NVIDIA NVS 5400M

The NVIDIA NVS 5400M is a mobile graphics processor aimed at professional and business laptops, built on the Fermi architecture. TSMC's 40 nm process packs 585 million transistors into a 116 mm² die, yielding a transistor density of 5.0 million per square millimeter. Released in 2012 and now end-of-life, this GPU represents a specific point in the evolution of low-power mobile graphics. Its benchmark results and specifications reveal a part that was modest even at launch, and which has been thoroughly outclassed by subsequent integrated and entry-level solutions.

Benchmark Performance

The sole benchmark in the database is Geekbench OpenCL, where the NVS 5400M scores 2163 points. This places it in the 12th percentile of all GPUs, meaning that 88% of tested graphics processors outperform it. The score is essentially a tie with its closest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce GT 540M, which scores 2165—a delta of -0.1%. The NVS 5400M leads the Intel UHD Graphics 770 and the NVIDIA GeForce GT 620M by 0.6% (both score 2150), and it is 1% ahead of the Intel HD Graphics 4400 (score 2142). These margins are razor-thin, clustering the NVS 5400M within a 1% performance band alongside a mix of discrete and integrated GPUs from different generations.

The compute throughput of 253.4 GFLOPS and texture rate of 10.56 GTexel/s are consistent with this tier. The pixel rate of 2.640 GPixel/s, combined with just 4 ROPs, further caps fill-rate–bound workloads. In practical terms, the GPU handles basic 2D applications and older 3D titles at low settings, but it will struggle with any modern game or demanding creative software. The 12th percentile ranking underscores that the vast majority of GPUs—including many integrated solutions—deliver superior performance. The delta values against its nearest rivals show that the NVS 5400M offers no meaningful advantage over the integrated graphics found in many contemporary CPUs, making it a poor choice for any compute-heavy task.

Memory Subsystem

The NVS 5400M comes with 2 GB of GDDR3 memory on a 128-bit bus. The memory clock runs at 900 MHz, yielding an effective data rate of 1800 Mbps and a total bandwidth of 28.80 GB/s. This configuration is typical for a low-end mobile GPU of its era. The 2 GB capacity is sufficient for standard desktop work and light 3D applications, but the bandwidth is the limiting factor at higher resolutions. With only 28.80 GB/s, the GPU cannot feed large texture sets quickly, which becomes evident when pushing beyond high-resolution workloads. The 128-bit interface, while common for this segment, constrains memory throughput compared to wider buses found in higher-tier parts. For users running multiple displays or high-resolution textures, the memory subsystem will likely become a bottleneck before the compute units do.

The pixel rate of 2.640 GPixel/s and the ROP count of 4 further cap the fill-rate capabilities, meaning that high-resolution frame buffers will strain the GPU. The effective memory clock of 1800 Mbps is typical for GDDR3, but the narrow bus width limits the total bandwidth. In a professional context, the NVS 5400M's 2 GB capacity is adequate for 2D CAD drawings and spreadsheet-heavy workloads, but it will not handle large assemblies or high-resolution texture maps without significant stuttering. The 28.80 GB/s bandwidth also restricts memory-bound compute tasks, such as OpenCL workloads that rely on frequent data transfers. Overall, the memory subsystem is adequate for its intended role but is a clear constraint on performance.

Power and Cooling

With a TDP of just 35 W, the NVS 5400M is a low-power part. It uses the MXM module form factor and requires no auxiliary power connectors—the slot itself supplies all necessary power. This makes it suitable for thin-and-light laptops and systems with limited cooling headroom. The 40 nm process from TSMC, while not state-of-the-art even at launch, keeps power draw modest. The absence of a suggested PSU rating in the database implies that system integrators typically pair this GPU with power supplies sized for the entire laptop, rather than a dedicated requirement. Because it draws so little power, cooling solutions can be simple—a single heat pipe or small fan is often sufficient. However, the low TDP also reflects the GPU's limited performance ceiling; it cannot sustain high clock speeds under load without exceeding thermal limits.

For users upgrading an MXM-based laptop, the 35 W envelope ensures compatibility with most existing cooling designs. The lack of power connectors simplifies installation, as the GPU draws all its power from the MXM slot. The 35 W figure also means that the GPU will not contribute significantly to battery drain, which is a plus for mobile professionals. In summary, power and cooling are non-issues for this GPU, but that is a direct consequence of its low compute capacity. The low thermal footprint is a double-edged sword: it enables quiet operation in compact chassis, but it also caps the GPU's ability to boost to higher clock speeds, reinforcing its position at the bottom of the performance hierarchy.

Who Should Consider It

The NVS 5400M is an end-of-life product, and its benchmark score of 2163 places it in the 12th percentile. This is not a GPU for modern gaming or intensive graphics work. It is best suited for legacy applications, such as older CAD software, basic office productivity, or as a display adapter for multi-monitor setups—though display outputs are portable-device dependent. The 2 GB GDDR3 memory and 28.80 GB/s bandwidth can handle 2D workloads and light 3D at low resolutions. Given its proximity to integrated graphics like the Intel HD Graphics 4400 (which it beats by 1%) and the Intel UHD Graphics 770 (which it edges by 0.6%), the NVS 5400M offers no advantage over modern integrated solutions in most tasks. For users with an MXM-based laptop that requires a replacement GPU, this part could serve as a drop-in upgrade from an even older GPU, but its performance will not satisfy anyone seeking to play current games or run demanding creative applications.

The lack of Vulkan support and limited DirectX 12 feature level (11_0) further restrict its modern software compatibility. The 35 W TDP and MXM form factor make it a straightforward replacement in compatible laptops, but the performance ceiling is very low. In short, only users maintaining legacy systems or needing a low-power display output should consider this GPU. It may also appeal to hobbyists who require a specific legacy driver set for vintage software. For everyone else, the NVS 5400M is a relic that has been thoroughly surpassed by even the most basic integrated graphics available today.

Ray Tracing and Feature Set

The NVS 5400M does not include any ray tracing or tensor cores—those fields are null in the database. This is expected for a Fermi-era GPU, which predates dedicated ray tracing hardware by several generations. Consequently, any ray-traced workloads will rely on software fallbacks, which are impractical given the GPU's compute throughput of 253.4 GFLOPS. The API support is limited to DirectX 12 (11_0) and OpenGL 4.6; Vulkan is not supported. The DirectX 12 feature level 11_0 means that while the driver exposes the DX12 API, the hardware only meets the capabilities of DirectX 11-level feature set. This restricts access to many modern rendering techniques that rely on DX12's advanced features, such as mesh shaders or variable-rate shading.

OpenGL 4.6 is available, but again, the underlying hardware is from 2012, so performance in OpenGL applications will be constrained by the 96 shading units and 16 TMUs. The lack of tensor cores also means no AI-accelerated features such as DLSS, which are irrelevant for this class of GPU. For professional applications that might use OpenCL, the GPU's 253.4 GFLOPS is the compute ceiling. The 2.640 GPixel/s pixel rate and 4 ROPs further constrain any rendering that involves high-resolution framebuffers. In summary, the NVS 5400M's feature set is firmly rooted in the early 2010s, with no support for modern acceleration technologies. Users should not expect ray tracing or any form of hardware-accelerated machine learning; the GPU is best suited for legacy software that does not rely on these technologies.