14 DAY TRIAL // Just after the first details about Nvidia's upcoming GT 520 graphics card were leaked to the Web, the company has officially announced its first professional card that is based on the GF119 GPU, dubbed the Quadro 400, that targets entry-level workstations.
The GF119 is Nvidia's most basic core based on the Fermi architecture as it packs only 48 CUDA processors and a 64-bit memory interface that can be paired with DDR3 memory.
In the case of the Quadro 400, Nvidia has opted for just 512MB of DDR3 video buffer that is clocked at about 760MHz which translates into a memory bandwidth of about 12.3GB/s.
This is less than what Sandy Bridge, and other modern processors, is able to achieve, but going for such a low performance core also has its advantages as Nvidia was able to keep the power consumption of the card under the 35W mark while also making the Quadro 400 compatible with small form factor systems.
Other features include a 30-bit (10-bits per color) color engine as well as a dual-link DVI and a DisplayPort video output.
“Designers and engineers, whether designing the largest assemblies or smallest components, rely on Quadro,” said Jeff Brown, general manager, Professional Solutions Group, Nvidia.
“The Quadro 400 is the right tool to help ensure that job gets done the right way, especially when it comes to running professional apps like Autodesk AutoCAD.”
The Quadro 400 has a recommended retail price of $169 US and is available immediately in the HP Z800, Z600, and Z400 workstations, and for all Fujitsu CELSIUS workstations as well as from some Nvidia AIB partners such as PNY Technologies in North America and Europe, ELSA in Japan, and Leadtek in Asia Pacific.
Later this month, the Quadro 400 will arrive in select Lenovo ThinkStation D20, C20, S20 and E30 workstations.