ATI Mobility Radeon X1400

The ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 is a mobile GPU from AMD, built on the M54 chip using the Ultra-Threaded SE architecture. Released on 2006-01-18 and now end-of-life, it was fabricated on a 90 nm process at TSMC, with 107 million transistors on a 100 mm² die, giving a transistor density of 1.1M / mm². The GPU has 4 texture mapping units and 4 render output units, paired with 128 MB of DDR2 memory on a 128-bit bus, delivering 8.000 GB/s of bandwidth. Its memory clock is 250 MHz, with an effective data rate of 500 Mbps. The bus interface is PCIe 1.0 x16, and it succeeds the M2x generation, with the M6x as its successor.

Memory Subsystem

The X1400’s memory subsystem is defined by a 128 MB frame buffer, DDR2 type, a 128-bit bus width, and a bandwidth of 8.000 GB/s. The memory clock runs at 250 MHz, translating to 500 Mbps effective. These numbers are modest even for a 2006 mobile part, and they directly constrain high-resolution performance. At resolutions like 1024×768 or below, the 8.000 GB/s bandwidth can feed the 4 TMUs and 4 ROPs adequately for older DirectX 9 titles. However, at 1600×1200 or higher, the limited capacity and bandwidth will cause texture thrashing, reduced fill rates, and stutter. The pixel rate of 1.780 GPixel/s and texture rate of 1.780 GTexel/s are perfectly aligned with the memory bandwidth, indicating a balanced but low-end design. For any workload that requires more than 128 MB of video memory, the GPU will spill to system memory, which is far slower. This makes the X1400 unsuitable for modern games, high-resolution textures, or multi-monitor setups. The 128-bit bus is a bright spot—it doubles the bandwidth of a 64-bit design—but the low clock speed keeps the absolute throughput low. In practice, this GPU is best reserved for legacy applications that fit within its memory footprint.

Ray Tracing and Feature Set

The FACT PACK lists no ray tracing cores and no tensor cores for the X1400. This is expected for a GPU from the M5x generation, which predates dedicated hardware for ray tracing or AI acceleration. The API support is limited to DirectX 9.0c (9_3) and OpenGL 2.1, with no Vulkan support. DirectX 9.0c provides the feature level for this GPU, which includes shader model 3.0 and support for high-dynamic-range rendering, but it lacks the advanced features of later DirectX versions. OpenGL 2.1 is similarly dated, limiting compatibility with modern OpenGL applications. The absence of Vulkan means no cross-platform access to modern rendering techniques. This GPU cannot handle ray-traced effects, variable rate shading, or mesh shaders. For users who require those features, this part is not an option. The feature set is firmly rooted in the mid-2000s, and any software that demands a newer API will simply not run.

Benchmark Performance

The database records no benchmark scores for the ATI Mobility Radeon X1400. The average benchmark score is 0, which likely indicates that no standardized tests were executed or that the GPU is not supported by contemporary benchmarking tools. Its percentile rank of 50 places it exactly at the midpoint of all GPUs tracked in the database. However, this percentile is not derived from any recorded score—it is a placeholder value, not a performance measurement. Without nearest rivals listed, no direct comparison to other GPUs is possible. The lack of benchmark data makes it impossible to quantify real-world performance with precision. What can be inferred from the hardware specifications is a low-end part for its era: 4 TMUs, 4 ROPs, and 8.000 GB/s memory bandwidth are typical of entry-level mobile graphics. The pixel rate of 1.780 GPixel/s and texture rate of 1.780 GTexel/s are the same number, which is unusual and suggests a simplified design. Given the absence of scores, any assessment must rely on architectural characteristics rather than measured results. The 50th percentile ranking, while not based on data, does place it in the middle of the distribution—but that is a statistical artifact, not a performance claim.

Who Should Consider It

The X1400 is a candidate for retro computing or for testing legacy software from the DirectX 9 era. With 128 MB of DDR2 memory and 8.000 GB/s bandwidth, it is best used at resolutions like 1024×768 or lower. Games that target DirectX 9.0c and use modest texture sizes will run, but high-resolution textures or modern titles will exceed the memory capacity. The 4 TMUs and 4 ROPs, combined with a pixel rate of 1.780 GPixel/s, can handle basic 3D workloads such as older strategy games or early 3D shooters. The GPU is end-of-life, so no new units are available; it would only be found in refurbished or used laptops. For anyone building a period-correct system or running an old application that requires specific driver support, this part might be worth considering. However, for any current workload, it is obsolete. The lack of Vulkan and modern DirectX support further limits its utility. The 50th percentile ranking, though not based on scores, might mislead some into thinking it is a mid-range performer; the actual hardware tells a different story. This is a low-end mobile GPU, best suited for nostalgia or basic compatibility testing.

FAQ

Q: What is the memory size and type of the X1400?

A: It has 128 MB of DDR2 memory on a 128-bit bus with 8.000 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Does it support ray tracing?

A: No, the specifications list no ray tracing cores or tensor cores.

Q: What API versions are supported?

A: DirectX 9.0c (9_3) and OpenGL 2.1; no Vulkan support.

Q: What is the process node and transistor count?

A: The GPU is fabricated on a 90 nm process with 107 million transistors on a 100 mm² die.

Q: What is the pixel fill rate?

A: The pixel rate is 1.780 GPixel/s, and the texture rate is 1.780 GTexel/s.

Q: When was it released?

A: The release date is 2006-01-18.

Power and Cooling

The FACT PACK does not specify a TDP, a suggested PSU, or any power connector requirements. The GPU uses a PCIe 1.0 x16 bus interface, which is the only power-related detail provided. Without a TDP figure, no specific cooling solution is recommended. The 90 nm process and 107 million transistors suggest a moderate thermal output, but this is not quantified. The absence of power connector information implies that power is delivered through the PCIe slot, but the FACT PACK does not confirm this. For a mobile GPU, cooling is typically handled by the laptop’s thermal solution, and the lack of a TDP means there is no official guidance on heat dissipation. Users should ensure adequate airflow in any system that still uses this part, but no specific cooler or PSU can be recommended based on the available data. The PCIe 1.0 x16 interface is a standard slot, so compatibility is not a concern for power delivery. In summary, the power and cooling requirements are unspecified, leaving thermal management to the system integrator.