FirePro W7170M vs GRID K520

G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.

FirePro W7170M vs GRID K520 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 9800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

FirePro W7170M vs GRID K520: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

FirePro W7170M

2015

Why buy it

✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (4 GB vs 2 GB).
✅Draws 100W instead of 225W, a 125W reduction.
✅More future proof: GCN 3.0 (2014−2019) on 28nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌2015 hardware with 4 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 1.0 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $3,599 MSRP).

GRID K520

2013

Why buy it

✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 1.0 vs 0 G3D/$ ($3,599 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 4 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2013 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌125% higher power demand at 225W vs 100W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

FirePro W7170M is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 2.5% in PassMark G3D (3,605 vs 3,516), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.

Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?

FirePro W7170M is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 4 GB vs 2 GB of VRAM and a newer 2015 generation instead of 2013. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GRID K520 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GRID K520 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, FirePro W7170M has the stronger long-term case.

FirePro W7170M vs GRID K520 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

FirePro W7170M

The FirePro W7170M is manufactured by AMD. It was released in October 2 2015. It features the GCN 3.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 723 MHz. It has 2048 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 100W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,605 points.

GRID K520

The GRID K520 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in July 23 2013. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock speed is 745 MHz. It has 1536 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 225W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,516 points. Launch price was $3,599.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The FirePro W7170M scores 3,605 and the GRID K520 reaches 3,516 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.5% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The FirePro W7170M is built on GCN 3.0 while the GRID K520 uses Kepler, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 2,048 (FirePro W7170M) vs 1,536 (GRID K520). Raw compute: 2.961 TFLOPS (FirePro W7170M) vs 2.289 TFLOPS ×2 (GRID K520).

Feature	FirePro W7170M	GRID K520
G3D Mark Score	3,605+3%	3,516
Architecture	GCN 3.0	Kepler
Process Node	28 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	2048+33%	1536 ×2
Compute (TFLOPS)	2.961 TFLOPS+29%	2.289 TFLOPS ×2
ROPs	32	32 ×2
TMUs	128	128 ×2
L1 Cache	512 KB+300%	128 KB
L2 Cache	512 KB	512 KB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	FirePro W7170M	GRID K520
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	Standard	Standard

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The FirePro W7170M has 4 GB of VRAM, while the GRID K520 carries 2 GB. FirePro W7170M gives you 100% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 64-bit on the FirePro W7170M and 64-bit on the GRID K520.

Feature	FirePro W7170M	GRID K520
VRAM Capacity	4 GB+100%	2 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Bus Width	64-bit	64-bit
L2 Cache	512 KB	512 KB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (FirePro W7170M) vs 12 (11_0) (GRID K520). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 3 vs 0.

Feature	FirePro W7170M	GRID K520
DirectX	12	12 (11_0)
Vulkan	1.2	1.2
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	3	0

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: VCE 3.1 (FirePro W7170M) vs NVENC 1 (GRID K520). Decoder: UVD 6.0 vs NVDEC 1. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,HEVC (FirePro W7170M) vs H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GRID K520).

Feature	FirePro W7170M	GRID K520
Encoder	VCE 3.1	NVENC 1
Decoder	UVD 6.0	NVDEC 1
Codecs	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,HEVC	H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The FirePro W7170M draws 100W versus the GRID K520's 225W — a 76.9% difference. The FirePro W7170M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (FirePro W7170M) vs 350W (GRID K520). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 0mm vs 267mm, occupying 1 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 75°C.

Feature	FirePro W7170M	GRID K520
TDP	100W-56%	225W
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	PCIe-powered
Length	0mm	267mm
Height	0mm	111mm
Slots	1-50%	2
Temp (Load)	85°C	75°C-12%
Perf/Watt	36.0+131%	15.6

💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is FirePro W7170M (2015 vs 2013).

Feature	FirePro W7170M	GRID K520
MSRP	—	$3599
Codename	Amethyst	GK104
Release	October 2 2015	July 23 2013
Ranking	#533	#540

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