CPU
GPU
FireStream 9170
Popular choices:
Radeon R5 M430
Popular choices:
Performance Spectrum - GPU
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. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The FireStream 9170 is positioned at rank 393 and the Radeon R5 M430 is on rank 431, so the FireStream 9170 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar FireStream 9170
Performance Per Dollar Radeon R5 M430
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The Radeon R5 M430 is significantly newer (2016 vs 2010). The Radeon R5 M430 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The FireStream 9170 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Radeon R5 M430 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.3% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the FireStream 9170.
| Insight | FireStream 9170 | Radeon R5 M430 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.3%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+0.3%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2010 / TeraScale 2 (2009−2015)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+0%) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | — |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon R5 M430 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Radeon R5 M430 holds the technical lead. Priced at $20 (vs $20), it costs 0% less, resulting in a 0.3% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | FireStream 9170 | Radeon R5 M430 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+0.3%) |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of FireStream 9170 and Radeon R5 M430
FireStream 9170
The FireStream 9170 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in June 23 2010. It features the TeraScale 2 architecture. The core clock speed is 825 MHz. It has 1600 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 225W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 647 points.
Radeon R5 M430
The Radeon R5 M430 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in May 15 2016. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 780 MHz to 1030 MHz. It has 320 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 649 points.
Graphics Performance
The FireStream 9170 scores 647 and the Radeon R5 M430 reaches 649 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.3% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The FireStream 9170 is built on TeraScale 2 while the Radeon R5 M430 uses GCN 1.0, both on 40 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 1,600 (FireStream 9170) vs 320 (Radeon R5 M430). Raw compute: 2.64 TFLOPS (FireStream 9170) vs 0.6592 TFLOPS (Radeon R5 M430).
| Feature | FireStream 9170 | Radeon R5 M430 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 647 | 649 |
| Architecture | TeraScale 2 | GCN 1.0 |
| Process Node | 40 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 1600+400% | 320 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 2.64 TFLOPS+300% | 0.6592 TFLOPS |
| ROPs | 32+300% | 8 |
| TMUs | 80+300% | 20 |
| L1 Cache | 160 KB+100% | 80 KB |
| L2 Cache | 512 KB+300% | 128 KB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | FireStream 9170 | Radeon R5 M430 |
|---|---|---|
| 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)
Both cards feature 512 MB of GDDR5. Bus width: 64-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 512 KB (FireStream 9170) vs 128 KB (Radeon R5 M430) — the FireStream 9170 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | FireStream 9170 | Radeon R5 M430 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 0.5 GB | 0.5 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Bus Width | 64-bit | 128-bit+100% |
| L2 Cache | 512 KB+300% | 128 KB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 10.1 (FireStream 9170) vs 11_1 (Radeon R5 M430). OpenGL: 3.3 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.
| Feature | FireStream 9170 | Radeon R5 M430 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 10.1 | 11_1+9% |
| OpenGL | 3.3 | 4.6+39% |
| Max Displays | 2 | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Decoder: UVD+ vs UVD 6.3. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (FireStream 9170) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (Radeon R5 M430).
| Feature | FireStream 9170 | Radeon R5 M430 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | None | — |
| Decoder | UVD+ | UVD 6.3 |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 | H.264,H.265/HEVC |
Power & Dimensions
The FireStream 9170 draws 225W versus the Radeon R5 M430's 75W — a 100% difference. The Radeon R5 M430 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (FireStream 9170) vs 350W (Radeon R5 M430). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs Mobile. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 80°C.
| Feature | FireStream 9170 | Radeon R5 M430 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 225W | 75W-67% |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | PCIe-powered | Mobile |
| Length | 241mm | — |
| Height | 111mm | — |
| Slots | 2 | 0-100% |
| Temp (Load) | 85°C | 80°C-6% |
| Perf/Watt | 2.9 | 8.7+200% |
Value Analysis
The FireStream 9170 launched at $1999 MSRP and currently averages $20, while the Radeon R5 M430 launched at $99 and now averages $20. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 32.4 (FireStream 9170) vs 32.5 (Radeon R5 M430) — the Radeon R5 M430 offers 0.3% better value. The Radeon R5 M430 is the newer GPU (2016 vs 2010).
| Feature | FireStream 9170 | Radeon R5 M430 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1999 | $99-95% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $20 | $20 |
| Performance per Dollar | 32.4 | 32.5 |
| Codename | Cypress | Jet |
| Release | June 23 2010 | May 15 2016 |
| Ranking | #631 | #922 |
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