AMD FirePro M5100 vs NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains only one directly comparable benchmark between the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 and the AMD FirePro M5100: Geekbench OpenCL. The results are stark. The GTX 980 records a score of 34,676, while the FirePro M5100 manages 6,830. That translates to a 407.7% advantage for the NVIDIA part, meaning the GTX 980 delivers over five times the OpenCL compute performance of the AMD mobile workstation chip.

This single test defines the entire head-to-head comparison. The GTX 980 wins the only shared benchmark, giving it a 1-0 record in direct matchups. The FirePro M5100 has no wins in any recorded head-to-head test. For context, the GTX 980's average benchmark score across all tests in the database is 8,167, placing it in the 43rd percentile of all GPUs. The FirePro M5100's average score is 6,830, which puts it in the 38th percentile. While both sit in the lower half of the overall GPU landscape, the gap between them is substantial.

When looking at the GTX 980's broader benchmark profile, its Geekbench OpenCL result is its second-highest recorded score, trailing only its Geekbench Vulkan mark of 22,543. The FirePro M5100, by contrast, has only one benchmark entry in the database, which makes direct comparisons limited but the available data unambiguous.

The nearest rivals for each card further illustrate the performance tier difference. The GTX 980's closest competitors, based on average scores, include the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950M at 8,135 (a 0.4% delta), the AMD Radeon R9 M360 at 8,129 (0.5% delta), and the NVIDIA GeForce 945M at 8,099 (0.8% delta). The FirePro M5100's nearest rivals are the AMD Radeon R7 M370 at 6,764 (1% delta), the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 675M at 6,946 (a negative 1.7% delta), and the NVIDIA GeForce GT 1010 at 6,698 (2% delta). The GTX 980's rival group sits roughly 20% higher in average score than the FirePro's rival group, reinforcing the performance separation.

Architecture Differences

The two GPUs come from fundamentally different design philosophies and market segments. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 uses the GM204 chip built on the Maxwell 2.0 architecture, part of the GeForce 900 generation. The AMD FirePro M5100 uses the Venus chip based on GCN 1.0, belonging to the FirePro Mobile (Mx100) generation. Both are fabricated on a 28 nm process at TSMC, but the similarities end there.

The GTX 980 packs 5,200 million transistors onto a 398 mm² die, yielding a transistor density of 13.1 million per square millimeter. The FirePro M5100 integrates 1,500 million transistors on a much smaller 123 mm² die, with a density of 12.2 million per square millimeter. The GTX 980's die is more than three times larger in area and holds over three times the transistor count.

Clock speeds also differ dramatically. The GTX 980 runs at a base clock of 1127 MHz with a boost clock of 1216 MHz, while the FirePro M5100 operates at a 725 MHz base and 775 MHz boost. The memory clocks show a similar disparity: the GTX 980's memory runs at 1753 MHz (7 Gbps effective), versus 1125 MHz (4.5 Gbps effective) for the FirePro.

The compute resources are in different leagues. The GTX 980 has 2,048 shading units, 128 texture mapping units, and 64 ROPs. The FirePro M5100 has 640 shading units, 40 TMUs, and only 16 ROPs. These architectural counts directly explain the pixel rate of 77.82 GPixel/s and texture rate of 155.6 GTexel/s for the GTX 980, compared to 12.40 GPixel/s and 31.00 GTexel/s for the FirePro. Floating-point performance for the GTX 980 is rated at 4.981 TFLOPS, while the FirePro manages 992.0 GFLOPS.

API support differs in the details. The GTX 980 supports DirectX 12 (12_1), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4. The FirePro M5100 supports DirectX 12 (11_1), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.170. Both are officially end-of-life products, but their release dates are separated by nearly a year: the GTX 980 launched on September 18, 2014, while the FirePro M5100 arrived on October 15, 2013.

Where Each One Wins

The GTX 980 wins in every measurable category where both cards have recorded data. Its OpenCL score is 407.7% higher, and its underlying specifications dominate across the board. For compute-heavy workloads, such as OpenCL-based rendering, simulation, or data processing, the GTX 980 is the clear choice based on the recorded numbers.

The GTX 980 also wins on memory bandwidth. Its 224.4 GB/s bandwidth versus the FirePro's 72.00 GB/s represents a 3.1x advantage, which matters for texture-heavy workloads and large data sets. The 4 GB frame buffer doubles the FirePro's 2 GB capacity, allowing larger working sets to remain resident in VRAM.

The FirePro M5100 does have one practical advantage: its form factor. As an MXM Module with an MXM-A (3.0) bus interface, it is designed for mobile workstations where the GTX 980's dual-slot, 267 mm length, and 2x 6-pin power connectors would be physically impossible to accommodate. The GTX 980 also requires a 450 W suggested power supply, while the FirePro's power requirements are not recorded in the database, but its mobile-oriented design inherently targets lower power envelopes.

For users needing a desktop replacement or mobile workstation GPU, the FirePro M5100 is the only feasible option between the two. The GTX 980's 165 W TDP and physical dimensions make it a desktop-only part. The FirePro's display outputs are listed as "Portable Device Dependent," meaning the manufacturer integrates them into the laptop chassis, whereas the GTX 980 provides 1x DVI, 1x HDMI 2.0, and 3x DisplayPort 1.2 outputs directly on the card.

In terms of raw performance, the GTX 980 wins outright. In terms of deployment flexibility, the FirePro M5100 serves a niche the GTX 980 cannot enter. The recorded data shows no scenario where the FirePro outperforms the GTX 980 in compute or graphics throughput, but the mobile workstation market values the MXM form factor and lower power footprint.

Specification Differences

The two cards differ in nearly every recorded specification. The GTX 980 uses the GM204 chip with Maxwell 2.0 architecture, while the FirePro M5100 uses Venus with GCN 1.0. Transistor counts are 5,200 million versus 1,500 million, and die sizes are 398 mm² versus 123 mm². Transistor density is 13.1M per mm² for the GTX 980 and 12.2M per mm² for the FirePro.

Base clocks are 1127 MHz versus 725 MHz, with boost clocks of 1216 MHz versus 775 MHz. Memory clocks are 1753 MHz (7 Gbps effective) versus 1125 MHz (4.5 Gbps effective). Memory capacity is 4 GB versus 2 GB, both GDDR5, but bus widths are 256 bit versus 128 bit. Memory bandwidth is 224.4 GB/s versus 72.00 GB/s.

Shading units number 2,048 versus 640, TMUs are 128 versus 40, and ROPs are 64 versus 16. Pixel rates are 77.82 GPixel/s versus 12.40 GPixel/s, and texture rates are 155.6 GTexel/s versus 31.00 GTexel/s. FP32 compute is 4.981 TFLOPS versus 992.0 GFLOPS.

The GTX 980 has a TDP of 165 W, a dual-slot width, 2x 6-pin power connectors, a 450 W suggested PSU, and a PCIe 3.0 x16 bus interface. The FirePro M5100 has no recorded TDP, uses an MXM Module slot width, has no recorded power connectors, no suggested PSU, and uses an MXM-A (3.0) bus interface. The GTX 980 measures 267 mm in length, 111 mm in height, and 40 mm in width. The FirePro has no recorded dimensions.

Display outputs differ: the GTX 980 has 1x DVI, 1x HDMI 2.0, and 3x DisplayPort 1.2, while the FirePro is "Portable Device Dependent." API support shows DirectX 12 (12_1) versus DirectX 12 (11_1), same OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4 versus Vulkan 1.2.170. The GTX 980's launch MSRP was 549 USD. The FirePro has no recorded launch MSRP. Release dates are September 18, 2014 versus October 15, 2013. Predecessors are GeForce 700 versus FirePro Mobility, and successors are GeForce 10 versus Radeon Pro Mobile.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has the higher OpenCL benchmark score?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 scores 34,676 in Geekbench OpenCL, while the AMD FirePro M5100 scores 6,830. The GTX 980 leads by 407.7%.

Q: How does the memory bandwidth compare between the two?

A: The GTX 980 offers 224.4 GB/s of bandwidth over a 256 bit bus, while the FirePro M5100 provides 72.00 GB/s over a 128 bit bus. The GTX 980's bandwidth is more than three times higher.

Q: Are both GPUs based on the same manufacturing process?

A: Yes, both are fabricated on a 28 nm process at TSMC. However, the GTX 980 uses the Maxwell 2.0 architecture with the GM204 chip, while the FirePro M5100 uses GCN 1.0 with the Venus chip.

Q: What is the transistor count difference?

A: The GTX 980 contains 5,200 million transistors on a 398 mm² die, while the FirePro M5100 has 1,500 million transistors on a 123 mm² die. The GTX 980 has roughly 3.5 times the transistor count.

Q: Which card supports newer API versions?

A: The GTX 980 supports DirectX 12 (12_1) and Vulkan 1.4. The FirePro M5100 supports DirectX 12 (11_1) and Vulkan 1.2.170. Both support OpenGL 4.6.

Q: What are the physical form factor differences?

A: The GTX 980 is a dual-slot desktop card measuring 267 mm in length, requiring 2x 6-pin power connectors and a 450 W suggested PSU. The FirePro M5100 is an MXM Module with an MXM-A (3.0) interface, designed for portable devices, with no recorded dimensions or power connector requirements.