FirePro W8100 vs Radeon R9 285

FirePro W8100

2014Core: 824 MHz

Radeon R9 285

2014Core: 918 MHz

Performance Spectrum - GPU

FirePro W8100

220

6,812

+2.0%

Radeon 840M

Radeon RX 560 (móvel)

Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X

Radeon Ryzen 7 6800HS

Radeon RX 7600M

Radeon RX 6700S

Radeon RX 6750 GRE 10GB

Radeon RX 7800 XT

Radeon R9 285

190

6,680

0.0%

Radeon RX 560

Radeon HD 7870 XT

Radeon R9 M295X

Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire

Radeon RX 7600M

Radeon RX 7600M XT

Radeon RX 6750 GRE 10GB

Radeon RX 7700 XT

About G3D Mark

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. The FirePro W8100 is positioned at rank #254 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar FirePro W8100

#106

L40S

MSRP: $7500|Avg: $7500

98%

#107

Quadro P6000

MSRP: $5999|Avg: $1500

95%

#238

Tesla K20m

MSRP: $3199|Avg: $55

5411%

#253

MSRP: $2000|Avg: $1500

100%

#254

FirePro W8100

MSRP: $2499|Avg: $200

100%

#255

Quadro K5200

MSRP: $2250|Avg: $70

100%

#257

Quadro K2000D

MSRP: $599|Avg: $35

98%

#258

FirePro V7800

MSRP: $759|Avg: $96

98%

#259

FirePro W8000

MSRP: $1599|Avg: $1599

97%

#260

Quadro K2000

MSRP: $599|Avg: $500

97%

#261

GRID P4-8Q

MSRP: $2000|Avg: $200

97%

#263

FirePro 3D V5800

MSRP: $479|Avg: $30

94%

#264

GRID M40

MSRP: $1000|Avg: $100

92%

#265

GRID P40-8Q

MSRP: $3000|Avg: $150

92%

#266

GRID M3-3020

MSRP: $1000|Avg: $50

92%

#267

FirePro V3800

MSRP: $129|Avg: $12

91%

#268

FirePro V5800

MSRP: $479|Avg: $15

90%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The FirePro W8100 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (8 GB vs 4 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon R9 285.

Insight	FirePro W8100	Radeon R9 285
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+2%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-2%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / GCN 2.0 (2013−2017))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / GCN 3.0 (2014−2019))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	✅ More VRAM (+100%)	❌ Less VRAM capacity
Efficiency	Normal Efficiency	Normal Efficiency
Case Fit	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The Radeon R9 285 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Radeon R9 285 holds the technical lead. Priced at $40 (vs $200), it costs 80% less, resulting in a 390.3% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	FirePro W8100	Radeon R9 285
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+390.3%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($200)	✅More affordable ($40)

Performance Check

Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 7800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.

Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.

FirePro W8100 Benchmark Check

Radeon R9 285 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of FirePro W8100 and Radeon R9 285

FirePro W8100

The FirePro W8100 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in June 23 2014. It features the GCN 2.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 824 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 220W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 6,812 points.

Radeon R9 285

The Radeon R9 285 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in September 2 2014. It features the GCN 3.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 918 MHz. It has 1792 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 190W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 6,680 points. Launch price was $249.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The FirePro W8100 scores 6,812 and the Radeon R9 285 reaches 6,680 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The FirePro W8100 is built on GCN 2.0 while the Radeon R9 285 uses GCN 3.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 2,560 (FirePro W8100) vs 1,792 (Radeon R9 285). Raw compute: 4.219 TFLOPS (FirePro W8100) vs 3.29 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 285).

Feature	FirePro W8100	Radeon R9 285
G3D Mark Score	6,812+2%	6,680
Architecture	GCN 2.0	GCN 3.0
Process Node	28 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	2560+43%	1792
Compute (TFLOPS)	4.219 TFLOPS+28%	3.29 TFLOPS
ROPs	64+100%	32
TMUs	160+43%	112
L1 Cache	640 KB+43%	448 KB
L2 Cache	1 MB+100%	0.5 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	FirePro W8100	Radeon R9 285
Upscaling Tech	FSR 1.0 (Software)	FSR 1.0 (Software)
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	Standard	AMD Anti-Lag

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The FirePro W8100 comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon R9 285 has 4 GB. The FirePro W8100 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 256-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 1 MB (FirePro W8100) vs 0.5 MB (Radeon R9 285) — the FirePro W8100 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	FirePro W8100	Radeon R9 285
VRAM Capacity	8 GB+100%	4 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR5
Bus Width	256-bit	256-bit
L2 Cache	1 MB+100%	0.5 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (FirePro W8100) vs 12.0 (Radeon R9 285). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.4. Maximum simultaneous displays: 6 vs 4.

Feature	FirePro W8100	Radeon R9 285
DirectX	12	12.0
Vulkan	1.2	1.2
OpenGL	4.6+5%	4.4
Max Displays	6+50%	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: VCE 2.0 (FirePro W8100) vs VCE 3.0 (Radeon R9 285). Decoder: UVD 4.2 vs UVD 5.0. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 Part 2,MVC (FirePro W8100) vs MPEG-2,H.264 (Radeon R9 285).

Feature	FirePro W8100	Radeon R9 285
Encoder	VCE 2.0	VCE 3.0
Decoder	UVD 4.2	UVD 5.0
Codecs	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 Part 2,MVC	MPEG-2,H.264

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The FirePro W8100 draws 220W versus the Radeon R9 285's 190W — a 14.6% difference. The Radeon R9 285 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (FirePro W8100) vs 500W (Radeon R9 285). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 2x 6-pin. Card length: 241mm vs 221mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 87°C vs 65°C.

Feature	FirePro W8100	Radeon R9 285
TDP	220W	190W-14%
Recommended PSU	350W-30%	500W
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	2x 6-pin
Length	241mm	221mm
Height	111mm	109mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	87°C	65°C-25%
Perf/Watt	31.0	35.2+14%

💰

Value Analysis

The FirePro W8100 launched at $2499 MSRP and currently averages $200, while the Radeon R9 285 launched at $249 and now averages $40. The Radeon R9 285 costs 80% less ($160 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 34.1 (FirePro W8100) vs 167.0 (Radeon R9 285) — the Radeon R9 285 offers 389.7% better value.