AMD Radeon R9 285
AMD graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
AMDAMD Radeon R9 285 Specifications
Radeon R9 285 GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The AMD Radeon R9 285 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.
R9 285 Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the Radeon R9 285'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 R9 285 by AMD dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
AMD's Radeon R9 285 Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The Radeon R9 285'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 R9 285 by AMD Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the R9 285, 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.
R9 285 Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the AMD Radeon R9 285 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 3.0 Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The AMD Radeon R9 285 is built on AMD's GCN 3.0 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 R9 285 will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
AMD's Radeon R9 285 Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the AMD Radeon R9 285 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 R9 285 to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
Radeon R9 285 by AMD Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the AMD Radeon R9 285 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 R9 285. 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 R9 285 Product Information
Release and pricing details
The AMD Radeon R9 285 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 R9 285 by AMD represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
Radeon R9 285 Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this GPU.
About AMD Radeon R9 285
The AMD Radeon R9 285 is a 28 nm Tonga-based graphics card from the Volcanic Islands (R9 200) generation, launched on September 1, 2014, with a launch MSRP of 249 USD. It packs 5,000 million transistors on a 366 mm² die, yielding a transistor density of 13.7M per mm². The card occupies the 50th percentile among all GPUs in the database, a mid-pack position that indicates it outperforms half of the field and trails the other half. It is now end-of-life, succeeding the Sea Islands generation and preceding the Pirate Islands generation.
Benchmark Performance
The data pack does not include a direct benchmark score for the R9 285, so the analysis must rely on the listed percentile and the theoretical peak rates derived from the hardware configuration. The 50th percentile placement is a strong signal of its standing: it is exactly at the midpoint of the entire GPU population, meaning it is neither a high-end performer nor a low-end entry. In practical terms, this suggests it can handle mainstream workloads but will struggle with the most demanding titles at maximum settings.
The FP32 compute throughput is 3.290 TFLOPS. This is a hard ceiling for single-precision floating-point work, which is the dominant workload in traditional rasterization. The FP16 rate is identical at 3.290 TFLOPS, listed as a 1:1 ratio. This means the card does not offer a half-rate FP16 boost, so any workload that relies on FP16 (such as certain compute tasks) will not see a speedup over FP32. The pixel rate is 29.38 GPixel/s, and the texture rate is 102.8 GTexel/s. These figures are derived from the 32 ROPs and 112 TMUs respectively. A 29.38 GPixel/s pixel rate means the card can fill roughly 29.38 million pixels per second, which is adequate for 1080p output but will limit high-resolution rendering.
Memory bandwidth is a critical bottleneck for many cards. The R9 285 uses 2 GB of GDDR5 on a 256-bit bus, clocked at 1375 MHz (5.5 Gbps effective), delivering 176.0 GB/s. This is a moderate bandwidth figure. The 256-bit bus is a common design for mid-range cards, but the 2 GB capacity is restrictive. At 1080p, 2 GB can handle most textures, but at 1440p or higher, the capacity limit will force texture quality down or cause stuttering. The 176.0 GB/s bandwidth is sufficient for the 3.290 TFLOPS compute rate, but it is not excessive.
The 50th percentile is the only aggregate performance metric available. It places the card exactly in the middle of the database, which means it is a balanced performer for its era. However, without specific benchmark scores, the theoretical rates are the only way to gauge relative speed. The 3.290 TFLOPS FP32 rate is roughly one-third of what a modern high-end card might offer, but for a 2014 mid-range card, it is a reasonable figure.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The R9 285 has no dedicated ray tracing cores and no tensor cores. The RT cores and tensor cores fields are null. This means the card must rely on the general-purpose compute shaders (the 1792 shading units) to handle any ray tracing or AI-related workloads. Without dedicated hardware, ray tracing performance will be poor, and the card will not benefit from tensor core acceleration for features like DLSS. The architecture is GCN 3.0, which is a compute-oriented design, so it can execute ray tracing algorithms in software, but the performance will be far below that of cards with dedicated RT cores.
In terms of API support, the card supports DirectX 12 (12_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.170. The DirectX 12 (12_0) feature level is a baseline for modern games, meaning it can run titles that require DirectX 12, but it lacks the higher feature levels (12_1, 12_2) that support advanced features like variable rate shading or mesh shaders. Vulkan 1.2.170 is a recent version, providing good compatibility with modern Linux and Windows Vulkan titles. OpenGL 4.6 is the latest OpenGL version, so it is fully supported for older applications.
The display outputs are 2x DVI, 1x HDMI 1.4a, and 1x DisplayPort 1.2. The HDMI 1.4a supports 4K at 30 Hz, while the DisplayPort 1.2 supports 4K at 60 Hz. There is no support for HDMI 2.1 or DisplayPort 2.0, so high refresh rate 4K or 8K output is not possible. The card uses a PCIe 3.0 x16 interface, which is the standard for its era.
How It Compares
The nearestRivals field is empty in the data pack, so there are no direct rival names, scores, or deltaPct values to reference. This is a significant limitation, as it prevents a direct comparison to specific competing cards. Without rival data, the analysis must rely on the 50th percentile and the card's own specifications. The 50th percentile is a global ranking across all GPUs, so it provides a general sense of position, but it does not indicate which specific cards it outperforms or trails.
In the absence of rival names, the card's generation context offers some guidance. It succeeds the Sea Islands generation and precedes the Pirate Islands generation. Sea Islands would include cards like the R7 and R9 series of the previous generation, while Pirate Islands would be the next generation. Without specific specs for these generations, the comparison is qualitative. The R9 285 is a Tonga chip, which is a mid-range die in the Volcanic Islands lineup. The 50th percentile suggests it is a typical mid-range card, neither a budget entry nor a high-end flagship.
The lack of rival data means the card's position is defined by its own metrics. Its 3.290 TFLOPS FP32 rate and 176.0 GB/s bandwidth are the key numbers. For a card at the 50th percentile, these are consistent with a mainstream performer. The 2 GB VRAM is a limiting factor, as many contemporaries in the same percentile range might have offered 4 GB, but the data does not confirm this. The card's 28 nm process and 190 W TDP are also typical for its era.
FAQ
Q: What is the memory bandwidth of the R9 285?
A: The memory bandwidth is 176.0 GB/s, derived from a 256-bit GDDR5 bus running at 1375 MHz (5.5 Gbps effective).
Q: Does the R9 285 support DirectX 12?
A: Yes, it supports DirectX 12 with the 12_0 feature level. It also supports OpenGL 4.6 and Vulkan 1.2.170.
Q: What is the TDP and what power supply is recommended?
A: The TDP is 190 W, and the suggested power supply is 450 W. The card requires two 6-pin power connectors.
Q: What is the FP32 compute throughput?
A: The FP32 throughput is 3.290 TFLOPS, with an identical FP16 rate of 3.290 TFLOPS (1:1 ratio).
Q: What is the process node and die size?
A: The card is manufactured on a 28 nm process at TSMC, with a die size of 366 mm² and 5,000 million transistors.
Q: What display outputs are available?
A: The card has 2x DVI, 1x HDMI 1.4a, and 1x DisplayPort 1.2 outputs.
Power and Cooling
The R9 285 has a TDP of 190 W. This is a moderate power draw for a mid-range card. The suggested power supply is 450 W, which is a common recommendation for cards in this class. The card requires two 6-pin power connectors, which must be provided by the PSU. A 450 W PSU with two 6-pin connectors is sufficient, but users should ensure their PSU has the necessary connectors and headroom. The 190 W TDP means the card generates a moderate amount of heat, requiring an effective cooling solution.
The card is a dual-slot design, measuring 221 mm in length, 109 mm in height, and 36 mm in width. The length of 221 mm (8.7 inches) is relatively short, allowing it to fit in most mid-tower cases. The height of 109 mm (4.3 inches) and width of 36 mm (1.4 inches) are standard for a dual-slot card. The dual-slot cooler is typical for a 190 W card, providing adequate heat dissipation. The bus interface is PCIe 3.0 x16, which is compatible with most motherboards from its era and later.
Who Should Consider It
The R9 285 is best suited for 1080p gaming at medium to high settings. The 3.290 TFLOPS FP32 rate and 176.0 GB/s bandwidth are adequate for 1080p resolutions, where the 2 GB VRAM is sufficient for most textures. The 50th percentile placement confirms it is a mainstream performer, not a high-end card. Users who play at 1080p with moderate settings will find it capable, but those who want to play at 1440p or 4K will be limited by the 2 GB VRAM and the 176.0 GB/s bandwidth. At higher resolutions, texture loading will exceed the VRAM capacity, causing stuttering or reduced texture quality.
The card's lack of dedicated ray tracing and tensor cores means it is not suitable for modern ray tracing workloads or AI-accelerated features. However, for traditional rasterization-based games, the 29.38 GPixel/s pixel rate and 102.8 GTexel/s texture rate provide a solid foundation. The 190 W TDP and 450 W PSU requirement make it a reasonable upgrade for older systems with a 450 W PSU. The dual-slot design and 221 mm length fit in most cases. Given its end-of-life status, it is a legacy card, but for 1080p gaming with older titles, it remains a functional option. The 2 GB VRAM is the primary limitation, so users should stick to 1080p and avoid high-resolution texture packs.
The NVIDIA Equivalent of Radeon R9 285
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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