NVIDIA Quadro FX 2700M

The NVIDIA Quadro FX 2700M is a mobile workstation GPU built on the Tesla architecture, using the G94 chip fabricated on a 65 nm process at TSMC. It occupies the 50th percentile among all GPUs in the database, placing it exactly at the midpoint of the performance distribution. The benchmark results show a balanced design for its era, but the absence of any nearest rivals in the data means its standing is defined primarily by its raw specifications and architectural traits rather than direct head-to-head comparisons.

Benchmark Performance

The Quadro FX 2700M delivers 127.2 GFLOPS of FP32 compute, a figure that reflects its 48 shading units operating at the given clock configuration. This places it in the lower-middle range of the database’s performance spectrum, consistent with its 50th percentile ranking. The pixel rate of 8.480 GPixel/s and texture rate of 12.72 GTexel/s indicate a GPU designed for moderate-resolution professional workloads rather than high-end gaming or compute tasks. With no benchmark scores listed and no nearest rivals provided, the quantitative analysis relies entirely on these throughput figures. The FP32 output is roughly one-tenth of what a contemporary high-end desktop GPU would manage, but for a 2008 mobile workstation part, the data shows a deliberate balance between power draw and capability. The memory throughput of 51.14 GB/s, combined with the 256-bit bus, suggests that the GPU is memory-bandwidth-limited in many scenarios, meaning the 127.2 GFLOPS peak is unlikely to be sustained in memory-heavy applications. Across the board, the performance metrics point to a part that handles 2D CAD, light 3D modeling, and video playback comfortably, but it will struggle with modern compute or advanced shading workloads.

Who Should Consider It

The data indicates that the Quadro FX 2700M is suited for professionals working with legacy software that relies on OpenGL 3.3 or DirectX 11.1 (10_0) feature levels. Given its 512 MB of GDDR3 memory and 51.14 GB/s bandwidth, it is best paired with resolutions at or below 1080p-class displays, though the exact resolution is not specified in the data. For tasks such as wireframe rendering, basic solid modeling, and 2D drafting, the 8.480 GPixel/s fill rate provides adequate performance. Users running older CAD or GIS applications that do not require advanced shader models will find the GPU functional, but those attempting modern GPU-accelerated rendering or simulation will hit performance ceilings quickly. The 48 shading units are sufficient for entry-level viewport manipulation, but the 127.2 GFLOPS FP32 throughput means real-time effects like ambient occlusion or high-detail tessellation are not viable. The GPU is end-of-life, so it is only relevant for maintaining legacy systems or running software that explicitly requires Tesla-era drivers. It is not recommended for gaming, as the feature set and performance profile are oriented toward stability and precision rather than frame rate maximization.

Power and Cooling

The Quadro FX 2700M has a TDP of 65 W, which is modest for a mobile workstation GPU of its generation. This power envelope allows for relatively slim cooling solutions in laptops, though the data does not specify a suggested PSU because the GPU is an MXM Module with MXM-HE bus interface. The power connectors are listed as "None," meaning the module draws all its power through the MXM slot, simplifying integration into portable devices. The 65 W figure is notable because it sits below many desktop counterparts of the era, enabling deployment in laptops that prioritize battery life over raw compute. Thermal management is the primary concern, as the 65 W must be dissipated within a chassis that is "Portable Device Dependent" for display outputs, implying that cooling design varies by manufacturer. The end-of-life status means replacement parts are scarce, and the 65 W TDP should be factored into any system-level power budgeting for legacy machines. There is no suggested PSU figure in the data, so users must rely on the MXM-HE standard’s power delivery specifications, which are not listed here.

FAQ

Q: What is the memory size and type of the Quadro FX 2700M?

A: The GPU comes with 512 MB of GDDR3 memory, which is typical for a mobile workstation part from its release period.

Q: Does the Quadro FX 2700M support DirectX 12 or Vulkan?

A: No. The API support is limited to DirectX 11.1 (10_0) and OpenGL 3.3. Vulkan is not listed as supported.

Q: What is the transistor count and die size?

A: The G94 chip contains 505 million transistors on a 240 mm² die, produced on a 65 nm process at TSMC.

Q: Is the Quadro FX 2700M still in production?

A: No, the production status is end-of-life, and it was released on 2008-08-13. Its predecessor is the Quadro FX Go, and its successor is the Quadro Fermi-M.

Q: What is the FP32 performance in GFLOPS?

A: The FP32 compute is rated at 127.2 GFLOPS, derived from 48 shading units.

Q: How much power does the GPU draw?

A: The TDP is 65 W, and it requires no external power connectors, as it draws power via the MXM-HE interface.

Ray Tracing and Feature Set

The Quadro FX 2700M has no dedicated ray tracing cores and no tensor cores, as these are not listed in the specification data. This places it firmly in the pre-RTX era, where ray tracing was handled through compute shaders on general-purpose shading units, if at all. The 48 shading units are capable of executing DirectX 11.1 (10_0) shader models, but the API support stops at OpenGL 3.3, meaning modern features like mesh shaders or variable rate shading are absent. The Tesla architecture focuses on traditional rasterization and fixed-function pipelines, so the feature set is limited to what the 2008-era G94 chip can offer. The lack of Vulkan support further restricts its utility in modern applications, as most contemporary engines have moved away from OpenGL 3.3. For professional use, the GPU supports the API level required by many legacy CAD and simulation tools, but it cannot accelerate any modern ray-traced workflows. The texture rate of 12.72 GTexel/s and pixel rate of 8.480 GPixel/s define the limits of its rendering capabilities, which are adequate for simple scenes but insufficient for complex lighting models.

Memory Subsystem

The memory subsystem consists of 512 MB of GDDR3 on a 256-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 51.14 GB/s. The memory clock is 799 MHz, with an effective data rate of 1598 Mbps. This configuration is well-suited for the GPU’s intended workload, as the 256-bit bus provides a reasonable balance between cost and throughput for a mobile part. At 1080p-class resolutions, the 512 MB capacity is sufficient for framebuffer and texture storage in older applications, but modern high-resolution textures will exceed this limit, causing the GPU to spill to system memory. The 51.14 GB/s bandwidth is the primary constraint for performance, as the FP32 compute of 127.2 GFLOPS could theoretically benefit from more memory throughput, but the 256-bit bus and GDDR3 speed are matched to the era’s expectations. For dual-monitor setups or large 3D scenes, the memory capacity will become a bottleneck, forcing users to reduce texture quality or resolution. The 1598 Mbps effective data rate is modest by modern standards, but it is consistent with the 65 W power envelope. The memory subsystem is the defining feature of this GPU, as it allows for smooth operation in low-complexity scenes, but it caps the device’s usefulness for any data-intensive tasks.

How It Compares

The nearestRivals list is empty, meaning the database provides no direct comparative scores or deltaPct values for this GPU. Without rival data, the comparison must be drawn from the absolute metrics alone. The Quadro FX 2700M sits at the 50th percentile, which implies that half of all GPUs in the database are faster and half are slower, but the specific rivals are not identified. Its 127.2 GFLOPS FP32 is roughly half of what a mid-range desktop GPU from the same era would offer, but the 65 W TDP makes it competitive for mobile use. The 512 MB VRAM and 256-bit bus are typical for a 2008 workstation part, and the 51.14 GB/s bandwidth is adequate for the intended resolution range. The lack of ray tracing and tensor cores places it below any modern GPU, but its OpenGL 3.3 and DirectX 11.1 (10_0) support ensures compatibility with legacy software. The 505 million transistors on a 240 mm² die indicate a mature 65 nm process, and the transistor density of 2.1M / mm² is average for that node. In the absence of rival scores, the GPU’s position is defined by its percentile rank and its architectural limitations, which are clear from the specification sheet. It is a niche product for niche tasks, and its end-of-life status means it should only be considered for maintenance of existing systems.