AMD FirePro W7170M
AMD graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
AMDAMD FirePro W7170M Specifications
GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The AMD FirePro W7170M 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 W7170M Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the FirePro W7170M'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 W7170M by AMD dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
AMD's FirePro W7170M Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The FirePro W7170M'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 W7170M by AMD Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the FirePro W7170M, 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 W7170M Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the AMD FirePro W7170M 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 3.0 Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The AMD FirePro W7170M is built on AMD's GCN 3.0 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 W7170M will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the AMD FirePro W7170M 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 W7170M to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
FirePro W7170M by AMD Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the AMD FirePro W7170M 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 W7170M. 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 W7170M Product Information
Release and pricing details
The AMD FirePro W7170M 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 W7170M 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 W7170M
The AMD FirePro W7170M is a professional mobile GPU built on the GCN 3.0 architecture, featuring 2048 shading units and a 256-bit memory interface. It sits in the 50th percentile of all GPUs in the database, indicating its performance lands squarely in the middle of the pack—a capable option for its era, but not a top-tier performer by modern standards. With a 4 GB GDDR5 frame buffer and a TDP of 100 W, this end-of-life mobile workstation card is best understood through its specific strengths and limitations in professional and gaming workloads.
Who Should Consider It
The W7170M is suited for users working at 1080p resolution with moderate settings, where its 2.961 TFLOPS of FP32 compute and 160.0 GB/s of memory bandwidth provide adequate headroom for older titles and professional applications. At this resolution, the 23.14 GPixel/s pixel rate ensures smooth rasterization in games that are not heavily dependent on ray tracing or advanced shading features. For 1440p workloads, the data suggests the card will struggle with demanding modern titles, as the 4 GB VRAM capacity and 32 ROPs become limiting factors when pushing higher pixel counts.
The 50th percentile ranking means the card outperforms roughly half of all GPUs in the database, making it a reasonable choice for legacy software suites or CAD applications that rely on single-threaded OpenGL performance, given its DirectX 12 (12_0) and OpenGL 4.6 support. However, users intending to play the latest releases at high settings should look elsewhere, as the 2015 release date and 28 nm process node place it well behind contemporary parts. The card is also a candidate for compact MXM Module systems, provided the host laptop has adequate cooling for its 100 W TDP. For users with older professional workloads that require certified drivers, the W7170M remains functional, but its end-of-life status means no future optimization is forthcoming.
How It Compares
The database lists no direct rivals for the W7170M, meaning comparative analysis is limited to its own percentile standing rather than head-to-head matchups. With no nearestRivals data available, the card’s position relative to specific competitors cannot be quantified using scores or deltaPct values. The 50th percentile ranking serves as the sole reference point, indicating that the card performs identically to the median GPU in the database. This lack of comparative data suggests the W7170M occupies a unique niche—professional mobile GPUs are rarely benchmarked against consumer parts, and its FirePro branding targets workstation validation rather than raw gaming performance. Without rival scores, users should interpret the percentile as a general indicator: the card is neither a standout performer nor a laggard, but rather a middle-ground solution for mobile workstations of its generation.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The W7170M does not include dedicated ray tracing cores or tensor cores, as these hardware units are absent from the FACT PACK data for this GPU. Its architecture, GCN 3.0, predates the introduction of hardware-accelerated ray tracing in AMD’s consumer lineup, meaning any ray-traced workloads must rely on compute shaders, which will severely tax the 2.961 TFLOPS FP32 throughput. The card’s API support includes DirectX 12 (12_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.170, enabling modern API features like asynchronous compute and explicit multi-adapter in DX12, but the lack of dedicated RT hardware means real-time ray tracing is impractical. The FP16 performance matches FP32 at 2.961 TFLOPS (1:1), which is unusual—most GCN cards have reduced FP16 throughput—but this does not compensate for the absence of RT cores. For professional applications that leverage OpenCL or Vulkan compute, the W7170M can handle general-purpose workloads, but feature-set expectations should remain grounded in its 2015-era capabilities. The card supports PCIe 3.0 x16, providing sufficient bandwidth for its 4 GB frame buffer, and its display outputs are portable device dependent, meaning connectivity varies by laptop implementation.
FAQ
Q: Can the W7170M run modern games at 1080p?
A: At 1080p with moderate settings, the card can handle older titles, but its 50th percentile ranking and 4 GB VRAM limit performance in modern games that require more memory and higher fill rates.
Q: Does the W7170M support hardware ray tracing?
A: No, the GPU lacks dedicated ray tracing cores and tensor cores, so ray-traced effects are not hardware-accelerated and will run poorly if attempted via compute shaders.
Q: What is the memory bandwidth of this card and why does it matter?
A: The W7170M has a 256-bit bus with GDDR5 memory running at 1250 MHz (5 Gbps effective), yielding 160.0 GB/s bandwidth—sufficient for 1080p, but insufficient for high-resolution textures at 1440p or above.
Q: Is this card suitable for professional workstation tasks?
A: Yes, its FirePro branding and OpenGL 4.6 support make it suitable for legacy CAD and DCC applications, but its end-of-life status means no new driver optimizations are released.
Q: What power connector does the W7170M require?
A: The card uses no power connectors, as it draws power directly from the MXM Module slot, with a TDP of 100 W that the host laptop must handle.
Q: How does the W7170M perform in compute workloads?
A: It offers 2.961 TFLOPS of FP32 and FP16 (1:1) compute, along with a texture rate of 92.54 GTexel/s, making it adequate for light compute tasks but not for heavy simulation or AI workloads.
Power and Cooling
The W7170M has a TDP of 100 W, which is modest for a mobile workstation GPU of its generation, but it still requires robust cooling in the host laptop to prevent thermal throttling. The card is an MXM Module, meaning it fits into standardized mobile sockets and relies on the laptop’s internal cooling solution—no external power connectors are needed, as all power is delivered through the MXM interface. The 28 nm process node, built by TSMC, contributes to the power draw, and the 5,000 million transistors on a 366 mm² die yield a transistor density of 13.7M / mm². Since no suggested PSU is listed in the data, the power supply is dictated by the laptop’s design, which must provide stable power for the 100 W GPU alongside the CPU. The card’s end-of-life status means cooling solutions are no longer manufactured new, so users should ensure their system’s thermal paste and fans are in good condition when sourcing a used module. The lack of power connectors simplifies installation, but also means the laptop’s power delivery system must be capable of sustaining the full TDP under load.
Memory Subsystem
The W7170M is equipped with 4 GB of GDDR5 memory across a 256-bit bus, running at an effective speed of 5 Gbps and delivering 160.0 GB/s of bandwidth. This configuration is well-matched for 1080p gaming and professional applications that do not exceed the 4 GB capacity, but it becomes a bottleneck at higher resolutions where larger frame buffers are required. The 256-bit bus width allows for efficient data transfer between the GPU and memory, and the 160.0 GB/s bandwidth is sufficient to feed the 2048 shading units at moderate settings. In workloads that demand high texture throughput, the 92.54 GTexel/s texture rate aligns with the memory bandwidth, ensuring no severe stalling. However, for modern games with high-resolution texture packs, the 4 GB capacity may force the card to use slower system memory over PCIe, degrading performance. The memory clock of 1250 MHz (5 Gbps effective) is standard for GDDR5 of the era, and the 32 ROPs limit pixel fill to 23.14 GPixel/s, which constrains performance at 1440p. Users with memory-intensive tasks should monitor VRAM usage, as exceeding 4 GB will cause significant frame drops. The card’s FP32 and FP16 both at 2.961 TFLOPS (1:1) suggests the memory subsystem is not the primary bottleneck in compute tasks, but rather the raw shader throughput.
Detailed benchmark scores and charts for the AMD FirePro W7170M are below.
Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this GPU.
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