AMD FirePro M5100 vs NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Comparison

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 and AMD FirePro M5100 represent two distinct approaches to mobile and small-form-factor computing from the same era. The data shows a clear performance hierarchy, but the architectural and feature differences between the two are substantial enough to warrant a detailed breakdown. The GTX 750, built on the Maxwell architecture, and the FirePro M5100, based on GCN 1.0, offer different balances of raw compute, memory capacity, and API support, making the choice between them dependent on specific workload requirements rather than a single aggregate score.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the available benchmark data, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 is the definitive winner in raw computational throughput. In the sole head-to-head test, Geekbench OpenCL, the GTX 750 scores 9,315 against the FirePro M5100's 6,830. This represents a 36.4% advantage for the NVIDIA part, a substantial margin that positions it firmly ahead in any OpenCL-based compute workload. The GTX 750's average benchmark score of 7,222 further reinforces this, placing it in the 40th percentile of all GPUs, while the FirePro M5100 sits at 6,830 and the 38th percentile.

The GTX 750 also demonstrates versatility across multiple API benchmarks, with scores of 4,274 in Geekbench Metal and 8,078 in Geekbench Vulkan. These additional data points suggest that while the OpenCL gap is the headline figure, the NVIDIA architecture maintains a consistent performance edge across different compute interfaces. The FirePro M5100, by contrast, has only a single OpenCL benchmark score in the data, limiting direct comparison but highlighting a potential weakness in its software ecosystem or benchmarking coverage.

However, the FirePro M5100 wins on memory capacity. It comes equipped with 2 GB of GDDR5 memory, double the 1,024 MB (1 GB) found on the GTX 750. For workloads that are memory-capacity bound—such as large texture sets or certain data-parallel tasks—this advantage could be decisive, even if the raw bandwidth is lower. The FirePro M5100's memory bandwidth is 72.00 GB/s, slightly behind the GTX 750's 80.19 GB/s, but the extra capacity allows it to hold more data on-die, potentially reducing the need for slower system memory access.

The Verdict

The benchmark results indicate that the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 is the superior choice for users prioritizing maximum compute performance. Its 36.4% lead in OpenCL over the FirePro M5100 is a decisive factor that outweighs most other considerations. The GTX 750 also offers a wider range of benchmark coverage, with three scores across Metal, OpenCL, and Vulkan, suggesting better driver support and optimization across multiple platforms. For applications that leverage these APIs, the GTX 750 is the clear recommendation.

The AMD FirePro M5100 is the better option only in scenarios where its 2 GB memory capacity is a hard requirement. If a specific application or dataset cannot fit within the GTX 750's 1 GB frame buffer, the FirePro M5100's double capacity becomes a mandatory feature, despite its lower overall performance. This is a niche scenario, but for professional or specialized workloads with strict memory footprints, the FirePro M5100's capacity advantage is its sole redeeming quality.

For general-purpose use, the data is unambiguous. The GTX 750 outperforms the FirePro M5100 in every measured benchmark, has a higher average score, and sits in a higher percentile of all GPUs. The FirePro M5100's lower texture rate (31.00 GTexel/s vs 34.72 GTexel/s), lower pixel rate (12.40 GPixel/s vs 17.36 GPixel/s), and lower FP32 throughput (992.0 GFLOPS vs 1,111.0 GFLOPS) all contribute to its performance deficit. The verdict is straightforward: pick the GTX 750 for performance, pick the FirePro M5100 only if you absolutely need 2 GB of VRAM.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only direct comparison available is in Geekbench OpenCL, and the results are lopsided. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 achieves a score of 9,315, while the AMD FirePro M5100 manages 6,830. This yields a delta of 36.4% in favor of the GTX 750. This is not a marginal win; it is a substantial generational and architectural advantage. The GTX 750's higher base clock of 1020 MHz (boost 1085 MHz) versus the FirePro M5100's 725 MHz (boost 775 MHz) is a significant contributor, representing a 40.7% higher base clock and 40.0% higher boost clock.

The memory subsystem also favors the GTX 750. Its bandwidth of 80.19 GB/s is 11.4% higher than the FirePro M5100's 72.00 GB/s, despite both using a 128-bit bus. The GTX 750 also runs its GDDR5 memory at 1253 MHz (5 Gbps effective) compared to the FirePro M5100's 1125 MHz (4.5 Gbps effective). While these clock differences explain part of the performance gap, the architectural efficiency of Maxwell over GCN 1.0 is also a factor, as evidenced by the GTX 750 achieving higher throughput with fewer shading units (512 vs 640) and TMUs (32 vs 40).

The FirePro M5100's only theoretical advantages are its 2 GB memory capacity and its higher shading unit count. However, the benchmark data shows that this additional hardware does not translate into higher performance in OpenCL. The GTX 750's superior clocks and architecture overcome the FirePro M5100's raw unit advantage, resulting in the 36.4% OpenCL victory. When considering the GTX 750's Vulkan score of 8,078, it is also 18.3% higher than the FirePro M5100's OpenCL score, further demonstrating the NVIDIA part's dominance across different compute APIs.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 has a higher average benchmark score of 7,222, compared to the AMD FirePro M5100's 6,830.

Q: By how much does the GTX 750 beat the FirePro M5100 in Geekbench OpenCL?

A: The GTX 750 scores 9,315 in Geekbench OpenCL, which is 36.4% higher than the FirePro M5100's score of 6,830.

Q: Does the FirePro M5100 have any advantage over the GTX 750?

A: Yes, the FirePro M5100 has a larger memory capacity of 2 GB, compared to the GTX 750's 1,024 MB. This is its primary advantage, despite its lower performance.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between the two cards?

A: The GTX 750 has a memory bandwidth of 80.19 GB/s, while the FirePro M5100 has 72.00 GB/s, giving the GTX 750 an 11.4% advantage.

Q: Which GPU supports the newer Vulkan version?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 supports Vulkan 1.4, while the AMD FirePro M5100 supports Vulkan 1.2.170.

Q: How do their pixel rates compare?

A: The GTX 750 has a pixel rate of 17.36 GPixel/s, which is significantly higher than the FirePro M5100's 12.40 GPixel/s.

Architecture Differences

The two GPUs are built on fundamentally different architectures from their respective manufacturers. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 uses the GM107 chip based on the Maxwell architecture, manufactured by TSMC on a 28 nm process. It contains 1,870 million transistors on a die size of 148 mm², resulting in a transistor density of 12.6 million per mm². In contrast, the AMD FirePro M5100 uses the Venus chip based on GCN 1.0, also manufactured by TSMC on a 28 nm process. It has 1,500 million transistors on a smaller die of 123 mm², yielding a slightly lower density of 12.2 million per mm².

The core configurations differ significantly. The GTX 750 features 512 shading units, 32 texture mapping units (TMUs), and 16 render output units (ROPs). The FirePro M5100, despite its lower performance, has more raw hardware: 640 shading units, 40 TMUs, and 16 ROPs. However, the GTX 750's higher clocks and more efficient Maxwell architecture allow it to achieve higher pixel and texture rates. The GTX 750's pixel rate is 17.36 GPixel/s and texture rate is 34.72 GTexel/s, while the FirePro M5100 manages 12.40 GPixel/s and 31.00 GTexel/s, respectively.

Clock speeds are a major differentiator. The GTX 750 runs at a base clock of 1020 MHz with a boost of 1085 MHz, while the FirePro M5100 is significantly slower at 725 MHz base and 775 MHz boost. This clock advantage translates directly to the FP32 compute throughput: the GTX 750 delivers 1,111.0 GFLOPS compared to the FirePro M5100's 992.0 GFLOPS. The memory clocks also favor NVIDIA, with the GTX 750's memory running at 1253 MHz (5 Gbps effective) versus 1125 MHz (4.5 Gbps effective) for the AMD part.

Beyond raw specs, the API support and physical characteristics differ. The GTX 750 supports DirectX 12 (11_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4. The FirePro M5100 supports DirectX 12 (11_1), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.170, giving NVIDIA a newer Vulkan version. The GTX 750 is a single-slot card with PCIe 3.0 x16 interface, 145 mm long, and requires no power connectors, with a TDP of 55 W and a suggested PSU of 250 W. The FirePro M5100 is an MXM module with MXM-A (3.0) interface, and its TDP and power connector requirements are not specified. The GTX 750 offers 2x DVI and 1x mini-HDMI 1.4a outputs, while the FirePro M5100's display outputs are dependent on the portable device it is installed in.