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AMD FireStream 9270

AMD graphics card specifications and benchmark scores

2 GB
VRAM
MHz Boost
160W
TDP
256
Bus Width

AMD FireStream 9270 Specifications

⚙️

FireStream 9270 GPU Core

Shader units and compute resources

The AMD FireStream 9270 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.

Shading Units
800
Shaders
800
TMUs
40
ROPs
16
Compute Units
10
⏱️

FireStream 9270 Clock Speeds

GPU and memory frequencies

Clock speeds directly impact the FireStream 9270'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 FireStream 9270 by AMD dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.

GPU Clock
750 MHz
Memory Clock
900 MHz 3.6 Gbps effective
GDDR GDDR 6X 6X

AMD's FireStream 9270 Memory

VRAM capacity and bandwidth

VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The FireStream 9270'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.

Memory Size
2 GB
VRAM
2,048 MB
Memory Type
GDDR5
VRAM Type
GDDR5
Memory Bus
256 bit
Bus Width
256-bit
Bandwidth
115.2 GB/s
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FireStream 9270 by AMD Cache

On-chip cache hierarchy

On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the FireStream 9270, 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.

L1 Cache
16 KB (per CU)
L2 Cache
256 KB
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FireStream 9270 Theoretical Performance

Compute and fill rates

Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the AMD FireStream 9270 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.

FP32 (Float)
1,200.0 GFLOPS
FP64 (Double)
240.0 GFLOPS (1:5)
Pixel Rate
12.00 GPixel/s
Texture Rate
30.00 GTexel/s
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TeraScale Architecture & Process

Manufacturing and design details

The AMD FireStream 9270 is built on AMD's TeraScale 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 FireStream 9270 will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.

Architecture
TeraScale
GPU Name
RV770
Process Node
55 nm
Foundry
TSMC
Transistors
956 million
Die Size
256 mm²
Density
3.7M / mm²
🔌

AMD's FireStream 9270 Power & Thermal

TDP and power requirements

Power specifications for the AMD FireStream 9270 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 FireStream 9270 to maintain boost clocks without throttling.

TDP
160 W
TDP
160W
Power Connectors
2x 6-pin
Suggested PSU
450 W
📐

FireStream 9270 by AMD Physical & Connectivity

Dimensions and outputs

Physical dimensions of the AMD FireStream 9270 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.

Slot Width
Dual-slot
Length
241 mm 9.5 inches
Height
111 mm 4.4 inches
Bus Interface
PCIe 2.0 x16
Display Outputs
1x DVI
Display Outputs
1x DVI
🎮

AMD API Support

Graphics and compute APIs

API support determines which games and applications can fully utilize the AMD FireStream 9270. 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.

DirectX
10.1 (10_1)
DirectX
10.1 (10_1)
OpenGL
3.3
OpenGL
3.3
OpenCL
1.1
Shader Model
4.1
📦

FireStream 9270 Product Information

Release and pricing details

The AMD FireStream 9270 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 FireStream 9270 by AMD represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.

Manufacturer
AMD
Release Date
Nov 2008
Production
End-of-life
Predecessor
Rage GL
Successor
FireGL

FireStream 9270 Benchmark Scores

📊

No benchmark data available for this GPU.

About AMD FireStream 9270

When evaluating the AMD FireStream 9270 today, its primary appeal is almost entirely historical or for very niche computational tasks, as its market positioning has shifted dramatically since its 2008 launch. Originally designed for high-performance computing and stream processing, this card is built on the older TeraScale architecture, which places it far behind modern GPUs in both general graphics and compute capabilities. Considering price-to-performance, you'd be hard-pressed to recommend the AMD FireStream 9270 for any current consumer application, as even budget modern graphics cards will offer superior performance and efficiency. Its 2 GB of GDDR5 memory, while decent for its time, is now a limiting factor for most parallel processing workloads that benefit from larger memory buffers. If you encounter one on the secondary market, it should be priced symbolically as a collector's item or for specific legacy system support, not as a viable performance component. Investing any significant sum in the AMD FireStream 9270 would be difficult to justify when measured against contemporary alternatives.

Future-proofing is a critical concept that the AMD FireStream 9270 frankly does not address, given its age and technological foundation. With a 55 nm process and a PCIe 2.0 x16 interface, this card operates on standards that are multiple generations old, potentially bottlenecking data transfer even if the processor itself were powerful. Its TeraScale architecture lacks support for modern API features and instruction sets that are fundamental for current scientific computing or acceleration tasks. You have to wonder whether the 160 W TDP is delivering any meaningful work output by today's metrics, or if it's merely generating heat compared to more efficient modern designs. The AMD FireStream 9270 represents a specific moment in GPU compute history, but it is not a platform you can build upon for future projects. Essentially, purchasing this card locks you into a technological dead-end, with no upgrade path within its ecosystem.

For pairing suggestions, the AMD FireStream 9270 demands careful consideration of the entire system to avoid creating a severely imbalanced and inefficient machine. You would need a legacy motherboard with a compatible BIOS that supports PCIe 2.0 and likely an older operating system with appropriate drivers for the TeraScale architecture. Pairing it with a modern CPU would be nonsensical, as the processor would be perpetually waiting on the much slower compute capabilities of the FireStream card. Its utility would be confined to a dedicated system, perhaps for running period-specific software or for educational purposes in studying the evolution of GPU computing. Even then, you must secure a robust power supply with the correct connectors to handle its 160 W draw, which is hefty for its output. Ultimately, building around the AMD FireStream 9270 is a project of passion or specific necessity, not one of practical performance.

So, who should genuinely consider acquiring the AMD FireStream 9270 (AMD) today? It holds value for hardware collectors, historians of technology, or researchers needing an authentic period piece for software compatibility testing. For anyone else seeking computational power, the landscape has evolved so tremendously that this card's capabilities are overshadowed by integrated graphics in many modern processors. The question isn't really about what the AMD FireStream 9270 can do, but rather what you're trying to accomplish that wouldn't be better served by a more recent solution. Its legacy is important, marking AMD's early foray into dedicated stream processors, but its practical utility has expired. Therefore, approach this hardware with clear-eyed nostalgia or a defined technical requirement, not with expectations of unlocking hidden performance. Making an informed decision means recognizing the AMD FireStream 9270 for what it now is: a fascinating relic.

The NVIDIA Equivalent of FireStream 9270

Looking for a similar graphics card from NVIDIA? The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 offers comparable performance and features in the NVIDIA lineup.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080

NVIDIA • 8 GB VRAM

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