Cisco UCSX-GPU-A16-D | NVIDIA A16 GPU, 64GB GDDR6, 4x 16GB, 250W Passive

Q: What is the primary use case for the NVIDIA A16 GPU?
A: The A16 is purpose-built for high-density virtual desktop infrastructure deployments. It supports graphics-rich virtual PCs for knowledge workers and entry-level virtual workstations for CAD and design applications, enabling up to 64 concurrent users per board when paired with NVIDIA vGPU software.

Q: How does the quad-GPU design benefit VDI deployments?
A: The unique quad-GPU architecture with four independent 16GB GPUs allows IT administrators to provision mixed user profiles on a single board. You can assign separate GPUs to different workload types—such as standard virtual PCs, power users, or virtual workstations—providing flexible resource allocation and maximizing hardware utilization.

Q: Which Cisco UCS platforms are compatible with the A16 GPU?
A: The UCSX-GPU-A16-D is designed for Cisco UCS X-Series modular systems, including X210c M6/M7 and X410c M7 compute nodes with X440p PCIe nodes. Cisco also offers the UCSC-GPU-A16-D variant for UCS C-Series rack servers such as the C240 M7. Verify compatibility with your specific server model and riser configuration.

Q: What software licenses are required to use the A16 GPU?
A: The A16 requires NVIDIA vGPU software licenses for virtualization features. NVIDIA Virtual PC licenses enable graphics-accelerated virtual desktops for knowledge workers, while NVIDIA RTX Virtual Workstation licenses support professional applications like CAD. NVIDIA AI Enterprise is available for AI and compute workloads on unused VDI resources.

Q: What are the power and cooling requirements?
A: The A16 has a 250W TDP and uses passive cooling, relying on server-level airflow and thermal management. Ensure your Cisco UCS chassis or rack server has adequate cooling capacity and PSU headroom. The card requires PCIe Gen4 x16 connectivity and includes the necessary power cable for installation.