AMD Radeon Pro 555X vs AMD Radeon R9 370X Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a clear split between these two AMD GPUs, with each claiming victory in different API environments. The AMD Radeon R9 370X dominates in OpenCL compute workloads, delivering a massive 105% higher score than the AMD Radeon Pro 555X. In the Geekbench OpenCL test, the R9 370X scores 25,893 points against the Pro 555X's 12,628, making it more than twice as fast in this specific workload. This is the largest performance gap recorded between the two cards, and it highlights the R9 370X's strength in general-purpose GPU computing tasks.

However, the AMD Radeon Pro 555X fights back decisively in the other two benchmarks. In Geekbench Metal, the Pro 555X scores 14,479 points, which is 12.5% higher than the R9 370X's 12,676. This gives the Pro 555X a notable edge in Apple's Metal API, which is particularly relevant for macOS-based workloads. The Vulkan test shows an even larger advantage for the Pro 555X: it scores 12,855 points compared to the R9 370X's 9,018, a 29.8% difference. This means the Pro 555X is nearly a third faster in Vulkan-based applications, which includes many modern cross-platform games and compute frameworks.

The overall score distribution tells a more nuanced story. The R9 370X has an average benchmark score of 15,862, placing it in the 58th percentile of all GPUs in the database. The Pro 555X averages 13,321 points, sitting in the 54th percentile. The R9 370X's average is dragged up substantially by its exceptional OpenCL result, while the Pro 555X benefits from more consistent performance across all three APIs. When looking at head-to-head wins, the Pro 555X takes two of the three benchmarks, with the R9 370X claiming only the OpenCL test.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two GPUs is substantial, reflecting their different generations and design goals. The R9 370X is built on GCN 1.0 architecture using the Trinidad chip, manufactured on a 28 nm process at TSMC. It packs 2,800 million transistors into a 212 mm² die, yielding a transistor density of 13.2 million per square millimeter. This is an older, larger design that prioritizes raw compute throughput over efficiency.

The Pro 555X uses GCN 4.0 architecture with the Polaris 21 chip, produced on a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It contains 3,000 million transistors on a much smaller 123 mm² die, achieving a transistor density of 24.4 million per square millimeter. This newer architecture nearly doubles the transistor density of the R9 370X, allowing for better power efficiency and more modern feature support despite having fewer overall transistors per area.

Core counts differ significantly between the two cards. The R9 370X features 1,280 shading units, 80 texture mapping units, and 32 raster operation units. The Pro 555X is more modestly equipped with 768 shading units, 48 TMUs, and only 16 ROPs. This hardware disparity explains the R9 370X's dominance in raw compute: it has 67% more shading units and double the ROPs of the Pro 555X. The R9 370X also posts higher pixel and texture rates, with 32.96 GPixel/s and 82.40 GTexel/s respectively, compared to the Pro 555X's 14.51 GPixel/s and 43.54 GTexel/s.

Clock speeds follow a similar pattern. The R9 370X runs at a base clock of 980 MHz with a boost up to 1,030 MHz, while the Pro 555X has no recorded base or boost clocks in the database. Memory configurations also diverge sharply. The R9 370X uses 2 GB of GDDR5 on a 256-bit bus, delivering 179.2 GB/s of bandwidth. The Pro 555X has 4 GB of GDDR5 but on a narrower 128-bit bus, resulting in just 94.08 GB/s of bandwidth. The Pro 555X's memory runs at 1,470 MHz with 5.9 Gbps effective, while the R9 370X's memory operates at 1,400 MHz with 5.6 Gbps effective. The R9 370X's wider bus gives it nearly double the memory bandwidth, which is critical for high-resolution textures and compute workloads.

The floating-point performance figures reinforce the R9 370X's compute advantage. It delivers 2.637 TFLOPS of FP32 performance, while the Pro 555X manages only 1,393.2 GFLOPS. Interestingly, the Pro 555X supports FP16 at a 1:1 ratio, meaning it can process half-precision data at the same rate as single-precision, a feature the R9 370X lacks entirely. API support also differs: the R9 370X supports DirectX 12 (11_1) and Vulkan 1.2.170, while the Pro 555X supports DirectX 12 (12_0) and Vulkan 1.3. Both cards support OpenGL 4.6.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Radeon R9 370X has a higher average benchmark score of 15,862 points, placing it in the 58th percentile of all GPUs. The AMD Radeon Pro 555X averages 13,321 points, which puts it in the 54th percentile.

Q: How do the two cards compare in Metal performance?

A: The AMD Radeon Pro 555X leads in the Geekbench Metal test with a score of 14,479, which is 12.5% higher than the R9 370X's score of 12,676.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two GPUs?

A: The largest difference appears in the Geekbench OpenCL test, where the R9 370X scores 25,893 compared to the Pro 555X's 12,628, giving the R9 370X a 105% advantage.

Q: Which card has more shading units?

A: The AMD Radeon R9 370X has 1,280 shading units, while the AMD Radeon Pro 555X has 768 shading units. This contributes to the R9 370X's higher raw compute performance.

Q: What are the memory bandwidth differences?

A: The R9 370X offers 179.2 GB/s of bandwidth via a 256-bit bus with 2 GB of GDDR5. The Pro 555X provides 94.08 GB/s through a 128-bit bus with 4 GB of GDDR5, giving the R9 370X nearly double the bandwidth.

Q: Which GPU is more power-efficient?

A: The AMD Radeon Pro 555X has a TDP of 75 W and uses no power connectors, while the R9 370X has a TDP of 180 W and requires two 6-pin power connectors. The Pro 555X also uses a newer 14 nm process compared to the R9 370X's 28 nm process.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward choice depending on the intended workload. The AMD Radeon R9 370X is the clear winner for compute-centric tasks, particularly those using OpenCL. Its 105% advantage in the OpenCL benchmark dwarfs any other difference between the two cards. The R9 370X also offers superior memory bandwidth at 179.2 GB/s, which benefits large data transfers and high-resolution textures. Its 2.637 TFLOPS of FP32 performance is nearly double the Pro 555X's 1,393.2 GFLOPS, making it the better option for number-crunching applications.

The AMD Radeon Pro 555X, however, is the better choice for modern graphics APIs and macOS environments. Its 12.5% lead in Metal and 29.8% lead in Vulkan show that it handles contemporary rendering workloads more effectively. The Pro 555X also supports newer API versions, including DirectX 12 (12_0) and Vulkan 1.3, which may offer better compatibility with recent software. Its 4 GB of VRAM provides more capacity for larger datasets, even if the bandwidth is lower. The 75 W TDP and lack of external power connectors make it suitable for integrated or compact systems, whereas the R9 370X requires a 450 W power supply and occupies dual slots.

For users prioritizing raw compute throughput, the R9 370X is the data-backed choice. For those needing modern API support, Metal performance, or lower power consumption, the Pro 555X wins. The R9 370X's higher average benchmark score and 58th percentile ranking give it the overall edge, but the Pro 555X's wins in two of three head-to-head tests suggest it is more balanced for everyday graphics tasks.

Specification Differences

The two GPUs differ across nearly every major specification category. The process node shows a generational shift: the R9 370X uses 28 nm TSMC fabrication, while the Pro 555X uses 14 nm GlobalFoundries. Transistor counts are close at 2,800 million versus 3,000 million, but die size differs substantially: 212 mm² for the R9 370X versus 123 mm² for the Pro 555X, yielding transistor densities of 13.2M/mm² and 24.4M/mm² respectively.

Memory configurations diverge in size, bus width, and bandwidth. The R9 370X has 2 GB of GDDR5 on a 256-bit bus with 179.2 GB/s bandwidth. The Pro 555X has 4 GB of GDDR5 on a 128-bit bus with 94.08 GB/s bandwidth. Memory clocks also differ, with the R9 370X running at 1,400 MHz (5.6 Gbps effective) and the Pro 555X at 1,470 MHz (5.9 Gbps effective).

Compute units show a clear hierarchy: the R9 370X has 1,280 shading units, 80 TMUs, and 32 ROPs, while the Pro 555X has 768 shading units, 48 TMUs, and 16 ROPs. Pixel and texture rates follow suit, with the R9 370X posting 32.96 GPixel/s and 82.40 GTexel/s against the Pro 555X's 14.51 GPixel/s and 43.54 GTexel/s. FP32 performance is 2.637 TFLOPS for the R9 370X and 1,393.2 GFLOPS for the Pro 555X; only the Pro 555X supports FP16 at 1:1 ratio.

Power and physical specifications separate the two even further. The R9 370X has a 180 W TDP, requires two 6-pin power connectors, has a dual-slot form factor, and measures 221 mm in length. The Pro 555X has a 75 W TDP, uses no power connectors, is an IGP (integrated graphics processor), and has no recorded dimensions. The R9 370X uses PCIe 3.0 x16, while the Pro 555X uses PCIe 3.0 x8. Display outputs also differ: the R9 370X offers 2x DVI, 1x HDMI 1.4a, and 1x DisplayPort 1.2, while the Pro 555X is portable device dependent. The R9 370X has a launch MSRP of 199 USD, while the Pro 555X has no recorded launch price. The R9 370X uses a 2x 6-pin power setup and has a suggested PSU of 450 W.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Radeon R9 370X wins in compute-heavy scenarios. Its OpenCL score of 25,893 is more than double that of the Pro 555X, making it the superior choice for GPGPU tasks, scientific computing, and any workload that leverages OpenCL acceleration. The R9 370X also wins on memory bandwidth, with 179.2 GB/s versus 94.08 GB/s, which benefits large data transfers and memory-intensive operations. Its higher FP32 throughput of 2.637 TFLOPS gives it an edge in single-precision floating-point calculations. The R9 370X also holds advantages in pixel rate (32.96 GPixel/s) and texture rate (82.40 GTexel/s), making it more capable for rasterization-heavy tasks, despite its older architecture.

The AMD Radeon Pro 555X wins in modern graphics API performance. Its Metal score of 14,479 beats the R9 370X by 12.5%, and its Vulkan score of 12,855 is 29.8% higher. This makes it the better GPU for macOS applications, Vulkan-based games, and any software that relies on these newer APIs. The Pro 555X also offers more VRAM at 4 GB, which allows for larger texture sets and higher-resolution assets, even if the bandwidth is lower. Its 14 nm process and 75 W TDP make it the more efficient choice for portable or compact systems, and its support for Vulkan 1.3 and DirectX 12 (12_0) provides better API compatibility with advanced software. The Pro 555X's FP16 support at 1:1 ratio also gives it an advantage in workloads that utilize half-precision arithmetic.

In summary, the R9 370X is the compute and bandwidth champion, while the Pro 555X excels in modern graphics APIs, efficiency, and memory capacity. The choice between them depends entirely on whether the priority is raw compute throughput or contemporary rendering and portability.