AMD FirePro M6100 vs NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 OEM Comparison

The Verdict

The data presents a clear generational divide. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is in a different performance class entirely, while the AMD FirePro M6100 represents an older, lower-tier mobile workstation solution. Benchmark results indicate the RTX 3050 OEM is the decisive choice for almost any modern workload, delivering a 354.8% higher score in the single shared benchmark test (Geekbench OpenCL) compared to the FirePro M6100. The FirePro M6100, however, is a product of its era, with a much simpler feature set and performance profile that limits its relevance today.

From a purely data-driven perspective, the RTX 3050 OEM is the superior product in raw compute, feature support, and memory capacity. The FirePro M6100, while an end-of-life product, still holds a niche for legacy applications or systems with specific MXM module requirements, but it cannot compete on any level of contemporary performance. The recommendation is straightforward: for any new task involving modern APIs or compute-heavy workloads, the RTX 3050 OEM is the only viable option. The FirePro M6100 is strictly for those who must work within its specific hardware constraints (MXM form factor) and have no need for modern features.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two GPUs is vast, reflecting their different release eras and design goals. The RTX 3050 OEM is built on NVIDIA's Ampere architecture, using a GA106 chip fabricated on an 8 nm process by Samsung. This advanced node allows for a massive transistor count of 12,000 million on a 276 mm² die, resulting in a transistor density of 43.5M / mm².

In contrast, the AMD FirePro M6100 uses the older GCN 2.0 architecture, with a chip codenamed "Emerald," manufactured by TSMC on a 28 nm process. It contains 2,080 million transistors on a 160 mm² die, giving it a much lower transistor density of 13.0M per mm². This fundamental difference in process technology and architecture explains the vast gulf in performance and feature support.

The RTX 3050 OEM is a feature-rich GPU, boasting dedicated hardware resources. It includes 18 RT Cores and 72 Tensor Cores, which are absent from the FirePro M6100 entirely. These cores enable hardware-accelerated ray tracing and AI-driven features like DLSS, which are not possible on the older AMD part. Furthermore, the RTX 3050 OEM supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2) and Vulkan 1.4, while the FirePro M6100 is limited to DirectX 12 (12_0) and Vulkan 1.2.170. This indicates a significant difference in modern API feature support.

The fundamental architectural differences also extend to the compute units. The RTX 3050 OEM has 2,304 shading units, 72 TMUs, and 32 ROPs. The FirePro M6100 has 896 shading units, 56 TMUs, and 16 ROPs. The sheer difference in shading unit count, coupled with the clock speeds and memory technology, underpins the RTX 3050 OEM's massive lead in computational throughput.

Where Each One Wins

The data shows a single point of comparison, but it is a decisive one. The Geekbench OpenCL benchmark, a compute-heavy test, is the only head-to-head result available. In this test, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 OEM wins with a score of 60,740, while the AMD FirePro M6100 scores 13,354.

This translates to a 354.8% advantage for the RTX 3050 OEM. This suggests the RTX 3050 OEM is overwhelmingly better for compute tasks like video rendering, scientific simulations, and AI inference that rely on raw parallel processing power. The FirePro M6100, with its much lower FP32 performance of 1.971 TFLOPS compared to the RTX 3050 OEM's 8.087 TFLOPS, is not suitable for such modern workloads.

However, the FirePro M6100 does have a niche. Its primary advantage is its form factor. It is an MXM Module, a standardized, replaceable graphics module used in some laptops and industrial PCs. The RTX 3050 OEM is a dual-slot PCIe card, which is not compatible with such systems. Therefore, the FirePro M6100's "win" is not in performance, but in its specific hardware interface and power connector requirements, which are simply different. For a legacy system that only supports MXM-B (3.0) modules, the FirePro M6100 is the only option that fits, regardless of performance.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU is faster in compute performance based on the database?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is significantly faster. In the Geekbench OpenCL test, it scored 60,740 points, a 354.8% increase over the AMD FirePro M6100's score of 13,354.

Q: What are the primary architectural differences?

A: The RTX 3050 OEM uses the modern Ampere architecture on an 8 nm process, with 18 ray tracing cores and 72 tensor cores. The FirePro M6100 uses the older GCN 2.0 architecture on a 28 nm process and has no dedicated ray tracing or tensor cores.

Q: Does the FirePro M6100 support modern graphics features?

A: No. It is limited to DirectX 12 (12_0) and Vulkan 1.2.170. The RTX 3050 OEM supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2) and Vulkan 1.4, which includes features like ray tracing and mesh shaders.

Q: Which GPU has more memory, and what is the bandwidth difference?

A: The RTX 3050 OEM has 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing 224.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The FirePro M6100 has 2 GB of GDDR5 on a 128-bit bus, providing 96.00 GB/s of bandwidth.

Q: Are there any physical compatibility considerations?

A: Yes. The FirePro M6100 is an MXM Module with no power connectors, designed for portable devices. The RTX 3050 OEM is a dual-slot card that uses a 1x 8-pin power connector and a PCIe 4.0 x8 interface, making them physically incompatible.

Q: Is the FirePro M6100 competitive with the RTX 3050 OEM in any way?

A: In the recorded data, the FirePro M6100 does not win any benchmark. Its only advantage is in its physical MXM form factor, which is not a performance metric but a compatibility one for specific older laptop systems.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains exactly one head-to-head benchmark between these two GPUs. This single data point is the Geekbench OpenCL test, a measure of raw GPGPU compute performance.

Geekbench OpenCL:

• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 OEM: 60,740
• AMD FirePro M6100: 13,354
• Winner: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 OEM, by 354.8%

This result is a stark illustration of the generational leap. The RTX 3050 OEM's score is more than four times that of the FirePro M6100. This is not a marginal victory but a complete domination in compute capability. The data indicates the RTX 3050 OEM is a much more capable GPU for any task that can leverage OpenCL, such as video encoding, physics simulations, and general data processing.

In contrast, the FirePro M6100's score of 13,354 places it in the same performance tier as its nearest rivals in the database, such as the AMD Radeon RX 5500M (13,356) and the AMD Radeon Pro 555 (13,407). This shows that the FirePro M6100's compute performance is consistent with a low-end or older mobile GPU, while the RTX 3050 OEM's score of 60,740 sits in a completely different league, aligning it with much more modern and powerful desktop GPUs.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets for these two GPUs highlight their separate eras and design goals. Here are the key differences recorded in the database.

• Chip and Architecture: The RTX 3050 OEM uses the GA106 chip on the Ampere architecture. The FirePro M6100 uses the Emerald chip on the GCN 2.0 architecture.
• Process Node: The RTX 3050 OEM is on an 8 nm process by Samsung. The FirePro M6100 is on a 28 nm process by TSMC.
• Transistors: The RTX 3050 OEM has 12,000 million transistors on a 276 mm² die. The FirePro M6100 has 2,080 million transistors on a 160 mm² die.
• Memory: The RTX 3050 OEM has 8 GB of GDDR6 with a bandwidth of 224.0 GB/s. The FirePro M6100 has 2 GB of GDDR5 with a bandwidth of 96.0 GB/s.
• Shading Units: The RTX 3050 OEM has 2,304 shading units. The FirePro M6100 has 896.
• TMUs and ROPs: The RTX 3050 OEM has 72 TMUs and 32 ROPs. The FirePro M6100 has 56 TMUs and 16 ROPs.
• RT and Tensor Cores: The RTX 3050 OEM has 18 RT cores and 72 Tensor cores. The FirePro M6100 has none.
• Compute Rates: The RTX 3050 OEM has an FP32 rate of 8.087 TFLOPS, a pixel rate of 56.16 GPixel/s, and a texture rate of 126.4 GTexel/s. The FirePro M6100 has an FP32 rate of 1.971 TFLOPS, a pixel rate of 17.60 GPixel/s, and a texture rate of 61.60 GTexel/s.
• Slot and Power: The RTX 3050 OEM is a dual-slot card using a 1x 8-pin power connector and a PCIe 4.0 x8 interface. The FirePro M6100 is an MXM Module with no power connectors and an MXM-B (3.0) interface.
• API Support: The RTX 3050 OEM supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2) and Vulkan 1.4. The FirePro M6100 supports DirectX 12 (12_0) and Vulkan 1.2.170.