RTXA5000-6Q
VS
Radeon R9 255

RTXA5000-6Q vs Radeon R9 255

NVIDIA

RTXA5000-6Q

2021Core: 1170 MHzBoost: 1695 MHz
VS
AMD

Radeon R9 255

2014Core: 918 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. The RTXA5000-6Q is positioned at rank #374 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. 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 RTXA5000-6Q

#357
Tesla K20m
MSRP: $3199|Avg: $55
24218%
#372
Quadro 6000
MSRP: $4399|Avg: $150
100%
#373
GRID M6-0B
MSRP: $1500|Avg: $100
100%
#374
RTXA5000-6Q
MSRP: $2500|Avg: $2500
100%
#375
GRID M10-1B
MSRP: $2500|Avg: $150
98%
#376
Tesla K40c
MSRP: $7699|Avg: $500
95%
#377
Quadro FX 4800
MSRP: $1799|Avg: $80
92%
#378
Tesla M2090
MSRP: $2500|Avg: $40
92%
#379
GRID K180Q
MSRP: $1000|Avg: $1000
87%
#380
GRID K2
MSRP: $5199|Avg: $80
87%
#381
Quadro CX
MSRP: $1999|Avg: $500
77%
#382
GRID P100-8Q
MSRP: $7374|Avg: $550
72%
#383
Quadro FX 550
MSRP: $150|Avg: $10
70%
#384
Quadro FX 350
MSRP: $199|Avg: $15
70%
#385
Tesla M2070
MSRP: $3099|Avg: $50
69%
#386
GRID V100D-8Q
MSRP: $10000|Avg: $10000
69%
#387
GRID M10-0Q
MSRP: $2000|Avg: $150
66%
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

⚠️ Generational Difference

The RTXA5000-6Q is significantly newer (2021 vs 2014). The RTXA5000-6Q 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 RTXA5000-6Q is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.4% higher G3D Mark score. However, the Radeon R9 255 offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.

InsightRTXA5000-6QRadeon R9 255
Performance
Leading raw performance (+1.4%)
Lower raw frame rates (-1.4%)
Longevity
🏆Elite Architecture (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm)
🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / GCN 3.0 (2014−2019))
Ecosystem
✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support
Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM
❌ Less VRAM capacity
✅ More VRAM (+300%)
Efficiency
⚡ Higher Power Consumption
💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
Case Fit

💎 Value Proposition

The Radeon R9 255 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $30 versus $2,500 for the RTXA5000-6Q, it costs 99% less. While it maintains basic entry-level capabilities, this results in a 8118.4% higher cost efficiency score.

InsightRTXA5000-6QRadeon R9 255
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Better overall value (+8118.4%)
Upfront Cost
⚠️Higher upfront cost ($2,500)
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 RTXA5000-6Q and Radeon R9 255

NVIDIA

RTXA5000-6Q

The RTXA5000-6Q is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in April 12 2021. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1170 MHz to 1695 MHz. It has 8192 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 230W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 64 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,522 points.

AMD

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 RTXA5000-6Q scores 1,522 and the Radeon R9 255 reaches 1,501 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.4% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The RTXA5000-6Q is built on Ampere while the Radeon R9 255 uses GCN 3.0, both on 8 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 8,192 (RTXA5000-6Q) vs 1,792 (Radeon R9 255). Raw compute: 27.77 TFLOPS (RTXA5000-6Q) vs 3.29 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 255).

FeatureRTXA5000-6QRadeon R9 255
G3D Mark Score
1,522+1%
1,501
Architecture
Ampere
GCN 3.0
Process Node
8 nm
28 nm
Shading Units
8192+357%
1792
Compute (TFLOPS)
27.77 TFLOPS+744%
3.29 TFLOPS
ROPs
96+200%
32
TMUs
256+129%
112
L1 Cache
8 MB+1718%
0.44 MB
L2 Cache
6 MB+1100%
0.5 MB

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureRTXA5000-6QRadeon R9 255
Upscaling Tech
FSR 1.0 (Software)
FSR 1.0 (Software)
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
AMD Anti-Lag
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The RTXA5000-6Q comes with 512 MB of VRAM, while the Radeon R9 255 has 2 GB. The Radeon R9 255 offers 300% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 64-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 6 MB (RTXA5000-6Q) vs 0.5 MB (Radeon R9 255) — the RTXA5000-6Q has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureRTXA5000-6QRadeon R9 255
VRAM Capacity
0.5 GB
2 GB+300%
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR5
Bus Width
64-bit
128-bit+100%
L2 Cache
6 MB+1100%
0.5 MB
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The RTXA5000-6Q draws 230W versus the Radeon R9 255's 190W — a 19% difference. The Radeon R9 255 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (RTXA5000-6Q) vs 400W (Radeon R9 255). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 1x 6-pin.

FeatureRTXA5000-6QRadeon R9 255
TDP
230W
190W-17%
Recommended PSU
350W-13%
400W
Power Connector
PCIe-powered
1x 6-pin
Perf/Watt
6.6
7.9+20%
💰

Value Analysis

The RTXA5000-6Q launched at $2500 MSRP and currently averages $2500, while the Radeon R9 255 launched at $139 and now averages $30. The Radeon R9 255 costs 98.8% less ($2470 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 0.6 (RTXA5000-6Q) vs 50.0 (Radeon R9 255) — the Radeon R9 255 offers 8233.3% better value. The RTXA5000-6Q is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2014).

FeatureRTXA5000-6QRadeon R9 255
MSRP
$2500
$139-94%
Avg Price (30d)
$2500
$30-99%
Performance per Dollar
0.6
50.0+8233%
Codename
GA102
Tonga
Release
April 12 2021
September 2 2014
Ranking
#53
#365