
Radeon Vega 10 vs Radeon R9 255

Radeon Vega 10
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Radeon R9 255
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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. The Radeon Vega 10 is positioned at rank #584 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Radeon Vega 10
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The Radeon Vega 10 uses modern memory architecture. The Radeon Vega 10 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The Radeon R9 255 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Radeon Vega 10 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.9% higher G3D Mark score. However, the Radeon R9 255 offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | Radeon Vega 10 | Radeon R9 255 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+0.9%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.9%) |
| Longevity | GCN 5.0 (2017−2020) (14nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / GCN 3.0 (2014−2019)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+100+%) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | — | — |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon R9 255 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $30 versus $100 for the Radeon Vega 10, it costs 70% less. While it maintains basic entry-level capabilities, this results in a 230.3% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon Vega 10 | Radeon R9 255 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+230.3%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($100) | ✅More affordable ($30) |
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 Vega 10 and Radeon R9 255

Radeon Vega 10
The Radeon Vega 10 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in January 8 2019. It features the GCN 5.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 300 MHz to 1301 MHz. It has 640 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 10W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,515 points.

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.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon Vega 10 scores 1,515 and the Radeon R9 255 reaches 1,501 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.9% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon Vega 10 is built on GCN 5.0 while the Radeon R9 255 uses GCN 3.0, both on 14 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 640 (Radeon Vega 10) vs 1,792 (Radeon R9 255). Raw compute: 1.665 TFLOPS (Radeon Vega 10) vs 3.29 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 255).
| Feature | Radeon Vega 10 | Radeon R9 255 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 1,515 | 1,501 |
| Architecture | GCN 5.0 | GCN 3.0 |
| Process Node | 14 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 640 | 1792+180% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 1.665 TFLOPS | 3.29 TFLOPS+98% |
| ROPs | 8 | 32+300% |
| TMUs | 40 | 112+180% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon Vega 10 | Radeon R9 255 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | AMD Anti-Lag |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The Radeon Vega 10 comes with 0 MB of VRAM, while the Radeon R9 255 has 2 GB. The Radeon R9 255 offers 100+% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: System vs 128-bit.
| Feature | Radeon Vega 10 | Radeon R9 255 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | Shared System RAM | 2 GB |
| Memory Type | Shared | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | System | Unknown |
| Bus Width | System | 128-bit |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon Vega 10 draws 10W versus the Radeon R9 255's 190W — a 180% difference. The Radeon Vega 10 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 1W (Radeon Vega 10) vs 400W (Radeon R9 255). Power connectors: Integrated vs 1x 6-pin.
| Feature | Radeon Vega 10 | Radeon R9 255 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 10W-95% | 190W |
| Recommended PSU | 1W-100% | 400W |
| Power Connector | Integrated | 1x 6-pin |
| Perf/Watt | 151.5+1818% | 7.9 |
Value Analysis
The Radeon Vega 10 launched at $499 MSRP and currently averages $100, while the Radeon R9 255 launched at $139 and now averages $30. The Radeon R9 255 costs 70% less ($70 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 15.2 (Radeon Vega 10) vs 50.0 (Radeon R9 255) — the Radeon R9 255 offers 228.9% better value. The Radeon Vega 10 is the newer GPU (2019 vs 2014).
| Feature | Radeon Vega 10 | Radeon R9 255 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $499 | $139-72% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $100 | $30-70% |
| Performance per Dollar | 15.2 | 50.0+229% |
| Codename | Raven | Tonga |
| Release | January 8 2019 | September 2 2014 |
| Ranking | #747 | #365 |
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