CPU
GPU
Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop)
Popular choices:
FirePro M5950
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 R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) is positioned at rank 164 and the FirePro M5950 is on rank 181, so the Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop)
Performance Per Dollar FirePro M5950
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The FirePro M5950 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.1% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (1 GB vs 512 MB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop).
| Insight | Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) | FirePro M5950 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.1%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.1%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / GCN (2012−2015)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2011 / TeraScale 2 (2009−2015)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+100%) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | Normal Efficiency |
| Case Fit | — | — |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) holds the technical lead. Priced at $35 (vs $200), it costs 83% less, resulting in a 465.3% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) | FirePro M5950 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+465.3%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($35) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($200) |
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 R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) and FirePro M5950
Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop)
The Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) is manufactured by AMD. It was released in January 14 2014. It features the GCN architecture. The core clock speed is 720 MHz. It has 512 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 30W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,300 points.
FirePro M5950
The FirePro M5950 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in January 4 2011. It features the TeraScale 2 architecture. The core clock speed is 725 MHz. It has 480 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 35W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,314 points.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) scores 1,300 and the FirePro M5950 reaches 1,314 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) is built on GCN while the FirePro M5950 uses TeraScale 2, both on 28 nm vs 40 nm. Shader units: 512 (Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop)) vs 480 (FirePro M5950).
| Feature | Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) | FirePro M5950 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 1,300 | 1,314+1% |
| Architecture | GCN | TeraScale 2 |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 40 nm |
| Shading Units | 512+7% | 480 |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) | FirePro M5950 |
|---|---|---|
| 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)
The Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) comes with 512 MB of VRAM, while the FirePro M5950 has 1 GB. The FirePro M5950 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 64-bit.
| Feature | Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) | FirePro M5950 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 0.5 GB | 1 GB+100% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Bus Width | 128-bit+100% | 64-bit |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop)) vs 11.2 (FirePro M5950). Vulkan: 1.1 vs None. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.1. Maximum simultaneous displays: 3 vs 5.
| Feature | Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) | FirePro M5950 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12+7% | 11.2 |
| Vulkan | 1.1 | None |
| OpenGL | 4.5+10% | 4.1 |
| Max Displays | 3 | 5+67% |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: VCE 2.0 (Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop)) vs None (FirePro M5950). Decoder: UVD 4.2 vs UVD 3. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop)) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 Part 2 (FirePro M5950).
| Feature | Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) | FirePro M5950 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | VCE 2.0 | None |
| Decoder | UVD 4.2 | UVD 3 |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 Part 2 |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) draws 30W versus the FirePro M5950's 35W — a 15.4% difference. The Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop)) vs 350W (FirePro M5950). Power connectors: None vs PCIe-powered. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 75°C.
| Feature | Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) | FirePro M5950 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 30W-14% | 35W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | None | PCIe-powered |
| Length | — | 0mm |
| Height | — | 0mm |
| Slots | — | 1 |
| Temp (Load) | 80°C | 75°C-6% |
| Perf/Watt | 43.3+15% | 37.5 |
Value Analysis
The Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) launched at $173 MSRP and currently averages $35, while the FirePro M5950 launched at $200 and now averages $200. The Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) costs 82.5% less ($165 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 37.1 (Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop)) vs 6.6 (FirePro M5950) — the Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) offers 462.1% better value. The Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) is the newer GPU (2014 vs 2011).
| Feature | Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) | FirePro M5950 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $173-14% | $200 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $35-83% | $200 |
| Performance per Dollar | 37.1+462% | 6.6 |
| Codename | Kaveri Spectre | Whistler |
| Release | January 14 2014 | January 4 2011 |
| Ranking | #830 | #795 |
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