NVIDIA Quadro K4200
NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
NVIDIANVIDIA Quadro K4200 Specifications
GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The NVIDIA Quadro K4200 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 K4200 Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the Quadro K4200'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 K4200 by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
NVIDIA's Quadro K4200 Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The Quadro K4200'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 K4200 by NVIDIA Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the Quadro K4200, 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 K4200 Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA Quadro K4200 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 Quadro K4200 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 Quadro K4200 will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the NVIDIA Quadro K4200 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 K4200 to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
Quadro K4200 by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA Quadro K4200 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 K4200. 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 K4200 Product Information
Release and pricing details
The NVIDIA Quadro K4200 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 K4200 by NVIDIA represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
About NVIDIA Quadro K4200
The NVIDIA Quadro K4200 is a Kepler-architecture professional GPU built on TSMC's 28 nm process. It packs 3,540 million transistors on a 294 mm² die, with 1,344 shading units, 112 TMUs, and 32 ROPs. The card runs at a base clock of 771 MHz and a boost of 784 MHz, paired with 4 GB of GDDR5 on a 256-bit bus, yielding 172.8 GB/s of bandwidth. Its FP32 throughput is 2.107 TFLOPS. The K4200 is now end-of-life, having launched in July 2014, and sits at the 50th percentile of all GPUs in the database.
Benchmark Performance
The K4200’s synthetic compute results place it in a tight cluster with several GeForce cards. In Geekbench OpenCL it scores 12,050, and in Geekbench Vulkan it reaches 12,432, producing an average benchmark score of 12,241. That average is just 0.7% below the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070’s 12,331, a card from a much later generation. The gap is small enough that, in pure compute throughput, the K4200 effectively trades blows with the GTX 1070 despite its older architecture.
Against the other listed rivals, the K4200 holds a clear edge. It outperforms the GeForce GTX 960 by 1.6%, the GeForce GTX 670 by 1.9%, and the GeForce GTX 960A by 2.0%. These deltas are modest but consistent, indicating that the K4200’s Kepler compute engine is well tuned for OpenCL and Vulkan workloads. The Vulkan score (12,432) is higher than the OpenCL score (12,050), suggesting the architecture responds well to Vulkan’s explicit compute model. Given its 50th percentile standing, the K4200 is a mid-pack performer in the overall GPU landscape, but within its immediate peer group it is a solid, if not spectacular, compute card.
Power and Cooling
The Quadro K4200 carries a TDP of 108 W, which is low enough for a single-slot cooling solution. The card occupies one slot and requires a single 6-pin PCIe power connector. NVIDIA recommends a 300 W power supply for systems using this card. Its physical dimensions are 241 mm in length (9.5 inches) and 111 mm in height (4.4 inches), making it a compact option for workstations with limited interior space. The modest power draw means that even a basic 300 W PSU can handle it, provided the rest of the system does not exceed that budget. The single-slot design also leaves adjacent slots free for other expansion cards, a practical benefit in dense professional builds.
How It Compares
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070: The K4200 is only 0.7% slower than the GTX 1070 in average benchmark score. This is a remarkably small gap given the generational difference and the GTX 1070’s consumer gaming focus. In compute-heavy tasks that rely on OpenCL or Vulkan, the K4200 can hold its own against this much newer card.
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960: The K4200 leads the GTX 960 by 1.6%. While the GTX 960 is a capable mid-range gaming card, the K4200’s higher shading unit count and wider memory bus (256-bit vs. the GTX 960’s narrower bus) contribute to its slight advantage in synthetic benchmarks. The delta is small but consistent.
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670: The K4200 outperforms the GTX 670 by 1.9%. Both cards share the Kepler architecture, so the K4200’s higher boost clock and 4 GB frame buffer give it a measurable edge in compute workloads. The GTX 670 is an older card, and the K4200’s professional tuning shows in the numbers.
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960A: The K4200 is 2.0% ahead of the GTX 960A. The GTX 960A is a mobile variant, and the K4200’s desktop-oriented design and higher memory bandwidth (172.8 GB/s) likely explain the performance difference. The delta is the largest among the four rivals, but still within a narrow band.
FAQ
Q: Does the Quadro K4200 support hardware ray tracing?
A: No. The card has no RT cores (the field is null in the specifications), so ray tracing effects must be handled through compute shaders or not at all.
Q: What is the maximum supported DirectX version?
A: The K4200 supports DirectX 12, but only at feature level 11_0. It also supports OpenGL 4.6 and Vulkan 1.2.175.
Q: How much memory bandwidth does the K4200 have?
A: The card has 172.8 GB/s of bandwidth, delivered via 4 GB of GDDR5 on a 256-bit bus.
Q: What is the FP32 performance?
A: The K4200 achieves 2.107 TFLOPS of single-precision compute.
Q: What power connector does the card require?
A: It uses a single 6-pin PCIe power connector. NVIDIA recommends a 300 W power supply.
Q: Is the K4200 still in production?
A: No, it is marked as end-of-life. Its predecessor is Quadro Fermi and its successor is Quadro Maxwell.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The Quadro K4200 does not include dedicated ray tracing cores or tensor cores. Its feature set is defined by the Kepler architecture and the APIs it supports: DirectX 12 (feature level 11_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.175. This means the card can run modern compute and graphics APIs, but it lacks the specialized hardware for hardware-accelerated ray tracing or AI-based tensor operations. For display output, the K4200 provides one DVI port and two DisplayPort 1.2 connections. These outputs are typical for professional workstations of its era, allowing multiple monitors without additional adapters. The absence of RT and tensor cores is not a drawback for the card’s intended compute-focused role, but it does limit its usefulness in modern ray-traced games or machine learning inference tasks.
Who Should Consider It
The K4200 is a mid-range professional card, as indicated by its 50th percentile ranking. Its average benchmark score of 12,241 places it within 1% of the GeForce GTX 1070, so for OpenCL or Vulkan compute workloads, it can deliver comparable performance to that much newer card. The 4 GB GDDR5 frame buffer is adequate for moderate texture sizes and resolutions up to 1440p in many applications, though it may struggle with very large datasets or high-end 4K textures. Given its end-of-life status, the K4200 is best suited for users who need a reliable, single-slot card for legacy software, professional compute tasks, or as a secondary display adapter. It is not a good choice for ray-traced gaming or AI workloads, as it lacks the required hardware. For users whose primary need is raw compute throughput in OpenCL or Vulkan, the data shows the K4200 is a capable performer, sitting comfortably between the GTX 960 and GTX 1070 in synthetic benchmarks.
Detailed benchmark scores and charts for the NVIDIA Quadro K4200 are below.
Benchmark Scores
geekbench_openclSource
Geekbench OpenCL tests GPU compute performance using the cross-platform OpenCL API. This shows how NVIDIA Quadro K4200 handles parallel computing tasks like video encoding and scientific simulations.
geekbench_vulkanSource
Geekbench Vulkan tests GPU compute using the modern low-overhead Vulkan API. This shows how NVIDIA Quadro K4200 performs with next-generation graphics and compute workloads. Vulkan offers better CPU efficiency than older APIs like OpenGL.
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