Quadro NVS 280 PCI vs GeForce FX 5950 Ultra
Aggregate performance score
We've compared GeForce FX 5950 Ultra with Quadro NVS 280 PCI, including specs and performance data.
5950 Ultra outperforms 280 PCI by a whopping 600% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Contents
Primary details
GPU architecture, market segment, value for money and other general parameters compared.
| Place in the ranking | 1485 | 1554 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Power efficiency | 0.15 | 0.12 |
| Architecture | Rankine (2003−2005) | Rankine (2003−2005) |
| GPU code name | NV38 | NV34 B1 |
| Market segment | Desktop | Workstation |
| Release date | 23 October 2003 (22 years ago) | 28 October 2003 (22 years ago) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | $499 | no data |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
The higher the ratio, the better. We use the manufacturer's recommended prices.
Performance to price scatter graph
Detailed specifications
General parameters such as number of shaders, GPU core base clock and boost clock speeds, manufacturing process, texturing and calculation speed. Note that power consumption of some graphics cards can well exceed their nominal TDP, especially when overclocked.
| Core clock speed | 475 MHz | 275 MHz |
| Number of transistors | 135 million | 45 million |
| Manufacturing process technology | 130 nm | 150 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 74 Watt | 13 Watt |
| Texture fill rate | 3.800 | 1.100 |
| ROPs | 4 | 2 |
| TMUs | 8 | 4 |
Form factor & compatibility
Information on compatibility with other computer components. Useful when choosing a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. For desktop graphics cards it's interface and bus (motherboard compatibility), additional power connectors (power supply compatibility).
| Interface | AGP 8x | PCI |
| Length | 229 mm | 168 mm |
| Width | 2-slot | 1-slot |
| Supplementary power connectors | 1x Molex | None |
VRAM capacity and type
Parameters of VRAM installed: its type, size, bus, clock and resulting bandwidth. Integrated GPUs have no dedicated video RAM and use a shared part of system RAM.
| Memory type | DDR | DDR |
| Maximum RAM amount | 256 MB | 64 MB |
| Memory bus width | 256 Bit | 128 Bit |
| Memory clock speed | 475 MHz | 250 MHz |
| Memory bandwidth | 30.4 GB/s | 8 GB/s |
Connectivity and outputs
This section shows the types and number of video connectors on each GPU. The data applies specifically to desktop reference models (for example, NVIDIA’s Founders Edition). OEM partners often modify both the number and types of ports. On notebook GPUs, video‐output options are determined by the laptop’s design rather than the graphics chip itself.
| Display Connectors | 1x DVI, 1x VGA, 1x S-Video | 1x DMS-59 |
API and SDK support
List of supported 3D and general-purpose computing APIs, including their specific versions.
| DirectX | 9.0a | 9.0a |
| OpenGL | 2.1 | 1.5 (2.1) |
| OpenCL | N/A | N/A |
| Vulkan | N/A | N/A |
Synthetic benchmarks
Non-gaming benchmark results comparison. The combined score is measured on a 0-100 point scale.
Combined synthetic benchmark score
This is our combined benchmark score.
Passmark
This is the most ubiquitous GPU benchmark. It gives the graphics card a thorough evaluation under various types of load, providing four separate benchmarks for Direct3D versions 9, 10, 11 and 12 (the last being done in 4K resolution if possible), and few more tests engaging DirectCompute capabilities.
Gaming performance
Let's see how good the compared graphics cards are for gaming. Particular gaming benchmark results are measured in FPS.
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 0.14 | 0.02 |
| Maximum RAM amount | 256 MB | 64 MB |
| Chip lithography | 130 nm | 150 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 74 Watt | 13 Watt |
FX 5950 Ultra has a 600% higher aggregate performance score, a 300% higher maximum VRAM amount, and a 15.4% more advanced lithography process.
NVS 280 PCI, on the other hand, has 469.2% lower power consumption.
The GeForce FX 5950 Ultra is our recommended choice as it beats the Quadro NVS 280 PCI in performance tests.
Be aware that GeForce FX 5950 Ultra is a desktop graphics card while Quadro NVS 280 PCI is a workstation one.
Other comparisons
We selected several comparisons of graphics cards with performance close to those reviewed, providing you with more options to consider.
