NVIDIA RTX A5500 Max-Q

The NVIDIA RTX A5500 Max-Q is a mobile workstation GPU built on the Ampere architecture with the GA103 chip, fabricated on Samsung's 8 nm process with 22,000 million transistors on a 496 mm² die. The data record places it at the 50th percentile among all GPUs in the database, though the average benchmark score is listed as 0 with no individual benchmark entries, meaning the quantitative comparison here relies on the hardware specification rather than measured workloads.

Benchmark Performance

The absence of benchmark entries in the FACT PACK means there are no rival scores or deltaPct values to cite. The only positional metric available is the percentileVsAllGpus value of 50, which indicates the RTX A5500 Max-Q sits at the exact midpoint of the GPU distribution in the database — neither a top-tier performer nor a low-end part. The compute metrics support this positioning. The FP32 throughput is 18.71 TFLOPS, with FP16 also at 18.71 TFLOPS (1:1 ratio). This 1:1 FP16/FP32 ratio is notable because some consumer Ampere parts reduce FP16 throughput; the A5500 Max-Q maintains full rate, which benefits professional compute workloads that mix precision levels. The texture rate is 292.3 GTexel/s from 232 TMUs, and the pixel rate is 121.0 GPixel/s from 96 ROPs. These figures, combined with the 7424 shading units, paint a picture of a GPU that is roughly mid-pack in raw throughput. The boost clock of 1260 MHz and base clock of 585 MHz are relatively low, which is typical for a Max-Q (power-constrained) mobile part. The gap between base and boost is substantial, suggesting the GPU can ramp up significantly when thermal and power headroom allow, but sustained workloads may hold it near the lower end. Without rival deltas, the percentile is the only comparative anchor: at the 50th percentile, the A5500 Max-Q would be outpaced by an equal share of the database as it would outpace. For professional mobile workstations, this places it as a balanced mid-range option rather than a flagship.

Ray Tracing and Feature Set

The RTX A5500 Max-Q includes 58 RT cores and 232 tensor cores. The RT cores provide hardware-accelerated ray tracing, and the tensor cores handle AI and deep-learning inference tasks. The API support is comprehensive: DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4. DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2) is the feature level that includes ray tracing, mesh shaders, variable rate shading, and sampler feedback — the full set of modern rendering features. Vulkan 1.4 similarly exposes ray tracing and compute capabilities across platforms. OpenGL 4.6 is included for legacy professional applications. The combination of 58 RT cores and 232 tensor cores means the GPU is equipped for both real-time ray tracing and AI-accelerated features such as denoising and upscaling, though the specific software implementations are not detailed in the data. The Ampere architecture (GA103 chip) carries the Max-Q designation, indicating the power-optimized mobile variant. The tensor core count of 232 is substantial for a mobile part and supports the 18.71 TFLOPS FP16 throughput, which is the same as FP32 — a sign that the tensor and compute paths are not artificially limited on this SKU. For users running ray-traced workloads, the 58 RT cores will handle basic acceleration, but the 80 W power envelope (discussed later) will limit sustained RT performance compared to higher-TDP desktop parts.

Memory Subsystem

The memory configuration is one of the strongest aspects of this GPU. It has 16 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s. The memory clock is 1750 MHz, which translates to 14 Gbps effective data rate. The 16 GB capacity is generous for a mobile workstation GPU and allows large datasets, high-resolution textures, and multi-application workflows to reside in VRAM without spilling to system memory. For high-resolution rendering, the capacity is a clear asset. The 448.0 GB/s bandwidth, however, is moderate by current standards. It is derived from a 256-bit bus width, which is narrower than some flagship parts. This means that while the capacity is high, the speed at which data can be fed to the compute units is limited. In scenarios where the GPU is bandwidth-bound — such as heavy texture streaming or large framebuffer operations — the 448.0 GB/s figure will be the limiting factor rather than the 18.71 TFLOPS compute rate. The 256-bit bus is a reasonable match for the mid-range compute throughput; a wider bus would increase cost and power, which conflicts with the 80 W TDP. The memory clock of 1750 MHz (14 Gbps effective) is a standard GDDR6 speed, not an overclocked bin. Overall, the memory subsystem provides ample capacity for professional workloads but a bandwidth that is adequate rather than exceptional.

Who Should Consider It

Given the 50th percentile position and the hardware specifications, the RTX A5500 Max-Q is suited for users who need 16 GB of VRAM in a power-constrained mobile form factor. The data shows no benchmark scores, so the recommendation is based on the physical configuration. The 16 GB GDDR6 capacity is the standout feature — professionals working with large 3D scenes, high-resolution textures, or machine-learning models that fit within 16 GB will benefit. The 80 W TDP (detailed in the Power and Cooling section) means this GPU is designed for thin-and-light mobile workstations where power delivery and cooling are limited. Users targeting maximum frame rates in games should look elsewhere, as the 50th percentile ranking suggests mid-range performance. The 7424 shading units and 18.71 TFLOPS FP32 are respectable for a mobile part but will not compete with high-end desktop GPUs. For gaming at common resolutions, the performance is likely acceptable for many titles, but the primary audience is professional workstation users who prioritize VRAM capacity and driver stability (implied by the Quadro-class lineage, predecessor Quadro Turing-M) over raw gaming frame rates. The 1:1 FP16/FP32 ratio and 232 tensor cores make it a candidate for AI inference at the edge, provided the workload fits within the 80 W power budget. Users who require sustained maximum performance in ray-traced workloads may find the 58 RT cores and the power limit constraining; those who need maximum capacity per watt will find the configuration compelling.

FAQ

Q: What is the memory configuration of the RTX A5500 Max-Q?

A: It has 16 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus with 448.0 GB/s bandwidth, running at 1750 MHz (14 Gbps effective).

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

A: The TDP is 80 W. The GPU has no power connectors listed, meaning power is delivered through the portable device (laptop) platform.

Q: Which APIs are supported?

A: It supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4.

Q: How many RT cores and tensor cores does it have?

A: It has 58 RT cores and 232 tensor cores.

Q: What is the manufacturing process and die size?

A: It is fabricated on Samsung's 8 nm process with 22,000 million transistors on a 496 mm² die.

Q: What is the production status and release date?

A: The production status is end-of-life, with a release date of 2022-03-21. Its predecessor is Quadro Turing-M and its successor is Ada-MW.

Power and Cooling

The RTX A5500 Max-Q has a TDP of 80 W, which is the power envelope for the entire GPU. The FACT PACK lists no power connectors — the field is "None" — which indicates that the GPU draws all power through the mobile platform's board, rather than requiring external PCIe power cables. The suggested PSU field is null, meaning no power supply recommendation is provided; this is typical for a mobile GPU where the system integrator designs the power delivery. The 80 W TDP is modest, which has direct implications for cooling. A laptop chassis with this GPU does not require the large heatsinks and high-speed fans needed for high-power desktop parts. The low power draw allows for thinner and lighter designs. The display outputs are listed as "Portable Device Dependent," meaning the video outputs are determined by the laptop manufacturer rather than the GPU itself. The bus interface is PCIe 4.0 x16, which provides ample bandwidth for the GPU's 448.0 GB/s memory throughput. The base clock of 585 MHz and boost clock of 1260 MHz are relatively far apart; the boost clock represents the maximum achievable under ideal thermal conditions, and the 80 W limit will likely prevent sustained boost in heavy workloads. Users should expect the GPU to settle somewhere between the two clocks depending on the workload and cooling solution. The pixel rate of 121.0 GPixel/s and texture rate of 292.3 GTexel/s are derived from the core clocks and the 96 ROPs / 232 TMUs, respectively. In a power-constrained mobile chassis, the cooling solution's ability to maintain boost clocks will be the primary factor in real-world performance. The end-of-life production status suggests that this GPU is no longer in active production, so availability is limited to existing inventory or used market. The 8 nm process node (Samsung) is a mature node, and the 496 mm² die is relatively large, but the 80 W limit keeps thermal output manageable. Overall, the power and cooling profile is that of a conservative, efficiency-focused mobile workstation part.