NVIDIA has quietly introduced a new entry-level desktop discrete GPU positioned a notch below even the GeForce GT 1030. The new GT 1010 is based on the "Pascal" graphics architecture circa 2016, and is cut further down from the 16 nm "GP108" silicon. The GT 1010 appears to be NVIDIA's move at replacing the "Kepler" based GT 710 from its bare entry-level, and helping the company clear out all remaining inventory of the "GP108" silicon from the channel, out to OEMs. The GT 1010 likely features 256 CUDA cores, 16 TMUs, 16 ROPs, and 2 GB of GDDR5 memory across a 64-bit wide memory bus (40 GB/s bandwidth), with a maximum GPU Boost frequency of 1468 MHz. If the GT 1010 does make it to the retail channel, we expect a sub-$60 price. With these specs, the chip will be easily bested by the latest iGPUs from AMD and Intel.

Low-end graphics cards usually don't attract much attention from the enthusiasts crowd. Nevertheless, not all computer users are avid gamers, and most average-joe users are perfectly happy with an entry-level graphics card, for example, a GeForce GT 1030. To refresh our memories a bit, NVIDIA launched the GeForce GT 1030 last year to compete against AMD's Radeon RX 550. It was recently discovered that several manufacturers have been shipping a lower-spec'd version of the GeForce GT 1030. According to NVIDIA's official specifications, the reference GeForce GT 1030 was shipped with 2 GB of GDDR5 memory running at 6008 MHz (GDDR5-effective) across a 64-bit wide memory bus which amassed to a memory bandwidth of 48 GB/s. However, some models from MSI, Gigabyte, and Palit come with DDR4 memory operating at 2100 MHz instead. If you do the math, that comes down to a memory bandwidth of 16.8 GB/s which certainly is a huge downgrade, on paper at least. The good news amid the bad is that the DDR4-based variants consume 10W less than the reference model.

Will this memory swap affect real-world performance? Probably. However, we won't know till what extent without proper testing. Unlike the GeForce MX150 fiasco, manufacturers were kind enough to let consumers know the difference between both models this time around. The lower-end DDR4 variant carries the "D4" denotation as part of the graphics card's model or consumers can find the denotation on the box. Beware, though, as not all manufacturers will give you the heads up. For example, Palit doesn't.

TechPowerUp today released the latest version of TechPowerUp GPU-Z. Version 2.2.0 adds support for new GPUs, and adds new advanced features. To begin with, GPU-Z can now display graphics memory timings for AMD Radeon GPUs, in the advanced panel. The driver version field in the main tab now displays driver date in a tool-tip. Sensor data display mode (current/minimum/maximum/average) can now be set in preferences, so you don't have to manually set them on each start-up. It's now easier to copy data from the advanced panel, with a new context menu.

TechPowerUp GPU-Z 2.2.0 also comes with under the hood changes. The overall start-up speed of GPU-Z has been improved on slower systems; immediate clean-up of "Query_External" files from the temp directory; a fix for missing sensors in graphics sub-systems with shared memory; the order of OpenCL properties has been improved in the advanced panel. Support is added for EVGA iCX fan monitoring. Among the new GPUs supported are NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030, 810M, Mining P104, P106; and Quadro P3000; Intel Iris Plus 640 & 650, GMA600; and improved support for AMD Radeon RX 560.DOWNLOAD: TechPowerUp GPU-Z 2.2.0

The change-log follows.

FinalWire Ltd. today announced the immediate availability of AIDA64 Extreme 5.92 software, a streamlined diagnostic and benchmarking tool for home users; the immediate availability of AIDA64 Engineer 5.92 software, a professional diagnostic and benchmarking solution for corporate IT technicians and engineers; the immediate availability of AIDA64 Business 5.92 software, an essential network management solution for small and medium scale enterprises; and the immediate availability of AIDA64 Network Audit 5.92 software, a dedicated network audit toolset to collect and manage corporate network inventories.

The latest AIDA64 update implements optimized benchmarks for the upcoming Intel Skylake-X and Kaby Lake-X processors, and supports the latest graphics and GPGPU computing technologies by both AMD and nVIDIA.DOWNLOAD: Finalwire AIDA64 v5.92

Remember that MX150 mobile graphics card we covered recently? NVIDIA has just let the cat out of the bag, with an announcement that seemingly confirms the specs we were expecting. NVIDIA is selling this mobile GPU's space as the expected IGP-upgrade, citing up to 3x superior performance-per-Watt compared to previous-generation Maxwell-based GeForce 940MX laptops. In other words, GeForce MX150 enables thinner laptops that run applications faster while sipping less power.

NVIDIA has quietly added a new product to its mobile catalog, the MX150. This tiny GPU is apparently based on the company's desktop GP108-based GT 1030, which has been recently launched in a bid to bridge the gap between IGP solutions and discrete-class graphics processors. In fact, this product looks to serve the ultrabook market with its modest power requirements, offering system integrators a new GPU which packs a lot more "oomph" than Intel's integrated graphics chips, while ensuring a considerable battery life.

This means that the MX150 is being geared not towards gamers (as the lack of a GeForce moniker already implies), but media consumption enthusiasts who demand more flexibility from their graphics adapters. For now, the only confirmed spec is a 2 GB GDDR5 memory pool, which is in line with the desktop GT 1030.

Taking a blanketing approach to the GT 1030 market, MSI has announced a further five SKUs based on NVIDIA's GT 1030 silicon, which will join the company's already announced full height, passive-cooled GT 1030 2GH OC offering. MSI is catering to one and every need their users could possibly have with this line-up: from a half-height, passive-cooled solution, passing through a full-height, still passively-cooled solution, and a full-height, actively-cooled one. The only thing missing seems to be a water-cooled version.

MSI's line of GT 1030 graphics cards are available now from various retailers at around the $75 price-bracket.

Manli Technology Group Limited, the major Graphics Cards and other components manufacturer, today announced the GT series graphics solution, Manli GeForce GT 1030 Heatsink with fan version. Manli GeForce GT 1030 delivers a perfect DirectX 12 gaming experiences, and powered by the NVIDIA Pascal architecture. It is equipped with 2 GB of GDDR5 memory, 64-bit memory controller, memory clock is at 6008 MHz, and the default GPU clock appears to be 1227 MHz.

MSI rolled out a full-height, passive-cooled GeForce GT 1030 graphics card. The MSI GT 1030 2GH OC features a large, 2 slots-thick monoblock aluminium heatsink cooling the GPU and memory. Armed with 2 GB of memory, it features factory-overclocked speeds of 1265 MHz core, 1518 MHz GPU Boost, and an untouched 6.00 GHz (GDDR5-effective) memory. With a typical board power of 30W, the card relies on the PCI-Express bus for all its power. Based on the GP108 silicon, the GeForce GT 1030 features 384 CUDA cores, 24 TMUs, 16 ROPs, and 64-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface, holding 2 GB of memory.

NVIDIA today released an updated version of their GeForce graphics drivers, version 382.23 WHQL, which brings with it support for the company's GT 1030 entry-level graphics cards. Strangely, the drivers' supported products only register as the GT 1030 itself, which is a little unusual, to say the least.

Follow the link here to grab the drivers directly from NVIDIA. Note that since these drivers ONLY support NVIDIA's new GT 1030, you shouldn't upgrade to these if you have any other NVIDIA card. To download the drivers, you'll have to choose the GT 1030 from the drop-down menu on NVIDIA's site, as well as the proper OS version for your use case.

Palit Microsystems Ltd, the leading graphics card manufacturer, today released the Pascal-based GT series - Palit GeForce GT 1030. It's powerful graphics engine and state-of-the-art technologies provide a performance upgrade to drive today's most demanding PC applications. Speed up your PC experience when you upgrade from integrated graphics to the new Palit GeForce GT 1030 graphics card. Unleash your creativity with stunning photo and video editing. The Palit GeForce GT 1030 is based on the Pascal GP108 ASIC, featuring 384 Pascal CUDA cores, and 2 GB of GDDR5 memory. And it consumes up to 30 watts of power, performs the most power saving features to PC user.

Palit GeForce GT 1030 is equipped with DVI and HDMI 2.0b which can support up to 4K@60Hz resolution and can upgrade the entire PC multimedia experience with 2X faster performance than the Intel Core i5. With the latest ultra-Efficient next-gens Pascal architecture support, Palit GeForce GT 1030 Low Profile enables to let graphics users to go faster and enjoy a premium PC experience.

ZOTAC is excited to introduce the ZOTAC GeForce GT 1030, powered by the award-winning NVIDIA Pascal architecture. ZOTAC continues to realize the potential in compact graphics engines, integrating the new energy efficiencies of NVIDIA Pascal with subtle design.

Enjoy faster performance with high quality settings without additional hardware upgrades. Simply drop it in your PC, secure it down, and power up.

Ahead of its launch on 17th May, specifications of NVIDIA's entry-level implementation of the "Pascal" GPU architecture, the GeForce GT 1030, were leaked to the web. This tiny GPU, with a TDP of just 35W, will power entry-level graphics cards of all shapes and sizes, including half-height (low profile) cards with passive cooling. NVIDIA could set the baseline price of the SKU as low as USD $59.99, given that in China, it is expected to start at RMB ¥450.

Based on the GP108 silicon, the GT 1030 will be endowed with 384 CUDA cores across three streaming multiprocessors holding 128 CUDA cores, each. In essence, the GP108 is half the chip the GP107 is, which powers the GTX 1050 Ti. With its three SM units, the GP108 features 24 TMUs, and 16 ROPs. It features a 64-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface, holding 2 GB of memory. The host interface is narrow, too, with the chip featuring a PCI-Express 3.0 x8 bus (cards will fit in x16 slots). The chip will be clocked at 1227 MHz core, 1468 MHz GPU Boost, and 6.00 GHz (GDDR5-effective) memory, working out to a memory bandwidth of 48 GB/s. Below is a quick block diagram we made.

We got whiff of NVIDIA working on the GeForce GT 1030 close to a month ago. The smallest implementation of the "Pascal" GPU architecture is NVIDIA's answer to the AMD Radeon RX 550, and targets the entry-level graphics segment. It looks like product launches of the GeForce GT 1030 are just around the corner as pictures and specifications of various GT 1030 cards were leaked to the web. Below you'll see pictures of a selection of GIGABYTE and MSI GT 1030 graphics cards.

According to VideoCardz, the GT 1030 are based on the GP108-300 ASIC, featuring 384 CUDA cores, 24 TMUs, 8 ROPs, and 2 GB of GDDR5 memory across a 64-bit wide memory bus. With a TDP of just 35W, the GPU can power low-profile and completely fanless graphics cards, although for those who prefer their cards with elaborate fan-heatsink cooling solutions, there will be full-height cards as well.

AIB partner for NVIDIA KFA2 is renowned for the design (often polarizing) of its graphics cards, and the company seems to carry white quite close to its heart (something I don't have a problem with, actually.) Now, the company has seemingly confirmed incoming retail availability of NVIDIA's leaked GT 1030 graphics cards, with an EXOC edition of the card in question.

The EXOC white edition by KFA2 is factory overclocked out of the box, and the packaging confirms its a 2GB GDDR5 model with 64-bit memory bus. According to the source, El Chapuzas Informatico, this card is equipped with a 16nm GP108 GPU with 384 CUDA cores (not the 512 we previously reported.) This makes sense, however, as this means NVIDIA can easily carve a GT 1040 SKU from the supposed 512 CUDA-cores base design of the GP108 chip. The base clock for the KFA2 GT 1030 EXOC is 1252 MHz, with a 1506 MHz boost clock. This card is expected to go on sale for around 80€ ($87 direct conversion, but more likely a $69 price-tag.)

We've already covered how NVIDIA is looking to take a slice of the IGP-replacement discrete GPU market after AMD brought it back to life with the RX 550 (of which you can see some examples here). Considering how the last NVIDIA entry into this market was the GT 730, it's safe to say a refresh is past due.

The most recent information points towards a chip sporting 512 CUDA cores and a 30W TDP - absent of any auxiliary power connectors. Pricing should be close to the RX 550's, though the performance difference between both parts is still up in the air - though an average 12 FPS in Ashes of the Singularity on 1080p is nothing to write home about, even if that is expectable given the GPU's price/performance bracket. The GT 1030 is currently expected to make landing on the second week of May.

With the Tuesday (18/04) launch of the Radeon RX 550 at US $79, the market for IGP-replacement discrete GPUs sprung back to life. NVIDIA is preparing to address the market with the new GeForce GT 1030 graphics card, based on its "Pascal" architecture. The SKU will be based on the new 14 nm "GP108" silicon, and could feature up to 512 CUDA cores, and up to 2 GB of GDDR5 memory across a 128-bit wide interface.

With tiny board and electrical footprints, one can expect the chip to rely on the PCI-Express slot entirely for its power, and come in low-profile and fan-less designs. It could feature an up-to-date I/O, including HDMI 2.0b and DisplayPort 1.4, which its predecessor, the GT 730 lacks. The company could formally announce the GT 1030 around mid-May, 2017.