AMD FirePro W5170M vs AMD Radeon Vega 8 Comparison

AMD Radeon Vega 8 and AMD FirePro W5170M are both end-of-life mobile graphics solutions, but they serve distinctly different purposes based on the benchmark data. The Vega 8, a 2018 integrated processor, edges out the older 2014 FirePro W5170M in average benchmark score (9221 vs 8595, a 7.3% gap), yet the FirePro wins the Vulkan API test decisively. The verdict is clear: pick the Vega 8 for OpenCL compute workloads and overall consistency, but choose the FirePro W5170M if your software leverages Vulkan, where it leads by 10.1%. Neither card is a powerhouse—both sit near the 45th and 44th percentiles of all GPUs respectively—so expectations should be modest.

The Verdict

The data favors the AMD Radeon Vega 8 as the better all-around performer. Its average benchmark score of 9221 places it 7.3% ahead of the FirePro W5170M’s 8595, and it wins the head-to-head OpenCL test with 8822 versus 8140 (an 8.4% advantage). For users running OpenCL-accelerated applications—common in productivity and scientific computing—the Vega 8 is the safer pick despite being an IGP with shared system memory. Its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon 890M, scores 9210, meaning the Vega 8 is statistically tied with a much newer integrated part (0.1% delta), which speaks to its efficiency.

The AMD FirePro W5170M, however, is not obsolete. It wins the Vulkan benchmark decisively, scoring 9050 against the Vega 8’s 8134—a 10.1% lead. This makes it the better choice for Vulkan-based games or rendering APIs. Its dedicated 2 GB GDDR5 memory with 72.00 GB/s bandwidth and 128-bit bus provides a tangible advantage over the Vega 8’s system-shared memory, which is "System Dependent" in bandwidth. For users with workloads that favor Vulkan, the FirePro’s lead is substantial enough to justify its older GCN 1.0 architecture. The FirePro also sits at the 44th percentile, nearly matching the Vega 8’s 45th, so neither offers a massive performance tier leap.

Architecture Differences

The two GPUs come from different generations of AMD’s architecture, which explains their divergent strengths. The Vega 8 uses the Raven chip built on GlobalFoundries’ 14 nm process, with a die size of 210 mm² and 4,940 million transistors (a density of 23.5M per mm²). It runs GCN 5.0 architecture, a mature design that supports DirectX 12 (12_1), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.3. The FirePro W5170M, in contrast, uses the Tropo chip on TSMC’s 28 nm node, with a smaller die of 123 mm² and 1,500 million transistors (12.2M per mm²). It is based on the older GCN 1.0 architecture, supporting DirectX 12 (11_1), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.170—a slightly older API version.

The transistor count difference is stark: the Vega 8 packs over three times as many transistors (4,940 million vs 1,500 million) into a larger die, which drives its higher raw compute in some tests. However, the FirePro compensates with a higher boost clock (925 MHz vs 1100 MHz for the Vega 8’s boost, though the Vega 8’s base clock is just 300 MHz). The FirePro also has more shading units (640 vs 512), more TMUs (40 vs 32), and double the ROPs (16 vs 8), which contributes to its higher pixel rate of 14.80 GPixel/s versus the Vega 8’s 8.80 GPixel/s. The Vega 8 counters with higher FP32 throughput (1,126.4 GFLOPS vs 1,184.0 GFLOPS—actually slightly lower) and adds FP16 support at 2.253 TFLOPS (2:1), which the FirePro lacks entirely (FP16 is null).

Memory architecture is a fundamental split. The Vega 8 uses system-shared memory with no dedicated VRAM, making bandwidth "System Dependent"—a wildcard that can hurt in memory-heavy tasks. The FirePro W5170M has 2 GB of GDDR5 on a 128-bit bus, delivering a fixed 72.00 GB/s. This dedicated memory is why the FirePro excels in Vulkan, where predictable memory latency matters. The Vega 8’s 25 W TDP and IGP form factor mean it has no power connectors, while the FirePro is an MXM Module with MXM-A (3.0) bus interface, also lacking power connectors.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Radeon Vega 8 wins in OpenCL compute, which is reflected in its 8.4% lead over the FirePro in that specific benchmark (8822 vs 8140). This suggests that applications optimized for OpenCL—such as certain rendering, video encoding, or scientific simulation tools—will run noticeably faster on the Vega 8. Its higher transistor count and newer GCN 5.0 architecture likely contribute to better compute efficiency per clock. Additionally, the Vega 8’s FP16 capability (2.253 TFLOPS) gives it an edge in workloads that can use half-precision arithmetic, a feature the FirePro cannot offer at all.

The AMD FirePro W5170M wins decisively in Vulkan, with a 10.1% lead (9050 vs 8134). This is its clear territory: any Vulkan-based game or API-heavy application will see a tangible performance boost. The dedicated 2 GB GDDR5 memory is the likely reason—it provides consistent bandwidth (72.00 GB/s) that the Vega 8’s shared memory cannot guarantee. The FirePro also has higher pixel and texture rates (14.80 GPixel/s and 37.00 GTexel/s vs 8.80 GPixel/s and 35.20 GTexel/s), meaning it can handle fill-rate-bound scenarios better. For users on older software stacks that favor GCN 1.0, the FirePro’s maturity in that niche is an asset.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Radeon Vega 8 scores 9221 on average, which is 7.3% higher than the FirePro W5170M’s 8595.

Q: Is the FirePro W5170M better for Vulkan workloads?

A: Yes. The FirePro W5170M scores 9050 in the Vulkan benchmark, beating the Vega 8’s 8134 by 10.1%.

Q: Does the Vega 8 have dedicated video memory?

A: No. The Vega 8 uses system-shared memory with bandwidth listed as "System Dependent," while the FirePro W5170M has 2 GB of GDDR5 with 72.00 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Which GPU supports FP16 computation?

A: Only the AMD Radeon Vega 8 supports FP16, offering 2.253 TFLOPS (2:1). The FirePro W5170M has no FP16 capability (listed as null).

Q: How do these GPUs compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The Vega 8 is within 0.1% of the AMD Radeon 890M (9210) and 0.6% of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 (9273). The FirePro W5170M is 0.4% behind the Intel Arc A380 (8558) and 1.1% behind the NVIDIA Quadro P2200 (8686).

Q: What are the pixel rates for each GPU?

A: The FirePro W5170M has a pixel rate of 14.80 GPixel/s, which is 68% higher than the Vega 8’s 8.80 GPixel/s.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The two GPUs split their head-to-head benchmarks exactly evenly, with one win each. In the Geekbench OpenCL test, the AMD Radeon Vega 8 scores 8822 against the FirePro W5170M’s 8140, winning by 8.4%. This is a significant margin—nearly 700 points—indicating that the Vega 8’s compute architecture (GCN 5.0, 4,940 million transistors) translates to real-world OpenCL performance gains. The Vega 8’s FP32 output of 1,126.4 GFLOPS, while slightly lower than the FirePro’s 1,184.0 GFLOPS, is paired with FP16 support that likely helps in mixed-precision workloads.

The reverse happens in the Geekbench Vulkan test. The FirePro W5170M scores 9050, beating the Vega 8’s 8134 by 10.1%. This 916-point deficit for the Vega 8 is the single largest gap between the two cards in any test, and it underscores the FirePro’s strength in driver-level Vulkan optimization. The FirePro’s dedicated GDDR5 memory (72.00 GB/s) and higher ROP count (16 vs 8) likely give it an edge in memory-bandwidth-sensitive Vulkan scenes. Interestingly, the FirePro’s older GCN 1.0 architecture and higher boost clock (925 MHz vs 1100 MHz for the Vega 8) do not hurt it here—the Vulkan implementation is simply more mature.

Looking at the broader benchmark context, the Vega 8 also has a Geekbench Metal score of 10706, which the FirePro lacks entirely—so macOS or Metal-based applications are exclusively the Vega 8’s domain. The Vega 8’s average score of 9221 puts it 0.1% ahead of the AMD Radeon 890M and only 0.6% behind the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960, showing it competes with much newer discrete parts. The FirePro’s average of 8595 is 0.4% behind the Intel Arc A380 and 1.6% ahead of the AMD Radeon HD 8870M, placing it in a lower performance bracket.

Specification Differences

The two GPUs differ across nearly every specification field, reflecting their generation gap. The most significant differences are in process node and die size: the Vega 8 uses a 14 nm process from GlobalFoundries with a 210 mm² die and 4,940 million transistors, while the FirePro W5170M uses TSMC’s 28 nm process with a 123 mm² die and just 1,500 million transistors. This gives the Vega 8 a transistor density of 23.5M per mm² versus the FirePro’s 12.2M per mm²—a 92% higher density.

Clock speeds differ sharply. The Vega 8 has a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost of 1100 MHz, while the FirePro W5170M runs at 900 MHz base and 925 MHz boost. Despite the Vega 8’s higher boost, the FirePro’s higher base clock means it operates closer to its maximum at idle loads. The FirePro has more execution units: 640 shading units, 40 TMUs, and 16 ROPs, versus the Vega 8’s 512 shading units, 32 TMUs, and 8 ROPs. This gives the FirePro a higher pixel rate (14.80 GPixel/s vs 8.80 GPixel/s) and texture rate (37.00 GTexel/s vs 35.20 GTexel/s).

Memory is a major differentiator. The Vega 8 uses system-shared memory with no dedicated size, type, or bus width, and its bandwidth is "System Dependent." The FirePro W5170M has 2 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 128-bit bus with a fixed 72.00 GB/s bandwidth. The Vega 8’s FP32 output is 1,126.4 GFLOPS, just below the FirePro’s 1,184.0 GFLOPS, but the Vega 8 adds FP16 at 2.253 TFLOPS (2:1), which the FirePro does not support (null). The Vega 8’s TDP is 25 W and it is an IGP with no power connectors, while the FirePro is an MXM Module with MXM-A (3.0) interface and also no power connectors. API support differs: the Vega 8 has Vulkan 1.3 and DirectX 12 (12_1), while the FirePro has Vulkan 1.2.170 and DirectX 12 (11_1). Release dates are 2018-02-11 for the Vega 8 and 2014-08-24 for the FirePro.