RADEON

ATI Fire GL3

AMD graphics card specifications and benchmark scores

128 MB
VRAM
MHz Boost
TDP
256
Bus Width

ATI Fire GL3 Specifications

⚙️

ATI Fire GL3 GPU Core

Shader units and compute resources

The ATI Fire GL3 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.

TMUs
4
ROPs
1
⏱️

ATI Fire GL3 Clock Speeds

GPU and memory frequencies

Clock speeds directly impact the ATI Fire GL3'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 ATI Fire GL3 by AMD dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.

GPU Clock
120 MHz
Memory Clock
125 MHz 250 Mbps effective
GDDR GDDR 6X 6X

AMD's ATI Fire GL3 Memory

VRAM capacity and bandwidth

VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The ATI Fire GL3'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
128 MB
VRAM
128 MB
Memory Type
DDR
VRAM Type
DDR
Memory Bus
256 bit
Bus Width
256-bit
Bandwidth
8.000 GB/s
📈

ATI Fire GL3 Theoretical Performance

Compute and fill rates

Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the ATI Fire GL3 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.

Pixel Rate
120.0 MPixel/s
Texture Rate
480.0 MTexel/s
🏗️

IBM Architecture & Process

Manufacturing and design details

The ATI Fire GL3 is built on AMD's IBM 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 ATI Fire GL3 will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.

Architecture
IBM
GPU Name
GT1000
Process Node
180 nm
Foundry
IBM
Die Size
100 mm²
🔌

AMD's ATI Fire GL3 Power & Thermal

TDP and power requirements

Power specifications for the ATI Fire GL3 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 ATI Fire GL3 to maintain boost clocks without throttling.

Power Connectors
None
Suggested PSU
200 W
📐

ATI Fire GL3 by AMD Physical & Connectivity

Dimensions and outputs

Physical dimensions of the ATI Fire GL3 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
AGP 4x
Display Outputs
1x DVI1x VGA1x S-Video
Display Outputs
1x DVI1x VGA1x S-Video
🎮

AMD API Support

Graphics and compute APIs

API support determines which games and applications can fully utilize the ATI Fire GL3. 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
6.0
DirectX
6.0
OpenGL
1.2
OpenGL
1.2
📦

ATI Fire GL3 Product Information

Release and pricing details

The ATI Fire GL3 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 ATI Fire GL3 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
Jun 2000
Launch Price
1,999 USD
Production
End-of-life
Predecessor
Rage GL
Successor
FireGL

ATI Fire GL3 Benchmark Scores

📊

No benchmark data available for this GPU.

About ATI Fire GL3

The ATI Fire GL3, launched in June 2000 at a premium price of $1,999, was a formidable professional-grade graphics accelerator built on IBM's 180nm process. This card leveraged a dedicated architecture optimized for CAD and DCC applications rather than consumer gaming. Its 128 MB of DDR video memory, coupled with the AGP 4x interface, provided a substantial bandwidth advantage for handling complex models and textures. The Fire GL3's performance was defined by its robust driver suite certified for industry-standard software, ensuring stability and precision. Users could expect solid frame rates in wireframe and shaded modes at resolutions like 1280x1024, which was demanding for the era. This workstation GPU from ATI was engineered to accelerate transformations, lighting, and geometry processing. Its value was measured not in gaming frames per second, but in productivity gains and rendering reliability within professional pipelines.

When evaluating the advanced graphics capabilities of this ATI offering, its support for OpenGL 1.2 and full-scene anti-aliasing stood out for visual quality. The card's 128 MB frame buffer was significant for the time, allowing professionals to work with larger datasets without constant swapping. Performance in scenarios like 3D Studio MAX or Pro/ENGINEER was markedly superior to consumer cards due to specialized hardware optimizations. The Fire GL3 delivered where it counted most: viewport interactivity and rendering fidelity in complex scenes. Cooling considerations for this high-performance AGP card were managed through an active heatsink and fan assembly designed for continuous operation. This workstation solution from AMD's ATI division balanced thermal output with the acoustic demands of a quiet office environment.

Benchmarking the FireGL 3 reveals its strengths were in professional application performance, where its drivers unlocked hardware potential. In its prime, this GPU excelled in best scenarios like mechanical CAD, architectural visualization, and scientific modeling. The card's dual-display support enhanced workflow efficiency, allowing designers to spread tool palettes across monitors. While raw polygon throughput numbers are historical, the card's ability to maintain usable frame rates with millions of polygons defined its worth. The 128 MB memory capacity, though standard today, was a defining feature that separated professional and consumer lines. Users investing in the ATI Fire GL3 were purchasing a tool for precision and certified compatibility, not just rendering speed.

The legacy of this professional graphics card is rooted in its targeted design for a specific, demanding user base. Cooling considerations extended to system-level airflow, as the card's power draw required a robust AGP-compliant power supply. For video memory intensive tasks like texture-heavy renders, the DDR memory on the Fire GL3 provided a clear advantage over SDR alternatives. In direct comparison to its contemporaries, this ATI workstation card justified its cost through application-specific optimizations and reliability. The ATI Fire GL3 ultimately served as a cornerstone in many professional workstations, enabling complex design and engineering work that consumer hardware could not reliably sustain.

The NVIDIA Equivalent of ATI Fire GL3

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 • 8 GB VRAM

View Specs Compare

Popular ATI Fire GL3 Comparisons

See how the ATI Fire GL3 stacks up against similar graphics cards from the same generation and competing brands.

Compare ATI Fire GL3 with Other GPUs

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

Browse GPUs