AMD FirePro M4170
AMD graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
AMDAMD FirePro M4170 Specifications
GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The AMD FirePro M4170 GPU core specifications define its raw processing power for graphics and compute workloads. Shading units (also called CUDA cores, stream processors, or execution units depending on manufacturer) handle the parallel calculations required for rendering. TMUs (Texture Mapping Units) process texture data, while ROPs (Render Output Units) handle final pixel output. Higher shader counts generally translate to better GPU benchmark performance, especially in demanding games and 3D applications.
FirePro M4170 Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the FirePro M4170's performance in GPU benchmarks and real-world gaming. The base clock represents the minimum guaranteed frequency, while the boost clock indicates peak performance under optimal thermal conditions. Memory clock speed affects texture loading and frame buffer operations. The FirePro M4170 by AMD dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
AMD's FirePro M4170 Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The FirePro M4170's memory capacity determines how well it handles high-resolution textures and multiple displays. Memory bandwidth, measured in GB/s, affects how quickly data moves between the GPU and VRAM. Higher bandwidth improves performance in memory-intensive scenarios like 4K gaming. The memory bus width and type (GDDR6, GDDR6X, HBM) significantly influence overall GPU benchmark scores.
FirePro M4170 by AMD Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the FirePro M4170, reducing the need to fetch data from slower VRAM. L1 and L2 caches store frequently accessed data close to the compute units. AMD's Infinity Cache (L3) dramatically increases effective bandwidth, improving GPU benchmark performance without requiring wider memory buses. Larger cache sizes help maintain high frame rates in memory-bound scenarios and reduce power consumption by minimizing VRAM accesses.
FirePro M4170 Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the AMD FirePro M4170 against other graphics cards. FP32 (single-precision) performance, measured in TFLOPS, indicates compute capability for gaming and general GPU workloads. FP64 (double-precision) matters for scientific computing. Pixel and texture fill rates determine how quickly the GPU can render complex scenes. While real-world GPU benchmark results depend on many factors, these specifications help predict relative performance levels.
GCN 1.0 Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The AMD FirePro M4170 is built on AMD's GCN 1.0 architecture, which defines how the GPU processes graphics and compute workloads. The manufacturing process node affects power efficiency, thermal characteristics, and maximum clock speeds. Smaller process nodes pack more transistors into the same die area, enabling higher performance per watt. Understanding the architecture helps predict how the FirePro M4170 will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the AMD FirePro M4170 determine PSU requirements and thermal management needs. TDP (Thermal Design Power) indicates the heat output under typical loads, guiding cooler selection. Power connector requirements ensure adequate power delivery for stable operation during demanding GPU benchmarks. The suggested PSU wattage accounts for the entire system, not just the graphics card. Efficient power delivery enables the FirePro M4170 to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
FirePro M4170 by AMD Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the AMD FirePro M4170 are critical for case compatibility. Card length, height, and slot width determine whether it fits in your chassis. The PCIe interface version affects bandwidth for communication with the CPU. Display outputs define monitor connectivity options, with modern cards supporting multiple high-resolution displays simultaneously. Verify these specifications against your case and motherboard before purchasing to ensure a proper fit.
AMD API Support
Graphics and compute APIs
API support determines which games and applications can fully utilize the AMD FirePro M4170. DirectX 12 Ultimate enables advanced features like ray tracing and variable rate shading. Vulkan provides cross-platform graphics capabilities with low-level hardware access. OpenGL remains important for professional applications and older games. CUDA (NVIDIA) and OpenCL enable GPU compute for video editing, 3D rendering, and scientific applications. Higher API versions unlock newer graphical features in GPU benchmarks and games.
FirePro M4170 Product Information
Release and pricing details
The AMD FirePro M4170 is manufactured by AMD as part of their graphics card lineup. Release date and launch pricing provide context for comparing GPU benchmark results with competing products from the same era. Understanding the product lifecycle helps evaluate whether the FirePro M4170 by AMD represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
About AMD FirePro M4170
The AMD FirePro M4170 is a mobile workstation GPU built on the 28 nm GCN 1.0 architecture, targeting professional laptops in the FirePro Mx100 generation. With its 950 million transistors on a 77 mm² die, this end-of-life component offers a specific set of capabilities for legacy systems.
Memory Subsystem
The M4170 ships with 1024 MB of GDDR5 memory across a 128-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 64.00 GB/s. The memory operates at 1000 MHz, which translates to 4 Gbps effective. This configuration is modest by modern standards, but for its intended era, the 64 GB/s figure provides a balanced throughput for the GPU's compute capabilities.
At high resolutions, the 1 GB frame buffer is a limiting factor. The data shows that 1024 MB is sufficient for 1080p workloads in older professional applications, but texture-heavy scenes or multi-monitor setups will quickly exhaust the available VRAM. The 128-bit bus width means memory bandwidth scales linearly with clock speed, but the fixed 64.00 GB/s ceiling becomes a bottleneck when shading units are fully utilized. For 1440p or 4K output, the pixel rate of 7.200 GPixel/s and texture rate of 21.60 GTexel/s suggest that the memory subsystem will struggle to feed the 384 shading units at higher fill rates. Users should treat this as a 1080p-class memory design, not a high-resolution solution.
Who Should Consider It
This GPU is for users maintaining legacy mobile workstations that require certified drivers for older ISV applications. The 50th percentile ranking against all GPUs indicates it sits exactly at the median of the performance distribution, which means it handles entry-level professional tasks without excelling anywhere. For 1080p productivity work — spreadsheet-heavy financial modeling, 2D CAD drafting, or light photo editing — the M4170 provides adequate acceleration.
Users running 3D modeling or simulation software at 1080p with moderate settings will find the 691.2 GFLOPS of FP32 performance workable, but not comfortable. The 24 TMUs and 8 ROPs limit texture-heavy scenes and post-processing effects. This is not a GPU for gaming, nor is it suitable for modern machine learning workloads — the absence of tensor cores confirms that. The PCIe 3.0 x8 interface is sufficient for the available bandwidth, but newer systems with PCIe 4.0 or 5.0 will not see any benefit from this older card. Consider it only if you have a specific legacy laptop that requires this exact MXM module for replacement or repair.
Benchmark Performance
The benchmark data for the M4170 is sparse, with no recorded scores in the database. The average benchmark score is 0, and the nearestRivals array is empty, which means there are no direct comparison points from the FACT PACK. However, the percentileVsAllGpus field places it at the 50th percentile, indicating that it outperforms half of all GPUs in the database and underperforms the other half.
Without rival scores or deltaPct values, the analysis must rely on architectural parameters. The 384 shading units at a boost clock of 900 MHz deliver 691.2 GFLOPS of FP32 compute, which positions it in the lower-midrange of the GCN 1.0 family. The 21.60 GTexel/s texture fill rate is adequate for 1080p, while the 7.200 GPixel/s pixel rate caps resolution scaling. Compared to higher-tier FirePro mobile parts from the same generation, the M4170 would likely lag by a significant margin in multi-core workloads, but the absence of specific rival data prevents exact percentage claims. The 50th percentile ranking suggests it is a competent entry-level part, not a performance leader.
FAQ
Q: Does the AMD FirePro M4170 support DirectX 12?
A: Yes, it supports DirectX 12 (11_1), along with OpenGL 4.6 and Vulkan 1.2.170. This ensures compatibility with modern API-based applications, though the feature level 11_1 limits some advanced DX12 effects.
Q: What is the memory bandwidth of this GPU?
A: The M4170 has 64.00 GB/s of memory bandwidth, derived from 1024 MB of GDDR5 on a 128-bit bus running at 4 Gbps effective.
Q: Is this GPU suitable for 4K resolution?
A: The data suggests no. With only 1024 MB of VRAM and a 128-bit bus, the M4170 will run out of memory bandwidth and capacity at 4K. It is best suited for 1080p workloads.
Q: What process node is the M4170 manufactured on?
A: It is fabricated by TSMC on a 28 nm process, with 950 million transistors on a 77 mm² die.
Q: Does the M4170 have ray tracing or tensor cores?
A: No. The FACT PACK lists rtCores and tensorCores as null, indicating the absence of dedicated hardware for ray tracing or AI acceleration.
Q: What is the pixel fill rate?
A: The pixel rate is 7.200 GPixel/s, which is computed from the 8 ROPs and the boost clock of 900 MHz.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The M4170 has no ray tracing cores and no tensor cores, which is consistent with its GCN 1.0 architecture from 2015. Dedicated RT hardware did not appear in AMD's mobile professional line until much later, so this GPU relies entirely on traditional rasterization. The API support is respectable for its age: DirectX 12 (11_1), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.170. The Vulkan version is notably modern, allowing the M4170 to run newer Vulkan-based applications, though performance will be limited by the underlying hardware.
The feature set is barebones by today's standards. There are no AI-accelerated features, no hardware-accelerated ray tracing, and no variable rate shading. The 384 shading units handle all compute workloads in a unified manner, which means any DX12 or Vulkan title that relies on compute shaders will run, but without specialized hardware acceleration. For professional use, this means the M4170 is limited to traditional viewport rendering and OpenGL-based CAD workflows. The lack of tensor cores also rules out any modern denoising or upscaling technologies.
Power and Cooling
The FACT PACK does not list a TDP for the M4170, but the slot width of "MXM Module" indicates it is a mobile form factor. The power connectors are listed as "None," which means the GPU draws all its power from the MXM slot itself — no auxiliary 6-pin or 8-pin connectors are required. The suggested PSU field is empty, so there is no official power supply recommendation from the data.
Given the 28 nm process and the modest clock speeds (825 MHz base, 900 MHz boost), the M4170 is a relatively low-power part. The absence of a TDP figure prevents exact wattage statements, but the lack of power connectors and the mobile form factor imply that a standard laptop thermal solution with a capable air cooler should suffice. The display outputs are listed as "Portable Device Dependent," which means the actual ports vary by laptop manufacturer. For cooling, the 77 mm² die and 950 million transistors produce manageable heat, but users should ensure that the laptop's cooling system is functional, as end-of-life MXM modules may suffer from dried thermal paste. The PCIe 3.0 x8 interface draws minimal additional power, so the total system load remains within the range of typical mobile workstation power delivery.
Detailed benchmark scores and charts for the AMD FirePro M4170 are below.
Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this GPU.
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