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AMD FirePro M8900 vs AMD FirePro M5100

AMD FirePro M8900

► remove from comparison

The AMD FirePro M8900 is a high-end graphics card for mobile workstations. It is based on the same chip as the Radeon HD 6970M (Blackcomb XT) and therefore offers UVD3 decoding and slightly improved Tessellation performance compared to cards found in the previous generation (e.g., Radeon 6800 series).

Compared to the Radeon consumer line, the FirePro offers certified drivers for professional 3D applications. Due to optimizations and some unlocked features, the performance when running professional applications is highly improved.

The 960 Stream processors should be still based on the "old" 5D architecture, similar to the 5000 series. Due to the different architecture of the FirePro M8900, however, the core count cannot be directly compared to the 1D cores of current Nvidia GPUs. The Stream processors can be used with DirectX 11, OpenGL 4.1, DirectCompute 11 and OpenCL. With the later two, the cores can also be used for general computations like transcoding videos.

The theoretical performance of the FirePro M8900 is similar to the consumer counterpart, the Radeon HD 6970M. However, due to the specialized professional drivers, games may run a bit slower.  The 6970M is able to run modern games in high settings and resolutions fluently (see benchmarks on the HD 6970M page).

The new UVD3 video decoder supports the decoding of MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, VC-1, MPEG-2, Flash and now also Multi-View Codec (MVC) and MPEG-4 part 2 (DivX, xVid) HD videos on the graphics card.

Furthermore, the FirePro M8900 integrates a HD audio controller to transmit HD Audio (TrueHD or DTS Master Audio) over HDMI or DisplayPort (e.g., for Blu-Ray videos).

The AMD HD3D Technology offers support for Blu-Ray 3D and 3D displays (integrated and external). However, the solution is not as mature as Nvidia's 3D Vision.

Thanks to Eyefinity, the M8900 graphics chip is able to theoretically drive up to 5 monitors simultaneously. However, this only works if the laptop features enough DisplayPort outputs.

The power consumption of the chip should be similar to the HD 6970M and is therefore best suited for large laptops (17-inch or greater) with good cooling solutions.

AMD FirePro M5100

► remove from comparison AMD FirePro M5100

The AMD FirePro M5100 is a middle-class graphics card for mobile workstations, which has been presented in mid-2013. Similar to the Nvidia Quadro series, the FirePro cards offer certified drivers for professional 3D-software like CAD. Due to optimizations and some unlocked features, the performance in these applications is much better compared to a consumer Radeon GPU. Except for the certified drivers, the M5100 is more or less identical to the Radeon HD 8870M.

Architecture

The FirePro M5100 integrates 10 Compute Units based on the GCN architecture. Overall, the chip has 640 stream processors, 40 TMUs and 16 ROPs. The memory of up to 2 GB GDDR5 is connected via an 128-bit interface. Just like the Radeon series, the FirePro M5100 offers features like Eyefinity, Enduro or PCIe 3.0. Presumably, AMD uses the Cape Verde graphics chip, but this has not yet been officially confirmed.

Performance

According to the clock rates of up to 775 MHz for the chip and 1125 MHz for the memory (4500 MHz effective, 72 GB/s), the 3D gaming performance will be slightly above the Nvidia Quadro K2100M or GeForce GT 750M with GDDR5 memory. Recent Games of 2014/2015 can thus be played fluently in medium to high details and a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels.

Power Consumption

The FirePro M5100 features different energy saving techniques to reduce power consumption and prolong battery life. These include PowerPlay and PowerTune (for clocking the GPU), Zero Core (deactivates parts of the GPU when the display is off) and Enduro (dynamic GPU switching between the processor graphics and the dedicated Radeon GPU). The maximum power consumption under full load should be about 50 watts (estimate), making the card suitable for laptops 15 inches in size or greater.

AMD FirePro M8900AMD FirePro M5100
FirePro M Series
FirePro M6100 compare 768 @ 1.1 GHz128 Bit @ 6000 MHz
FirePro M8900 960 @ 0.68 GHz256 Bit @ 900 MHz
FirePro M6000 compare 640 @ 0.75 GHz128 Bit @ 4500 MHz
FirePro M5100 640 @ 0.73 - 0.78 GHz128 Bit @ 4500 MHz
FirePro M4000 compare 512 @ 0.6 GHz128 Bit @ 4500 MHz
FirePro M4100 compare 384 @ 0.67 GHz128 Bit @ 4000 MHz
FirePro M5950 compare 480 @ 0.73 GHz128 Bit @ 900 MHz
FirePro M2000 compare 480 @ 0.5 GHz64 Bit @ 3200 MHz
FirePro M6100 compare 768 @ 1.1 GHz128 Bit @ 6000 MHz
FirePro M8900 960 @ 0.68 GHz256 Bit @ 900 MHz
FirePro M6000 compare 640 @ 0.75 GHz128 Bit @ 4500 MHz
FirePro M5100 640 @ 0.73 - 0.78 GHz128 Bit @ 4500 MHz
FirePro M4000 compare 512 @ 0.6 GHz128 Bit @ 4500 MHz
FirePro M4100 compare 384 @ 0.67 GHz128 Bit @ 4000 MHz
FirePro M5950 compare 480 @ 0.73 GHz128 Bit @ 900 MHz
FirePro M2000 compare 480 @ 0.5 GHz64 Bit @ 3200 MHz
CodenameBlackcomb XT
ArchitectureTerascale 2GCN
Pipelines960 - unified640 - unified
Core Speed680 MHz725 - 775 (Boost) MHz
Memory Speed900 MHz4500 MHz
Memory Bus Width256 Bit128 Bit
Memory TypeGDDR5GDDR5
Max. Amount of Memory2048 MB2048 MB
Shared Memorynono
APIDirectX 11, Shader 5.0DirectX 12 (FL 11_1), Shader 5.0, OpenGL 4.3
Power Consumption75 Watt
Transistors1.7 Billion
technology40 nm28 nm
Notebook Sizelargemedium sized
Date of Announcement12.04.2011 01.10.2013
FeaturesAMD Eyefinity multi-display technology, Up to 3 displays supported undocked, 5 displays docked, AMD App Acceleration, AMD PowerPlay power management technology, AMD PowerTune technology, AMD ZeroCore Power technology, AMD Enduro technology
Link to Manufacturer Pagewww.amd.com

Benchmarks

Performance Rating - 3DMark 11 + Fire Strike + Time Spy - FirePro M5100
1.1 pt (3%)
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Score
min: 12526     avg: 12603     median: 12602.5 (13%)     max: 12679 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Graphics
min: 16349     avg: 16785     median: 16784.5 (4%)     max: 17220 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Score
min: 2197     avg: 2225     median: 2225 (4%)     max: 2253 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Graphics
min: 2297     avg: 2328     median: 2327.5 (3%)     max: 2358 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Graphics
min: 100463     avg: 126754     median: 126754 (15%)     max: 153044 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Score
3333 Points (5%)
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance GPU
2967 Points (3%)
3DMark Vantage
3DM Vant. Perf. total + AMD FirePro M5100
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. total
12308 Points (4%)
3DM Vant. Perf. GPU no PhysX + AMD FirePro M5100
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. GPU no PhysX
10561 Points (6%)
3DMark 06 3DMark 06 - Score Unknown Settings + AMD FirePro M8900
3DMark 06
16703 Points (22%)
3DMark 06 - Standard 1280x1024 + AMD FirePro M5100
3DMark 06
min: 18065     avg: 18391     median: 18391 (24%)     max: 18717 Points
Unigine Heaven 3.0 - Unigine Heaven 3.0 DX 11
min: 27     avg: 27.5     median: 27.5 (9%)     max: 28 fps
Unigine Heaven 3.0 - Unigine Heaven 3.0 OpenGL
min: 22.9     avg: 23.3     median: 23.3 (10%)     max: 23.7 fps
Unigine Heaven 2.1 - Heaven 2.1 high
min: 38.3     avg: 39.1     median: 39.1 (7%)     max: 39.9 fps
SPECviewperf 11
specvp11 snx-01 + AMD FirePro M5100
SPECviewperf 11 - specvp11 snx-01
min: 26.63     avg: 27.1     median: 27.1 (16%)     max: 27.58 fps
specvp11 tcvis-02 + AMD FirePro M5100
SPECviewperf 11 - specvp11 tcvis-02
min: 21.43     avg: 21.6     median: 21.6 (12%)     max: 21.79 fps
specvp11 sw-02 + AMD FirePro M5100
SPECviewperf 11 - specvp11 sw-02
min: 54.2     avg: 55.2     median: 55.2 (42%)     max: 56.1 fps
specvp11 proe-05 + AMD FirePro M5100
SPECviewperf 11 - specvp11 proe-05
min: 10.38     avg: 10.5     median: 10.5 (12%)     max: 10.64 fps
specvp11 maya-03 + AMD FirePro M5100
SPECviewperf 11 - specvp11 maya-03
min: 60.3     avg: 67.8     median: 67.8 (51%)     max: 75.3 fps
specvp11 lightwave-01 + AMD FirePro M5100
SPECviewperf 11 - specvp11 lightwave-01
min: 75.8     avg: 76.7     median: 76.7 (82%)     max: 77.5 fps
specvp11 ensight-04 + AMD FirePro M5100
SPECviewperf 11 - specvp11 ensight-04
min: 24.67     avg: 24.9     median: 24.9 (12%)     max: 25.07 fps
specvp11 catia-03 + AMD FirePro M5100
SPECviewperf 11 - specvp11 catia-03
min: 35.61     avg: 36     median: 36 (19%)     max: 36.35 fps
SPECviewperf 12
specvp12 sw-03 + AMD FirePro M5100
SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 sw-03
min: 39.72     avg: 39.8     median: 39.8 (10%)     max: 39.85 fps
specvp12 snx-02 + AMD FirePro M5100
SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 snx-02
min: 28.9     avg: 29.3     median: 29.3 (4%)     max: 29.69 fps
specvp12 showcase-01 + AMD FirePro M5100
SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 showcase-01
min: 15.47     avg: 15.9     median: 15.9 (3%)     max: 16.36 fps
specvp12 mediacal-01 + AMD FirePro M5100
SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 mediacal-01
min: 7.81     avg: 7.8     median: 7.8 (2%)     max: 7.82 fps
specvp12 maya-04 + AMD FirePro M5100
SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 maya-04
min: 24.92     avg: 25.2     median: 25.2 (7%)     max: 25.5 fps
specvp12 energy-01 + AMD FirePro M5100
SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 energy-01
min: 0.43     avg: 0.4     median: 0.4 (0%)     max: 0.44 fps
specvp12 creo-01 + AMD FirePro M5100
SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 creo-01
min: 19.64     avg: 20.7     median: 20.7 (8%)     max: 21.76 fps
specvp12 catia-04 + AMD FirePro M5100
SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 catia-04
min: 23.03     avg: 23.3     median: 23.3 (4%)     max: 23.62 fps
Windows 7 Experience Index - Win7 Gaming graphics
6.9 Points (87%)
Windows 7 Experience Index - Win7 Graphics
6.9 Points (87%)
Cinebench R10 Cinebench R10 Shading (32bit) + AMD FirePro M5100
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Shading (32bit)
min: 9328     avg: 10516     median: 10516 (7%)     max: 11704 Points
Cinebench R11.5 Cinebench R11.5 OpenGL 64 Bit + AMD FirePro M5100
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 OpenGL 64 Bit
min: 58.3     avg: 64.2     median: 64.2 (22%)     max: 70 fps
Cinebench R15
Cinebench R15 OpenGL 64 Bit + AMD FirePro M5100
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 OpenGL 64 Bit
min: 57.4     avg: 63.7     median: 63.7 (4%)     max: 70 fps
Cinebench R15 OpenGL Ref. Match 64 Bit + AMD FirePro M5100
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 OpenGL Ref. Match 64 Bit
98 % (98%)
LuxMark v2.0 64Bit - LuxMark v2.0 Room GPU
min: 353     avg: 364     median: 364 (2%)     max: 375 Samples/s
LuxMark v2.0 64Bit - LuxMark v2.0 Sala GPU
min: 641     avg: 658     median: 658 (1%)     max: 675 Samples/s
ComputeMark v2.1 - ComputeMark v2.1 Result
2051 Points (2%)

Average Benchmarks AMD FirePro M8900 → 0% n=

Average Benchmarks AMD FirePro M5100 → 0% n=

- Range of benchmark values for this graphics card
- Average benchmark values for this graphics card
* Smaller numbers mean a higher performance
1 This benchmark is not used for the average calculation

Game Benchmarks

The following benchmarks stem from our benchmarks of review laptops. The performance depends on the used graphics memory, clock rate, processor, system settings, drivers, and operating systems. So the results don't have to be representative for all laptops with this GPU. For detailed information on the benchmark results, click on the fps number.

low 1024x768
FirePro M5100:
44  fps
med. 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
25  fps
high 1920x1080
FirePro M5100:
17  fps
ultra 1920x1080
FirePro M5100:
10  fps
low 1024x768
FirePro M5100:
213  fps
med. 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
101  fps
high 1920x1080
FirePro M5100:
44  fps
ultra 1920x1080
FirePro M5100:
26  fps
Thief

Thief

2014
low 1024x768
FirePro M5100:
33.4  fps
med. 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
23  fps
high 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
20  fps
ultra 1920x1080
FirePro M5100:
18  fps
low 1024x768
FirePro M5100:
118  fps
med. 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
90  fps
high 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
76  fps
ultra 1920x1080
FirePro M5100:
12  fps
low 1280x720
FirePro M5100:
102  fps
med. 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
98  fps
high 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
42  fps
ultra 1920x1080
FirePro M5100:
25  fps
low 1024x768
FirePro M5100:
49  fps
med. 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
42  fps
high 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
24  fps
ultra 1920x1080
FirePro M5100:
9  fps
GRID 2

GRID 2

2013
low 1024x768
FirePro M5100:
162  fps
med. 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
115  fps
high 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
86  fps
ultra 1920x1080
FirePro M5100:
55  fps
low 1024x768
FirePro M5100:
85  fps
med. 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
61  fps
high 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
42  fps
ultra 1920x1080
FirePro M5100:
19.6  fps
low 1280x720
FirePro M5100:
80  fps
med. 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
73  fps
high 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
62  fps
ultra 1920x1080
FirePro M5100:
21  fps
low 1024x768
FirePro M5100:
172  fps
med. 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
82  fps
high 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
57  fps
ultra 1920x1080
FirePro M5100:
26  fps
med. 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
47  fps
high 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
44  fps
ultra 1920x1080
FirePro M5100:
19  fps
low 1024x768
FirePro M5100:
79  fps
med. 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
68  fps
high 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
34  fps
ultra 1920x1080
FirePro M5100:
16  fps
F1 2012

F1 2012

2012
low 1024x768
FirePro M5100:
182  fps
med. 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
149  fps
high 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
137  fps
ultra 1920x1080
FirePro M5100:
72  fps
Torchlight 2

Torchlight 2

2012
low 1024x768
FirePro M5100:
130  fps
med. 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
125  fps
ultra 1920x1080
FirePro M5100:
107  fps
low 1024x768
FirePro M5100:
143  fps
med. 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
108  fps
high 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
47  fps
ultra 1920x1080
FirePro M5100:
13  fps
low 1024x768
FirePro M5100:
107  fps
med. 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
94  fps
high 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
78  fps
ultra 1920x1080
FirePro M5100:
27  fps
low 1024x768
FirePro M5100:
195  fps
med. 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
134  fps
high 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
105  fps
ultra 1920x1080
FirePro M5100:
67  fps
Alan Wake

Alan Wake

2012
low 1024x768
FirePro M5100:
75  fps
med. 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
34  fps
ultra 1920x1080
FirePro M5100:
19  fps
Anno 2070

Anno 2070

2011
low 1024x768
FirePro M5100:
199  fps
med. 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
91  fps
high 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
54  fps
ultra 1920x1080
FirePro M5100:
25  fps
low 1024x768
FirePro M5100:
188  fps
med. 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
150  fps
high 1366x768
FirePro M5100:
72  fps
ultra 1920x1080
FirePro M5100:
35  fps
World of Warcraft

World of Warcraft

2005
low 800x600
FirePro M5100:
382  fps
med. 1024x768
FirePro M5100:
248  fps
high 1280x1024
FirePro M5100:
79  fps
ultra 1920x1080
FirePro M5100:
34  fps
AMD FirePro M5100lowmed.highultraQHD4K
Ryse: Son of Rome44251710
GRID: Autosport2131014426
Thief33.4232018
Total War: Rome II118907612
Saints Row IV102984225
Company of Heroes 24942249
GRID 21621158655
Metro: Last Light85614219.6
BioShock Infinite80736221
Tomb Raider172825726
Assassin´s Creed III474419
Hitman: Absolution79683416
F1 201218214913772
Torchlight 2130125107
Sleeping Dogs1431084713
Dirt Showdown107947827
Diablo III19513410567
Alan Wake753419
Anno 2070199915425
Batman: Arkham City1881507235
World of Warcraft3822487934
< 30 fps
< 60 fps
< 120 fps
≥ 120 fps

3
7
10
2
3
11
5
3
8
7
1
15
3
3






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Redaktion, 2017-09- 8 (Update: 2023-07- 1)