AMD FirePro W5170M

The AMD FirePro W5170M is a mobile workstation GPU built on the 28 nm GCN 1.0 architecture, using the Tropo chip with 1,500 million transistors on a 123 mm² die. Its average benchmark score of 8602 places it at the 42nd percentile among all GPUs, indicating a mid-range position in the performance hierarchy. The data shows a card designed for professional mobile workloads, with a 640 shading unit configuration and a 128-bit memory interface, now end-of-life as of its 2014 release.

Benchmark Performance

The FirePro W5170M delivers a Geekbench OpenCL score of 8154 and a Geekbench Vulkan score of 9050, yielding an average benchmark score of 8602. This places the card in the 42nd percentile of all GPUs, meaning it outperforms roughly 42% of the database’s tracked graphics hardware. The Vulkan score being notably higher than OpenCL suggests the GCN 1.0 architecture responds well to modern low-level APIs, which is relevant for applications leveraging Vulkan compute paths.

Against its nearest rivals, the performance deltas are remarkably tight. The W5170M sits 0.5% ahead of the Intel Arc A380, which averages 8558. This is a statistical tie, with the margin well within run-to-run variance. The card trails the NVIDIA Quadro P2200 by 0.8% (8671 average) and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 by 1.3% (8713 average). These differences are negligible in real-world terms; the W5170M is effectively performance-equivalent to these three competitors. The only rival it beats by a measurable margin is the AMD Radeon R9 M375X, which scores 8480, putting the W5170M 1.4% ahead.

The practical interpretation is that the FirePro W5170M occupies a crowded performance band. For a mobile workstation part from 2014, its sustained competitiveness against newer discrete GPUs like the GTX 1650 and Arc A380 is notable, though the data indicates no clear victory in either direction. Users should expect performance within a narrow 2% window of these rivals, making other factors like driver support and memory configuration more decisive in a purchase decision.

Memory Subsystem

The FirePro W5170M comes equipped with 2 GB of GDDR5 memory across a 128-bit bus, running at an effective speed of 4.5 Gbps. This configuration yields a memory bandwidth of 72.00 GB/s. For a professional mobile GPU, this bandwidth is modest; it is sufficient for 1080p workloads but will become a limiting factor at higher resolutions or with texture-heavy scenes.

The 2 GB capacity is the more pressing constraint. Modern professional applications, particularly those dealing with large 3D models or high-resolution textures, can exceed this limit, forcing the driver to spill data to system memory. The 128-bit bus width further compounds this, as it caps the data throughput regardless of the GDDR5 speed. Benchmark results show the card's overall performance is competitive, but these memory specs suggest that performance will degrade more sharply than rivals when VRAM pressure increases. For 1440p or 4K rendering, the 72.00 GB/s bandwidth and 2 GB capacity will likely cause stuttering or texture pop-in, whereas at 1080p with conservative settings, the memory subsystem is adequate.

How It Compares

vs. Intel Arc A380: The W5170M is 0.5% faster than the Arc A380 in average benchmark score. This is effectively a dead heat. The Arc A380 is a newer desktop-oriented part, yet the FirePro's older GCN architecture holds its own. The choice here comes down to ecosystem preferences, as raw performance is indistinguishable.

vs. NVIDIA Quadro P2200: The Quadro P2200 leads by 0.8%. This is within noise, but the P2200 is a significantly newer workstation card. The data suggests that for professional applications, the W5170M is not left behind, though the P2200 may offer better driver optimizations for current software. The 0.8% delta is not enough to declare a winner.

vs. NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650: The GTX 1650 is 1.3% faster. This is the largest deficit among the rivals, yet still minor. The GTX 1650 is a consumer gaming card, so the W5170M's workstation pedigree might offer advantages in certified applications, but the raw compute scores are nearly identical. Users should not expect a meaningful performance gap in either direction.

vs. AMD Radeon R9 M375X: The W5170M leads this rival by 1.4%. The R9 M375X is a lower-tier mobile part, and the FirePro's advantage, while small, is consistent. This is the only rival where the W5170M shows a clear, if modest, lead. For users upgrading from an R9 M375X, the W5170M offers a slight performance bump without changing the fundamental character of the GPU.

FAQ

Q: What is the average benchmark score of the AMD FirePro W5170M?

A: The average benchmark score is 8602, derived from a Geekbench OpenCL score of 8154 and a Geekbench Vulkan score of 9050.

Q: How does the FirePro W5170M compare to the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650?

A: The GTX 1650 is 1.3% faster on average, scoring 8713 versus the W5170M's 8602. This is a negligible difference in practical use.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth and bus width of this GPU?

A: The card features 2 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing 72.00 GB/s of bandwidth. The memory clock is 1125 MHz, translating to 4.5 Gbps effective.

Q: Does the FirePro W5170M support Vulkan?

A: Yes, it supports Vulkan version 1.2.170. It also supports DirectX 12 (11_1) and OpenGL 4.6.

Q: What is the transistor count and die size of the Tropo chip?

A: The Tropo chip contains 1,500 million transistors on a die size of 123 mm², manufactured on a 28 nm process at TSMC.

Q: Is the FirePro W5170M still in production?

A: No, the production status is end-of-life. It was released in August 2014 and has been succeeded by the Radeon Pro Mobile series.

Who Should Consider It

Based on the benchmark data, the FirePro W5170M is best suited for 1080p professional workloads where its 42nd percentile standing is adequate. The 2 GB VRAM and 72.00 GB/s bandwidth cap performance at higher resolutions, so users should target 1080p with medium to high settings in CAD or DCC applications. The card's performance parity with the GTX 1650 and Arc A380 means it can handle entry-level 3D modeling and light rendering tasks, but the memory capacity will be the first bottleneck.

For users running dual-monitor 1080p setups or working with moderately complex assemblies, the W5170M's compute scores indicate it will deliver smooth interaction. However, for 1440p or 4K texture work, the data suggests the card will struggle. The Vulkan score of 9050 shows that the card can leverage modern APIs well, making it viable for compute-heavy tasks that offload to the GPU. Gamers should look elsewhere, as the 2 GB VRAM is below current standards; this is a workstation part first. Users upgrading from older FirePro Mobility parts will see a generational improvement, while those considering a newer Quadro P2200 should note the performance difference is only 0.8% in favor of the NVIDIA card.

Power and Cooling

The FirePro W5170M has no listed TDP in the data, but its specification as an MXM Module (MXM-A 3.0) dictates its power profile. The card uses no external power connectors, drawing all power from the MXM slot itself, which implies a conservative power envelope suitable for laptops. The lack of a suggested PSU rating reinforces that this is a mobile part; desktop power supply considerations do not apply.

Cooling is handled by the host laptop's chassis design, as the MXM form factor is portable-device dependent. The 28 nm process and 1,500 million transistors generate heat that a capable laptop cooling solution should manage, given the modest clock speeds of 900 MHz base and 925 MHz boost. The pixel rate of 14.80 GPixel/s and texture rate of 37.00 GTexel/s are consistent with a mid-range mobile GPU that should not overwhelm standard notebook thermal solutions. Users should ensure their laptop's cooling is in good working order, as sustained loads will push the card to its 925 MHz boost clock. Since the display outputs are portable device dependent, the card relies entirely on the laptop's integrated display and output ports, which should be factored into any upgrade path.