Correction: This article was updated at 10:00 pm ET to include results based on a new firmware v1.2.1 from Nvidia (released OTA on 10/9/14) that fixed the driver bug causing erroneous results for CompuBenchRS. This page should replace the original page in the posted article.
CompuBenchRS
CompuBenchRS tests the compute performance of multi-core systems supporting the RenderScript API (a component of the Android operating system). The compute API is similar to CUDA or OpenCL, and can distribute parallel tasks across all compute cores, including the CPU and GPU (as of Android 4.2, RenderScript is expanded to run on the GPU, in addition to the CPU of supported systems). On compute-capable GPUs, the benchmark runs on the graphics engine. Otherwise, the tests stress CPU cores. CompuBenchRS sub-tests cover the following categories: Computer Vision (Face Detection), 3D Graphics (Provence - ray tracing), Image Processing (Gaussian Blur, Histogram), Physics (Particle Simulation – 4K), and Throughput (Julia Set, Ambient Occlusion).
The Shield Tablet outscores the Snapdragon 805 MDP tablet from Qualcomm, but curiously falls behind the other two, lower clocked, -A15 based SoCs. Even Nvidia’s previous generation Tegra 4 SoC in the EVGA Tegra Note 7 posts a higher score. We brought this to Nvidia’s attention and its engineers are looking into this issue.
The Shield Tablet performs better in the Graphics test, scoring nearly 1.4x higher than its closest rival.
Here we see the Tegra K1 flex its 192 CUDA cores, offering between 2x-3x the performance of the Snapdragon 805 in second place.
Once again Tegra 4 posts a better score than Tegra K1. Nvidia’s engineers are investigating and it’s likely this is a software issue.
Based on these results, Tegra K1 must be “a neural net processor; a learning computer” sent back through time to destroy all of the other SoCs that could lead a rebellion in the post-apocalyptic future.
After the firmware update from Nvidia to address the CompuBenchRS bug, overall RenderScript performance is mixed. The Tegra K1 in the Shield Tablet still posts the best scores in the Graphics, Image Processing, and Throughput tests, but the margin of victory, while still impressive, is substantially less. In the Face Detection and Physics tests, the Shield Tablet falls behind the Tegra Note 7. Tegra K1 outmatches the Tegra 4 in every conceivable way, so it’s safe to blame software for this anomaly. Nvidia’s engineers are looking into this issue, so hopefully we’ll have a more definite answer, and maybe a software update, in the near future.
- The Nvidia Shield Tablet And Controller: Defending Against Boredom
- Availability, Options And Accessories
- Shield Tablet: Look And Feel
- Shield Controller: Look And Feel
- Software Tour
- Stylus And Inking
- Console Mode And GameStream
- Grid, ShadowPlay And Twitch
- The Games
- Benchmark Suite, Methodology And System Specs
- Results: CPU Core Benchmarks
- Results: HTML5 And JavaScript Benchmarks
- Results: GPU Core Benchmarks
- Results: GPGPU Benchmarks
- Results: Display Measurements
- Results: Battery And Throttling
- A Multifaceted Shield Worth Carrying Into Battle





Lol this is epic! xD
Anyway, great and unique review. Especially for the so many GPGPU benchmarks.
Nvidia tablet at $299 seems to be a great buy.
I know people are excited about the raw performance of this tablet. But, other than raw GPU power, EVERYTHING else is compromised.
-matt64
After clarifying this with Nvidia, only the press kits included the cable. The retail boxes do NOT include the HDMI cable. I'm sorry for the confusion and we'll update the article to correct this.
-matt64
P.S.
How is the heat on the thing after a few hours in warm weather?
Heat can cause lock ups (as you will know); but maybe its a software thing that will be ironed out.
I was hoping it would be smoothe and excellent; but I knew it would get hot. Too slim you see. Look at the PS Vita as comparrison. Chunky and cool.
The heat was not an issue I was thinking about when I mentioned a design flaw for gaming (I have a neat solution for).
Although the heat issue did give me the idea for a slot on the back of the unit (maybe magnetic) to put 6mm thick (30mm diameter) frozen metal wafers in located on the back near the CPU/GPU housing, so that it can drop the heat off a bit during an hours play. You get a kit of two or three or somthing; keep one in the freezer and swop them.
Nobody plays them all day do they?
For general browsing, should not be required; but when you start pushing the graphics, they be pretty handy on a hot day.
My Terga 4 smartphone has automatically shut itself down due to overheating itself a hundred times in summers in the Far East..
10,000 ideas.
nice.