CPU
GPU
Radeon HD 3850 AGP
Popular choices:
FirePro M2000
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 Radeon HD 3850 AGP is positioned at rank 283 and the FirePro M2000 is on rank 323, so the Radeon HD 3850 AGP offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Radeon HD 3850 AGP
Performance Per Dollar FirePro M2000
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Radeon HD 3850 AGP is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.4% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the FirePro M2000.
| Insight | Radeon HD 3850 AGP | FirePro M2000 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.4%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.4%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / 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 FirePro M2000 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the FirePro M2000 holds the technical lead. Priced at $50 (vs $130), it costs 62% less, resulting in a 156.4% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon HD 3850 AGP | FirePro M2000 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+156.4%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($130) | ✅More affordable ($50) |
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 Radeon HD 3850 AGP and FirePro M2000
Radeon HD 3850 AGP
The Radeon HD 3850 AGP is manufactured by AMD. It was released in March 5 2012. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1000 MHz. It has 1024 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 130W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 432 points. Launch price was $249.
FirePro M2000
The FirePro M2000 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in July 1 2012. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 800 MHz. It has 640 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 43W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 426 points.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon HD 3850 AGP scores 432 and the FirePro M2000 reaches 426 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.4% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon HD 3850 AGP is built on GCN 1.0 while the FirePro M2000 uses GCN 1.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 1,024 (Radeon HD 3850 AGP) vs 640 (FirePro M2000). Raw compute: 1.761 TFLOPS (Radeon HD 3850 AGP) vs 1.024 TFLOPS (FirePro M2000).
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 AGP | FirePro M2000 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 432+1% | 426 |
| Architecture | GCN 1.0 | GCN 1.0 |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 1024+60% | 640 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 1.761 TFLOPS+72% | 1.024 TFLOPS |
| ROPs | 32+100% | 16 |
| TMUs | 64+60% | 40 |
| L1 Cache | 256 KB+60% | 160 KB |
| L2 Cache | 512 KB+100% | 256 KB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 AGP | FirePro M2000 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | AMD Anti-Lag | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
Both cards feature 1 GB of GDDR5. Bus width: 128-bit vs 64-bit. L2 Cache: 512 KB (Radeon HD 3850 AGP) vs 256 KB (FirePro M2000) — the Radeon HD 3850 AGP has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 AGP | FirePro M2000 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 1 GB | 1 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Bus Width | 128-bit+100% | 64-bit |
| L2 Cache | 512 KB+100% | 256 KB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 10.1 (Radeon HD 3850 AGP) vs 11.1 (FirePro M2000). Vulkan: N/A vs None. OpenGL: 3.3 vs 4.2. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 6.
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 AGP | FirePro M2000 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 10.1 | 11.1+10% |
| Vulkan | N/A | None |
| OpenGL | 3.3 | 4.2+27% |
| Max Displays | 2 | 6+200% |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: None (Radeon HD 3850 AGP) vs UVD 3 (FirePro M2000). Decoder: UVD 1.0 vs UVD 3. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (Radeon HD 3850 AGP) vs MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 Part 2 (FirePro M2000).
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 AGP | FirePro M2000 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | None | UVD 3 |
| Decoder | UVD 1.0 | UVD 3 |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 | MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 Part 2 |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon HD 3850 AGP draws 130W versus the FirePro M2000's 43W — a 100.6% difference. The FirePro M2000 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (Radeon HD 3850 AGP) vs 350W (FirePro M2000). Power connectors: 8-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 230mm vs 0mm, occupying 1 vs 1 slots. Typical load temperature: 80 vs 65°C.
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 AGP | FirePro M2000 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 130W | 43W-67% |
| Recommended PSU | 450W | 350W-22% |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | PCIe-powered |
| Length | 230mm | 0mm |
| Height | 111mm | 0mm |
| Slots | 1 | 1 |
| Temp (Load) | 80 | 65°C-19% |
| Perf/Watt | 3.3 | 9.9+200% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon HD 3850 AGP launched at $130 MSRP and currently averages $130, while the FirePro M2000 launched at $300 and now averages $50. The FirePro M2000 costs 61.5% less ($80 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 3.3 (Radeon HD 3850 AGP) vs 8.5 (FirePro M2000) — the FirePro M2000 offers 157.6% better value.
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 AGP | FirePro M2000 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $130-57% | $300 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $130 | $50-62% |
| Performance per Dollar | 3.3 | 8.5+158% |
| Codename | Pitcairn | Heathrow |
| Release | March 5 2012 | July 1 2012 |
| Ranking | #503 | #710 |
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