AMD FirePro W5100 vs AMD Radeon RX 550X Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear and consistent winner in every measured benchmark. In the Geekbench OpenCL test, the AMD FirePro W5100 scores 11,888 points against the AMD Radeon RX 550X’s 9,662 points. That is a 23% advantage, a substantial gap that places the FirePro firmly ahead in general compute workloads. The Vulkan results follow the same pattern, with the FirePro W5100 scoring 13,805 points compared to the RX 550X’s 11,299 points, a 22.2% lead. Across the two head-to-head benchmarks, the FirePro W5100 wins both, giving it a 2-0 record.

What makes this interesting is that the RX 550X is the newer product by nearly five years, yet it cannot match the older FirePro in raw compute throughput. The FirePro’s average benchmark score of 12,847 sits near the 52nd percentile of all GPUs in the database, while the RX 550X’s average of 10,481 lands at the 49th percentile. The FirePro’s nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon Pro 455 (12,831 average score, 0.1% behind), the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 590 (12,830, 0.1% behind), and the AMD Radeon 740M (12,870, 0.2% ahead). For the RX 550X, its closest competitors are the NVIDIA Tesla C2075 (10,400 average, 0.8% behind), the AMD Radeon R9 M275X (10,582, 1% behind), and the AMD Radeon RX 6500M (10,362, 1.2% ahead). These rival clusters show that the FirePro is competing in a higher performance tier entirely.

The delta percentages between the two cards in the head-to-head tests are consistent, suggesting a systemic advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk. The FirePro’s lead in OpenCL (23%) is slightly larger than its lead in Vulkan (22.2%), but both margins are close enough to indicate that the FirePro’s hardware configuration simply delivers more compute capability across different API environments. There is no benchmark in the database where the RX 550X pulls ahead, and no result where the two cards are within a margin that could be called a tie.

FAQ

Q: Which card has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD FirePro W5100 has an average benchmark score of 12,847, while the AMD Radeon RX 550X scores 10,481 on average. The FirePro sits at the 52nd percentile of all GPUs, the RX 550X at the 49th.

Q: How large is the FirePro’s lead in OpenCL?

A: In the Geekbench OpenCL test, the FirePro W5100 scores 11,888 against the RX 550X’s 9,662, a 23% difference. This is the largest margin recorded in the head-to-head comparison.

Q: Does the RX 550X win any benchmark?

A: No. The database records two head-to-head benchmarks, Geekbench OpenCL and Geekbench Vulkan, and the RX 550X loses both. The win count is 2 for the FirePro W5100 and 0 for the RX 550X.

Q: What is the Vulkan score difference between the two?

A: The FirePro W5100 achieves 13,805 in Vulkan, while the RX 550X scores 11,299. The FirePro’s lead is 22.2%.

Q: How does the RX 550X compare to its own nearest rivals?

A: The RX 550X’s closest competitor is the AMD Radeon R9 M275X, which scores 10,582 (1% ahead of the RX 550X). The NVIDIA Tesla C2075 scores 10,400, which is 0.8% behind the RX 550X. The AMD Radeon RX 6500M sits 1.2% ahead with 10,362, and the AMD Radeon RX 6600S is 1.4% ahead with 10,629.

Q: Is the FirePro W5100 close to any GPU in its performance tier?

A: Yes. The AMD Radeon Pro 455 scores 12,831, which is 0.1% behind the FirePro. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 590 scores 12,830, also 0.1% behind. The AMD Radeon 740M scores 12,870, which is 0.2% ahead of the FirePro.

Architecture Differences

The two cards come from different architectural generations, which explains much of the benchmark gap. The AMD FirePro W5100 is built on GCN 2.0 architecture, using the Bonaire chip, while the AMD Radeon RX 550X uses GCN 4.0 architecture with the Lexa chip. The FirePro belongs to the FirePro GCN (Wx100) generation, whereas the RX 550X is part of the Polaris (RX 500X) family.

The manufacturing process differs significantly. The FirePro uses a 28 nm process from TSMC, while the RX 550X uses a 14 nm process from GlobalFoundries. The smaller node gives the RX 550X a higher transistor density: 21.4 million transistors per square millimeter versus 13.0 million for the FirePro. The RX 550X also has slightly more transistors overall, 2,200 million versus 2,080 million, but on a much smaller die: 103 mm² versus 160 mm².

Shader configuration is a key differentiator. The FirePro W5100 packs 768 shading units, 48 texture mapping units, and 16 ROPs. The RX 550X has fewer shading units at 512, fewer TMUs at 32, but the same 16 ROPs. This means the FirePro has 50% more shading units and 50% more TMUs than the RX 550X, which directly contributes to its higher compute scores despite the older architecture.

The API support also differs. Both cards support DirectX 12 (12_0) and OpenGL 4.6, but the FirePro only reaches Vulkan 1.2.170, while the RX 550X supports Vulkan 1.3. This newer Vulkan version on the RX 550X does not translate into a performance win in the recorded Vulkan benchmark, as the FirePro still scores higher.

Specification Differences

The memory subsystems are identical in capacity and type. Both cards feature 4 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 128-bit bus, with 96.00 GB/s of bandwidth. Memory clock is also the same: 1500 MHz, or 6 Gbps effective. This means the benchmark differences are not driven by memory bandwidth, but by compute throughput and architecture.

Clock speeds differ. The FirePro W5100 has no recorded base or boost clock in the database, while the RX 550X has a base clock of 1100 MHz and a boost clock of 1183 MHz. The RX 550X’s higher clocks do not compensate for its fewer shading units. The FirePro’s pixel rate is 14.88 GPixel/s, while the RX 550X achieves 18.93 GPixel/s. This is one specification where the newer card leads. However, the texture rate favors the FirePro: 44.64 GTexel/s versus 37.86 GTexel/s for the RX 550X. The FP32 compute is also higher on the FirePro at 1,428.5 GFLOPS versus 1,211.4 GFLOPS. The RX 550X does have FP16 capability at 1,211.4 GFLOPS (1:1), while the FirePro has no recorded FP16 figure.

Physical dimensions and power requirements differ. The FirePro is a single-slot card measuring 173 mm (6.8 inches) in length and 111 mm (4.4 inches) in height. The RX 550X is a dual-slot card at 145 mm (5.7 inches) in length, with no recorded height. Both cards have a TDP of 50 W and require no power connectors, with a suggested PSU of 250 W. The bus interface also differs: the FirePro uses PCIe 3.0 x16, while the RX 550X uses PCIe 3.0 x8, which could limit bandwidth on the newer card.

Display outputs vary. The FirePro offers four DisplayPort 1.2 outputs, while the RX 550X provides one DVI, one HDMI 2.0b, and one DisplayPort 1.4a. The FirePro’s multi-display capability is more extensive, reflecting its workstation heritage. Release dates are far apart: the FirePro launched on March 30, 2014, while the RX 550X launched on December 15, 2018. Both are now end-of-life products.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD FirePro W5100 wins in compute-heavy workloads. Its 23% lead in OpenCL and 22.2% lead in Vulkan show that it excels in tasks that leverage general-purpose GPU compute, such as rendering, simulation, and data processing. The higher shading unit count (768 versus 512) and higher texture rate (44.64 GTexel/s versus 37.86 GTexel/s) support this advantage. The FirePro also has a higher FP32 throughput (1,428.5 GFLOPS versus 1,211.4 GFLOPS), making it the stronger choice for any floating-point intensive application.

The FirePro also wins on connectivity. Its four DisplayPort 1.2 outputs make it suitable for multi-monitor workstation setups, while the RX 550X offers only a single DisplayPort 1.4a, one DVI, and one HDMI 2.0b. For users who need to drive multiple displays from one card, the FirePro is the clear choice.

The AMD Radeon RX 550X wins in specific areas that the benchmark data does not cover directly but the specification differences reveal. It has a higher pixel rate (18.93 GPixel/s versus 14.88 GPixel/s), which suggests better performance in fill-rate-bound scenarios, such as high-resolution texture-heavy rendering. The RX 550X also has a smaller physical footprint at 145 mm length versus 173 mm, making it easier to fit in compact cases. Its dual-slot cooler may provide better thermal management, though both cards share a 50 W TDP.

The RX 550X offers a more modern feature set. It supports Vulkan 1.3, while the FirePro is limited to Vulkan 1.2.170. The RX 550X also has FP16 compute capability, which the FirePro lacks, potentially benefiting applications that use half-precision arithmetic. The newer 14 nm process and higher transistor density (21.4M/mm² versus 13.0M/mm²) indicate a more efficient design in terms of die size, though not in benchmark performance.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The AMD FirePro W5100 is the faster card in every recorded test, with a 23% lead in OpenCL and a 22.2% lead in Vulkan. Its average benchmark score of 12,847 places it at the 52nd percentile of all GPUs, while the RX 550X’s 10,481 average places it at the 49th percentile. The FirePro’s 2-0 win record in head-to-head comparisons is the definitive outcome.

Users who need maximum compute performance for professional workloads, such as OpenCL-based rendering or simulation, should choose the FirePro W5100. Its higher shading unit count, higher texture rate, and higher FP32 throughput make it the superior choice for these tasks. The four DisplayPort outputs also make it ideal for multi-monitor professional environments.

Users who prioritize pixel fill rate, modern API support, or a smaller physical footprint might consider the RX 550X. Its 18.93 GPixel/s pixel rate exceeds the FirePro’s 14.88 GPixel/s, and its Vulkan 1.3 support is more current. However, these advantages do not translate into wins in the recorded benchmarks. The RX 550X is the newer card by nearly five years, but the data shows it is not the faster card.

The verdict is straightforward: the FirePro W5100 wins on raw performance and compute capability, while the RX 550X offers newer features and a more compact design. For anyone prioritizing benchmark scores, the FirePro is the pick. For those who value pixel throughput and modern API versions, the RX 550X has its merits, but it loses every measured test. The database records no scenario where the RX 550X outperforms the FirePro W5100.