ATI FireGL X3-256
AMD graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
AMDATI FireGL X3-256 Specifications
ATI FireGL X3-256 GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The ATI FireGL X3-256 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.
ATI FireGL X3-256 Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the ATI FireGL X3-256'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 FireGL X3-256 by AMD dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
AMD's ATI FireGL X3-256 Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The ATI FireGL X3-256'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.
ATI FireGL X3-256 Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the ATI FireGL X3-256 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.
R400 Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The ATI FireGL X3-256 is built on AMD's R400 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 FireGL X3-256 will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
AMD's ATI FireGL X3-256 Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the ATI FireGL X3-256 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 FireGL X3-256 to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
ATI FireGL X3-256 by AMD Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the ATI FireGL X3-256 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 ATI FireGL X3-256. 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.
ATI FireGL X3-256 Product Information
Release and pricing details
The ATI FireGL X3-256 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 FireGL X3-256 by AMD represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
ATI FireGL X3-256 Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this GPU.
About ATI FireGL X3-256
The ATI FireGL X3-256 is an AMD-manufactured GPU in the FireGL (9000) generation, built around the R420 chip on the R400 architecture. It was released on 2004-08-02 and carries a launch MSRP of 1,099 USD. The 130 nm TSMC die contains 160 million transistors across 281 mm², giving a transistor density of 569.4K / mm². The database lists a 50th-percentile standing among all GPUs, an average benchmark score of 0, and an empty nearestRivals array.
Benchmark Performance
The available benchmark data is limited: the benchmarks array is empty, and the avgBenchmarkScore field is 0. The nearestRivals array is also empty, so no exact percentage deltas against named rivals can be derived from this dataset. The only comparative metric present is percentileVsAllGpus = 50, which places the FireGL X3-256 at the midpoint of the GPU distribution in the database. That is a median position: half of the ranked GPUs sit above it and half below on the database percentile scale.
The card’s listed fill rates are 5.892 GPixel/s for pixels and 5.892 GTexel/s for textures, backed by 12 ROPs and 12 TMUs. Because the pixel and texture rates are identical, the fixed-function throughput is evenly split between pixel output and texture sampling. No shading-unit count is recorded, and no FP32 or FP16 throughput figures are listed, so raw compute magnitude cannot be inferred from this data. The absence of an average benchmark score means there is no score-based reference point; the only quantitative ranking is the 50th percentile. In short, the data supports a median position in the overall distribution, but not a performance comparison against any specific named product.
Memory Subsystem
The memory configuration is 256 MB of GDDR3 on a 256-bit bus. The memory clock is 454 MHz, and the effective data rate is 908 Mbps. The listed memory bandwidth is 29.06 GB/s. That bandwidth is the rate at which texture and pixel data can move between memory and the 12 TMUs and 12 ROPs. For high-resolution workloads, larger frame sizes and larger textures place greater demands on both the memory capacity and the bandwidth ceiling.
The 256 MB frame buffer limits how much texture, geometry, and framebuffer data can remain resident during a frame. The 256-bit bus width is paired with the 454 MHz memory clock to produce 29.06 GB/s of aggregate bandwidth. This memory subsystem feeds a pixel rate of 5.892 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 5.892 GTexel/s. The combination of 256 MB capacity, 29.06 GB/s bandwidth, and the listed fill rates represents the card’s practical high-resolution constraint. With only the 256-bit bus and 29.06 GB/s available, large texture sets and high pixel counts are the most likely pressure points.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The data lists no RT cores and no tensor cores for the FireGL X3-256. Hardware-accelerated ray tracing is therefore not part of the listed feature set. The supported APIs are DirectX 9.0b (9_2) and OpenGL 2.1; Vulkan support is not listed. The underlying chip is R420 on the R400 architecture, fabricated on a 130 nm process at TSMC. The 12 TMUs and 12 ROPs deliver 5.892 GTexel/s and 5.892 GPixel/s, respectively.
No FP32 or FP16 throughput values are listed, so the compute capability is not quantified in this data. The absence of Vulkan means applications that require Vulkan are outside the card’s API coverage. All feature-set conclusions are therefore tied to the DirectX 9.0b (9_2) and OpenGL 2.1 entries. Without tensor or RT cores, the card cannot claim the dedicated ray tracing or AI acceleration features that would be represented by those fields.
How It Compares
The nearestRivals array is empty, so there are no named competitors with scores or deltas in this dataset. The only comparison point is the 50th-percentile rank across all GPUs in the database.
The production status is end-of-life. Its predecessor is listed as Fire GL, and its successor is listed as FirePro Terascale, giving two adjacent product points in the lineage. The card uses the AGP 8x bus interface, which defines its system compatibility. Because no nearestRivals entries are present, any claim about a specific rival being ahead or behind would be unsupported by the FACT PACK. The percentile standing is the sole positional evidence: at the 50th percentile, it sits in the middle of the database’s GPU ranking.
Power and Cooling
The card has a TDP of 57 W. The recommended power supply is 250 W. It requires one Molex power connector. The form factor is single-slot.
These figures point to a modest power footprint: the GPU’s listed TDP is 57 W, and the system PSU recommendation is 250 W. The single-slot design means the cooler occupies one expansion slot. The 1x Molex connector is the only power connector requirement listed. No physical dimensions are provided, so the card’s length, height, and width are unspecified. For installation planning, the relevant facts are the 57 W TDP, the 250 W PSU recommendation, the single-slot width, and the AGP 8x bus interface.
Who Should Consider It
The FireGL X3-256 is suited to systems that use the AGP 8x bus and need a single-slot card with a 57 W TDP. The 50th-percentile ranking places it at the midpoint of the database distribution, which aligns with middle-of-the-range expectations. The 256 MB GDDR3 memory and 29.06 GB/s bandwidth indicate that lower-resolution, lower-texture-detail workloads are more realistic than very high-resolution, large-texture workloads.
The pixel rate of 5.892 GPixel/s and texture rate of 5.892 GTexel/s define the fixed-function throughput ceiling. Software support is limited to DirectX 9.0b (9_2) and OpenGL 2.1, with no Vulkan listed, so applications requiring newer APIs are outside the supported range. Because no benchmark score is recorded, resolution-specific frame-rate guidance cannot be derived from the data. The available constraints are the 256 MB memory size, 29.06 GB/s bandwidth, 5.892 GPixel/s pixel rate, and the listed API set.
FAQ
Q: What is the memory configuration of the ATI FireGL X3-256?
A: It has 256 MB of GDDR3 memory on a 256-bit bus, with a 454 MHz memory clock and an effective 908 Mbps data rate. The listed bandwidth is 29.06 GB/s.
Q: Which APIs does the card support?
A: It supports DirectX 9.0b (9_2) and OpenGL 2.1. Vulkan support is not listed.
Q: Does it support ray tracing?
A: No RT cores or tensor cores are listed, and Vulkan is not listed, so hardware-accelerated ray tracing capabilities are not present in the data.
Q: What power supply and connector requirements are listed?
A: The recommended PSU is 250 W, the TDP is 57 W, and the power connector requirement is 1x Molex.
Q: What is the card’s performance standing in the database?
A: The average benchmark score is 0, the percentile versus all GPUs is 50, and the nearestRivals array is empty. This places the card at the midpoint of the database distribution.
Q: What display outputs are available?
A: The card provides 2x DVI and 1x S-Video outputs.
The NVIDIA Equivalent of ATI FireGL X3-256
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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