AMD Radeon R7 Graphics vs NVIDIA Quadro K3100M Comparison

The data presents a clear contrast between two very different mobile graphics solutions: the NVIDIA Quadro K3100M, a dedicated professional GPU from 2013, and the AMD Radeon R7 Graphics, an integrated graphics processor (IGP) from 2014. One is a standalone module designed for maximum performance in a laptop, while the other is built into the CPU to provide basic graphics capability. The benchmark results show a near-even split, with each winning one of the two tests they share. This analysis will break down their architectures, benchmark performance, and ideal use cases based strictly on the provided data.

FAQ

Q: How does the average benchmark score of the NVIDIA Quadro K3100M compare to the AMD Radeon R7 Graphics?

A: The Quadro K3100M has an average benchmark score of 5154, while the Radeon R7 Graphics has an average score of 4998. This puts the Quadro K3100M about 3.1% ahead in overall average performance.

Q: Which GPU wins in the Geekbench OpenCL test, and by how much?

A: The NVIDIA Quadro K3100M wins the Geekbench OpenCL test with a score of 6154, compared to the AMD Radeon R7 Graphics' score of 4015. This represents a significant 53.3% advantage for the Quadro K3100M.

Q: Is there any benchmark where the AMD Radeon R7 Graphics comes out on top?

A: Yes, the AMD Radeon R7 Graphics wins the Geekbench Vulkan test with a score of 5980, while the NVIDIA Quadro K3100M scores 5484. The AMD part leads by 8.3% in this specific test.

Q: What are the key differences in their form factors and power consumption?

A: The NVIDIA Quadro K3100M is an MXM Module with a 75 W TDP, requiring a dedicated slot in a laptop. The AMD Radeon R7 Graphics is an IGP with a 25 W TDP, meaning it is integrated into the processor and shares power and system resources.

Q: Which GPU has a higher percentile ranking among all GPUs?

A: The NVIDIA Quadro K3100M has a percentile rank of 30, which is slightly higher than the AMD Radeon R7 Graphics' percentile rank of 29. This indicates the Quadro sits marginally higher in the overall performance distribution.

Q: How do their shading unit and texture mapping unit counts differ?

A: The NVIDIA Quadro K3100M has 768 shading units and 64 TMUs, while the AMD Radeon R7 Graphics has a lower count of 384 shading units and 24 TMUs. This is a significant architectural difference, with the NVIDIA part having double the shading units.

Architecture Differences

The two GPUs are built on fundamentally different architectures and for different purposes. The NVIDIA Quadro K3100M uses the Kepler architecture, built on a 28 nm process at TSMC. It is a large, dedicated chip with 3,540 million transistors on a 294 mm² die. In contrast, the AMD Radeon R7 Graphics uses the GCN 2.0 architecture, also on a 28 nm process, but fabricated by GlobalFoundries. It is a smaller chip with 2,410 million transistors on a 245 mm² die, reflecting its role as an integrated processor.

The memory subsystems are completely different. The Quadro K3100M features 4 GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing 102.4 GB/s of bandwidth. The Radeon R7 Graphics has no dedicated memory; it uses "System Shared" memory, meaning its bandwidth is "System Dependent" and it shares the system's main RAM with the CPU. This is a critical distinction for performance, as dedicated memory offers much higher bandwidth.

The compute resources also differ substantially. The Quadro K3100M packs 768 shading units, 64 texture mapping units (TMUs), and 32 raster operation units (ROPs). The Radeon R7 Graphics is more modest, with 384 shading units, 24 TMUs, and only 8 ROPs. This translates to a theoretical peak performance of 1,084.4 GFLOPS for the NVIDIA part, double the 553.0 GFLOPS of the AMD part. The pixel and texture rates follow the same pattern, with the Quadro K3100M achieving 11.30 GPixel/s and 45.18 GTexel/s, compared to the R7's 5.760 GPixel/s and 17.28 GTexel/s.

Both support modern APIs, but there is a difference. The Quadro K3100M supports DirectX 12 (11_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.175. The Radeon R7 Graphics supports DirectX 12 (12_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.170. The R7 supports a newer version of DirectX 12, but the practical implications for these older cards are minimal.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data reveals a clear split in performance strengths. The NVIDIA Quadro K3100M is the decisive winner in the Geekbench OpenCL test. OpenCL is a general-purpose computing API, and the Quadro's massive advantage in raw compute resources (768 shading units vs. 384) and dedicated memory bandwidth (102.4 GB/s vs. System Dependent) gives it a 53.3% lead in this workload. This suggests it is far better suited for tasks that offload parallel processing to the GPU, such as rendering, scientific calculations, or video encoding.

On the other hand, the AMD Radeon R7 Graphics wins the Geekbench Vulkan test. Vulkan is a lower-level graphics API that can be more efficient at reducing CPU overhead. The R7 Graphics' win here, with an 8.3% lead, is interesting. While it has significantly fewer resources, its newer GCN 2.0 architecture and its support for DirectX 12 (12_0) might contribute to better optimization in this specific API. This indicates that for certain gaming or graphics workloads that use Vulkan, the R7 can be surprisingly competitive.

In summary, the Quadro K3100M wins where raw compute power and memory bandwidth are paramount. The Radeon R7 Graphics wins in a specific API-based test, suggesting that architecture efficiency can sometimes overcome a large resource deficit.

Specification Differences

This section highlights the key specifications where the two GPUs differ, based on the data provided.

• Chip: The NVIDIA part uses the GK104 chip, while the AMD part uses the Spectre Lite chip.
• Architecture: NVIDIA uses Kepler, while AMD uses GCN 2.0.
• Foundry: NVIDIA uses TSMC, while AMD uses GlobalFoundries.
• Transistors: The Quadro has 3,540 million transistors, while the Radeon has 2,410 million.
• Die Size: The Quadro's die is 294 mm², while the Radeon's is 245 mm².
• Base/Boost Clock: The Quadro has a fixed clock of 706 MHz. The Radeon R7 Graphics has no listed base or boost clock.
• Memory Size: The Quadro has 4 GB of GDDR5, while the Radeon has System Shared memory.
• Memory Bus Width: The Quadro uses a 256-bit bus, while the Radeon's is System Shared.
• Memory Bandwidth: The Quadro has 102.4 GB/s of bandwidth, while the Radeon's is System Dependent.
• Shading Units: The Quadro has 768, while the Radeon has 384.
• TMUs: The Quadro has 64, while the Radeon has 24.
• ROPs: The Quadro has 32, while the Radeon has 8.
• Pixel Rate: The Quadro is rated at 11.30 GPixel/s, while the Radeon is rated at 5.760 GPixel/s.
• Texture Rate: The Quadro is rated at 45.18 GTexel/s, while the Radeon is rated at 17.28 GTexel/s.
• FP32 Performance: The Quadro is rated at 1,084.4 GFLOPS, while the Radeon is rated at 553.0 GFLOPS.
• TDP: The Quadro has a 75 W TDP, while the Radeon has a 25 W TDP.
• Slot Width: The Quadro is an MXM Module, while the Radeon is an IGP.
• Bus Interface: The Quadro uses MXM-B (3.0), while the Radeon uses IGP.
• Display Outputs: The Quadro is Portable Device Dependent, while the Radeon is Motherboard Dependent.
• DirectX Support: The Quadro supports DirectX 12 (11_0), while the Radeon supports DirectX 12 (12_0).
• Vulkan Support: The Quadro supports Vulkan 1.2.175, while the Radeon supports Vulkan 1.2.170.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The two GPUs share two benchmark results, and the data shows a fascinating split. In the Geekbench OpenCL test, the NVIDIA Quadro K3100M delivers a score of 6154, thoroughly beating the AMD Radeon R7 Graphics' score of 4015. This is a 53.3% difference, a massive margin that underscores the Quadro's superiority in compute-heavy tasks. The dedicated memory and double the shading units allow it to crush the IGP in this general-purpose compute benchmark.

The situation reverses in the Geekbench Vulkan test. Here, the AMD Radeon R7 Graphics scores 5980, which is 8.3% higher than the NVIDIA Quadro K3100M's 5484. This result is notable because the R7 Graphics has far fewer resources on paper. The win suggests that its GCN 2.0 architecture is more efficient at handling the low-level overhead and draw calls associated with the Vulkan API. This benchmark demonstrates that the R7 can be a viable option for Vulkan-based games, despite its hardware limitations.

Overall, the head-to-head record is a 1-1 tie. The NVIDIA part wins the OpenCL test by a landslide, while the AMD part wins the Vulkan test by a solid margin. The average benchmark scores, however, favor the Quadro K3100M, which has an average of 5154 compared to the R7's 4998, a difference of 3.1%.

The Verdict

The choice between these two GPUs comes down to the intended workload and platform. The data is clear: if you need raw, general-purpose compute performance, the NVIDIA Quadro K3100M is the superior choice. Its 53.3% lead in the OpenCL benchmark, combined with its dedicated GDDR5 memory and 102.4 GB/s of bandwidth, makes it the stronger part for tasks like 3D rendering, video editing, and any professional application that can leverage GPU acceleration. Its higher average benchmark score of 5154 versus 4998 also confirms its overall performance advantage.

However, the AMD Radeon R7 Graphics is not without merit. Its 8.3% win in the Vulkan benchmark shows it has an edge in that specific, modern graphics API. This makes it an interesting option for playing games that are well-optimized for Vulkan, potentially offering a better experience than its hardware specs would suggest. Its 25 W TDP is also significantly lower than the Quadro's 75 W, making it a more power-efficient solution for a basic system.

The verdict is that these are for different buyers. The Quadro K3100M is for a professional or power user who needs maximum performance in a mobile workstation and is willing to accept the higher power draw of a dedicated MXM module. The Radeon R7 Graphics is for a mainstream user building or buying a basic system who wants a low-power, integrated solution for light gaming, especially in Vulkan titles, and everyday tasks. The data supports the Quadro for performance, but the R7 for efficiency and specific API workloads.