Radeon R9 255 vs Radeon RX Vega 8

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.

Radeon R9 255 vs Radeon RX Vega 8 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 9800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Radeon R9 255 vs Radeon RX Vega 8: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

Radeon R9 255

2014

Why buy it

✅59.0% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 10.8 vs 0 G3D/$ ($139 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅100+% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (2 GB vs Unknown).
✅Radeon RX Vega 8 is already obsolete for modern gaming, so Radeon R9 255 is the less risky modern option long term.

Trade-offs

❌2014 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌1166.7% higher power demand at 190W vs 15W.

Radeon RX Vega 8

2018

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 190W, a 175W reduction.
✅More future proof: GCN 5.0 (2017−2020) on 14nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than Radeon R9 255 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with Unknown vs 2 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2018 hardware with Unknown of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 10.8 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $139 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

Radeon R9 255 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 59.0% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. PassMark G3D leans toward Radeon RX Vega 8 instead at 1,540 vs 1,501, so for this question the real-game FPS result matters more than the synthetic split.

Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?

Radeon R9 255 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 2 GB vs Unknown of VRAM. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

Radeon R9 255 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup.

Radeon R9 255 vs Radeon RX Vega 8 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Radeon R9 255

The Radeon R9 255 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: 1,501 points. Launch price was $249.

Radeon RX Vega 8

The Radeon RX Vega 8 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in February 1 2018. It features the GCN 5.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 720 MHz to 1190 MHz. It has 512 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 15W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,540 points.

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Graphics Performance

The Radeon R9 255 scores 1,501 and the Radeon RX Vega 8 reaches 1,540 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.6% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon R9 255 is built on GCN 3.0 while the Radeon RX Vega 8 uses GCN 5.0, both on 28 nm vs 14 nm. Shader units: 1,792 (Radeon R9 255) vs 512 (Radeon RX Vega 8).

Feature	Radeon R9 255	Radeon RX Vega 8
G3D Mark Score	1,501	1,540+3%
Architecture	GCN 3.0	GCN 5.0
Process Node	28 nm	14 nm
Shading Units	1792+250%	512
ROPs	32+300%	8
TMUs	112+250%	32
Frame Generation	FSR upscaling	FSR upscaling

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Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	Radeon R9 255	Radeon RX Vega 8
Upscaling Tech	FSR Upscaling / FSR 4	FSR Upscaling / FSR 4
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	AMD Anti-Lag	AMD Anti-Lag

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Video Memory (VRAM)

The Radeon R9 255 has 2 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon RX Vega 8 carries 0 MB. Radeon R9 255 gives you 100+% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 128-bit on the Radeon R9 255 and System on the Radeon RX Vega 8.

Feature	Radeon R9 255	Radeon RX Vega 8
VRAM Capacity	2 GB	Shared System RAM
Memory Type	GDDR5	Shared
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	System
Bus Width	128-bit	System

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Power & Dimensions

The Radeon R9 255 draws 190W versus the Radeon RX Vega 8's 15W — a 170.7% difference. The Radeon RX Vega 8 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (Radeon R9 255) vs 1W (Radeon RX Vega 8). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs Integrated.

Feature	Radeon R9 255	Radeon RX Vega 8
TDP	190W	15W-92%
Recommended PSU	400W	1W-100%
Power Connector	1x 6-pin	Integrated
Temp (Load)	—	85°C
Perf/Watt	7.9	102.7+1200%

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Radeon R9 255 came in at $139, while the Radeon RX Vega 8 launched at $0. On MSRP, Radeon RX Vega 8 was 100+% cheaper ($139 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 10.8 (Radeon R9 255) vs Infinity (Radeon RX Vega 8) — the Radeon RX Vega 8 offers Infinity% better value. The newer card here is Radeon RX Vega 8 (2018 vs 2014).

Feature	Radeon R9 255	Radeon RX Vega 8
MSRP	$139	$0-100%
Performance per Dollar	10.8	Infinity
Codename	Tonga	Vega
Release	September 2 2014	February 1 2018
Ranking	#365	#372

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