
Radeon Vega Frontier Edition vs Radeon RX Vega 56

Radeon Vega Frontier Edition
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Radeon RX Vega 56
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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. 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 Frontier Edition
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Radeon RX Vega 56 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.1% higher G3D Mark score and 100+% more VRAM (8 GB vs 0 MB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon Vega Frontier Edition.
| Insight | Radeon Vega Frontier Edition | Radeon RX Vega 56 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.1%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+2.1%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2017 / GCN 5.0 (2017−2020)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2017 / GCN 5.0 (2017−2020)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+100+%) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (268mm) | Standard Size (280mm) |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon RX Vega 56 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Radeon RX Vega 56 holds the technical lead. Priced at $75 (vs $150), it costs 50% less, resulting in a 104.3% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon Vega Frontier Edition | Radeon RX Vega 56 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+104.3%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($150) | ✅More affordable ($75) |
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 Frontier Edition and Radeon RX Vega 56

Radeon Vega Frontier Edition
The Radeon Vega Frontier Edition is manufactured by AMD. It was released in June 27 2017. It features the GCN 5.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1382 MHz to 1600 MHz. It has 4096 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 300W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 12,753 points. Launch price was $999.

Radeon RX Vega 56
The Radeon RX Vega 56 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in August 14 2017. It features the GCN 5.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1156 MHz to 1471 MHz. It has 3584 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 210W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 13,026 points. Launch price was $399.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon Vega Frontier Edition scores 12,753 and the Radeon RX Vega 56 reaches 13,026 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon Vega Frontier Edition is built on GCN 5.0 while the Radeon RX Vega 56 uses GCN 5.0, both on a 14 nm process. Shader units: 4,096 (Radeon Vega Frontier Edition) vs 3,584 (Radeon RX Vega 56). Raw compute: 13.11 TFLOPS (Radeon Vega Frontier Edition) vs 10.54 TFLOPS (Radeon RX Vega 56). Boost clocks: 1600 MHz vs 1471 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon Vega Frontier Edition | Radeon RX Vega 56 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 12,753 | 13,026+2% |
| Architecture | GCN 5.0 | GCN 5.0 |
| Process Node | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Shading Units | 4096+14% | 3584 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 13.11 TFLOPS+24% | 10.54 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1600 MHz+9% | 1471 MHz |
| ROPs | 64 | 64 |
| TMUs | 256+14% | 224 |
| L1 Cache | 1 MB+14% | 0.88 MB |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB | 4 MB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon Vega Frontier Edition | Radeon RX Vega 56 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Frontier Edition comes with 0 MB of VRAM, while the Radeon RX Vega 56 has 8 GB. The Radeon RX Vega 56 offers 100+% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: System vs 2048-bit.
| Feature | Radeon Vega Frontier Edition | Radeon RX Vega 56 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | Shared System RAM | 8 GB |
| Memory Type | Shared | HBM2 |
| Memory Bandwidth | System | 410 GB/s |
| Bus Width | System | 2048-bit |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB | 4 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12.1 (Radeon Vega Frontier Edition) vs 12 (12_1) (Radeon RX Vega 56). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | Radeon Vega Frontier Edition | Radeon RX Vega 56 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12.1 | 12 (12_1) |
| Vulkan | 1.1 | 1.3+18% |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: VCE 4.0 (Radeon Vega Frontier Edition) vs VCE 4.0 (Radeon RX Vega 56). Decoder: UVD 7.0 vs UVD 7.0. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9 (Radeon Vega Frontier Edition) vs H.264,H.265,VP9 (Radeon RX Vega 56).
| Feature | Radeon Vega Frontier Edition | Radeon RX Vega 56 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | VCE 4.0 | VCE 4.0 |
| Decoder | UVD 7.0 | UVD 7.0 |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9 | H.264,H.265,VP9 |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon Vega Frontier Edition draws 300W versus the Radeon RX Vega 56's 210W — a 35.3% difference. The Radeon RX Vega 56 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 1W (Radeon Vega Frontier Edition) vs 650W (Radeon RX Vega 56). Power connectors: Integrated vs 2x 8-pin. Card length: 268mm vs 280mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 75.
| Feature | Radeon Vega Frontier Edition | Radeon RX Vega 56 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 300W | 210W-30% |
| Recommended PSU | 1W-100% | 650W |
| Power Connector | Integrated | 2x 8-pin |
| Length | 268mm | 280mm |
| Height | 105mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 85°C | 75-12% |
| Perf/Watt | 42.5 | 62.0+46% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon Vega Frontier Edition launched at $999 MSRP and currently averages $150, while the Radeon RX Vega 56 launched at $399 and now averages $75. The Radeon RX Vega 56 costs 50% less ($75 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 85.0 (Radeon Vega Frontier Edition) vs 173.7 (Radeon RX Vega 56) — the Radeon RX Vega 56 offers 104.4% better value.
| Feature | Radeon Vega Frontier Edition | Radeon RX Vega 56 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $999 | $399-60% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $150 | $75-50% |
| Performance per Dollar | 85.0 | 173.7+104% |
| Codename | Vega 10 | Vega 10 |
| Release | June 27 2017 | August 14 2017 |
| Ranking | #203 | #199 |
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