NVIDIA Quadro CX
NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
NVIDIANVIDIA Quadro CX Specifications
Quadro CX GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The NVIDIA Quadro CX 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.
Quadro CX Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the Quadro CX'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 Quadro CX by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
NVIDIA's Quadro CX Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The Quadro CX'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.
Quadro CX by NVIDIA Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the Quadro CX, 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.
Quadro CX Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA Quadro CX 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.
Tesla 2.0 Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The NVIDIA Quadro CX is built on NVIDIA's Tesla 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 Quadro CX will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
NVIDIA's Quadro CX Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the NVIDIA Quadro CX 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 Quadro CX to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
Quadro CX by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA Quadro CX 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 Quadro CX. 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.
Quadro CX Product Information
Release and pricing details
The NVIDIA Quadro CX 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 Quadro CX by NVIDIA represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
Quadro CX Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this GPU.
About NVIDIA Quadro CX
The NVIDIA Quadro CX is a professional workstation graphics card built on the Tesla 2.0 architecture, utilizing the GT200B chip. It occupies the 50th percentile among all GPUs in the database, a clear median position that signals a mid-range standing in the overall performance hierarchy. Released on 2008-11-10, this card is now end-of-life, and its launch MSRP is 1,999 USD. The card's core configuration includes 192 shading units, 64 texture mapping units, and 24 ROPs. Memory is provided by 1536 MB of GDDR3 on a 384-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 76.80 GB/s. The die itself is a 470 mm² piece of silicon fabricated on a 55 nm process, containing 1,400 million transistors, which translates to a transistor density of 3.0M per mm². As a member of the Quadro FX Tesla (x800) generation, it sits between the Quadro FX Curie and Quadro Fermi in the product lineage.
Who Should Consider It
Benchmark results indicate that the Quadro CX is best suited for professional applications that do not demand extreme compute headroom. With 1536 MB of memory and a 76.80 GB/s memory bandwidth, the card can handle moderate scene complexity in CAD and digital content creation. The 462.3 GFLOPS FP32 throughput and 38.53 GTexel/s texture rate provide adequate performance for standard-resolution viewports with moderate settings. Users who work with large textures or multi-display setups will benefit from the 384-bit memory interface, which sustains the 76.80 GB/s transfer rate without bottlenecking the 24 ROPs. However, the 50th percentile rank indicates that for high-resolution rendering or heavy simulation workloads, this card is not at the top tier. The 14.45 GPixel/s pixel rate suggests that fill-rate-bound tasks will see a performance ceiling, particularly when pushing complex shaders or high polygon counts. The 462.3 GFLOPS figure is modest for compute-heavy tasks, so users relying on GPU-accelerated physics or rendering will find it adequate only for light to medium workloads. Given its end-of-life status, the card is only relevant for legacy systems that require specific driver support or hardware compatibility. It is not a recommendation for new builds, but for maintaining existing Quadro FX Tesla (x800) generation workstations, it remains a functional option. The 267 mm length and dual-slot design mean it fits in standard tower cases, but users must verify chassis clearance before installation.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The Quadro CX does not include dedicated ray tracing cores or tensor cores. Consequently, any ray-traced or AI-accelerated workloads must be handled by the 192 shading units, which limits performance in those areas. The API support is restricted to DirectX 11.1 with a feature level of 10_0, and OpenGL 3.3. There is no Vulkan support listed, which is a significant omission for modern applications that rely on this low-overhead API. The 55 nm process and 1,400 million transistors on a 470 mm² die yield a transistor density of 3.0M per mm², a figure that reflects the manufacturing technology of its release period. The memory clock runs at 800 MHz, translating to an effective data rate of 1600 Mbps. The card's display outputs include 1x DVI, 2x DisplayPort, and 1x S-Video, enabling multi-monitor configurations without requiring adapter cables. The absence of tensor cores means no hardware acceleration for deep learning inference or training tasks, a feature that became common in later generations. The texture rate of 38.53 GTexel/s and pixel rate of 14.45 GPixel/s are the primary rasterization metrics, and they are sufficient for the OpenGL 3.3 applications that this card targets. For users working with legacy CAD or DCC software that relies on OpenGL 3.3, the card provides a stable baseline, but it cannot leverage modern DirectX 12 or Vulkan features.
Power and Cooling
The Quadro CX has a TDP of 150 W, which is moderate for a dual-slot professional card. The suggested power supply rating is 450 W, and the card requires a single 6-pin power connector. The dual-slot cooler is designed to dissipate the 150 W of heat, and the card's physical length is 267 mm, or 10.5 inches. The bus interface is PCIe 2.0 x16, which is compatible with a wide range of motherboards from its era. The 150 W TDP means that a 450 W power supply provides sufficient headroom for the card itself, but users should consider the rest of their system's draw. The single 6-pin connector is a standard provision, and no additional power connectors are needed. The dual-slot design ensures adequate cooling surface area, but it will occupy two expansion slots, which is a consideration for dense workstation builds. The 267 mm length dictates that users measure their case's clearance before installation, as some smaller chassis may not accommodate this card. The card's power profile is modest, making it suitable for workstations that do not have oversized power supplies, but the 450 W suggestion provides a clear guideline for system integrators.
FAQ
Q: What is the memory configuration of the Quadro CX?
A: It has 1536 MB of GDDR3 memory on a 384-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 76.80 GB/s.
Q: Does the Quadro CX support ray tracing or tensor operations?
A: No. The card has no RT cores or tensor cores, so ray tracing and AI acceleration are not hardware-supported.
Q: What are the API limitations?
A: It supports DirectX 11.1 (feature level 10_0) and OpenGL 3.3. Vulkan is not supported.
Q: What is the power requirement?
A: The TDP is 150 W, with a suggested PSU of 450 W and a single 6-pin power connector.
Q: What is the production status and release date?
A: The card is end-of-life, released on 2008-11-10.
Q: What is the core count?
A: It features 192 shading units, 64 TMUs, and 24 ROPs.
Benchmark Performance
The database lists no aggregate benchmark scores for the Quadro CX, with an average benchmark score of 0. Its percentile rank against all GPUs is 50, placing it exactly at the median of the database's GPU population. Because the nearestRivals array is empty, no direct comparative deltas to specific competitor cards can be cited. Instead, the raw throughput metrics must be interpreted directly. The FP32 compute rate is 462.3 GFLOPS, which defines the peak single-precision performance for compute tasks. The texture fill rate is 38.53 GTexel/s, and the pixel fill rate is 14.45 GPixel/s. Memory bandwidth is 76.80 GB/s, delivered over a 384-bit interface at an effective 1600 Mbps. The 1,400 million transistors on a 470 mm² die at 55 nm result in a transistor density of 3.0M per mm². These figures suggest a balanced design for its generation, with the 50th percentile rank confirming a middle-of-the-road standing. The 24 ROPs and 64 TMUs are consistent with the observed fill rates, indicating that the card does not suffer from a severe imbalance between pixel and texture throughput. Given the end-of-life status and the absence of modern features like RT cores, the Quadro CX's performance profile is best understood as a legacy workstation part. The 462.3 GFLOPS figure is modest by current standards, but it was adequate for the professional applications of its time. The 76.80 GB/s bandwidth is a limiting factor for large data sets, but the 384-bit bus provides a solid foundation for the 1536 MB memory pool. The 14.45 GPixel/s pixel rate and 38.53 GTexel/s texture rate indicate that the card can handle typical viewport rendering without bottlenecks, as long as the workload does not exceed the memory capacity. The 50th percentile rank underscores that while the card is not a top performer, it is also not a low-end part, sitting comfortably in the middle of the performance distribution for all GPUs tracked in the database.
The AMD Equivalent of Quadro CX
Looking for a similar graphics card from AMD? The AMD Radeon RX 480 offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.
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