AMD Radeon R7 260
AMD graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
AMDAMD Radeon R7 260 Specifications
Radeon R7 260 GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The AMD Radeon R7 260 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 260 Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the Radeon R7 260'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 260 by AMD dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
AMD's Radeon R7 260 Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The Radeon R7 260'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 260 by AMD Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the R7 260, 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 260 Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the AMD Radeon R7 260 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 2.0 Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The AMD Radeon R7 260 is built on AMD's GCN 2.0 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 260 will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
AMD's Radeon R7 260 Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the AMD Radeon R7 260 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 260 to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
Radeon R7 260 by AMD Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the AMD Radeon R7 260 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 260. 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 260 Product Information
Release and pricing details
The AMD Radeon R7 260 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 260 by AMD represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
Radeon R7 260 Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this GPU.
About AMD Radeon R7 260
The AMD Radeon R7 260 is a dual-slot graphics card built on the Bonaire chip using GCN 2.0 architecture, part of the Volcanic Islands (R7 200) generation. Released in December 2013, it succeeded the Sea Islands line and preceded Pirate Islands. Now end-of-life, it carries a launch MSRP of 109 USD. The card integrates 768 shading units, 48 texture mapping units, and 16 ROPs, paired with 2 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 128-bit bus. Its 28 nm process from TSMC houses 2,080 million transistors on a 160 mm² die, yielding a transistor density of 13.0M per mm². The R7 260 supports DirectX 12 (12_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.170, and connects via PCIe 3.0 x16.
Benchmark Performance
The FACT PACK provides no measured benchmark scores for the R7 260; the benchmark list is empty and the average benchmark score is recorded as 0. Consequently, performance analysis relies on theoretical specifications and the card's percentile ranking. The percentileVsAllGpus of 50 places the R7 260 exactly at the median of all GPUs in the database—meaning half of all GPUs are faster and half are slower. This suggests a mid-range position within the broader GPU landscape, though the metric does not account for generation or resolution.
The card's FP32 throughput is 1.536 TFLOPS, a figure that indicates its compute capability for shader work. Pixel rate stands at 16.00 GPixel/s, and texture rate at 48.00 GTexel/s. These fill rates, combined with the 128-bit memory interface, suggest a design tuned for 1080p gaming at moderate settings. The FP32 number, while modest by modern standards, was competitive for its era. The pixel rate of 16 GPixel/s means the R7 260 can output 16 million pixels per second, which is sufficient for 1920×1080 at typical refresh rates, but likely strained at higher resolutions or with heavy post-processing. The texture rate of 48 GTexel/s similarly points to a card that can handle standard texture loads but may struggle with high-resolution texture packs or anisotropic filtering at maximum levels.
The absence of benchmark data is itself informative: the card's end-of-life status and lack of recorded results suggest it was not widely tested in the database's current framework. Still, the theoretical numbers give a consistent picture of a mid-range part. The 50th percentile ranking reinforces that this is neither a budget outlier nor a high-end performer, but a typical mainstream offering of its time.
Memory Subsystem
The R7 260 is equipped with 2 GB of GDDR5 memory operating at an effective speed of 6 Gbps (memory clock 1500 MHz). The memory bus is 128 bits wide, yielding a total bandwidth of 96.00 GB/s. This bandwidth is a critical constraint for high-resolution gaming. At 1080p, 96 GB/s is generally sufficient for textures and geometry, but it becomes a bottleneck when resolutions climb to 1440p or higher, where larger frame buffers and more data per frame demand greater throughput.
The 2 GB capacity is another limiting factor. Modern games with high-resolution texture packs can exceed 2 GB at 1080p, causing the card to spill into system memory via PCIe, which degrades performance. For the R7 260, the practical ceiling is 1080p with medium texture settings. The 128-bit bus width, while common for entry-level cards of the period, restricts the memory bandwidth to 96 GB/s—a figure that is roughly one-third of what high-end cards of the same generation offered. This means the R7 260 is not suited for 4K gaming, where bandwidth and capacity demands are far higher. The memory subsystem's modest specs align with the card's overall positioning: a capable 1080p performer that will require reduced settings to maintain playable frame rates.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The R7 260 does not include dedicated ray tracing or tensor cores; the FACT PACK lists rtCores and tensorCores as null. This is expected for a GCN 2.0 architecture card from 2013, as ray tracing acceleration did not appear in consumer GPUs until much later. Consequently, the R7 260 relies on traditional rasterization techniques. Its feature set is defined by the APIs it supports: DirectX 12 (12_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.170. These API support levels allow the card to run modern titles that use these graphics APIs, though without hardware-accelerated ray tracing, any such effects must be computed via shader-based fallbacks, which will impact performance.
The GCN 2.0 architecture itself brings asynchronous compute and other features that were forward-looking at launch. The card's support for Vulkan 1.2.170 is notable, as it enables access to modern rendering techniques and better multi-threaded driver performance. However, the lack of RT and tensor cores means the R7 260 cannot leverage AI-based upscaling or ray-traced lighting effects that are common in current games. For users seeking those features, this card is not a viable option. Instead, it is best suited for DirectX 12 and Vulkan titles that do not rely on ray tracing, where its raw rasterization performance can still deliver playable frame rates at 1080p.
FAQ
Q: What is the launch MSRP of the AMD Radeon R7 260?
A: The launch MSRP is 109 USD.
Q: How much memory does the R7 260 have and what is its bandwidth?
A: It has 2 GB of GDDR5 memory with a 128-bit bus, providing 96.00 GB/s of bandwidth.
Q: Does the R7 260 support ray tracing?
A: No, the card has no RT cores. It relies on traditional rasterization and supports DirectX 12, OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.170.
Q: What is the power consumption and recommended PSU for the R7 260?
A: The TDP is 95 W, and the suggested PSU is 250 W. It requires one 6-pin power connector.
Q: What is the card's performance percentile among all GPUs?
A: The percentileVsAllGpus is 50, placing it exactly at the median of all GPUs in the database.
Q: What is the card's process node and transistor count?
A: It is built on a 28 nm process from TSMC, containing 2,080 million transistors on a 160 mm² die.
How It Compares
The FACT PACK lists no nearest rivals for the R7 260, so direct comparisons with specific competing products are not available. The only comparative metric is the percentileVsAllGpus value of 50, which indicates a median position across all GPUs in the database. This means that, without measured benchmark scores, the card's relative standing is defined by its theoretical specifications and its rank. In the absence of rival data, the R7 260's position is best understood through its own characteristics: it is a mid-range, end-of-life card that was designed for 1080p gaming. The lack of recorded benchmark results further limits any direct performance comparison, but the card's 1.536 TFLOPS FP32 throughput and 96 GB/s memory bandwidth place it in the same performance class as other entry-to-mid-level GPUs of its generation. Because no rival names or scores are provided, any attempt to position it against specific products would be speculative.
Power and Cooling
The R7 260 has a TDP of 95 W, a modest figure that allows for a simple cooling solution. It is a dual-slot card, measuring 170 mm (6.7 inches) in length. The card requires a single 6-pin power connector, and the suggested PSU is 250 W. This low power draw makes the R7 260 suitable for smaller form-factor builds or systems with limited PSU headroom. The 95 W TDP also means that the card generates relatively little heat, so a single-fan cooler is likely sufficient, though the exact cooler design is not specified. The dual-slot form factor is typical for cards of this era, providing adequate surface area for heat dissipation without excessive bulk. Users should ensure their power supply has at least one 6-pin PCIe connector and a total capacity of 250 W or more. The card's 28 nm process and 2,080 million transistors are consistent with the power envelope; the transistor density of 13.0M per mm² reflects the technology of the time.
Who Should Consider It
The R7 260 is best suited for users targeting 1080p gaming at medium settings in titles that support DirectX 12 or Vulkan. Its 2 GB frame buffer and 96 GB/s bandwidth are adequate for this resolution, provided texture quality is kept moderate. The card's FP32 throughput of 1.536 TFLOPS and fill rates of 16 GPixel/s and 48 GTexel/s suggest it can handle most games from its era and many modern indie titles at 1080p with reduced settings. However, it is not appropriate for 1440p or 4K gaming, where memory capacity and bandwidth would be severely limiting. The absence of ray tracing and tensor cores means it cannot run games that require those features, and users should avoid titles with heavy post-processing or high-resolution texture packs. For a system that needs a low-power, end-of-life card for legacy gaming or as a basic display output, the R7 260 offers a balanced set of specifications. Its 50th percentile ranking indicates it is a median performer, so expectations should be aligned accordingly: it is not a high-end card, but it is not a low-end one either. Given its launch MSRP of 109 USD, it was positioned as an entry-level option, and its current role is best as a budget secondary GPU or a placeholder for older systems.
The NVIDIA Equivalent of Radeon R7 260
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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