AMD Radeon R9 M375X vs NVIDIA GRID K2 Comparison

The benchmark data presents a clear, if lopsided, picture: the NVIDIA GRID K2 is the faster GPU in raw compute, decisively winning the only shared head-to-head test. However, the AMD Radeon R9 M375X is not without its own strengths, particularly in graphics API compatibility and efficiency-focused specifications. This analysis breaks down the data to determine which card is the better choice for specific, data-backed use cases.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only directly comparable benchmark between the two cards is the Geekbench OpenCL test, and the result is not close. The NVIDIA GRID K2 scores 10,602 points, while the AMD Radeon R9 M375X scores 8,273 points. This gives the NVIDIA card a 22% performance advantage in this test, a substantial margin that reflects its significantly larger silicon and compute resources.

This 22% lead places the GRID K2 in a different performance tier. Its average benchmark score of 8,080 is nearly on par with its nearest rivals, including the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost, which it beats by a marginal 0.2%, and the NVIDIA GeForce 945M, which it trails by a slight 0.2%. The GRID K2's performance is solidly within the range of these desktop and high-end mobile parts. In contrast, the R9 M375X's average score of 8,325 puts it just 0.7% ahead of the NVIDIA Quadro K1200 and 1.2% behind the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 675MX. While the R9 M375X has a higher average score than the GRID K2 (8,325 vs. 8,080), this is skewed because the GRID K2's average includes a much lower score in the Geekbench Metal test (5,557), a benchmark the R9 M375X does not have. In the only apples-to-apples compute test, the GRID K2 is the clear winner.

The GRID K2's victory is not just about a single score. Its compute advantage is consistent with its architectural design, which emphasizes parallel throughput over the more modest configuration of the R9 M375X. The data shows a single, decisive win for the NVIDIA card, with no countervailing benchmark victories for the AMD part.

Architecture Differences

The two GPUs are built on the same 28 nm process node at TSMC, but their internal architectures are fundamentally different generations of design philosophy. The AMD Radeon R9 M375X is built on the Graphics Core Next (GCN) 1.0 architecture, while the NVIDIA GRID K2 uses the Kepler architecture.

This architectural divide is reflected in their physical characteristics. The NVIDIA GRID K2's GK104 chip is a massive piece of silicon, measuring 294 mm² and containing 3,540 million transistors. The AMD Radeon R9 M375X's Tropo chip is much smaller, at 123 mm², with 1,500 million transistors. This difference in die size and transistor count is the primary reason for the GRID K2's superior raw performance. The GRID K2 packs 1,536 shading units, 128 texture mapping units (TMUs), and 32 ROPs. The R9 M375X, by contrast, is configured with 640 shading units, 40 TMUs, and 16 ROPs. This gives the GRID K2 a massive 2.4x advantage in shading units and a 3.2x advantage in TMUs, which directly translates to its higher theoretical fill rates.

The memory subsystems also differ significantly. The GRID K2 comes with 4 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 160.0 GB/s. The R9 M375X has half the memory (2 GB) on a 128-bit bus, resulting in a bandwidth of 72.00 GB/s. The GRID K2's memory bandwidth is 122% higher, a critical advantage for compute workloads that are memory-bound. Clock speeds also differ, with the R9 M375X having a base clock of 925 MHz and a boost of 1015 MHz, while the GRID K2's core clocks are not listed, though its memory clock is set to 1250 MHz (5 Gbps effective). The architectural and memory differences culminate in a stark performance gap in pixel and texture rates: the GRID K2 delivers 23.84 GPixel/s and 95.36 GTexel/s, versus the R9 M375X's 16.24 GPixel/s and 40.60 GTexel/s.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Radeon R9 M375X has a higher average benchmark score of 8,325 compared to the NVIDIA GRID K2's 8,080. However, this metric is influenced by the GRID K2's lower Metal benchmark score, which the AMD card does not have.

Q: How much faster is the NVIDIA GRID K2 in the Geekbench OpenCL test?

A: The NVIDIA GRID K2 scores 10,602 in Geekbench OpenCL, which is 22% higher than the AMD Radeon R9 M375X's score of 8,273.

Q: Which GPU has more memory and bandwidth?

A: The NVIDIA GRID K2 has more memory and bandwidth. It features 4 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing 160.0 GB/s of bandwidth, while the AMD Radeon R9 M375X has 2 GB on a 128-bit bus with 72.00 GB/s.

Q: What are the key differences in their compute configurations?

A: The NVIDIA GRID K2 has 1,536 shading units, 128 TMUs, and 32 ROPs. The AMD Radeon R9 M375X has 640 shading units, 40 TMUs, and 16 ROPs. The GRID K2 also has a larger die (294 mm²) and more transistors (3,540 million).

Q: Do both cards support the same graphics APIs?

A: No. While both support OpenGL 4.6 and Vulkan, the AMD Radeon R9 M375X supports DirectX 12 (11_1), whereas the NVIDIA GRID K2 supports DirectX 12 (11_0).

Q: Is there any benchmark in which the AMD Radeon R9 M375X wins?

A: Based on the available data, no. The NVIDIA GRID K2 wins the only head-to-head benchmark test (Geekbench OpenCL) and has a higher score in that specific test. The AMD card's higher average score is not from a direct head-to-head win.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous for users prioritizing raw compute performance. The NVIDIA GRID K2 is the superior GPU. Its 22% lead in the Geekbench OpenCL test, combined with its massive advantages in shading units, TMUs, memory capacity, and bandwidth, makes it the clear choice for any task that relies on parallel processing power. The GRID K2's specification sheet is that of a high-throughput compute workhorse, and its benchmark score confirms this.

The AMD Radeon R9 M375X, however, should not be dismissed. Its data shows a more modern feature set in terms of API support, with a higher DirectX version (11_1 vs. 11_0) and a newer Vulkan version (1.2.170 vs. 1.2.175). It also has a significantly lower power draw, with no TDP listed in the data, while the GRID K2 is a dual-slot card with a 225 W TDP that requires a 550 W power supply and both a 6-pin and 8-pin power connector. The GRID K2 also has no display outputs, making it unsuitable for any workstation that requires a direct video connection. The R9 M375X is a more practical, lower-power solution for a mobile or compact system.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Radeon R9 M375X | NVIDIA GRID K2 |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Chip | Tropo | GK104 |

| Architecture | GCN 1.0 | Kepler |

| Transistors | 1,500 million | 3,540 million |

| Die Size | 123 mm² | 294 mm² |

| Transistor Density | 12.2M / mm² | 12.0M / mm² |

| Memory | 2 GB GDDR5 | 4 GB GDDR5 |

| Memory Bus | 128 bit | 256 bit |

| Memory Bandwidth | 72.00 GB/s | 160.0 GB/s |

| Shading Units | 640 | 1536 |

| TMUs | 40 | 128 |

| ROPs | 16 | 32 |

| Pixel Rate | 16.24 GPixel/s | 23.84 GPixel/s |

| Texture Rate | 40.60 GTexel/s | 95.36 GTexel/s |

| FP32 Performance | 1,299.2 GFLOPS | 2.289 TFLOPS |

| TDP | Not listed | 225 W |

| Slot Width | Not listed | Dual-slot |

| Power Connectors | Not listed | 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin |

| Suggested PSU | Not listed | 550 W |

| Display Outputs | Not listed | No outputs |

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

| Vulkan | 1.2.170 | 1.2.175 |

| Length | Not listed | 267 mm (10.5 inches) |

Where Each One Wins

NVIDIA GRID K2 wins on raw computational throughput. This is its sole purpose. The 22% lead in OpenCL and the 2.4x more shading units make it the clear choice for server-side compute, virtual desktop infrastructure, or any workload where maximum parallel processing power is the only metric that matters. Its 4 GB of memory and 160 GB/s of bandwidth are better suited for large datasets.

AMD Radeon R9 M375X wins on practicality and compatibility. It is the better choice for a traditional workstation or mobile system because it is a lower-power, single-GPU solution without the power connector or power supply requirements of the GRID K2. Its support for DirectX 12 (11_1) is a newer revision than the GRID K2's 11_0, which is a point for modern gaming and application compatibility. While it loses on performance, it is a more flexible and integrated option for a standard PC.