NVIDIA Tesla C1080
NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
NVIDIANVIDIA Tesla C1080 Specifications
Tesla C1080 GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The NVIDIA Tesla C1080 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.
Tesla C1080 Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the Tesla C1080'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 Tesla C1080 by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
NVIDIA's Tesla C1080 Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The Tesla C1080'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.
Tesla C1080 by NVIDIA Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the Tesla C1080, 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.
Tesla C1080 Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA Tesla C1080 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.
Tesla 2.0 Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The NVIDIA Tesla C1080 is built on NVIDIA's Tesla 2.0 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 Tesla C1080 will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
NVIDIA's Tesla C1080 Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the NVIDIA Tesla C1080 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 Tesla C1080 to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
Tesla C1080 by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA Tesla C1080 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 Tesla C1080. 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.
Tesla C1080 Product Information
Release and pricing details
The NVIDIA Tesla C1080 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 Tesla C1080 by NVIDIA represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
Tesla C1080 Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this GPU.
About NVIDIA Tesla C1080
The NVIDIA Tesla C1080 is an end-of-life compute accelerator based on the Tesla 2.0 architecture and the GT200B chip, built on TSMC's 55 nm process with 1,400 million transistors on a 470 mm² die. It targets a specific niche in the used market, but its capabilities are strictly defined by its age and architecture.
Benchmark Performance
The Tesla C1080 holds a benchmark percentile ranking of 50 among all GPUs, placing it in the exact median of the performance distribution. This indicates that while it is not a top-tier part, it is also not a complete relic; it outperforms roughly half of the database's tracked graphics cards. The card delivers a peak FP32 compute throughput of 622.1 GFLOPS, a figure that is heavily constrained by its Tesla 2.0 architecture. This is a non-gaming compute card, so its raw shading power is the primary metric for workloads that rely on single-precision floating-point math.
The card's pixel fill rate stands at 19.52 GPixel/s, while its texture fill rate is 48.80 GTexel/s. These figures are modest by modern standards but were competitive in the card's original era. The data shows that the C1080's 240 shading units are paired with 80 texture mapping units and 32 raster operation units. This configuration suggests that the card's compute throughput is balanced toward texture-heavy operations rather than pixel-shading tasks, which aligns with its intended use in scientific and professional compute environments rather than real-time 3D rendering.
Without a direct benchmark score or a list of nearest rivals in the dataset, the relative performance must be inferred from the percentile placement. The 50th percentile is a critical threshold, meaning the C1080 sits exactly at the midpoint of all tracked GPUs. Its FP32 output of 622.1 GFLOPS is a hard ceiling that cannot be exceeded, regardless of driver optimizations. For context, this level of compute performance is sufficient for older simulation workloads or basic data processing but will struggle with any modern high-throughput task. The absence of any rival data in the record means the card is effectively a standalone entry in this database, with no direct competitors offering a comparative delta.
Who Should Consider It
The Tesla C1080 is a compute-only accelerator with no display outputs, which immediately disqualifies it for any standard desktop gaming use. Its 4 GB of GDDR3 memory on a 512-bit bus provides a bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, which is the limiting factor for any workload that requires moving large datasets to and from the GPU. At a resolution of 1080p, the card's 19.52 GPixel/s fill rate might handle older, lightweight 3D applications, but its lack of display outputs means it cannot render to a screen directly. It would require a secondary graphics card for video output, making it an impractical choice for gaming.
This card is for a very specific user: someone running legacy compute applications that were written for the Tesla 2.0 architecture and its specific driver support. The 622.1 GFLOPS of FP32 power is enough for small-scale physics simulations, certain financial modeling tasks, or older CUDA-based workflows that do not require double-precision or modern tensor operations. The 4 GB memory capacity is the other constraint; workloads must fit entirely within that 4 GB frame buffer, and the 102.4 GB/s bandwidth means data transfers will be slow. If a workload fits these constraints and does not require newer instruction sets, the C1080 can function, but it is not a general-purpose accelerator.
For any modern gaming or high-resolution rendering workload, this card is unsuitable. The DirectX support is limited to 11.1 (10_0) and OpenGL 3.3, which means it cannot run games requiring DirectX 12 or Vulkan. The pixel rate and texture rate are far too low for 1440p or 4K gaming, and the lack of display outputs makes it a paperweight in a gaming rig. Users should only consider this card if they have a specific legacy compute requirement that matches its exact capabilities.
How It Comps
The dataset does not include any nearest rival entries for the Tesla C1080, so a direct comparison against specific competing GPUs is impossible from the provided facts. The record shows no benchmark scores, no average benchmark score, and no delta percentages against other cards. This means the C1080 is positioned in the database as an isolated part, with its performance defined only by its absolute numbers and its global percentile.
The absence of rival data is meaningful. It suggests that the card's performance profile is so distinct from other entries that no close matches were found in the database, or that its legacy status puts it outside the normal comparison range. The 50th percentile placement is a generic marker, not a result of head-to-head testing against specific parts. Without rivals, there is no basis for stating that the card is faster or slower than a particular alternative by a specific percentage. The only reliable statements are the absolute figures: 622.1 GFLOPS, 19.52 GPixel/s, and 48.80 GTexel/s.
When considering this card, a user must rely on these absolute numbers alone. The card's position in the market is defined by its end-of-life status and its architectural limitations. It is not a card that can be evaluated against modern equivalents, because the compute landscape has shifted toward different memory types, higher bandwidth, and more advanced instruction sets. The C1080 is a historical artifact with a specific, narrow function.
Power and Cooling
The Tesla C1080 has a thermal design power of 188 W, which is a significant draw for a card of its era. The data specifies a suggested power supply of 450 W, which is a modest recommendation given the card's TDP. The card requires a single 6-pin and a single 8-pin power connector, so the PSU must have both connector types available. It is a dual-slot card, meaning it will occupy two expansion slots in a chassis, and it measures 267 mm in length (10.5 inches) and 111 mm in height (4.4 inches).
The 188 W TDP dictates the cooling requirements. A capable air cooler is necessary, but the dual-slot design allows for a larger heatsink and fan assembly than a single-slot card. The card has no display outputs, so all power drawn is directed toward compute operations. The 450 W PSU recommendation assumes a system with a modest CPU and minimal other peripherals; a more powerful system would require a larger PSU. The power connector configuration is standard for high-end cards of its generation, but users must verify that their PSU has the required 6-pin and 8-pin connectors.
Cooling is a practical concern because the card is end-of-life and may have aged fans or dried thermal paste. The 188 W of heat must be dissipated effectively to maintain stability. In a well-ventilated case, the dual-slot cooler should handle the load, but in a cramped or poorly ventilated chassis, the card may throttle or become unstable. The lack of display outputs means the card is likely installed in a server or compute rig, where airflow is typically more controlled.
FAQ
Q: What is the maximum memory bandwidth of the Tesla C1080?
A: The card has a 512-bit memory bus paired with GDDR3 memory running at 800 MHz (1600 Mbps effective), yielding a total bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s.
Q: Does the Tesla C1080 support DirectX 12 or Vulkan?
A: No. The card’s API support is limited to DirectX 11.1 (10_0) and OpenGL 3.3. It has no Vulkan support.
Q: What power connectors does the Tesla C1080 require?
A: The card requires one 6-pin and one 8-pin power connector, and the suggested PSU rating is 450 W.
Q: Can I use this card for gaming on a modern monitor?
A: No. The card has no display outputs, so it cannot connect to a monitor. It also lacks the API support for modern games.
Q: How much video memory does the Tesla C1080 have, and what type is it?
A: It has 4 GB of GDDR3 memory. This is an older memory type, and the 102.4 GB/s bandwidth is a limiting factor for data-intensive tasks.
Q: What is the transistor count and die size of the GT200B chip?
A: The chip contains 1,400 million transistors on a die size of 470 mm², manufactured on a 55 nm process.
Memory Subsystem
The Tesla C1080 is equipped with 4 GB of GDDR3 memory, connected via a 512-bit memory bus. The memory clock is 800 MHz, with an effective data rate of 1600 Mbps, which yields a total memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. This is a critical specification: the 512-bit bus is wide, which helps compensate for the relatively low clock speed of GDDR3 memory. The bandwidth figure is a hard ceiling for how much data can be fed to the 240 shading units.
For high-resolution workloads, this memory configuration is a severe bottleneck. At 4K resolutions, texture data and frame buffers require significantly more bandwidth than the 102.4 GB/s can provide. The 4 GB capacity is also restrictive; modern datasets and frame buffers can easily exceed this limit, forcing data to spill to system memory over the PCIe 2.0 x16 interface, which is another bottleneck. The combination of GDDR3, a 512-bit bus, and 102.4 GB/s bandwidth means the card is only viable for workloads with small, well-optimized data sets that fit within the memory pool.
The memory subsystem is the defining characteristic of the C1080. The FP32 compute throughput of 622.1 GFLOPS is the primary processing capability, but it can only be fed as fast as the memory bandwidth allows. For tasks that are memory-bound, such as large matrix operations or image processing, the 102.4 GB/s will limit performance. For compute-bound tasks that fit in 4 GB, the card can operate at its full FP32 potential. The use of GDDR3, rather than a faster memory type, is a key reason this card is relegated to legacy status. The bus width of 512 bit is impressive, but it cannot overcome the inherent speed limitations of the memory technology.
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