PNY NVIDIA Quadro P400 (VCQP400-PB) Low-Profile Graphics Card: specs

The PNY NVIDIA Quadro P400 (VCQP400-PB) is a compact professional graphics board built for office workstations and small-form-factor PCs. It adds multi-monitor output and certified-driver support to machines where a larger graphics card won't fit. Here is what it offers and what to check.

What "Quadro" and Pascal mean

Quadro was NVIDIA's professional graphics line, aimed at design, engineering, CAD and content work rather than gaming. The P400 is based on NVIDIA's Pascal architecture. NVIDIA says it delivers up to 2x more visualization performance than the Maxwell-based Quadro K420, which is the previous generation it replaces.

That comparison is NVIDIA's own and applies to visualization tasks. It does not describe gaming or heavy compute performance.

Three DisplayPort outputs

The card has three DisplayPort outputs, which the listing says is more display connectivity than the previous generation. Three outputs let you drive a multi-monitor desk from one card, which suits spreadsheets, trading screens, monitoring dashboards and design palettes. DisplayPort connections are common on modern monitors. If your screens use HDMI, DVI or VGA, you will typically need adapters.

Memory bandwidth

NVIDIA says the P400 has more memory bandwidth than the previous generation, so users can work with larger datasets. Memory bandwidth is how quickly the graphics processor can read and write its memory. It affects how smoothly large drawings, models or images display.

Drivers and software support

The listing says the drivers are tuned and tested, with support for the latest releases of OpenGL, DirectX, Vulkan and NVIDIA CUDA. Professional applications often publish lists of graphics hardware and driver versions they work with, so check that your software supports this card. Because the architecture is older, confirm that current operating system and driver releases still support it.

Video encode and decode

Dedicated engines handle H.264 and HEVC encoding and decoding, including creation and playback of HDR video, according to the listing. Fixed-function video engines typically take that work off the processor, which helps on video-heavy workstations.

Low-profile form factor

The card is low-profile and measures about 5.7 x 2.7 x 0.7 inches (roughly 14.5 x 6.9 x 1.8 cm), weighing 0.3 lb (about 135 g). That fits slim desktops and small cases. The listing gives no extra power connector, so check the specifications for how it is powered.

Who it suits

It suits office and professional desktops that need several displays, CAD or light 3D viewing, and certified drivers, especially in slim cases where full-height cards won't fit. It is not designed for demanding games or heavy 3D rendering.

What to check before you buy

• Bracket and slot: confirm your case has a low-profile slot, and that the bracket supplied matches. A full-height bracket may be an option.
• Motherboard slot: check that the card's PCI Express interface suits your motherboard.
• Monitors: count your screens and confirm they have DisplayPort inputs or adapters.
• Software: check your professional applications' hardware lists.
• Operating system: confirm current driver support for your system.
• Power and cooling: read the card's specification page for power use and case airflow.

The short version

• A low-profile professional graphics board, VCQP400-PB, from PNY using NVIDIA's Quadro P400.
• Pascal architecture, which NVIDIA says offers up to 2x the visualization performance of the Quadro K420.
• Three DisplayPort outputs.
• Support for OpenGL, DirectX, Vulkan and CUDA, plus H.264 and HEVC encode and decode.
• About 5.7 x 2.7 x 0.7 inches and 0.3 lb.

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