NVIDIA NVS 510
NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
NVIDIA NVS 510 Specifications
NVS 510 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.
NVIDIA's NVS 510 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.
NVS 510 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.
geekbench_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.
About NVIDIA NVS 510
The NVIDIA NVS 510, launched at a premium $449, demands scrutiny for its value proposition today. With a modest 2 GB of DDR3 VRAM and a 35W TDP, this card was engineered for multi-display business environments, not raw graphical throughput. Its Kepler architecture on a 28 nm process is a decade-old foundation, which immediately questions its modern cost-effectiveness. Benchmarks like a 1,839 Geekbench Vulkan score reveal its severe limitations for any compute-heavy or gaming tasks. When evaluating pure price-to-performance, the NVIDIA NVS 510 is easily outpaced by even budget contemporary GPUs. This makes it a challenging sell for any user seeking computational power, placing it firmly in a legacy niche. Its primary utility now lies in specific, low-power multi-monitor setups where driver stability is paramount.
Investigating competitive alternatives reveals how far the market has evolved since the NVS 510's 2012 release. Modern integrated graphics from AMD and Intel often match or surpass its compute scores, making a dedicated card redundant for many. For professionals needing multiple displays, newer, low-profile AMD Radeon or NVIDIA GT series cards offer better performance per dollar with more modern interfaces and memory. The PCIe 2.0 x16 interface on the NVIDIA NVS 510 further bottlenecks any potential in a modern system built on PCIe 3.0 or 4.0. If your mission is securing hardware for basic display output, the second-hand market offers more capable cards at a fraction of its original launch price. Therefore, the NVIDIA NVS 510 should only be considered if acquired at a near-negligible cost for its exact intended use case.
Assessing the longevity and driver support for the NVIDIA NVS 510 is crucial for a sustainable build. NVIDIA's professional driver branch does offer stability, but support for such an old architecture may eventually wane. The cardโs 35W power draw is a clear benefit for silent, small-form-factor office PCs that run constantly. However, its limited 2 GB frame buffer and DDR3 memory will struggle with modern operating systems and multi-tasking across several high-resolution displays. For a system you plan to rely on for years, this card represents a significant compromise. Relying on the NVIDIA NVS 510 means accepting that its performance ceiling is fixed and fundamentally outdated. You are essentially investing in a known, stable quantity rather than any future-proofing.
Final build recommendations hinge on absolute clarity of purpose; the NVIDIA NVS 510 is a specialist tool. If you are assembling a digital signage rig, a basic trading station, or a system driving four simple displays, it can still fulfill that role efficiently. Consider these strict guidelines for any build involving this GPU:
- Pair it with a low-wattage CPU and platform to maximize its energy efficiency advantage and avoid creating a severe system bottleneck.
- Strictly avoid any workloads involving 3D rendering, video editing, or gaming, as its benchmark scores clearly show incapability.
- Source it at a deep discount, as paying anywhere near its original $449 price is unjustifiable given current market options.
The AMD Equivalent of NVS 510
Looking for a similar graphics card from AMD? The AMD Radeon RX 480 offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.
Popular NVIDIA NVS 510 Comparisons
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