AMD FirePro M5950
AMD graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
AMDAMD FirePro M5950 Specifications
GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The AMD FirePro M5950 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 M5950 Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the FirePro M5950'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 M5950 by AMD dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
AMD's FirePro M5950 Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The FirePro M5950'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 M5950 by AMD Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the FirePro M5950, 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 M5950 Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the AMD FirePro M5950 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.
TeraScale 2 Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The AMD FirePro M5950 is built on AMD's TeraScale 2 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 M5950 will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the AMD FirePro M5950 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 M5950 to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
FirePro M5950 by AMD Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the AMD FirePro M5950 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 M5950. 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 M5950 Product Information
Release and pricing details
The AMD FirePro M5950 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 M5950 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 M5950
The AMD FirePro M5950 is a mobile workstation GPU built on the TeraScale 2 architecture, manufactured on a 40 nm process at TSMC with 716 million transistors on a 118 mm² die. It ships with 1024 MB of GDDR5 memory on a 128-bit bus, delivering 57.60 GB/s of bandwidth. In the Geekbench OpenCL benchmark, it scores 1279, placing it in the 5th percentile of all GPUs — firmly in the entry-level segment.
Memory Subsystem — VRAM size/type, bus width, bandwidth and what it means for high resolutions
The M5950 is equipped with 1024 MB of GDDR5 memory, a 128-bit memory bus, and a peak bandwidth of 57.60 GB/s. The memory clock is 900 MHz, which translates to 3.6 Gbps effective data rate. This configuration yields a pixel rate of 5.800 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 17.40 GTexel/s. For high-resolution workloads, the 1 GB capacity and 128-bit interface are modest by any standard. The bandwidth of 57.60 GB/s is sufficient for 1080p gaming at low to medium detail, but it will struggle with 1440p or higher resolutions where large frame buffers and high-resolution textures quickly exceed the available VRAM and memory throughput. The 128-bit bus also limits the amount of data that can be moved per clock cycle, making the card more suitable for lighter tasks than for demanding graphical environments.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set — RT/tensor cores, API support from facts
The M5950 does not include any dedicated ray tracing cores or tensor cores. Its TeraScale 2 architecture relies on traditional shading units — 480 of them — along with 24 texture mapping units and 8 render output units. The feature set is defined by its API support: DirectX 11.2 (11_0), OpenGL 4.4, and no Vulkan support. The absence of Vulkan means the card cannot take advantage of modern cross-platform graphics APIs, and without dedicated RT or tensor hardware, hardware-accelerated ray tracing and AI-based features are entirely unavailable. The FP32 compute performance is 696.0 GFLOPS, which is adequate for basic compute tasks but far from what modern workloads require. The card is end-of-life, released on 2011-01-03, and its predecessor is the FirePro Mobility series, with the successor being the Radeon Pro Mobile line.
Who Should Consider It — resolution/settings-based recommendations grounded in the scores
Given the benchmark score of 1279 and its 5th percentile ranking, the M5950 is intended for users with very light graphical demands. At 1080p, it can handle older titles or modern games at low settings and reduced resolutions, but it will not deliver playable frame rates in demanding AAA releases. The 1 GB VRAM and 57.60 GB/s bandwidth are enough for 720p gaming or for productivity tasks that do not require heavy 3D acceleration. For professional use, the card may suffice for 2D CAD or basic office applications, but it is not suited for high-resolution video editing or 3D rendering. The lack of Vulkan support and the low compute throughput (696.0 GFLOPS) further limit its utility in modern software. Users who need to run current applications at 1440p or higher should look elsewhere; the data clearly indicates this is an entry-level part from a bygone era.
How It Compares — position vs each nearest rival, one short paragraph per rival
NVIDIA GeForce GT 610: The M5950 scores 1279, which is 0.2% lower than the GeForce GT 610's average score of 1281. The two are essentially tied in OpenCL performance, with the M5950 being marginally slower. This places them in the same performance tier, though the M5950's mobile MXM form factor and lower TDP differentiate it.
NVIDIA GeForce GT 520: Against the GeForce GT 520, which averages 1276, the M5950 is 0.2% faster. The difference is negligible, but the M5950 holds a slight edge. Both cards are entry-level, and the M5950's additional shading units (480 vs. the GT 520's fewer cores) do not translate into a meaningful advantage in this benchmark.
NVIDIA Quadro RTX 3000 Mobile: The Quadro RTX 3000 Mobile scores 1285, making the M5950 0.5% slower. While the scores are close, the RTX 3000 Mobile is a far more capable GPU with dedicated RT and tensor cores; its similar OpenCL score reflects the benchmark's limited scope, not real-world parity. The M5950 lacks the advanced features that would make it competitive in modern professional workflows.
AMD Radeon R9 380: The Radeon R9 380 averages 1293, which is 1% higher than the M5950's 1279. The gap is small in this synthetic test, but the R9 380 is a desktop card with substantially higher memory bandwidth and compute resources. The M5950's 35 W TDP and mobile form factor explain its lower absolute performance, yet the benchmark suggests they are in the same ballpark for this specific OpenCL workload.
FAQ
Q: What is the memory size and type of the AMD FirePro M5950?
A: It has 1024 MB of GDDR5 memory.
Q: Does the M5950 support Vulkan?
A: No, the Vulkan API is not supported (listed as null). It supports DirectX 11.2 (11_0) and OpenGL 4.4.
Q: What is the TDP of the M5950?
A: The thermal design power is 35 W.
Q: What is the bus interface of this GPU?
A: It uses an MXM-A (3.0) interface, and the slot width is MXM Module.
Q: What is the FP32 compute performance?
A: The FP32 throughput is 696.0 GFLOPS.
Q: What is the pixel rate and texture rate?
A: The pixel rate is 5.800 GPixel/s and the texture rate is 17.40 GTexel/s.
Power and Cooling — TDP, PSU recommendation, connector requirements
The M5950 has a TDP of 35 W, which is low for a discrete GPU. It is designed as an MXM module (MXM-A 3.0), meaning it draws power directly from the laptop's power delivery system rather than through external power connectors. The FACT PACK lists no power connectors and no suggested PSU, which is consistent with a mobile part that relies on the host system's power supply. The 35 W TDP is modest enough for most laptops to handle without additional cooling infrastructure beyond the standard heatsink and fan. Given the lack of a suggested PSU, no specific wattage recommendation can be made; the system's existing power budget should be sufficient, as the card's power draw is well within typical mobile ranges. The end-of-life status and 40 nm process node also contribute to its relatively low power consumption compared to later GPUs, but users should note that the card's performance is equally modest.
Detailed benchmark scores and charts for the AMD FirePro M5950 are below.
Benchmark Scores
geekbench_openclSource
Geekbench OpenCL tests GPU compute performance using the cross-platform OpenCL API. This shows how AMD FirePro M5950 handles parallel computing tasks like video encoding and scientific simulations. OpenCL is widely supported across different GPU vendors and platforms.
Top 5 Performers
Top 5 PerformersNearby Performers
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