GEFORCE

NVIDIA Tesla K20s

NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores

5 GB
VRAM
MHz Boost
225W
TDP
320
Bus Width

NVIDIA Tesla K20s Specifications

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Tesla K20s GPU Core

Shader units and compute resources

The NVIDIA Tesla K20s 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.

Shading Units
2,496
Shaders
2,496
TMUs
208
ROPs
40
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Tesla K20s Clock Speeds

GPU and memory frequencies

Clock speeds directly impact the Tesla K20s'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 K20s by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.

GPU Clock
575 MHz
Memory Clock
1300 MHz 5.2 Gbps effective
GDDR GDDR 6X 6X

NVIDIA's Tesla K20s Memory

VRAM capacity and bandwidth

VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The Tesla K20s'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.

Memory Size
5 GB
VRAM
5,120 MB
Memory Type
GDDR5
VRAM Type
GDDR5
Memory Bus
320 bit
Bus Width
320-bit
Bandwidth
208.0 GB/s
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Tesla K20s by NVIDIA Cache

On-chip cache hierarchy

On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the Tesla K20s, 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.

L1 Cache
16 KB (per SMX)
L2 Cache
1280 KB
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Tesla K20s Theoretical Performance

Compute and fill rates

Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA Tesla K20s 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.

FP32 (Float)
2.870 TFLOPS
FP64 (Double)
956.8 GFLOPS (1:3)
Pixel Rate
29.90 GPixel/s
Texture Rate
119.6 GTexel/s
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Kepler Architecture & Process

Manufacturing and design details

The NVIDIA Tesla K20s 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 Tesla K20s will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.

Architecture
Kepler
GPU Name
GK110
Process Node
28 nm
Foundry
TSMC
Transistors
7,080 million
Die Size
561 mm²
Density
12.6M / mm²
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NVIDIA's Tesla K20s Power & Thermal

TDP and power requirements

Power specifications for the NVIDIA Tesla K20s 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 K20s to maintain boost clocks without throttling.

TDP
225 W
TDP
225W
Suggested PSU
550 W
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Tesla K20s by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity

Dimensions and outputs

Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA Tesla K20s 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.

Slot Width
Dual-slot
Length
267 mm 10.5 inches
Bus Interface
PCIe 2.0 x16
Display Outputs
No outputs
Display Outputs
No outputs
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NVIDIA API Support

Graphics and compute APIs

API support determines which games and applications can fully utilize the NVIDIA Tesla K20s. 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.

DirectX
12 (11_0)
DirectX
12 (11_0)
OpenGL
4.6
OpenGL
4.6
Vulkan
1.2.175
Vulkan
1.2.175
OpenCL
3.0
CUDA
3.5
Shader Model
6.5 (5.1)
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Tesla K20s Product Information

Release and pricing details

The NVIDIA Tesla K20s 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 K20s by NVIDIA represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.

Manufacturer
NVIDIA
Release Date
Feb 2013
Launch Price
3,199 USD
Production
End-of-life
Predecessor
Tesla Fermi
Successor
Tesla Maxwell

Tesla K20s Benchmark Scores

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No benchmark data available for this GPU.

About NVIDIA Tesla K20s

The NVIDIA Tesla K20s emerged as a powerhouse for compute-intensive tasks when it launched in early 2013, leveraging NVIDIA’s Kepler architecture and 28nm process to deliver robust parallel processing capabilities. With 5 GB of GDDR5 VRAM and a TDP of 225W, this card was designed to tackle scientific simulations, machine learning, and complex data analysis workloads rather than gaming. Its PCIe 2.0 x16 interface ensured solid bandwidth for data transfer, though its $3,199 price tag positioned it squarely as a professional tool rather than a consumer product. Gamers might overlook the NVIDIA Tesla K20s due to its lack of gaming optimizations, but its raw compute performance remains impressive for applications requiring heavy GPU acceleration. Despite being an older architecture, the Kepler design’s efficiency in double-precision calculations still holds relevance in certain research and engineering fields today.

For content creators working with high-resolution video editing or 3D rendering, the NVIDIA Tesla K20s offers a compelling blend of VRAM and memory bandwidth, though its 5 GB limit may strain modern workflows. Software compatibility with CUDA, OpenCL, and DirectCompute ensures it integrates smoothly into professional pipelines, particularly for applications like Adobe Premiere or Blender that harness GPU acceleration. However, the card’s focus on compute performance over gaming features means it lacks the latest APIs and display outputs found in contemporary consumer GPUs. Multi-GPU setups could benefit from the K20s’s robust architecture, but its PCIe 2.0 x16 interface may bottleneck newer systems with PCIe 3.0 or 4.0 infrastructure. While not marketed for gaming, the NVIDIA Tesla K20s remains a viable option for creators who prioritize raw processing power over graphical fidelity.

When evaluating the NVIDIA Tesla K20s for multi-GPU configurations, its 225W TDP and 28nm process raise concerns about thermal management and power consumption in dense server or workstation environments. The card’s Kepler architecture, while advanced for its time, lacks the energy efficiency of later Pascal or Ampere designs, making it less ideal for long-term, high-throughput operations. Enthusiasts investigating this card for niche gaming use cases may find its compute-focused drivers and lack of gaming-specific optimizations frustrating, though some older titles could still leverage its capabilities. NVIDIA’s Tesla K20s stands as a testament to early GPU computing ambitions, but its age and specifications now place it behind modern alternatives for most applications. Gamers and creators alike should weigh its historical strengths against newer, more versatile hardware before committing to this Kepler-era relic.

The AMD Equivalent of Tesla K20s

Looking for a similar graphics card from AMD? The AMD Radeon RX 480 offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.

AMD Radeon RX 480

AMD • 8 GB VRAM

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