AMD Radeon R5 M320 vs AMD Radeon R8 M445DX Comparison

# AMD Radeon R8 M445DX vs AMD Radeon R5 M320

The benchmark data shows a clear but narrow victory for the AMD Radeon R5 M320 in the only head-to-head test available, with the R8 M445DX trailing by 6.4% in Geekbench OpenCL scores. However, the R8 M445DX holds significant architectural advantages in newer GPU technology, while the R5 M320 counters with dedicated VRAM and a higher raw benchmark score. Neither GPU escapes the bottom quartile of all GPUs, with both sitting at the 27th percentile, making this a matchup of entry-level mobile graphics solutions where the R5 M320 takes the performance crown but the R8 M445DX offers a more modern foundation.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The single direct comparison available—Geekbench OpenCL—results in a decisive win for the AMD Radeon R5 M320, scoring 5,051 against the R8 M445DX's 4,727. That is a 6.4% gap in favor of the R5 M320, a meaningful margin for GPUs in this performance class. The R5 M320's OpenCL score also exceeds its own average benchmark score of 4,657 by roughly 8.5%, suggesting it performs near the top of its expected range in this particular test. Meanwhile, the R8 M445DX's OpenCL score of 4,727 exactly matches its average benchmark score of 4,727, indicating consistent performance across its single recorded test.

Context from nearest rivals clarifies the competitive positioning. The R8 M445DX sits within 1.3% of the AMD Radeon R5 M255 (4,788), within 0.9% of the NVIDIA Quadro P400 (4,684), and 0.5% below the AMD Radeon R5 M335 (4,752). The R5 M320, by contrast, matches the AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT 16 GB exactly at 4,657 average, sits 0.6% above the NVIDIA Quadro P400 (4,684), 0.6% ahead of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970M (4,628), and 0.8% ahead of the NVIDIA Quadro M3000M (4,621). These deltaPct values show both GPUs clustering tightly among similar-tier hardware, with the R5 M320's single-test OpenCL score of 5,051 representing its standout result—roughly 8.5% above its own average and over 5% above the R8 M445DX's best.

The R8 M445DX has zero benchmark wins against the R5 M320, while the R5 M320 claims one win. That single win is the OpenCL test, which is also the only head-to-head benchmark recorded. There is no Vulkan score for the R8 M445DX, whereas the R5 M320 posts a Geekbench Vulkan score of 4,262—a figure that, while lower than its OpenCL result, still demonstrates cross-API capability that the R8 M445DX cannot match in this dataset.

Architecture Differences

The two GPUs come from different generations of AMD's GCN architecture, and that distinction drives most of their differences. The R8 M445DX uses GCN 3.0 with the Meso chip, while the R5 M320 uses GCN 1.0 with the Jet chip. This generational gap shows up in transistor counts: the R8 M445DX packs 1,550 million transistors on a 125 mm² die, whereas the R5 M320 has only 690 million transistors on a 56 mm² die. Transistor density is nearly identical—12.4 million per mm² for the R8 M445DX versus 12.3 million per mm² for the R5 M320—but the R8 M445DX deploys more than double the total transistors across a die more than twice the size.

Both are built on TSMC's 28 nm process node, so the fabrication process is identical. The R8 M445DX belongs to the "Gem System Hybrid (Rx M400)" generation, while the R5 M320 comes from the "Gem System (R5 M300)" generation. The R5 M320 lists its predecessor as "Solar System" and its successor as "Polaris Mobile," while the R8 M445DX lists no predecessor or successor in the data. Both share the same shading unit count of 320, the same 20 texture mapping units, and the same 8 render output units. Core counts are therefore identical; the architectural advantage of the R8 M445DX lies elsewhere.

Clock speeds differ substantially. The R8 M445DX runs at a 780 MHz base clock with a 1,021 MHz boost, while the R5 M320 also starts at 780 MHz base but only boosts to 855 MHz. That 166 MHz boost advantage for the R8 M445DX produces higher theoretical throughput: the R8 M445DX delivers 8.168 GPixel/s pixel rate and 20.42 GTexel/s texture rate, versus 6.840 GPixel/s and 17.10 GTexel/s for the R5 M320. FP32 compute reaches 653.4 GFLOPS on the R8 M445DX, while the R5 M320 manages 547.2 GFLOPS—a 19.4% gap in raw compute capability. The R8 M445DX also supports FP16 at 653.4 GFLOPS (1:1 ratio), whereas the R5 M320 lists no FP16 capability.

Memory architecture presents the starkest contrast. The R8 M445DX uses system-shared memory for size, type, bus width, and bandwidth, with bandwidth described as "System Dependent." The R5 M320 has dedicated 4 GB of DDR3 memory on a 64-bit bus with 16.00 GB/s bandwidth and a 1000 MHz memory clock (2 Gbps effective). The R8 M445DX's reliance on shared system memory means its performance scales with the host system's RAM, while the R5 M320 has predictable, fixed memory performance. The R5 M320 connects via PCIe 3.0 x8, whereas the R8 M445DX uses an IGP bus interface—consistent with its hybrid system design.

API support also differs. Both support OpenGL 4.6 and Vulkan 1.2.170, but the R8 M445DX supports DirectX 12 (12_0), while the R5 M320 only reaches DirectX 12 (11_1). That is a full feature-level difference in DirectX 12, meaning the R8 M445DX can handle more advanced DX12 features in games and applications that require them.

Where Each One Wins

The R5 M320 wins on raw benchmark performance. Its Geekbench OpenCL score of 5,051 is 6.4% higher than the R8 M445DX's 4,727. It also has a dedicated 4 GB VRAM pool, which means memory bandwidth is fixed at 16.00 GB/s rather than dependent on system memory configuration. For users running OpenCL workloads or applications that benefit from dedicated VRAM, the R5 M320 is the safer choice. Its 64-bit memory bus, while narrow, at least provides consistent performance regardless of what else the system is doing with system RAM.

The R8 M445DX wins on architectural modernity and compute efficiency. Its GCN 3.0 architecture, with 1,550 million transistors, delivers 653.4 GFLOPS of FP32 compute—19.4% more than the R5 M320's 547.2 GFLOPS—despite scoring lower in OpenCL. The higher boost clock of 1,021 MHz versus 855 MHz, combined with the same 320 shading units, explains the compute advantage. The R8 M445DX also supports DirectX 12 (12_0) versus the R5 M320's DirectX 12 (11_1), making it better positioned for modern DX12 titles that require feature level 12_0. FP16 support at 1:1 ratio further extends its capability for mixed-precision workloads.

For gaming, the R8 M445DX's higher texture rate (20.42 GTexel/s versus 17.10 GTexel/s) and pixel rate (8.168 GPixel/s versus 6.840 GPixel/s) suggest better fill-rate-bound performance, even if OpenCL scores tell a different story. For compute-heavy OpenCL tasks, the R5 M320's benchmark win indicates real-world advantage despite lower theoretical specs. The R5 M320's Vulkan score of 4,262, while lower than its OpenCL score, shows functional Vulkan capability; the R8 M445DX has no Vulkan benchmark recorded in this data.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has the higher Geekbench OpenCL score?

A: The AMD Radeon R5 M320 scores 5,051 versus the R8 M445DX's 4,727, a 6.4% difference in favor of the R5 M320.

Q: Do both GPUs have the same number of shading units?

A: Yes, both the R8 M445DX and the R5 M320 have 320 shading units, along with 20 texture mapping units and 8 render output units each.

Q: What is the memory configuration difference?

A: The R5 M320 has dedicated 4 GB of DDR3 memory on a 64-bit bus with 16.00 GB/s bandwidth, while the R8 M445DX uses system-shared memory with bandwidth described as "System Dependent."

Q: Which GPU supports DirectX 12 at feature level 12_0?

A: Only the R8 M445DX supports DirectX 12 (12_0); the R5 M320 is limited to DirectX 12 (11_1).

Q: How do their transistor counts compare?

A: The R8 M445DX has 1,550 million transistors on a 125 mm² die, while the R5 M320 has 690 million transistors on a 56 mm² die.

Q: What is the FP32 compute performance of each?

A: The R8 M445DX delivers 653.4 GFLOPS, while the R5 M320 delivers 547.2 GFLOPS, giving the R8 M445DX a 19.4% advantage in raw FP32 throughput.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Radeon R8 M445DX | AMD Radeon R5 M320 |

|---|---|---|

| Architecture | GCN 3.0 | GCN 1.0 |

| Chip | Meso | Jet |

| Generation | Gem System Hybrid (Rx M400) | Gem System (R5 M300) |

| Transistors | 1,550 million | 690 million |

| Die Size | 125 mm² | 56 mm² |

| Transistor Density | 12.4M / mm² | 12.3M / mm² |

| Base Clock | 780 MHz | 780 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 1,021 MHz | 855 MHz |

| Memory Size | System Shared | 4 GB |

| Memory Type | System Shared | DDR3 |

| Memory Bus Width | System Shared | 64 bit |

| Memory Bandwidth | System Dependent | 16.00 GB/s |

| Memory Clock | System Shared | 1000 MHz / 2 Gbps effective |

| Pixel Rate | 8.168 GPixel/s | 6.840 GPixel/s |

| Texture Rate | 20.42 GTexel/s | 17.10 GTexel/s |

| FP32 | 653.4 GFLOPS | 547.2 GFLOPS |

| FP16 | 653.4 GFLOPS (1:1) | null |

| DirectX Support | 12 (12_0) | 12 (11_1) |

| Bus Interface | IGP | PCIe 3.0 x8 |

| Release Date | 2016-05-14 | 2015-05-04 |

| Predecessor | null | Solar System |

| Successor | null | Polaris Mobile |

| Geekbench OpenCL Score | 4,727 | 5,051 |

| Geekbench Vulkan Score | null | 4,262 |

| Average Benchmark Score | 4,727 | 4,657 |

The Verdict

The data supports a split decision based on workload priorities. For users prioritizing OpenCL compute performance and predictable memory behavior, the AMD Radeon R5 M320 is the clear pick—its 5,051 Geekbench OpenCL score beats the R8 M445DX by 6.4%, and its dedicated 4 GB DDR3 memory with fixed 16.00 GB/s bandwidth eliminates reliance on system RAM. The R5 M320 also posts a Vulkan score of 4,262, giving it multi-API benchmark coverage that the R8 M445DX lacks entirely.

For users prioritizing modern architecture and theoretical compute capability, the R8 M445DX is the stronger choice. Its GCN 3.0 design with 1,550 million transistors enables 653.4 GFLOPS of FP32 compute—19.4% above the R5 M320—plus FP16 support and DirectX 12 (12_0) compatibility. The higher boost clock of 1,021 MHz and faster pixel/texture rates (8.168 GPixel/s and 20.42 GTexel/s) suggest better graphics throughput in fill-rate-bound scenarios, even though its OpenCL benchmark score lags.

Both GPUs sit at the 27th percentile of all GPUs, indicating entry-level performance. The R5 M320's average benchmark score of 4,657 is slightly below the R8 M445DX's 4,727, yet the R5 M320 wins the head-to-head OpenCL test decisively. The R8 M445DX's nearest rivals include the R5 M335 (0.5% higher), R5 M255 (1.3% higher), Quadro P400 (0.9% lower), and RTX 3080 12 GB (1.3% higher)—the latter appearing in this company due to score proximity, not performance class. The R5 M320's nearest rivals include the RX 9060 XT 16 GB (exact match), Quadro P400 (0.6% higher), GTX 970M (0.6% lower), and Quadro M3000M (0.8% lower).

The verdict: choose the R5 M320 for OpenCL compute tasks and applications that need dedicated VRAM; choose the R8 M445DX for modern API support, higher theoretical compute, and better fill-rate performance. Neither is a high performer, but the R5 M320's benchmark victory is the only direct data point, and it favors that GPU by a meaningful margin.