AMD Radeon R7 250
AMD graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
AMDAMD Radeon R7 250 Specifications
Radeon R7 250 GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The AMD Radeon R7 250 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.
R7 250 Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the Radeon R7 250'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 R7 250 by AMD dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
AMD's Radeon R7 250 Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The Radeon R7 250'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.
Radeon R7 250 by AMD Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the R7 250, 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.
R7 250 Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the AMD Radeon R7 250 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 1.0 Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The AMD Radeon R7 250 is built on AMD's GCN 1.0 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 R7 250 will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
AMD's Radeon R7 250 Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the AMD Radeon R7 250 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 R7 250 to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
Radeon R7 250 by AMD Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the AMD Radeon R7 250 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 Radeon R7 250. 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.
Radeon R7 250 Product Information
Release and pricing details
The AMD Radeon R7 250 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 R7 250 by AMD represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
Radeon R7 250 Benchmark Scores
geekbench_openclSource
Geekbench OpenCL tests GPU compute performance using the cross-platform OpenCL API. This shows how AMD Radeon R7 250 handles parallel computing tasks like video encoding and scientific simulations. OpenCL is widely supported across different GPU vendors and platforms. Higher scores benefit applications that leverage GPU acceleration for non-graphics workloads.
Top 5 Performers
Top 5 PerformersNearby Performers
Nearby PerformersAbout AMD Radeon R7 250
The AMD Radeon R7 250 is a 28 nm GCN 1.0 part based on the Cape Verde chip, packing 512 shading units and 1 GB of DDR3 memory on a 128-bit bus. Its Geekbench OpenCL score of 7,557 places it at the 39th percentile of all GPUs, indicating a bottom-half performer that trades blows with a tight cluster of rivals. The card is end-of-life, released on 2013-10-07, and succeeds the Sea Islands generation while preceding Pirate Islands.
Benchmark Performance
The R7 250’s Geekbench OpenCL score of 7,557 is its only published benchmark, and the percentile data shows it outperforms 39% of all GPUs. That is a low standing, but the card is not isolated at the bottom—its nearest rivals are all within a fraction of a percent. Against the Intel Arc A310, which scores 7,550, the R7 250 is 0.1% ahead—a statistical tie. The AMD Radeon 540 scores 7,579, putting the R7 250 0.3% behind; the NVIDIA Quadro K4100M scores 7,627, a 0.9% gap. The only rival it beats by a measurable margin is the AMD Radeon HD 8850M, which scores 7,447, a 1.5% lead for the R7 250.
These deltas are negligible in real-world terms. The card’s compute throughput is rated at 947.2 GFLOPS FP32, with a texture fill rate of 29.60 GTexel/s and a pixel rate of 14.80 GPixel/s. Those figures align with its low-end positioning. In practice, the R7 250 will handle light 3D workloads and older titles, but the benchmark data shows it cannot compete with even modest modern integrated graphics. The 0.1% lead over the Arc A310 is within noise, and the 0.9% deficit to the Quadro K4100M is equally trivial. The only meaningful takeaway is that the R7 250 sits at the bottom of the performance ladder, with no single rival decisively outperforming it.
Power and Cooling
The R7 250 has a TDP of 55 W, a modest figure that allows for a single-slot design. It requires no external power connectors, drawing all power from the PCIe slot. The suggested power supply is 250 W, which is a low bar for any modern system. The card measures 168 mm in length (6.6 inches), fitting into most compact cases. The lack of power connectors simplifies installation and makes the card suitable for upgrades in pre-built systems with limited PSU headroom. The 28 nm process node from TSMC contributes to the low power draw, and the 1,500 million transistors on a 123 mm² die yield a density of 12.2M transistors per mm². The card’s cooling solution is not specified, but the low TDP and single-slot form factor indicate that a simple passive or low-profile fan is sufficient. Users should note that while the 250 W PSU recommendation is conservative, the card’s absolute power consumption is minimal, and it will not stress even entry-level power supplies.
How It Compares
Intel Arc A310: The R7 250 edges out the Arc A310 by 0.1% in OpenCL score (7,557 vs. 7,550). This is a dead heat. Both cards are at the very bottom of the GPU hierarchy, and the difference is far below any perceptible threshold. The Arc A310 is a much newer product, but in this specific benchmark, the R7 250 holds its own, though the result is meaningless for real-world performance.
AMD Radeon 540: The Radeon 540 scores 7,579, 0.3% higher than the R7 250. Again, this is negligible. The Radeon 540 is a direct successor in AMD’s lineup, but the performance delta is within measurement error. Users upgrading from the R7 250 to a Radeon 540 would see no tangible improvement in compute workloads.
NVIDIA Quadro K4100M: The Quadro K4100M scores 7,627, a 0.9% advantage over the R7 250. This mobile workstation GPU is also older, but it manages a slightly higher OpenCL score. The difference is still minor, and the R7 250 is not embarrassed in this comparison. However, the Quadro’s driver optimizations for professional applications are not reflected in this raw compute test.
AMD Radeon HD 8850M: The R7 250 leads the HD 8850M by 1.5% (7,557 vs. 7,447). This is the largest gap in the rival set, but it is still small. The HD 8850M is a mobile part from the same era, and the desktop R7 250 has a slight edge. The 1.5% advantage is unlikely to be noticeable in gaming or general use.
FAQ
Q: What is the memory configuration of the R7 250?
A: The card has 1024 MB of DDR3 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 28.80 GB/s.
Q: Does the R7 250 require external power connectors?
A: No. The card has no power connectors and draws all power from the PCIe slot. The suggested PSU is 250 W.
Q: What APIs does the R7 250 support?
A: It supports DirectX 12 (11_1), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.170.
Q: What is the TDP of the R7 250?
A: The TDP is 55 W, and the card is single-slot.
Q: When was the R7 250 released?
A: The release date is 2013-10-07. It is now end-of-life.
Q: What is the bus interface of the R7 250?
A: It uses PCIe 3.0 x16.
Who Should Consider It
The R7 250’s 39th percentile standing and 1 GB frame buffer make it a candidate only for very light use cases. Users who need a display output for a basic workstation or a home theater PC will find the card’s low power draw and lack of external connectors convenient. The 55 W TDP and single-slot design allow it to fit into small form factor systems without PSU upgrades. For gaming, the 512 shading units and 28.80 GB/s bandwidth are insufficient for modern titles at 1080p with high settings; the card is better suited for 720p or low-detail 1080p in older games. The 1.5% lead over the HD 8850M and the near-tie with the Arc A310 confirm that the R7 250 is not a performance part. It is, however, a functional low-end solution for users who prioritize simplicity and low power consumption over frame rates. Those expecting to play demanding games should look to any GPU with a higher percentile score.
Memory Subsystem
The R7 250 is equipped with 1024 MB of DDR3 memory, a type that is slower than GDDR5 or GDDR6. The 128-bit memory bus is narrow, and the resulting bandwidth is 28.80 GB/s. This is a severe bottleneck for high-resolution textures and large frame buffers. At 1080p, the 1 GB capacity will quickly fill, causing texture streaming or stuttering in modern games. The 28.80 GB/s bandwidth also limits fill-rate-bound operations, as the pixel rate of 14.80 GPixel/s and texture rate of 29.60 GTexel/s can outpace memory throughput. In practice, the card will struggle with any workload that requires large amounts of data to move quickly. For users who only run 2D applications or very old 3D titles, the memory subsystem is adequate, but it is a clear limiting factor for any serious gaming or compute task.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The R7 250 has no dedicated ray tracing cores and no tensor cores; the fact pack lists these as null. This means the card lacks hardware acceleration for ray-traced effects and AI-based features like DLSS. However, it does support DirectX 12 (11_1), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.170, which allow it to run modern API-based titles at low settings. The lack of RT hardware is not surprising given its 2013 release and low-end positioning. The card’s display outputs include 1x DVI, 1x HDMI 1.4a, and 1x DisplayPort 1.2, which support standard multi-monitor setups. The GCN 1.0 architecture is old, and while it can execute compute shaders, it lacks the specialized hardware found in later GPUs. For users who require ray tracing, the R7 250 is not a viable option. Its feature set is limited to traditional rasterization, and even that is constrained by its low compute and memory bandwidth. The API support is broad enough for compatibility, but the hardware capabilities are firmly in the entry-level segment.
The NVIDIA Equivalent of Radeon R7 250
Looking for a similar graphics card from NVIDIA? The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 offers comparable performance and features in the NVIDIA lineup.
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