AMD Radeon R7 M260X
AMD graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
AMDAMD Radeon R7 M260X Specifications
Radeon R7 M260X GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The AMD Radeon R7 M260X 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 M260X Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the Radeon R7 M260X'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 M260X by AMD dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
AMD's Radeon R7 M260X Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The Radeon R7 M260X'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 M260X by AMD Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the R7 M260X, 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 M260X Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the AMD Radeon R7 M260X 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 M260X 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 M260X will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
AMD's Radeon R7 M260X Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the AMD Radeon R7 M260X 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 M260X to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
Radeon R7 M260X by AMD Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the AMD Radeon R7 M260X 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 M260X. 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 M260X Product Information
Release and pricing details
The AMD Radeon R7 M260X 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 M260X by AMD represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
Radeon R7 M260X Benchmark Scores
geekbench_openclSource
Geekbench OpenCL tests GPU compute performance using the cross-platform OpenCL API. This shows how AMD Radeon R7 M260X handles parallel computing tasks like video encoding and scientific simulations.
geekbench_vulkanSource
Geekbench Vulkan tests GPU compute using the modern low-overhead Vulkan API. This shows how AMD Radeon R7 M260X performs with next-generation graphics and compute workloads. Vulkan offers better CPU efficiency than older APIs like OpenGL.
About AMD Radeon R7 M260X
The AMD Radeon R7 M260X is a mobile graphics solution from the GCN 1.0 architecture family, built on a 28 nm process at TSMC. It targets the entry-level segment of the laptop market, and its performance profile, as measured by aggregate benchmark scores, places it in the 29th percentile of all GPUs. The data indicates a part designed for basic 3D acceleration and light gaming rather than high-end workloads.
Power and Cooling
The R7 M260X operates with a base clock of 620 MHz and a boost clock of 715 MHz, which are modest figures that align with its mobile, entry-level positioning. Notably, the FACT PACK does not list a TDP value, making a precise thermal design power assessment impossible; however, the combination of a small die size of 77 mm² and a transistor count of 950 million suggests a relatively low power envelope. The chip's power delivery is straightforward: it requires no external power connectors, drawing all its power from the PCIe slot and motherboard. This is a significant advantage for system integrators, as the GPU can be dropped into a laptop design without additional power circuitry. The bus interface is PCIe 3.0 x8, which provides adequate bandwidth for this class of GPU while conserving lanes for other components. Since the display outputs are listed as "Portable Device Dependent," the cooling solution is entirely at the discretion of the laptop manufacturer, meaning thermal performance will vary between implementations. There is no suggested PSU recommendation in the data, which is typical for a mobile part where the power supply is integrated into the laptop's AC adapter and regulated by the motherboard.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
This GPU does not feature dedicated ray tracing or tensor cores, as those are absent from the FACT PACK. Its feature set is rooted in the GCN 1.0 design, which provides support for DirectX 12 (11_1), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.170. The DirectX 12 support is feature-level 11_1, which means it can run DirectX 12 titles but with a reduced feature set compared to newer architectures. Vulkan 1.2.170 support is relatively modern and allows for efficient multi-threaded CPU utilization in games that use this API. The absence of hardware-accelerated ray tracing means that any ray-traced effects in modern games would need to be handled via compute shaders, which would be prohibitively slow given the GPU's compute throughput. The texture rate of 17.16 GTexel/s and pixel rate of 5.720 GPixel/s further underscore its limitations for advanced visual effects. In practical terms, this is a GPU for rasterization-based rendering with standard API compatibility, not for next-generation graphics features.
Memory Subsystem
The R7 M260X is equipped with 1024 MB of GDDR5 memory, which is the minimum viable amount for modern gaming at 1080p. The memory operates at an effective speed of 4 Gbps, across a 128-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 64.00 GB/s. This bandwidth is a critical bottleneck for the GPU; at higher resolutions like 1440p or 4K, the memory capacity and bandwidth will be insufficient, leading to significant texture pop-in and frame stuttering. The 128-bit bus width is narrow, which limits the data throughput that can be fed to the 384 shading units. For high-resolution textures, the 1 GB frame buffer will quickly fill, forcing the driver to swap data in and out of system memory, which is a slow process. Benchmark results indicate that this memory configuration is adequate for the GPU's compute capabilities, but it is not future-proof. The 64.00 GB/s bandwidth is roughly on par with what was offered in the previous generation, and it will struggle with games that demand high-resolution assets.
Who Should Consider It
Given the benchmark scores and memory constraints, the R7 M260X is suited for users who prioritize basic computing and esports titles over visual fidelity. The average benchmark score of 5179 places it in a cluster with other entry-level mobile GPUs, and its performance is virtually identical to the AMD Radeon HD 8570M (deltaPct -0.1) and NVIDIA GeForce 840M (deltaPct -0.4). At 1080p with low to medium settings, this GPU can handle older or less demanding games, but it will fall short in modern AAA titles. It is not recommended for 1440p or higher resolutions, as the 1 GB VRAM and 64.00 GB/s bandwidth will cause severe performance degradation. Users who play competitive shooters like Counter-Strike or League of Legends, which are not graphically intensive, will find the R7 M260X usable. However, for any game requiring more than 2 GB of VRAM or high texture quality, this GPU will be inadequate. The 29th percentile ranking versus all GPUs indicates that it outperforms only the most basic integrated graphics solutions, making it a step up from iGPU territory but nothing more.
Benchmark Performance
The R7 M260X achieves an average benchmark score of 5179, derived from its Geekbench OpenCL score of 5727 and Geekbench Vulkan score of 4631. The Vulkan score is notably lower than the OpenCL score, which suggests that the GCN 1.0 architecture does not scale efficiently with modern low-level APIs, despite listing Vulkan 1.2.170 support. When compared to its nearest rivals, the performance delta is minimal. It is 0.1% slower than the AMD Radeon HD 8570M (avgScore 5183), a negligible difference that falls within run-to-run variance. It is also 0.4% behind the NVIDIA GeForce 840M (avgScore 5200), which is a more modern architecture, yet the R7 M260X manages to stay competitive due to its higher core count of 384 shading units. Against the NVIDIA Quadro 4000M (avgScore 5212), it is 0.6% slower, and it trails the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760M (avgScore 5235) by 1.1%. These deltas are all within a 1.1% band, meaning that in real-world usage, the user will not perceive any difference between these GPUs. The data suggests that the R7 M260X is effectively a rebadge or a close sibling of the HD 8570M, with performance that is statistically identical. The FP32 compute of 549.1 GFLOPS is the raw throughput number, and it aligns with the benchmark results. The primary takeaway is that the R7 M260X sits at the bottom of the discrete GPU hierarchy, offering performance that is indistinguishable from its immediate predecessors and rivals. Its 29th percentile ranking confirms that it is a legacy part, now end-of-life, that was designed for a specific, low-power mobile segment.
The NVIDIA Equivalent of Radeon R7 M260X
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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