RADEON

AMD Radeon 540

AMD graphics card specifications and benchmark scores

1 GB
VRAM
โ€”
MHz Boost
50W
TDP
32
Bus Width

AMD Radeon 540 Specifications

โš™๏ธ

Radeon 540 GPU Core

Shader units and compute resources

The AMD Radeon 540 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
384
Shaders
384
TMUs
24
ROPs
16
Compute Units
6
โฑ๏ธ

540 Clock Speeds

GPU and memory frequencies

Clock speeds directly impact the Radeon 540'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 Radeon 540 by AMD dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.

GPU Clock
1183 MHz
Memory Clock
1500 MHz 6 Gbps effective
GDDR GDDR 6X 6X

AMD's Radeon 540 Memory

VRAM capacity and bandwidth

VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The Radeon 540'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
1024 MB
VRAM
1,024 MB
Memory Type
GDDR5
VRAM Type
GDDR5
Memory Bus
32 bit
Bus Width
32-bit
Bandwidth
24.00 GB/s
๐Ÿ’พ

Radeon 540 by AMD Cache

On-chip cache hierarchy

On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the 540, 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
512 KB
๐Ÿ“ˆ

540 Theoretical Performance

Compute and fill rates

Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the AMD Radeon 540 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)
908.5 GFLOPS
FP64 (Double)
56.78 GFLOPS (1:16)
FP16 (Half)
908.5 GFLOPS (1:1)
Pixel Rate
18.93 GPixel/s
Texture Rate
28.39 GTexel/s
๐Ÿ—๏ธ

GCN 4.0 Architecture & Process

Manufacturing and design details

The AMD Radeon 540 is built on AMD's GCN 4.0 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 540 will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.

Architecture
GCN 4.0
GPU Name
Lexa
Process Node
14 nm
Foundry
GlobalFoundries
Transistors
2,200 million
Die Size
103 mmยฒ
Density
21.4M / mmยฒ
๐Ÿ”Œ

AMD's Radeon 540 Power & Thermal

TDP and power requirements

Power specifications for the AMD Radeon 540 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 Radeon 540 to maintain boost clocks without throttling.

TDP
50 W
TDP
50W
Power Connectors
None
Suggested PSU
250 W
๐Ÿ“

Radeon 540 by AMD Physical & Connectivity

Dimensions and outputs

Physical dimensions of the AMD Radeon 540 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
Single-slot
Bus Interface
PCIe 3.0 x8
Display Outputs
2x DisplayPort 1.4a
Display Outputs
2x DisplayPort 1.4a
๐ŸŽฎ

AMD API Support

Graphics and compute APIs

API support determines which games and applications can fully utilize the AMD Radeon 540. 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
12 (12_0)
DirectX
12 (12_0)
OpenGL
4.6
OpenGL
4.6
Vulkan
1.3
Vulkan
1.3
OpenCL
2.1
Shader Model
6.7
๐Ÿ“ฆ

Radeon 540 Product Information

Release and pricing details

The AMD Radeon 540 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 Radeon 540 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
Apr 2017
Production
End-of-life
Predecessor
Arctic Islands
Successor
Vega

Radeon 540 Benchmark Scores

geekbench_openclSource

Geekbench OpenCL tests GPU compute performance using the cross-platform OpenCL API. This shows how AMD Radeon 540 handles parallel computing tasks like video encoding and scientific simulations.

geekbench_opencl #419 of 582
5,996
2%
Max: 380,114
Compare with other GPUs

geekbench_vulkanSource

Geekbench Vulkan tests GPU compute using the modern low-overhead Vulkan API. This shows how AMD Radeon 540 performs with next-generation graphics and compute workloads. Vulkan offers better CPU efficiency than older APIs like OpenGL.

geekbench_vulkan #300 of 386
9,162
2%
Max: 379,571
Compare with other GPUs

About AMD Radeon 540

The AMD Radeon 540 (AMD) occupies a niche in the mid-tier GPU market, leveraging its GCN 4.0 architecture and 14 nm manufacturing process to balance performance and efficiency. With 1024 MB of GDDR5 memory operating over a PCIe 3.0 x8 interface, this GPU struggles to meet the demands of modern AAA titles at higher resolutions, though its 50 W TDP ensures compatibility with compact or power-conscious systems. Benchmark results, such as 9,162 points in Geekbenchโ€™s Vulkan test and 5,996 in OpenCL, position the Radeon 540 (AMD) as a modest performer, better suited for legacy titles or lightweight applications than cutting-edge rendering workloads. Its limited VRAM capacity becomes a bottleneck for 1080p gaming with modern textures, yet the cardโ€™s DirectX 12 and Vulkan support allow it to leverage newer API optimizations where possible. For budget-conscious users, this GPU serves as a temporary bridge to functional graphics performance without significant power draw penalties.

AMDโ€™s Radeon 540 (AMD) demonstrates mixed capability in modern rendering scenarios, where its GCN 4.0 architecture enables partial utilization of advanced shading techniques but fails to deliver smooth frame rates in GPU-intensive applications. The 1 GB GDDR5 memory, while sufficient for basic 720p gaming or older titles, restricts texture detail and resolution scaling in newer games, often requiring aggressive graphical downscaling. Power efficiency remains a highlight, with the 50 W TDP enabling deployment in systems with constrained thermal budgets, such as small-form-factor PCs or entry-level workstations. Benchmarks reflect its position in the hierarchy: while compute tasks like OpenCL-based workflows benefit from GCNโ€™s parallelism, gaming performance lags behind contemporary GPUs with larger memory pools and wider buses. This makes the Radeon 540 (AMD) a pragmatic choice for ultrabooks or budget desktops prioritizing longevity over graphical prowess.

Targeted at cost-sensitive users, the AMD Radeon 540 (AMD) finds relevance in scenarios where minimalistic gaming, media playback, or light productivity tasks dominate. Its PCIe 3.0 x8 interface limits bandwidth compared to full x16 slots, subtly impacting performance in data-heavy applications, yet its 50 W design aligns with passive cooling solutions in fanless builds. The Radeon 540 (AMD) excels in driving multiple displays at moderate resolutions, supporting 4K output albeit with compromised frame rates in complex scenes. Enthusiasts resurrecting older systems or repurposing legacy hardware may appreciate its compatibility with DirectX 12 and OpenGL 4.5, though 1 GB VRAM constraints render it unsuitable for future-proofing. For those seeking a stopgap GPU with low power consumption and basic functionality, this Radeon variant remains a relic of its era functional, but eclipsed by newer architectures.

The NVIDIA Equivalent of Radeon 540

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 โ€ข 8 GB VRAM

View Specs Compare

Popular AMD Radeon 540 Comparisons

See how the Radeon 540 stacks up against similar graphics cards from the same generation and competing brands.

Compare Radeon 540 with Other GPUs

Select another GPU to compare specifications and benchmarks side-by-side.

Browse GPUs