NVIDIA Quadro4 980 XGL
NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
NVIDIANVIDIA Quadro4 980 XGL Specifications
Quadro4 980 XGL GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The NVIDIA Quadro4 980 XGL 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.
Quadro4 980 XGL Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the Quadro4 980 XGL'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 Quadro4 980 XGL by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
NVIDIA's Quadro4 980 XGL Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The Quadro4 980 XGL'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.
Quadro4 980 XGL Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA Quadro4 980 XGL 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.
Kelvin Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The NVIDIA Quadro4 980 XGL is built on NVIDIA's Kelvin 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 Quadro4 980 XGL will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
NVIDIA's Quadro4 980 XGL Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the NVIDIA Quadro4 980 XGL 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 Quadro4 980 XGL to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
Quadro4 980 XGL by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA Quadro4 980 XGL 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 Quadro4 980 XGL. 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.
Quadro4 980 XGL Product Information
Release and pricing details
The NVIDIA Quadro4 980 XGL 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 Quadro4 980 XGL by NVIDIA represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
Quadro4 980 XGL Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this GPU.
About NVIDIA Quadro4 980 XGL
The NVIDIA Quadro4 980 XGL is a professional workstation graphics card from the Kelvin architecture generation, built on a 150 nm process at TSMC. It targets established CAD and DCC workflows, with a 128 MB DDR memory buffer on a 128-bit bus. This analysis focuses on its positioning within the context of its era, using available technical data to outline its capabilities and limitations.
Power and Cooling
The Quadro4 980 XGL is an exceptionally undemanding card in terms of power delivery. The benchmark data indicates a suggested power supply rating of only 200 W, which places it well within the reach of standard office or workstation systems of its time. Thermal design power is not listed, but the combination of a modest 200 W PSU recommendation and a single-slot cooler design implies that heat output is minimal. The card requires no auxiliary power connectors, drawing all its operational power directly from the AGP 8x slot. This is a significant advantage for system integrators and users upgrading legacy machines, as it eliminates the need for dedicated PCIe or Molex power cables. The single-slot form factor also ensures it does not obstruct adjacent expansion slots, a practical benefit for dense workstation builds. The cooling solution, while not quantified in terms of noise or size, is a capable air cooler sufficient for the 63 million transistors housed in the 142 mm² die. The memory operates at 325 MHz, transferring data at an effective 650 Mbps, which contributes to the card's overall low power footprint.
How It Compares
The provided data does not include a list of nearest rivals, benchmark scores, or performance deltas. Consequently, a direct comparative analysis against specific competing products from the same period is not possible using the available facts. The card sits at the 50th percentile among all GPUs in the database, indicating a mid-pack historical standing, but without named rivals, the narrative must focus on its absolute specifications. The absence of comparative data means that statements about its relative performance against the Quadro2 Celcius predecessor or Quadro FX Rankine successor must remain qualitative. The architecture is Kelvin, which is a distinct generation from both its predecessor and successor, but the exact performance gap is not quantified in the fact pack. The card's 2.400 GTexel/s texture fill rate and 1.200 GPixel/s pixel rate are the primary metrics for evaluating its raw throughput, but these numbers alone do not establish a hierarchy against unnamed competitors.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The Quadro4 980 XGL does not feature dedicated ray tracing cores or tensor cores. The fact pack explicitly lists these fields as null, confirming the absence of hardware acceleration for ray-traced workloads or AI-driven tensor operations. This is consistent with the card's release date of November 11, 2002, a period before such technologies were integrated into consumer or professional GPUs. The feature set is defined by its support for DirectX 8.1 and OpenGL 1.5. These API levels are significant for professional applications of that era, with OpenGL 1.5 being a cornerstone for CAD software like AutoCAD and 3ds Max. The card offers 8 texture mapping units and 4 ROPs, which are the fundamental building blocks for rasterization. Display connectivity is provided through two DVI outputs and one S-Video port, allowing for dual-monitor setups with digital connections, which was a professional-grade feature at the time. The absence of modern API support, such as Vulkan, is expected given its age. The bus interface is AGP 8x, which was the high-bandwidth interconnect for its generation, providing a data path that is adequate for the 10.40 GB/s memory bandwidth.
FAQ
Q: Does the Quadro4 980 XGL support hardware ray tracing?
A: No. The fact pack lists ray tracing cores as null, meaning there is no dedicated hardware for this function.
Q: What is the maximum memory bandwidth of this card?
A: The memory bandwidth is 10.40 GB/s, achieved via a 128-bit DDR memory bus running at 325 MHz.
Q: What power supply is recommended for a system with this GPU?
A: The suggested PSU rating is 200 W, and the card requires no auxiliary power connectors.
Q: Which API versions are supported for graphics rendering?
A: The card supports DirectX 8.1 and OpenGL 1.5. It does not support Vulkan.
Q: How many displays can be connected simultaneously?
A: The card provides two DVI outputs and one S-Video output, enabling dual digital display setups.
Q: What is the process technology used to manufacture this GPU?
A: The chip is fabricated on a 150 nm process at TSMC, with a die size of 142 mm².
Benchmark Performance
The database has no benchmark scores for the Quadro4 980 XGL, and its average benchmark score is recorded as zero. The percentile rank of 50 indicates that it sits exactly in the middle of the distribution of all GPUs in the database, but this is a historical ranking against a wide range of hardware, many of which are far more modern and powerful. Without specific rival scores or delta percentages, a numerical performance comparison is impossible. The raw specifications provide the only insight into its performance ceiling. The pixel rate of 1.200 GPixel/s and texture rate of 2.400 GTexel/s are fixed hardware limits. For professional workloads, these rates suggest that the card was capable of handling early-2000s CAD models and moderate 3D rendering tasks. The 128 MB memory capacity is a limiting factor for large textures or complex scenes, but was standard for its class. The memory bandwidth of 10.40 GB/s is sufficient for the fill rates, preventing a bottleneck in most scenarios. The lack of FP32 or FP16 data precludes any analysis of compute performance, which was not a primary focus for workstation GPUs of this vintage. In essence, the benchmark data is absent, so the performance narrative must rely on the technical specifications as a proxy for expected behavior.
Who Should Consider It
Given its specifications and historical context, the Quadro4 980 XGL is a candidate for specific, narrow use cases. The 50th percentile ranking and the absence of modern features mean it is not suitable for contemporary gaming or GPU-accelerated compute tasks. It is best considered for legacy system restoration or for running software that specifically requires an AGP 8x interface and support for OpenGL 1.5. For users working with 2D CAD drafting or basic 3D wireframe modeling at low resolutions (e.g., 1024x768), the card's 1.200 GPixel/s fill rate is adequate. The dual DVI outputs make it a viable option for a dual-monitor office workstation that handles spreadsheets, documents, and non-intensive graphical applications. However, its 128 MB memory and lack of shader model support beyond DirectX 8.1 will cause significant stuttering or failure with any 3D application that uses modern shaders. The card is not recommended for any resolution above 1080p, as the 10.40 GB/s bandwidth will be a severe constraint. The 200 W PSU requirement and single-slot design make it an easy drop-in for older machines with limited power supplies. In summary, it is a historical artifact for retro computing enthusiasts or for keeping a legacy proprietary system running, not a practical tool for modern professional work. Any user expecting performance comparable to contemporary GPUs would be severely disappointed, as the data indicates a fundamental generational gap in capabilities.
The AMD Equivalent of Quadro4 980 XGL
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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