AMD Radeon R5 Graphics vs NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M Comparison

The NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M and the AMD Radeon R5 Graphics represent two distinct approaches to mobile graphics from the same era. The GT 755M is a dedicated MXM module, while the R5 is an integrated graphics processor (IGP) built into a larger APU die. Despite the R5 winning the only direct head-to-head benchmark, the overall performance picture is closer than the specification disparity might suggest, with both parts landing in the bottom quarter of all GPUs.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only direct benchmark comparison available is the Geekbench OpenCL test. Here, the AMD Radeon R5 Graphics posts a score of 5183, while the NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M scores 4934. This gives the AMD part a 4.8% advantage in this compute-oriented workload. This is a notable result, as it shows the integrated R5 outpacing the dedicated GT 755M in raw OpenCL compute performance.

However, the broader benchmark averages tell a slightly different story. The GT 755M has an average benchmark score of 4033 across its tested workloads (which include Geekbench Metal and Geekbench OpenCL). The R5 Graphics has an average score of 3883 across its tests (Geekbench OpenCL and Geekbench Vulkan). This places the GT 755M in the 24th percentile of all GPUs, while the R5 sits just behind at the 23rd percentile.

Examining the nearest rivals clarifies the competitive landscape. The GT 755M's average score of 4033 places it 0.5% ahead of the AMD FirePro M4150 (4013) and 1.4% ahead of the AMD Radeon HD 6850 X2 (3977). Conversely, it trails the Intel HD Graphics 630 (4075) by 1% and the AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT 8 GB (4093) by 1.5%. This shows the GT 755M is effectively sandwiched in a tight cluster of mid-to-low-end parts, with less than a 2% swing separating its closest competitors.

Similarly, the R5 Graphics' average of 3883 is 1.3% ahead of the NVIDIA GeForce MX110 (3834), but 0.4% behind the NVIDIA Quadro 2000 (3898), 0.9% behind the Quadro K2000D (3919), and 1.2% behind the Quadro 2000D (3930). The data suggests that while the R5 wins the single OpenCL head-to-head, the GT 755M holds a slight edge in the aggregate average score across all test types.

Architecture Differences

The two GPUs employ fundamentally different architectures and physical designs. The NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M is built on the Kepler architecture, using the GK107 chip manufactured by TSMC on a 28 nm process. The chip contains 1,270 million transistors on a die size of 118 mm², resulting in a transistor density of 10.8 million per mm². The GT 755M is a discrete solution, mounted on an MXM Module with a PCIe 3.0 x16 bus interface and a TDP of 50 W.

In contrast, the AMD Radeon R5 Graphics uses the GCN 2.0 architecture, specifically the Spectre SL chip produced by GlobalFoundries. It is also on a 28 nm process but features a substantially larger die at 245 mm², containing 2,410 million transistors. This translates to a slightly lower transistor density of 9.8 million per mm². The R5 is an integrated graphics processor (IGP), meaning it shares the die with the CPU and relies on the motherboard for output. Its TDP is significantly lower at 15 W.

The computing resources differ markedly. The GT 755M has 384 shading units, 32 texture mapping units (TMUs), and 16 render output units (ROPs). The R5 Graphics has fewer units across the board: 256 shading units, 16 TMUs, and just 4 ROPs. This disparity in core counts directly impacts the theoretical pixel and texture rates. The GT 755M achieves 8.160 GPixel/s and 32.64 GTexel/s, while the R5 manages only 3.032 GPixel/s and 12.13 GTexel/s.

Floating-point performance follows a similar pattern. The GT 755M delivers 783.4 GFLOPS of FP32 compute, whereas the R5 Graphics provides 388.1 GFLOPS. The memory subsystems are categorically different. The GT 755M has dedicated 2 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing 86.40 GB/s of bandwidth. The R5, being an IGP, uses System Shared memory with bandwidth described as System Dependent.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M has an average benchmark score of 4033, which is higher than the AMD Radeon R5 Graphics' average of 3883.

Q: Does the AMD Radeon R5 Graphics win any benchmark?

A: Yes, in the Geekbench OpenCL test, the R5 Graphics scores 5183 compared to the GT 755M's 4934, representing a 4.8% win for AMD.

Q: What is the difference in shading unit count?

A: The NVIDIA GT 755M has 384 shading units, while the AMD R5 Graphics has 256 shading units.

Q: Which GPU has a higher pixel rate?

A: The NVIDIA GT 755M has a pixel rate of 8.160 GPixel/s, which is more than double the 3.032 GPixel/s of the AMD R5 Graphics.

Q: What memory type does each GPU use?

A: The NVIDIA GT 755M uses 2 GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory, while the AMD R5 Graphics uses System Shared memory with the type also listed as System Shared.

Q: What are the release dates for these two GPUs?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M was released on 2013-06-24, and the AMD Radeon R5 Graphics was released later on 2014-09-16.

Specification Differences

The two GPUs differ in nearly every measurable specification. The most fundamental difference is form factor: the GT 755M is an MXM Module, while the R5 is an IGP. The GT 755M has a TDP of 50 W, compared to the R5's 15 W.

The chip designs are distinct. The GT 755M uses the GK107 chip with a 118 mm² die size and 1,270 million transistors. The R5 uses the Spectre SL chip with a 245 mm² die and 2,410 million transistors. The foundries differ as well, with TSMC producing the NVIDIA chip and GlobalFoundries producing the AMD chip.

Core counts are uniformly higher on the NVIDIA side: 384 vs 256 shading units, 32 vs 16 TMUs, and 16 vs 4 ROPs. The clock speeds also differ. The GT 755M has a base clock of 980 MHz and a boost clock of 1020 MHz, while the R5 has no listed base or boost clock. The GT 755M's memory clock is 1350 MHz (5.4 Gbps effective), whereas the R5's memory clock is listed as System Shared.

Memory configuration is a major differentiator. The GT 755M has 2 GB of GDDR5 on a 128-bit bus with 86.40 GB/s bandwidth. The R5 has System Shared memory with a System Shared bus width and System Dependent bandwidth. Consequently, the pixel rate (8.160 vs 3.032 GPixel/s), texture rate (32.64 vs 12.13 GTexel/s), and FP32 performance (783.4 vs 388.1 GFLOPS) all favor the NVIDIA part.

The API support shows a subtle difference. The GT 755M supports DirectX 12 (11_0) and Vulkan 1.2.175, while the R5 supports DirectX 12 (12_0) and Vulkan 1.2.170. Both support OpenGL 4.6. The bus interface also differs: PCIe 3.0 x16 for the GT 755M versus IGP for the R5.

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a nuanced picture. In the single direct comparison, the AMD Radeon R5 Graphics wins the Geekbench OpenCL test by 4.8%. However, the NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M has a higher average benchmark score (4033 vs 3883) and a slightly higher percentile ranking (24th vs 23rd). The GT 755M also maintains a commanding lead in all theoretical throughput metrics, with more than double the pixel rate, texture rate, and FP32 compute.

The data suggests that the GT 755M is the more capable overall graphics processor. Its dedicated GDDR5 memory with 86.40 GB/s of bandwidth versus the R5's system-dependent shared memory is a significant architectural advantage for sustained gaming workloads. The higher TDP of 50 W versus 15 W reflects the GT 755M's more robust hardware configuration.

The R5 Graphics, however, demonstrates that an integrated solution can compete in certain compute tasks. Its OpenCL score of 5183 exceeds the GT 755M's 4934, and it achieves this with a significantly lower power envelope. For users prioritizing compute performance per watt in OpenCL workloads, the R5 has a clear edge.

Where Each One Wins

The NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M wins in scenarios that leverage its dedicated memory and higher core counts. Its 86.40 GB/s of memory bandwidth, compared to the R5's system-dependent bandwidth, makes it the stronger choice for texture-heavy applications and traditional rasterized gaming. The 8.160 GPixel/s pixel rate and 32.64 GTexel/s texture rate provide more raw fill capability, which directly benefits visual fidelity in games. The GT 755M also has a higher average benchmark score (4033 vs 3883), indicating more consistent performance across diverse workloads.

The AMD Radeon R5 Graphics wins in the specific Geekbench OpenCL compute test, posting a 4.8% higher score. This suggests it is well-suited for compute-oriented tasks that utilize OpenCL. Its much lower TDP of 15 W, compared to the GT 755M's 50 W, makes it an inherently more power-efficient part. As an IGP, it also requires no separate MXM module slot, making it the preferred choice for compact, low-power systems where dedicated graphics is not an option.

The wins split along architectural lines: the GT 755M dominates in graphics throughput and aggregate benchmark scores, while the R5 takes the single compute benchmark and offers superior power efficiency. The choice ultimately depends on whether the user prioritizes the GT 755M's dedicated memory and higher fill rates or the R5's lower power draw and OpenCL compute advantage.