FirePro W9000 vs Radeon R9 280X

FirePro W9000

2012Core: 975 MHz

Radeon R9 280X

2013Boost: 1000 MHz

Performance Spectrum - GPU

FirePro W9000

274

6,157

+0.9%

Radeon HD8970M

Radeon RX 460 (móvel)

Radeon RX 560X (móvel)

6,100

0.0%

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 W9000 is positioned at rank #317 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 W9000

#302

Tesla K20m

MSRP: $3199|Avg: $55

9593%

#317

FirePro W9000

MSRP: $3999|Avg: $150

100%

#318

GRID M60-4Q

MSRP: $2500|Avg: $120

99%

#319

Quadro K6000

MSRP: $5265|Avg: $300

99%

#320

FirePro V8800

MSRP: $1499|Avg: $100

99%

#321

NVS 510

MSRP: $449|Avg: $15

98%

#322

GRID M60-1Q

MSRP: $2500|Avg: $50

96%

#323

FirePro M2000

MSRP: $300|Avg: $50

92%

#324

GRID K280Q

MSRP: $2000|Avg: $50

92%

#325

Tesla K20c

MSRP: $3199|Avg: $500

90%

#326

GRID M6-1Q

MSRP: $1500|Avg: $100

90%

#327

Tesla C2050 / C2070

MSRP: $2499|Avg: $30

89%

#328

Quadro FX 380

MSRP: $129|Avg: $15

89%

#329

FirePro M7740

MSRP: $500|Avg: $500

86%

#330

Quadro FX 570

MSRP: $199|Avg: $15

84%

#331

RTXA5000-24Q

MSRP: $3721|Avg: $2100

84%

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 W9000 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.9% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (6 GB vs 3 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon R9 280X.

Insight	FirePro W9000	Radeon R9 280X
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+0.9%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.9%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	✅ More VRAM (+100%)	❌ Less VRAM capacity
Efficiency	⚡ Higher Power Consumption	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
Case Fit	Standard Size (279mm)	—

💎 Value Proposition

The Radeon R9 280X offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Radeon R9 280X holds the technical lead. Priced at $60 (vs $150), it costs 60% less, resulting in a 147.7% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	FirePro W9000	Radeon R9 280X
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+147.7%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($150)	✅More affordable ($60)

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 W9000 Benchmark Check

Radeon R9 280X Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of FirePro W9000 and Radeon R9 280X

FirePro W9000

The FirePro W9000 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in June 14 2012. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 975 MHz. It has 2048 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 274W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 6,157 points. Launch price was $3,999.

Radeon R9 280X

The Radeon R9 280X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in October 8 2013. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1000 MHz. It has 2048 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 200W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 6,100 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The FirePro W9000 scores 6,157 and the Radeon R9 280X reaches 6,100 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.9% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The FirePro W9000 is built on GCN 1.0 while the Radeon R9 280X uses GCN 1.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 2,048 (FirePro W9000) vs 2,048 (Radeon R9 280X). Raw compute: 3.994 TFLOPS (FirePro W9000) vs 4.096 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 280X).

Feature	FirePro W9000	Radeon R9 280X
G3D Mark Score	6,157	6,100
Architecture	GCN 1.0	GCN 1.0
Process Node	28 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	2048	2048
Compute (TFLOPS)	3.994 TFLOPS	4.096 TFLOPS+3%
ROPs	32	32
TMUs	128	128
L1 Cache	512 KB	512 KB
L2 Cache	768 KB	768 KB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	FirePro W9000	Radeon R9 280X
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 W9000 comes with 6 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon R9 280X has 3 GB. The FirePro W9000 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 256-bit vs 384-bit.

Feature	FirePro W9000	Radeon R9 280X
VRAM Capacity	6 GB+100%	3 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR5
Bus Width	256-bit	384-bit+50%
L2 Cache	768 KB	768 KB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (FirePro W9000) vs 12 (11_1) (Radeon R9 280X). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 6 vs 3.

Feature	FirePro W9000	Radeon R9 280X
DirectX	12	12 (11_1)
Vulkan	1.2	1.2
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	6+100%	3

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: VCE 1.0 (FirePro W9000) vs VCE 2.0 (Radeon R9 280X). Decoder: UVD 3.2 vs UVD 4.2. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (FirePro W9000) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 (Radeon R9 280X).

Feature	FirePro W9000	Radeon R9 280X
Encoder	VCE 1.0	VCE 2.0
Decoder	UVD 3.2	UVD 4.2
Codecs	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The FirePro W9000 draws 274W versus the Radeon R9 280X's 200W — a 31.2% difference. The Radeon R9 280X is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (FirePro W9000) vs 500W (Radeon R9 280X). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 6-pin + 8-pin. Typical load temperature: 93°C vs 75°C.

Feature	FirePro W9000	Radeon R9 280X
TDP	274W	200W-27%
Recommended PSU	350W-30%	500W
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	6-pin + 8-pin
Length	279mm	—
Height	111mm	—
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	93°C	75°C-19%
Perf/Watt	22.5	30.5+36%

💰

Value Analysis

The FirePro W9000 launched at $3999 MSRP and currently averages $150, while the Radeon R9 280X launched at $299 and now averages $60. The Radeon R9 280X costs 60% less ($90 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 41.0 (FirePro W9000) vs 101.7 (Radeon R9 280X) — the Radeon R9 280X offers 148% better value. The Radeon R9 280X is the newer GPU (2013 vs 2012).