Radeon Vega Frontier Edition
VS
Radeon RX Vega 56

Radeon Vega Frontier Edition vs Radeon RX Vega 56

AMD

Radeon Vega Frontier Edition

2017Core: 1382 MHzBoost: 1600 MHz
VS
AMD

Radeon RX Vega 56

2017Core: 1156 MHzBoost: 1471 MHz

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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Radeon Vega Frontier Edition

#44
RTX A4000
MSRP: $1111|Avg: $1111
137%
#45
RTX PRO 2000 Blackwell
MSRP: $849|Avg: $748
132%
#46
Quadro RTX 4000
MSRP: $899|Avg: $220
130%
#49
RTX 2000E Ada Generation
MSRP: $999|Avg: $999
120%
#50
118%
#51
RTX PRO 4500 Blackwell
MSRP: $2399|Avg: $2015
116%
#52
RTX A1000
MSRP: $749|Avg: $500
113%
#54
Radeon Pro 5700
MSRP: $799|Avg: $250
112%
#55
Quadro P4000
MSRP: $815|Avg: $290
110%
#57
Quadro RTX 3000
MSRP: $800|Avg: $891
106%
#58
RTX PRO 4000 Blackwell
MSRP: $1999|Avg: $1700
104%
#59
Radeon Vega Frontier Edition
MSRP: $999|Avg: $150
100%
#60
Radeon Pro WX 8200
MSRP: $999|Avg: $350
99%
#62
RTX A4500
MSRP: $1699|Avg: $800
97%
#63
RTX 4500 Ada Generation
MSRP: $2250|Avg: $2000
97%
#64
RTX 4000 Ada Generation
MSRP: $1999|Avg: $1547
94%
#65
RTX A4000H
MSRP: $1000|Avg: $927
93%
#66
Radeon PRO W7800
MSRP: $2499|Avg: $2200
85%
#67
RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation
MSRP: $1999|Avg: $1450
81%
#70
Radeon PRO W6800
MSRP: $2249|Avg: $2249
71%
#72
Quadro P4200
MSRP: $1200|Avg: $110
68%
#74
RTX 5000 Ada Generation
MSRP: $4000|Avg: $4095
59%
Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

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.

InsightRadeon Vega Frontier EditionRadeon 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.

InsightRadeon Vega Frontier EditionRadeon 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

AMD

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.

AMD

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.

FeatureRadeon Vega Frontier EditionRadeon 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)

FeatureRadeon Vega Frontier EditionRadeon 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.

FeatureRadeon Vega Frontier EditionRadeon 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.

FeatureRadeon Vega Frontier EditionRadeon 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).

FeatureRadeon Vega Frontier EditionRadeon 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.

FeatureRadeon Vega Frontier EditionRadeon 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.

FeatureRadeon Vega Frontier EditionRadeon 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