AMD FirePro W4170M vs AMD Radeon R6 M255DX Comparison

The AMD FirePro W4170M and AMD Radeon R6 M255DX are two end-of-life mobile graphics solutions built on the same fundamental GCN 1.0 architecture, yet they are engineered for entirely different purposes. The data shows a clear separation: the FirePro W4170M is a dedicated professional mobile workstation part, while the R6 M255DX is an integrated graphics processor (IGP) designed for hybrid system configurations. The benchmark results, while derived from different tests, offer a fascinating glimpse into their comparative performance tiers.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

Direct head-to-head benchmark comparisons are not available in the dataset, so the analysis must rely on their respective individual benchmark scores and positions within the broader GPU landscape. The FirePro W4170M achieves a score of 5034 in the Geekbench OpenCL test. The Radeon R6 M255DX, on the other hand, posts a score of 4867 in the Geekbench Vulkan test. While these are different testing methodologies, they serve as the primary quantitative performance indicators for each part.

The FirePro W4170M’s score places it in the 30th percentile of all GPUs, indicating it sits in the entry-level performance segment. Its nearest rivals, based on average score, are the AMD Radeon R7 M340 and the AMD Radeon R7 240, both of which have an average score of 5063. The data shows the FirePro is a mere 0.6% behind these competitors. It also edges out the AMD Radeon R5 M430, which scores 5018, by a slim 0.3% margin. This clustering of scores suggests that the W4170M is performance-equivalent to a tight group of low-end discrete graphics solutions.

The Radeon R6 M255DX, with its Vulkan score of 4867, falls into the 28th percentile of all GPUs, slightly below the FirePro. Its nearest rival list is intriguing, dominated by NVIDIA parts. It is 0.2% ahead of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560M (score 4855) and 0.5% ahead of the NVIDIA GeForce 940MX (score 4844). Conversely, it trails the NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450 by 0.5% and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8 GB by 0.7%. The presence of the RTX 5060 Ti, a modern high-end card, in this list is a statistical anomaly, but it underscores that the R6 M255DX's raw compute score lands in a similar performance band as these specific legacy and modern parts.

The overall picture is one of two GPUs occupying the same low-performance tier. The FirePro W4170M holds a 3.4% raw score advantage over the R6 M255DX (5034 vs 4867). This numerical lead, combined with its higher percentile ranking (30th vs 28th), suggests that the dedicated FirePro solution holds a slight edge in raw computational throughput as measured by these distinct benchmark suites.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the same foundational GCN 1.0 architecture and fabricated by TSMC using a 28 nm process node. This shared heritage means they have identical transistor densities of 12.3M / mm² and support the same API feature set, including DirectX 12 (11_1), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.170. The core differences lie in their implementation and target roles.

The FirePro W4170M is a discrete part based on the "Opal" chip. It packs 950 million transistors into a 77 mm² die. Its configuration is more robust, featuring 384 shading units, 24 texture mapping units (TMUs), and 8 ROPs. It operates at a base clock of 825 MHz and a boost clock of 900 MHz. This hardware translates to a pixel rate of 7.200 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 21.60 GTexel/s, culminating in a FP32 compute throughput of 691.2 GFLOPS. It is paired with 2 GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory on a 128-bit bus, delivering a bandwidth of 64.00 GB/s. This dedicated memory pool is a critical advantage for a professional workload, as it isolates graphics memory from system memory.

In contrast, the Radeon R6 M255DX is an integrated part based on the smaller "Jet" chip. It contains 690 million transistors on a 56 mm² die. Its execution resources are scaled down to 320 shading units, 20 TMUs, and 8 ROPs. The clocks are slightly lower, with a base of 780 MHz and a boost of 855 MHz. Consequently, its pixel rate is 6.840 GPixel/s and its texture rate is 17.10 GTexel/s, which leads to an FP32 performance of 547.2 GFLOPS. The most significant architectural difference is its memory configuration. The R6 M255DX uses "System Shared" memory, meaning it has no dedicated VRAM and relies on a portion of the system's main memory. The bus width and bandwidth are therefore "System Shared" and "System Dependent," respectively, making its performance heavily reliant on the host system's memory configuration.

The FirePro is also an MXM Module, a standard for removable mobile graphics cards, while the R6 M255DX is an IGP, soldered directly to the motherboard. This physical difference reinforces the FirePro’s role as a professional, serviceable component versus the R6's role as an integrated, cost-saving solution.

Where Each One Wins

The data suggests that the AMD FirePro W4170M wins in scenarios requiring sustained, dedicated compute performance. Its higher FP32 throughput (691.2 GFLOPS vs 547.2 GFLOPS) and dedicated GDDR5 memory with a fixed 64.00 GB/s bandwidth give it a distinct advantage in GPU-accelerated tasks. The higher clock speeds (900 MHz boost vs 855 MHz boost) and greater number of shading units and TMUs further contribute to its lead. This makes it the more capable choice for professional applications like CAD, 3D modeling, or any workload that can leverage OpenCL, where its 5034 Geekbench OpenCL score confirms its capability.

The AMD Radeon R6 M255DX, while less powerful in raw specifications, wins on integration and system-level flexibility. Its "System Shared" memory architecture means it can dynamically allocate from a large pool of system RAM, which can be a benefit for memory-hungry applications that do not fit into a 2 GB frame buffer, albeit with the performance penalty of shared bandwidth. Its position as an IGP means it is the sole graphics solution for a system, requiring no extra power connectors and saving space. Its 4867 Geekbench Vulkan score shows it is a capable part for DirectX 12 (11_1) and Vulkan titles, providing a baseline level of gaming performance for a hybrid system, as indicated by its "Gem System Hybrid" generation label. It is not a competitor for the FirePro's professional niche, but rather a solution for everyday computing and light gaming.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has a higher raw compute performance?

A: The AMD FirePro W4170M. It has a FP32 performance of 691.2 GFLOPS, compared to the Radeon R6 M255DX's 547.2 GFLOPS, and it also holds a higher Geekbench score (5034 vs 4867).

Q: How does the memory configuration differ between the two?

A: The FirePro W4170M uses 2 GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory on a 128-bit bus with a bandwidth of 64.00 GB/s. The Radeon R6 M255DX uses "System Shared" memory, meaning its capacity, bus width, and bandwidth are all dependent on the host system.

Q: Are these GPUs based on the same architecture?

A: Yes, both the AMD FirePro W4170M and the AMD Radeon R6 M255DX are built on the GCN 1.0 architecture and are fabricated on a 28 nm process node at TSMC.

Q: Which GPU has a higher transistor count and larger die size?

A: The AMD FirePro W4170M, which uses the "Opal" chip, has 950 million transistors on a 77 mm² die. The Radeon R6 M255DX uses the "Jet" chip, which has 690 million transistors on a 56 mm² die.

Q: What does the benchmark percentile ranking tell us?

A: The FirePro W4170M sits in the 30th percentile of all GPUs, while the Radeon R6 M255DX sits in the 28th percentile. This indicates both are entry-level performers, but the FirePro has a slight edge in overall standing.

Q: What are the nearest rivals for the Radeon R6 M255DX?

A: The data shows its nearest rivals are the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560M, NVIDIA GeForce 940MX, NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450, and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8 GB, with score deltas ranging from +0.5% to -0.7%.

The Verdict

The benchmark data and specifications paint a clear picture. The AMD FirePro W4170M is the superior choice for users who need a dedicated, reliable mobile workstation GPU. Its 3.4% higher benchmark score, superior FP32 compute, and dedicated GDDR5 memory make it the logical pick for professional tasks that demand consistent performance. It is 0.3% faster than the Radeon R5 M430 and only 0.6% slower than the Radeon R7 M340, placing it in a solid tier for entry-level professional work.

The AMD Radeon R6 M255DX is a different class of product. It is an integrated solution for hybrid systems where a separate graphics card is not an option. Its performance is competitive with legacy NVIDIA parts like the GeForce GTX 560M and 940MX, being 0.2% and 0.5% faster, respectively. However, its reliance on system memory makes its real-world performance variable. For a user building a compact or power-efficient system that requires basic GPU acceleration for gaming or general use, the R6 M255DX is the only option of the two. The FirePro W4170M is the clear winner on sheer capability, but the R6 M255DX wins on integration.

Specification Differences

The following table outlines the key areas where the two GPUs differ based on the provided data.

| Specification | AMD FirePro W4170M | AMD Radeon R6 M255DX |

|:--- |:--- |:--- |

| Chip | Opal | Jet |

| Generation | FirePro Mobile (Wx100M) | Gem System Hybrid (Rx M200) |

| Transistors | 950 million | 690 million |

| Die Size | 77 mm² | 56 mm² |

| Base Clock | 825 MHz | 780 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 900 MHz | 855 MHz |

| Memory | 2 GB GDDR5 | System Shared |

| Memory Bus Width | 128 bit | System Shared |

| Memory Bandwidth | 64.00 GB/s | System Dependent |

| Shading Units | 384 | 320 |

| TMUs | 24 | 20 |

| Pixel Rate | 7.200 GPixel/s | 6.840 GPixel/s |

| Texture Rate | 21.60 GTexel/s | 17.10 GTexel/s |

| FP32 Performance | 691.2 GFLOPS | 547.2 GFLOPS |

| Slot Width | MXM Module | IGP |

| Bus Interface | PCIe 3.0 x8 | IGP |

| Power Connectors | None | Not specified |

| Release Date | 2015-04-22 | 2014-01-06 |

| Benchmark Score | 5034 (OpenCL) | 4867 (Vulkan) |

| Percentile | 30 | 28 |