NVIDIA NVS 310
NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
NVIDIANVIDIA NVS 310 Specifications
GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The NVIDIA NVS 310 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.
NVS 310 Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the NVS 310'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 NVS 310 by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
NVIDIA's NVS 310 Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The NVS 310'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.
NVS 310 by NVIDIA Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the NVS 310, 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.
NVS 310 Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA NVS 310 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.
Fermi 2.0 Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The NVIDIA NVS 310 is built on NVIDIA's Fermi 2.0 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 NVS 310 will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the NVIDIA NVS 310 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 NVS 310 to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
NVS 310 by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA NVS 310 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 NVS 310. 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.
NVS 310 Product Information
Release and pricing details
The NVIDIA NVS 310 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 NVS 310 by NVIDIA represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
About NVIDIA NVS 310
The NVIDIA NVS 310 is a professional-grade graphics card built on the Fermi 2.0 architecture, fabricated on a 40 nm process at TSMC. It packs 292 million transistors into a 79 mm² die, with a transistor density of 3.7M per square millimeter. The card is designed for multi-display environments, offering two DisplayPort outputs and a modest 512 MB of DDR3 memory on a 64-bit bus. With a thermal design power of just 20 W, it requires no auxiliary power connectors and is a single-slot solution. Its benchmark performance, however, places it in the bottom 3% of all GPUs, reflecting its focus on reliability and low power rather than raw compute. The following sections break down its performance, comparisons, power characteristics, and feature set based on available data.
Benchmark Performance
The NVS 310 achieves an average benchmark score of 880 in Geekbench OpenCL, with a percentile rank of 3 among all GPUs. This places it in the lowest tier of graphics hardware, suitable primarily for basic 2D acceleration and multi-monitor output rather than compute-intensive tasks. Its FP32 performance is rated at 100.4 GFLOPS, which is minuscule by modern standards but consistent with its intended role.
Comparing the NVS 310 to its nearest rivals reveals a tight cluster at the bottom of the performance spectrum. The NVIDIA NVS 315 scores 882, a mere 0.2% higher than the NVS 310. This negligible delta indicates that the two cards are virtually identical in compute capability, likely sharing the same GPU core. The AMD Radeon HD 7850, with a score of 891, is 1.2% faster, while the AMD Radeon R9 390 leads the group at 955, a 7.9% advantage. On the other end, the NVIDIA Quadro 410 trails with a score of 804, meaning the NVS 310 outperforms it by 9.5%. These deltas, while small in absolute terms, are consistent with the NVS 310's position as a low-power, entry-level professional card.
The benchmark data shows that the NVS 310 is not designed for gaming or high-performance computing. Its 3rd percentile ranking underscores that even entry-level consumer GPUs from its era would significantly outclass it. However, for tasks like spreadsheet acceleration, CAD 2D views, or multi-monitor business desktops, the compute performance is adequate. The Geekbench OpenCL score of 880 is a single data point, but it aligns with the card's specifications: 48 shading units, 8 texture mapping units, and 4 ROPs, yielding a pixel rate of 1.046 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 4.184 GTexel/s.
How It Compares
NVIDIA NVS 315: The closest rival, the NVS 315, scores 882, just 0.2% higher than the NVS 310. This near-identical performance suggests that both cards are built on the same architecture and likely target the same market segment. The delta is so small that real-world differences would be imperceptible. Buyers choosing between them would base their decision on other factors, such as display outputs or availability.
AMD Radeon HD 7850: Scoring 891, the HD 7850 is 1.2% faster than the NVS 310. While this margin is still narrow, the HD 7850 is a consumer gaming card with a higher power envelope and different feature set. The NVS 310's advantage lies in its professional driver support and low power draw, not raw performance. For compute workloads, the HD 7850 edges ahead, but for multi-display stability, the NVS 310 holds its own.
AMD Radeon R9 390: The R9 390, with a score of 955, is 7.9% faster than the NVS 310. This is the largest gap among the listed rivals, reflecting the R9 390's positioning as a high-end gaming card from a later generation. The NVS 310 cannot compete in any compute-heavy scenario, but its 20 W TDP and single-slot design make it a better fit for space-constrained, low-power systems.
NVIDIA Quadro 410: The Quadro 410 scores 804, which is 9.5% lower than the NVS 310. This makes the NVS 310 the faster card in this pairing. The Quadro 410 is an older professional card, and the NVS 310's superior performance, combined with its lower TDP and smaller footprint, gives it a clear advantage in similar roles. However, both are end-of-life products, so availability may be limited.
Power and Cooling
The NVS 310 has a thermal design power (TDP) of just 20 W, making it one of the most power-efficient graphics cards available. This low power draw means that no external power connectors are required; the card draws all its power from the PCIe 2.0 x16 slot. The suggested power supply rating is a modest 200 W, which is well within the range of typical office or small form factor systems.
The card is a single-slot design, measuring 156 mm (6.1 inches) in length. This compact form factor allows it to fit into tight chassis, and the lack of a power connector simplifies installation. The 40 nm process node and 292 million transistors contribute to the low power consumption, while the transistor density of 3.7M per mm² indicates a relatively dense layout for its era. Cooling is passive or via a small fan, but the low TDP means that even a basic heatsink suffices. For system builders, the NVS 310 is a plug-and-play solution that places minimal strain on the power supply and thermal budget.
FAQ
Q: Does the NVIDIA NVS 310 support DirectX 12?
A: Yes, it supports DirectX 12, but only at the 11_0 feature level. This means it can run DirectX 12 applications, but with limited feature support compared to newer GPUs.
Q: What is the launch MSRP of the NVS 310?
A: The launch MSRP was 159 USD. Note that this card is now end-of-life, and current pricing may differ.
Q: How much memory does the NVS 310 have?
A: It has 512 MB of DDR3 memory on a 64-bit bus, with a bandwidth of 14.00 GB/s. This is sufficient for basic 2D workloads but will struggle with high-resolution textures or large datasets.
Q: Does the NVS 310 require a power connector?
A: No. The card draws all power from the PCIe slot, with a TDP of only 20 W. A 200 W power supply is recommended.
Q: What display outputs does the NVS 310 offer?
A: It features two DisplayPort outputs, allowing for dual-monitor setups without adapters.
Q: Is the NVS 310 still in production?
A: No, its production status is end-of-life. It was released on June 25, 2012, and is no longer manufactured.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The NVS 310 does not include any ray tracing cores or tensor cores, as indicated by the absence of these specifications. Consequently, it offers no hardware-accelerated ray tracing or AI-based features such as DLSS. The card is built on the Fermi 2.0 architecture, which predates these technologies. Its feature set is limited to traditional rasterization and compute via its 48 shading units.
In terms of API support, the NVS 310 supports DirectX 12 (11_0 feature level) and OpenGL 4.6. Vulkan support is not listed, which means it may not be compatible with Vulkan-based applications. The card's pixel rate of 1.046 GPixel/s and texture rate of 4.184 GTexel/s are sufficient for 2D rendering and basic 3D acceleration, but they are far below what is needed for modern games or professional 3D modeling. For users requiring ray tracing or advanced compute features, the NVS 310 is not a suitable choice; it is best reserved for multi-display business systems where low power and reliability are paramount.
Memory Subsystem
The NVS 310 is equipped with 512 MB of DDR3 memory, operating at an effective data rate of 1750 Mbps (875 MHz base). The memory interface is 64 bits wide, yielding a total bandwidth of 14.00 GB/s. This is a very limited memory configuration by any standard, especially for high-resolution workloads.
At 1080p or lower resolutions, the 512 MB frame buffer can handle basic desktop compositing and light 2D applications. However, for high-resolution displays (1440p or 4K), the small capacity and low bandwidth become severe bottlenecks. Textures and frame buffers will quickly exceed the available memory, causing performance degradation or rendering failures. The 64-bit bus also limits the rate at which data can be transferred, making the card unsuitable for tasks that require large data movement, such as video editing or 3D rendering. In multi-monitor setups, each display consumes a portion of the frame buffer, so even two 1080p monitors can strain the memory. The NVS 310's memory subsystem is adequate for its intended role as a low-cost, low-power display adapter, but it cannot handle modern high-resolution workloads. For users needing more headroom, a card with greater VRAM and bandwidth would be necessary.
Detailed benchmark scores and charts for the NVIDIA NVS 310 are below.
Benchmark Scores
geekbench_openclSource
Geekbench OpenCL tests GPU compute performance using the cross-platform OpenCL API. This shows how NVIDIA NVS 310 handles parallel computing tasks like video encoding and scientific simulations.
Top 5 Performers
Top 5 PerformersNearby Performers
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