NVIDIA Quadro P500 Mobile

The NVIDIA Quadro P500 Mobile is an end-of-life mobile workstation graphics processor built on the Pascal architecture. Fabricated on Samsung's 14 nm process, the GP108 chip integrates 1,800 million transistors on a 74 mm² die, yielding a transistor density of 24.3M per square millimeter. With a base clock of 1455 MHz and a boost clock of 1519 MHz, the GPU occupies the 50th percentile of all GPUs in the database, indicating a median level of performance among tracked parts. This mobile solution is designed for portable workstations, with its display outputs being entirely dependent on the host device.

Benchmark Performance

The P500 Mobile's theoretical compute throughput is defined by its 256 shading units, 16 texture mapping units, and 16 ROPs. Peak FP32 performance is 777.7 GFLOPS, while FP16 performance is severely restricted at 12.15 GFLOPS, reflecting a 1:64 ratio. This indicates the architecture is optimized for standard single-precision workloads, not half-precision compute. The pixel rate is 24.30 GPixel/s and the texture rate is 24.30 GTexel/s, both driven by the 1519 MHz boost clock. In the database, the GPU sits at the 50th percentile, meaning exactly half of all tracked GPUs score higher and half score lower. Without nearest rivals listed, the absolute numbers provide the only reference points.

The 777.7 GFLOPS FP32 figure is modest for a workstation part, suggesting it handles entry-level CAD and light 3D modeling rather than heavy simulation or AI training. The 1:64 FP16 ratio is a notable weakness; any workload relying on half-precision will see a dramatic slowdown. The texture and pixel rates are identical, which is typical for a balanced rasterization pipeline at this scale. The boost clock of 1519 MHz is high for a low-power mobile chip, but the small number of execution units limits overall throughput. The data shows a GPU designed for efficiency over brute force, prioritizing consistent performance within a constrained power envelope. The 24.30 GPixel/s fill rate is adequate for simple scenes but will struggle with complex geometry or heavy overdraw. The 24.30 GTexel/s texture rate similarly caps the speed at which textures can be applied, which becomes a bottleneck in texture-rich applications. The FP32 throughput of 777.7 GFLOPS is roughly a quarter of what a high-end desktop part from the same era would offer, but this is a deliberate trade-off for the 18 W power envelope. The 50th percentile ranking reinforces that this is a middle-of-the-road performer, not a specialist in any particular metric.

Who Should Consider It

Given its 2 GB GDDR5 frame buffer and 64-bit memory bus, the P500 Mobile is best suited for portable workstations where space and power are at a premium. The 40.10 GB/s bandwidth is sufficient for 1080p-class workloads with moderate texture sizes, but high-resolution assets will quickly exceed the frame buffer. The 50th percentile ranking places it in the middle of the database, meaning it is not a top-tier performer but is far from the bottom. For users running legacy CAD applications or 2D drafting tools, the 777.7 GFLOPS FP32 throughput and 24.30 GPixel/s fill rate are adequate. However, for modern 3D rendering with large scenes, the 2 GB capacity becomes a bottleneck.

The 18 W TDP and absence of power connectors indicate it is intended for thin-and-light mobile devices, not desktop replacements. Users who need to run OpenGL 4.6 or Vulkan 1.4 applications will find full API support. The GPU's end-of-life status suggests it is now a legacy option, but for existing mobile workstations, it can still handle entry-level tasks. The 64-bit bus width is a clear limiter; texture-heavy games or professional apps will see performance drop when memory bandwidth is saturated. For users prioritizing battery life and low heat output, this GPU's modest specifications align well with those goals. It is not recommended for high-end simulation, large-scale rendering, or any workload requiring more than 2 GB of frame buffer. The 24.30 GTexel/s texture rate means that heavily textured environments will cause frame pacing issues. The 50th percentile ranking also implies that a wide range of alternative GPUs offer similar or better performance, so this part is only relevant for specific legacy systems.

Ray Tracing and Feature Set

The P500 Mobile does not include dedicated ray tracing cores or tensor cores, as both fields are null in the specification. This means the GPU relies entirely on traditional rasterization techniques. The Pascal architecture predates the ray tracing hardware found in later NVIDIA generations. API support includes DirectX 12 (12_1), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4, providing broad compatibility with modern graphics frameworks. However, the absence of tensor cores means no hardware acceleration for AI-based features such as DLSS or neural rendering. The 1:64 FP16 ratio further confirms that the chip is not optimized for compute-heavy workloads.

For professional applications that use OpenGL 4.6, such as certain CAD and visualization tools, the P500 Mobile offers full compliance. DirectX 12 (12_1) support allows access to feature level 12_1, but without ray tracing or mesh shaders, the experience is limited to standard rasterization. The lack of tensor cores also means no hardware-accelerated denoising or super-resolution. In summary, the feature set is functional but dated, aligning with its 2018 release date. Users needing ray tracing will have to look to the successor generation, the Quadro Turing-M, which is listed as the successor but not detailed here. The predecessor is the Quadro Maxwell-M, indicating a clear generational progression. The Pascal architecture's strengths lie in its efficiency and mature driver support, not in cutting-edge features. The absence of RT and tensor cores is a significant limitation for modern AI-assisted workflows, but for traditional rasterization, the feature set remains competent.

Power and Cooling

The P500 Mobile has a thermal design power of just 18 W, making it one of the more power-efficient mobile GPUs in its class. It requires no external power connectors, as the slot provides all necessary power. The bus interface is PCIe 3.0 x16, which is a standard connection for mobile workstations. The 18 W TDP means a simple cooling solution, such as a small heat pipe and fan, is sufficient to maintain the 1519 MHz boost clock. There is no suggested PSU listed, but given the low power draw, a typical laptop power adapter is adequate.

The 14 nm Samsung process contributes to the low power consumption, with a die size of 74 mm² and 1,800 million transistors. The transistor density of 24.3M / mm² is relatively high for the era, indicating efficient use of the silicon area. The lack of power connectors simplifies system integration, making the GPU suitable for ultraportable designs. The 18 W envelope allows for sustained operation without thermal throttling under most workloads, assuming adequate chassis cooling. For mobile users, the low TDP translates to longer battery life during light tasks. The absence of a slot width specification is irrelevant for a mobile part, as it is soldered or mounted on a module. Overall, the power and cooling profile is a key strength, enabling deployment in compact devices. The 1455 MHz base clock and 1519 MHz boost clock are close together, indicating that the GPU can hold near-boost speeds under load. The 18 W TDP is a fraction of what desktop GPUs consume, making it an excellent choice for fanless or passively cooled designs in some cases.

FAQ

Q: Does the NVIDIA Quadro P500 Mobile support hardware ray tracing?

A: No. The specification lists null for both RT cores and tensor cores, indicating no dedicated ray tracing or tensor acceleration hardware.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of the P500 Mobile?

A: The memory bandwidth is 40.10 GB/s, derived from a 64-bit bus running GDDR5 memory at 1253 MHz (5 Gbps effective).

Q: What is the FP32 compute performance?

A: The FP32 performance is 777.7 GFLOPS, while FP16 performance is only 12.15 GFLOPS, reflecting a 1:64 ratio.

Q: What is the thermal design power (TDP)?

A: The TDP is 18 W, and the GPU requires no external power connectors.

Q: Which graphics APIs are supported?

A: The GPU supports DirectX 12 (12_1), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4.

Q: What is the process node and die size?

A: The chip is fabricated on Samsung's 14 nm process, with a die size of 74 mm² and 1,800 million transistors.

Memory Subsystem

The P500 Mobile is equipped with 2 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 64-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 40.10 GB/s. The memory clock runs at 1253 MHz, translating to 5 Gbps effective data rate. This configuration is notably narrow; a 64-bit bus is common in entry-level parts, and the 40.10 GB/s bandwidth is modest by modern standards. For high-resolution workloads, the 2 GB capacity is the primary constraint. Large textures, high-resolution framebuffers, and multi-sample anti-aliasing will quickly consume the available memory.

The 64-bit bus width also limits the rate at which data can be transferred, potentially causing stuttering in memory-intensive applications. In professional contexts, such as 3D modeling or video editing, the 2 GB capacity means users must manage assets carefully. The bandwidth of 40.10 GB/s is adequate for 1080p gaming at moderate settings, but 4K or multi-monitor setups will likely exceed the memory subsystem's capabilities. The pixel rate of 24.30 GPixel/s is consistent with the memory bandwidth, indicating a balanced design for its intended segment. The 16 ROPs and 16 TMUs are paired with the 64-bit memory bus, which is a typical configuration for a low-power mobile GPU.

The memory type, GDDR5, is standard for the 2018 era, but the capacity and bus width place it in the entry-level tier. For users upgrading from an older integrated GPU, this discrete solution offers a significant improvement, but it is not designed for heavy compute or high-end gaming. The 40.10 GB/s bandwidth is a bottleneck for any workload that requires frequent data movement, such as large particle systems or high-resolution textures. The 2 GB capacity is the first constraint encountered at higher resolutions, as modern applications often require more than 2 GB for complex scenes. The 64-bit bus width means that even if the capacity were larger, the bandwidth would still be a limiting factor. The memory clock of 1253 MHz is moderate, and the 5 Gbps effective rate is typical for GDDR5. In summary, the memory subsystem is the most limiting factor of this GPU, and the 2 GB capacity will be the first constraint encountered at higher resolutions. The 24.30 GTexel/s texture rate is directly tied to the memory bandwidth, so any texture-heavy workload will suffer from the narrow bus. This configuration is a deliberate compromise to achieve the 18 W TDP, prioritizing power efficiency over raw memory throughput.