NVIDIA Quadro FX 4000 SDI
NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
NVIDIANVIDIA Quadro FX 4000 SDI Specifications
Quadro FX 4000 SDI GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The NVIDIA Quadro FX 4000 SDI 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 FX 4000 SDI Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the Quadro FX 4000 SDI'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 FX 4000 SDI by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
NVIDIA's Quadro FX 4000 SDI Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The Quadro FX 4000 SDI'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 FX 4000 SDI Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA Quadro FX 4000 SDI 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.
Curie Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The NVIDIA Quadro FX 4000 SDI is built on NVIDIA's Curie 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 FX 4000 SDI will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
NVIDIA's Quadro FX 4000 SDI Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the NVIDIA Quadro FX 4000 SDI 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 FX 4000 SDI to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
Quadro FX 4000 SDI by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA Quadro FX 4000 SDI 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 FX 4000 SDI. 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 FX 4000 SDI Product Information
Release and pricing details
The NVIDIA Quadro FX 4000 SDI 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 FX 4000 SDI by NVIDIA represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
Quadro FX 4000 SDI Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this GPU.
About NVIDIA Quadro FX 4000 SDI
How It Compares
The NVIDIA Quadro FX 4000 SDI occupies a peculiar position in the benchmark database, sitting at the 50th percentile of all GPUs. This places it dead-center in the historical performance distribution, which is unusual for a workstation-class card from its era. The data shows a product designed for a specific professional niche rather than raw compute dominance, and its percentile reflects that specialization rather than any deficiency in its intended role.
With no nearest rivals listed in the dataset, the comparison must be drawn against the broader context of its own generation. The Quadro FX 4000 SDI is built on the NV41 chip using the Curie architecture, a 130 nm part fabricated by TSMC with 190 million transistors on a 225 mm² die. This puts it in the upper-middle tier of its contemporary lineup — not the flagship, but far from entry-level. Its transistor density of 844.4K per mm² is modest by modern standards but was competitive for its process node.
The card's predecessor is the Quadro4 Celcius, and its successor is the Quadro FX Curie, indicating a direct evolutionary line within NVIDIA's professional lineup. The FX 4000 SDI's position at the 50th percentile suggests it outperformed roughly half of all GPUs ever benchmarked, which for a 2004 release is a notable achievement given how much later hardware has advanced. The average benchmark score of zero in the dataset, however, indicates that no standardized benchmarks were recorded for this specific SKU, making the percentile a structural placement rather than a performance measurement.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The Quadro FX 4000 SDI does not incorporate any ray tracing cores or tensor cores — these fields are null in the specification data. This is entirely consistent with its Curie architecture and 2004 release date, as dedicated RT hardware would not appear in NVIDIA's professional lineup for over a decade after this card's launch. The absence of these features means the card relies entirely on traditional rasterization for its rendering pipeline.
The API support reflects its era precisely. DirectX support is limited to 9.0c (shader model 9_3), which was the contemporary standard for gaming and professional applications in 2004. OpenGL support is listed as 2.0 (full) and 2.1 (partial), which provided the foundation for professional CAD and DCC applications of that period. There is no Vulkan support listed, as that API would not be introduced until 2016. Benchmark results indicate that the card's feature set was designed to meet the professional visualization standards of its time rather than to future-proof against APIs that did not yet exist.
The display outputs consist of 1x DVI and 4x SDI. The SDI outputs are the defining feature of this SKU — they are professional broadcast-standard video outputs designed for direct connection to video production equipment. This is not a card aimed at general-purpose computing or gaming; it is a specialized tool for real-time video monitoring and broadcast workflows. The DVI output provides a conventional computer display connection, but the four SDI outputs are the reason this card exists as a distinct model.
Who Should Consider It
The Quadro FX 4000 SDI is a specialized professional card, and the data indicates that its intended audience is narrow. The 256 MB of GDDR3 memory on a 256-bit bus provides 32.00 GB/s of bandwidth, which is sufficient for the workstation tasks of its era but clearly inadequate for modern high-resolution workloads. The pixel rate of 3.400 GPixel/s and texture rate of 5.100 GTexel/s place it in a performance class that would handle early-2000s professional applications at their native resolutions.
Given the SDI outputs, the primary use case is video broadcast and post-production environments where real-time SDI signal output is required. The card would be suitable for monitoring video feeds in a broadcast control room or for outputting preview signals from a non-linear editing system. For such applications, the 256 MB framebuffer is adequate because SDI video standards of the period operated at resolutions well within this memory capacity. The 12 texture mapping units and 8 ROPs provide sufficient throughput for compositing and effects processing at standard-definition and early high-definition resolutions.
For general 3D modeling and CAD work, the card would be a reasonable choice for its time, but the SDI functionality adds cost and complexity that most workstation users would not need. The 50th percentile placement suggests that its raw performance is middling by historical standards, meaning users seeking pure compute power would be better served by other cards in the same generation. The card is not suitable for modern gaming or compute workloads — the 9.0c DirectX support and 2.0/2.1 OpenGL support preclude any contemporary software compatibility. This is an end-of-life product, and the data indicates that its relevance is limited to legacy systems or specialized broadcast environments that still rely on SDI infrastructure.
Power and Cooling
The Quadro FX 4000 SDI has a thermal design power of 150 W, which is substantial for a 2004-era card but manageable with appropriate cooling. The card occupies a dual-slot form factor, indicating that NVIDIA equipped it with a larger cooler than single-slot designs of the period. The physical dimensions are 214 mm in length (8.4 inches) and 111 mm in height (4.4 inches), making it a full-length card that requires adequate clearance in the chassis.
Power delivery requires a single 6-pin PCIe power connector. The suggested power supply rating is 450 W, which provides adequate headroom for the card's 150 W TDP along with the rest of the system components. The bus interface is PCIe 1.0 x16, which was the contemporary standard and provides sufficient bandwidth for the card's memory and rendering capabilities. The 32.00 GB/s memory bandwidth does not saturate a PCIe 1.0 x16 link, so interface limitations are not a concern for this SKU.
The dual-slot cooler is necessary to dissipate 150 W of heat in a 130 nm process node, which has lower thermal efficiency than modern fabrication processes. The card's production status is end-of-life, meaning that replacement coolers and power components may be difficult to source. Users maintaining legacy systems with this card should ensure their power supplies are in good condition and capable of sustaining the 150 W load, as aging PSUs may not deliver consistent power under sustained load. The single 6-pin connector is a standard configuration that is compatible with most modern power supplies, though adapters may be required for systems that only provide 8-pin or 12-pin GPU connectors.
FAQ
Q: What is the release date of the NVIDIA Quadro FX 4000 SDI?
A: The card was released on April 18, 2004, making it a product of the early PCIe transition period.
Q: Does the Quadro FX 4000 SDI support ray tracing?
A: No. The card has no ray tracing cores or tensor cores in its specification, consistent with its Curie architecture from 2004.
Q: What is the memory configuration of this card?
A: It features 256 MB of GDDR3 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing 32.00 GB/s of memory bandwidth.
Q: What makes the SDI version different from the standard Quadro FX 4000?
A: The card has 4x SDI display outputs in addition to 1x DVI, which are professional broadcast-standard video connections for direct integration with video production equipment.
Q: What is the power requirement for this card?
A: The TDP is 150 W, requiring a single 6-pin PCIe power connector and a suggested 450 W power supply.
Q: What APIs does this card support?
A: It supports DirectX 9.0c (shader model 9_3) and OpenGL 2.0 (full) with 2.1 (partial) support. No Vulkan support is listed.
Q: What is the process node and die size?
A: The card is fabricated on a 130 nm process by TSMC, with a die size of 225 mm² containing 190 million transistors.
The AMD Equivalent of Quadro FX 4000 SDI
Looking for a similar graphics card from AMD? The AMD Radeon RX 480 offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.
Popular NVIDIA Quadro FX 4000 SDI Comparisons
See how the Quadro FX 4000 SDI stacks up against similar graphics cards from the same generation and competing brands.
Compare Quadro FX 4000 SDI with Other GPUs
Select another GPU to compare specifications and benchmarks side-by-side.
Browse GPUs