear here. The card's specialized nature—no display outputs, designed for virtualization—means that direct comparisons to consumer GPUs may not be meaningful. The data simply does not contain the necessary information for a comparative assessment.
Power and Cooling
The GRID K520 has a TDP of 225 W, and the recommended power supply is 550 W. It requires a single 8-pin power connector. The card is dual-slot, with a length of 267 mm (10.5 inches). It has no display outputs, which eliminates any need for video output power or signal routing. The dual-slot design suggests a substantial cooler, but the FACT PACK does not specify the cooler type. The power draw is moderate for a Kepler-era card, and the 550 W PSU recommendation provides ample headroom for a system with this GPU. The absence of display outputs means all power is directed toward compute tasks, and the card's thermal profile is likely optimized for continuous server operation.
FAQ
Q: What is the launch MSRP of the NVIDIA GRID K520?
A: The launch MSRP is 3,599 USD.
Q: What is the memory configuration?
A: The card has 4 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing 160.0 GB/s of bandwidth.
Q: What APIs does the GRID K520 support?
A: It supports DirectX 12 (11_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.175.
Q: Does the GRID K520 have ray tracing or tensor cores?
A: The FACT PACK lists no RT cores or tensor cores; therefore, it does not have dedicated hardware for those features.
Q: What is the process node and die size?
A: It is manufactured on a 28 nm process at TSMC, with a die size of 294 mm² and 3,540 million transistors.
Q: What is the power requirement?
A: The TDP is 225 W, and a 550 W power supply is suggested. It uses a single 8-pin power connector.
Q: What is the bus interface?
A: It uses PCIe 3.0 x16.
Q: What is the production status?
A: The card is end-of-life.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The GRID K520 does not include dedicated ray tracing (RT) cores or tensor cores; both fields are null in the FACT PACK. This is consistent with its Kepler architecture, which predates the introduction of such hardware. The card supports DirectX 12 (11_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.175. The DirectX 12 support is limited to feature level 11_0, meaning it does not expose the full DirectX 12 feature set, such as mesh shaders or variable rate shading. Vulkan 1.2.175 and OpenGL 4.6 are modern API versions, allowing the card to run current compute and graphics workloads, though without hardware-accelerated ray tracing. The lack of tensor cores means no AI-accelerated features like DLSS or other deep-learning-based enhancements. The card's feature set is therefore limited to conventional rasterization and compute tasks. For a virtualization-focused product, this is acceptable, as the primary workloads are typically compute or legacy graphics.
Memory Subsystem
The GRID K520 is equipped with 4 GB of GDDR5 memory. The memory bus is 256 bits wide, and the effective memory speed is 5 Gbps (1250 MHz base). This yields a memory bandwidth of 160.0 GB/s. For a card from 2013, this bandwidth is adequate for mid-range workloads, but it may be a constraint for high-resolution rendering or large datasets. The 4 GB capacity allows for moderate texture and geometry storage, but with no display outputs, the memory is used solely for compute and virtualized environments. The 256-bit bus width is typical for a 28 nm Kepler part, and the bandwidth is well matched to the FP32 throughput of 2.289 TFLOPS, as the ratio of bandwidth to compute is not a bottleneck for most compute tasks. However, for memory-intensive workloads, the 160 GB/s could limit performance compared to cards with wider buses or faster memory. The pixel rate of 23.84 GPixel/s and texture rate of 95.36 GTexel/s suggest that the memory bandwidth is sufficient to feed the pixel and texture pipelines at standard resolutions, but higher resolutions or multi-sample anti-aliasing could strain the 160 GB/s figure. Since the card has no display outputs, high-resolution output is not a direct concern; instead, memory bandwidth affects the throughput of virtualized workloads, where multiple users may compete for the same bandwidth. The 4 GB capacity, while modest by modern standards, was typical for the era and is likely partitioned among several virtual machines.
Detailed benchmark scores and charts for the NVIDIA GRID K520 are below.
Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this GPU.
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