NVIDIA NVS 510
NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
NVIDIANVIDIA NVS 510 Specifications
GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The NVIDIA NVS 510 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 510 Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the NVS 510'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 510 by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
NVIDIA's NVS 510 Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The NVS 510'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 510 by NVIDIA Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the NVS 510, 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 510 Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA NVS 510 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 NVS 510 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 NVS 510 will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the NVIDIA NVS 510 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 510 to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
NVS 510 by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA NVS 510 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 510. 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 510 Product Information
Release and pricing details
The NVIDIA NVS 510 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 510 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 510
The NVIDIA NVS 510 is a Kepler-based professional graphics card from 2012, built on TSMC's 28 nm process with 1,270 million transistors on a 118 mm² die. It targets multi-display productivity rather than high-end compute, and benchmark results place it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 1767. This is a card designed for specific workstation tasks, not general gaming or heavy rendering, and the data reflects that positioning clearly.
How It Compares
The nearest rival by average score is the AMD Radeon 550, which posts 1707 points. The NVS 510 sits 3.5% ahead of that card, a modest margin that shows the two are essentially in the same performance class. For a professional card focused on display output, edging out a consumer Radeon in raw compute is a reasonable result, but the gap is far from transformative.
Against the NVIDIA GeForce GT 720, the NVS 510 trails by 0.8%, with the GT 720 scoring 1781. This is a negligible difference — within run-to-run variance for most workloads. The two cards are effectively tied in average benchmark performance, which makes sense given their similar era and positioning. Neither card offers compelling compute power, but the NVS 510's advantage lies in its four display outputs, not its raw score.
The Intel UHD Graphics 630, an integrated solution, scores 1799, placing the NVS 510 1.8% behind it. This is a notable data point: a modern integrated GPU outperforms this dedicated professional card in synthetic benchmarks. However, the NVS 510 still holds a functional edge in multi-display professional environments where integrated graphics often lack the necessary driver support and output configuration flexibility.
The most striking comparison is against the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 12 GB, which also scores 1799. The NVS 510 is 1.8% behind a card that represents a completely different performance tier. This underscores how far GPU technology has advanced — the RTX 2060 12 GB is a discrete gaming card with vastly more compute resources, yet the NVS 510's average score is within spitting distance in this particular benchmark suite. The real differentiator is not raw score but the feature set and intended use case.
Power and Cooling
The NVS 510 has a TDP of just 35 W, making it one of the most power-efficient cards in its class. This low power draw means it requires no auxiliary power connectors — the card draws all its power from the PCIe slot. The suggested PSU rating is 200 W, which is modest by modern standards and means this card can slot into almost any existing system without a PSU upgrade.
The card is single-slot in design, measuring 160 mm (6.3 inches) in length. This compact footprint is a key selling point for dense workstation builds where space is at a premium. With no power connectors and a 35 W TDP, cooling is a non-issue; a simple passive or low-profile active cooler handles the thermal load easily. The PCIe 2.0 x16 interface is older but more than sufficient for the card's bandwidth needs, given its modest memory performance.
For builders, the practical takeaway is simple: this card is nearly plug-and-play. Any system with a spare PCIe x16 slot and a 200 W PSU can run it. The lack of power connectors eliminates cable management concerns, and the single-slot design means it won't block adjacent slots. This is a card that prioritizes installation ease and low system impact over raw performance.
Benchmark Performance
In Geekbench OpenCL, the NVS 510 scores 1695, while in Geekbench Vulkan it reaches 1839. The average across benchmarks is 1767. These scores place the card at the 9th percentile of all GPUs, meaning roughly 91% of tested graphics cards perform better. This is a low-end result, consistent with the card's professional multi-display focus rather than compute-heavy workloads.
The delta comparisons show a tight cluster around the NVS 510. It sits 0.8% behind the GT 720, 1.8% behind both the UHD 630 and the RTX 2060 12 GB, and 3.5% ahead of the Radeon 550. The spread is remarkably narrow — less than 6 percentage points separates the slowest rival (Radeon 550) from the fastest (UHD 630 and RTX 2060 12 GB). This suggests that in synthetic benchmarks, the NVS 510 is firmly in a performance band where architectural differences matter less than driver optimization and workload type.
The FP32 compute rating of 306.0 GFLOPS is the headline number here. This is a low figure by any modern standard, and it explains why the card struggles in compute benchmarks. The pixel rate of 3.188 GPixel/s and texture rate of 12.75 GTexel/s further confirm the card's limitations — it is not built for high-resolution rendering or texture-heavy workloads. Instead, the data indicates a card optimized for 2D display output and light 3D acceleration in professional applications.
FAQ
Q: Is the NVIDIA NVS 510 suitable for gaming?
A: No. The card scores in the 9th percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 1767. Its FP32 compute of 306.0 GFLOPS and 28.51 GB/s memory bandwidth are far too low for modern gaming, and it lacks the feature set required for contemporary game engines.
Q: How many displays can the NVS 510 support?
A: The card features 4x mini-DisplayPort 1.2 outputs. This makes it suitable for multi-monitor professional setups, which is its primary intended use case.
Q: What is the power consumption of this card?
A: The TDP is 35 W, with a suggested PSU rating of 200 W. It requires no auxiliary power connectors, drawing all power from the PCIe slot.
Q: Does the NVS 510 support modern graphics APIs?
A: It supports DirectX 12 (11_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.175. The DirectX 12 support is limited to the 11_0 feature level, which means it lacks some modern DX12 features.
Q: How does the NVS 510 compare to integrated graphics like the Intel UHD 630?
A: The NVS 510 trails the Intel UHD 630 by 1.8% in average benchmark score (1767 vs 1799). However, the NVS 510 offers dedicated multi-display output and professional driver support that integrated graphics typically lack.
Q: What is the memory configuration of the NVS 510?
A: It has 2 GB of DDR3 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing 28.51 GB/s of bandwidth. This is sufficient for desktop workloads but limiting for memory-intensive applications.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The NVS 510 has no ray tracing cores and no tensor cores. This is expected for a 2012 Kepler architecture card, as these features did not exist in consumer or professional GPUs at that time. The card's feature set is built around display output and basic 3D acceleration, not advanced rendering techniques.
The API support includes DirectX 12 (11_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.175. The DirectX 12 support at the 11_0 feature level means the card can run some modern applications but will miss out on features like mesh shaders and variable rate shading. OpenGL 4.6 support is solid for older professional applications, and Vulkan 1.2.175 provides a modern low-level API path, though performance will be limited by the underlying hardware.
The card's display outputs are 4x mini-DisplayPort 1.2, which is its strongest feature. This allows for quad-monitor setups without daisy-chaining or adapters, a capability that was rare in 2012 and still relevant for certain professional environments. The lack of RT and tensor cores means no hardware acceleration for ray tracing or AI workloads, but that is not the intended market for this card.
Memory Subsystem
The NVS 510 comes with 2 GB of DDR3 memory on a 128-bit bus. This yields a memory bandwidth of 28.51 GB/s, which is low by modern standards but adequate for the card's intended 2D and light 3D workloads. The memory clock is 891 MHz, with an effective data rate of 1782 Mbps.
For high-resolution workloads, this memory configuration is a significant limitation. 2 GB of VRAM is insufficient for modern 4K textures or large datasets, and the 28.51 GB/s bandwidth will bottleneck any operation that requires frequent memory access. The pixel rate of 3.188 GPixel/s further constrains high-resolution output — the card can drive multiple displays, but not at high resolutions with demanding content.
The 128-bit bus width is narrow, which limits the card's ability to move data efficiently. In practical terms, this means the NVS 510 is best suited for applications where the GPU is primarily a display controller rather than a compute engine. Spreadsheets, financial terminals, and multi-monitor office setups are the sweet spot. Any workload that requires significant texture streaming or large framebuffers will expose the memory subsystem's weaknesses quickly.
Detailed benchmark scores and charts for the NVIDIA NVS 510 are below.
Benchmark Scores
geekbench_openclSource
Geekbench OpenCL tests GPU compute performance using the cross-platform OpenCL API. This shows how NVIDIA NVS 510 handles parallel computing tasks like video encoding and scientific simulations. OpenCL is widely supported across different GPU vendors and platforms. Higher scores benefit applications that leverage GPU acceleration for non-graphics workloads.
Top 5 Performers
Top 5 PerformersNearby Performers
Nearby Performersgeekbench_vulkanSource
Geekbench Vulkan tests GPU compute using the modern low-overhead Vulkan API. This shows how NVIDIA NVS 510 performs with next-generation graphics and compute workloads.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
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