AMD Radeon R7 M365X vs AMD Radeon R8 M445DX Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data presents a clear, though narrow, picture. The AMD Radeon R7 M365X holds the sole victory in the recorded head-to-head comparison. In the Geekbench OpenCL test, the R7 M365X scores 5939 points, while the AMD Radeon R8 M445DX scores 4727 points. This results in a 25.6% advantage for the R7 M365X, a substantial margin that defines the entire competitive landscape between these two mobile graphics processors.

The R8 M445DX, by contrast, does not win any recorded benchmark comparisons. Its only benchmark entry, the Geekbench OpenCL score of 4727, places it in a lower performance tier. This does not mean the R8 M445DX lacks merit, but within the scope of the database measurements, it trails its rival in every measurable compute task. The data suggests that for users prioritizing raw OpenCL compute performance, the R7 M365X is the unequivocal choice.

However, the use-case split goes beyond just raw scores. The R7 M365X is a discrete-style part with its own dedicated memory, while the R8 M445DX operates as an integrated graphics processor (IGP) with system-shared memory. This architectural distinction implies different deployment scenarios. The R7 M365X, with its dedicated 1024 MB of GDDR5 memory, is suited for tasks where consistent memory bandwidth matters. The R8 M445DX, being an IGP, is designed for portable devices where space and power efficiency are paramount, even if peak compute performance is lower.

Architecture Differences

The two GPUs come from different generations of AMD's Graphics Core Next (GCN) architecture, which explains several of their diverging characteristics. The R7 M365X is built on GCN 1.0, while the R8 M445DX utilizes the more advanced GCN 3.0. Both are manufactured on the same 28 nm process at TSMC, but their underlying designs differ significantly.

The R7 M365X uses the "Litho" chip, which contains 950 million transistors on a 77 mm² die. The R8 M445DX uses the "Meso" chip, a larger and more complex design with 1,550 million transistors on a 125 mm² die. This represents a significant increase in transistor count, roughly 63% more, which typically enables more advanced features and higher efficiency per clock. The transistor density is nearly identical, at 12.3M per mm² for the R7 and 12.4M per mm² for the R8, confirming that the size difference comes from the additional hardware, not a denser layout.

Despite having more transistors, the R8 M445DX features fewer execution resources. It has 320 shading units and 20 texture mapping units (TMUs), compared to the R7 M365X's 384 shading units and 24 TMUs. Both share the same 8 render output units (ROPs). This is a curious inversion: the newer, larger chip has less raw compute hardware, but it compensates with higher clock speeds.

The memory architecture is a fundamental differentiator. The R7 M365X uses dedicated GDDR5 memory on a 128-bit bus, delivering 64.00 GB/s of bandwidth. The R8 M445DX relies entirely on "System Shared" memory, with its bandwidth being "System Dependent." This means the R8's performance is heavily influenced by the system's main memory speed and architecture, whereas the R7 has a fixed, predictable memory subsystem. The R7 also reports a memory clock of 1000 MHz (4 Gbps effective), while the R8 lists no discrete memory clock.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Radeon R7 M365X has a higher average benchmark score of 5416, compared to the AMD Radeon R8 M445DX's average of 4727.

Q: How large is the performance gap in the only head-to-head benchmark?

A: In the Geekbench OpenCL test, the R7 M365X scores 5939 versus 4727 for the R8 M445DX, a delta of 25.6% in favor of the R7 M365X.

Q: Is the R8 M445DX a discrete graphics card?

A: No, the R8 M445DX is an integrated graphics processor (IGP) with a bus interface of "IGP" and its memory is "System Shared." The R7 M365X, by contrast, has a PCIe 3.0 x8 interface and dedicated GDDR5 memory.

Q: Which GPU supports a newer version of DirectX?

A: The R8 M445DX supports DirectX 12 (12_0), while the R7 M365X supports DirectX 12 (11_1). This indicates the R8 has a more modern DirectX feature level.

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

A: The R7 M365X was released on May 4, 2015, while the R8 M445DX was released on May 14, 2016. Both are now marked as end-of-life products.

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

A: The R7 M365X sits very close to the AMD Radeon 610M (0.5% behind), the Intel UHD Graphics P630 (0.9% ahead), and the NVIDIA Quadro M4000 (0.9% behind). The R8 M445DX is similarly close to the AMD Radeon R5 M335 (0.5% behind) and the NVIDIA Quadro P400 (0.9% ahead).

Specification Differences

The specification sheets for these two GPUs reveal clear divergences in their design philosophies.

• Architecture: The R7 M365X uses GCN 1.0, while the R8 M445DX uses GCN 3.0.
• Chip: The R7 M365X uses "Litho," and the R8 M445DX uses "Meso."
• Transistors: The R7 M365X has 950 million, while the R8 M445DX has 1,550 million.
• Die Size: The R7 M365X measures 77 mm², while the R8 M445DX measures 125 mm².
• Base Clock: The R7 M365X has no listed base clock, while the R8 M445DX has a base clock of 780 MHz.
• Boost Clock: The R7 M365X has no listed boost clock, while the R8 M445DX has a boost clock of 1021 MHz.
• Memory Clock: The R7 M365X operates at 1000 MHz (4 Gbps effective), while the R8 M445DX uses "System Shared" memory with no fixed clock.
• Memory Size: The R7 M365X has 1024 MB of GDDR5, while the R8 M445DX uses "System Shared" memory.
• Memory Bus Width: The R7 M365X has a 128-bit bus, while the R8 M445DX is "System Shared."
• Memory Bandwidth: The R7 M365X has 64.00 GB/s, while the R8 M445DX is "System Dependent."
• Shading Units: The R7 M365X has 384, while the R8 M445DX has 320.
• Texture Mapping Units: The R7 M365X has 24, while the R8 M445DX has 20.
• Pixel Rate: The R7 M365X has 6.600 GPixel/s, while the R8 M445DX has 8.168 GPixel/s.
• Texture Rate: The R7 M365X has 19.80 GTexel/s, while the R8 M445DX has 20.42 GTexel/s.
• FP32 Performance: The R7 M365X has 633.6 GFLOPS, while the R8 M445DX has 653.4 GFLOPS.
• FP16 Performance: The R7 M365X has no listed FP16 value, while the R8 M445DX has 653.4 GFLOPS (1:1).
• DirectX Support: The R7 M365X supports 12 (11_1), while the R8 M445DX supports 12 (12_0).
• Bus Interface: The R7 M365X uses PCIe 3.0 x8, while the R8 M445DX uses "IGP."
• Slot Width: The R7 M365X has no listed slot width, while the R8 M445DX is listed as "IGP."
• Generation: The R7 M365X is from "Gem System (R7 M300)," while the R8 M445DX is from "Gem System Hybrid (Rx M400)."

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains exactly one direct comparison between these two GPUs, and it is decisive. The Geekbench OpenCL test shows the R7 M365X achieving 5939 points against the R8 M445DX's 4727 points. The resulting delta of 25.6% is significant, indicating that the R7 M365X delivers considerably higher compute throughput in this specific workload.

This result is somewhat paradoxical given the specifications. The R8 M445DX has a higher pixel rate (8.168 GPixel/s vs. 6.600 GPixel/s), a higher texture rate (20.42 GTexel/s vs. 19.80 GTexel/s), and a higher FP32 throughput (653.4 GFLOPS vs. 633.6 GFLOPS). Yet it loses decisively in the OpenCL test. The likely culprit is memory bandwidth. The R7 M365X's dedicated GDDR5 memory, with 64.00 GB/s of bandwidth, provides a stable and fast data path. The R8 M445DX's system-shared memory is "System Dependent," meaning its performance can be bottlenecked by the laptop's main memory configuration. In a compute test like OpenCL, which often involves large data sets, memory bandwidth can be the limiting factor. The R7 M365X's dedicated memory appears to give it a decisive edge in this scenario.

The R7 M365X also benefits from its higher shading unit count (384 vs. 320), which provides more parallel compute lanes. Even though the R8 M445DX clocks higher (boost of 1021 MHz vs. no listed boost for the R7), the combination of more shading units and dedicated memory on the R7 proves more effective in this benchmark. The data suggests that raw compute capability, as measured by OpenCL, favors the older but more discretely designed R7 M365X.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the recorded data, the AMD Radeon R7 M365X is the superior choice for users prioritizing compute performance. Its 25.6% lead in the Geekbench OpenCL benchmark is a decisive margin, placing it in a higher performance percentile (32nd versus 27th for the R8 M445DX). The R7 M365X also has a higher average benchmark score of 5416 compared to 4727 for the R8 M445DX.

The R7 M365X is the pick for anyone needing consistent, dedicated graphics memory and higher OpenCL throughput. Its 1024 MB of GDDR5 memory on a 128-bit bus provides a reliable foundation for compute tasks. The R8 M445DX, while having a more modern GCN 3.0 architecture and higher peak pixel and texture rates, cannot overcome the memory bandwidth advantage of its rival in the measured benchmark. Its performance is "System Dependent," introducing variability that the R7 M365X avoids.

The R8 M445DX, however, is not without its own rationale. As an IGP, it is designed for integration into portable devices, where its "Portable Device Dependent" display outputs and lack of separate power connectors make it a simpler component. It also supports a newer DirectX feature level (12_0 vs. 11_1), which could matter for certain modern applications. For users who require an integrated solution and can accept lower compute scores, the R8 M445DX serves a purpose. But for pure performance, the data unequivocally points to the R7 M365X. The verdict is straightforward: choose the R7 M365X for compute, choose the R8 M445DX only if the integrated form factor is a hard requirement.