Radeon R5 230
GPU·Budget

Radeon R5 230

AMD

G3D Mark

222

MSRP

$50

AVG Price

$25

April 18 2017
50 Watt
GCN 3.0 (2014−2019)

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.

Overview

The Radeon R5 230 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in April 18 2017. It features the GCN 3.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 730 MHz to 1024 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 50W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 222 points.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. The Radeon R5 230 is positioned at rank #500 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 Radeon R5 230

#490
Radeon RX 550X (móvel)
MSRP: $35|Avg: $35
2445%
#492
2217%
#493
2211%
#497
GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50
2010%
#498
Radeon RX 6300
MSRP: $60|Avg: $40
1997%
#500
Radeon R5 230
MSRP: $50|Avg: $25
100%
#501
GeForce 9300 GE
MSRP: $23|Avg: $25
100%
#502
Mobility Radeon HD 5450
MSRP: $49|Avg: $15
98%
#503
Radeon HD 8650G + 8570M Dual
MSRP: $150|Avg: $30
98%
#504
Mobility Radeon HD 4850
MSRP: $199|Avg: $20
98%
#505
GeForce 800A
MSRP: $100|Avg: $30
98%
#506
98%
#507
97%
#508
Radeon R7 M460
MSRP: $250|Avg: $250
96%
#509
Mobility Radeon HD 3870
MSRP: $129|Avg: $15
96%
#510
GeForce 9800 S
MSRP: $150|Avg: $40
95%
#511
95%
#512
Radeon HD 8650G + 8670M Dual
MSRP: $150|Avg: $30
95%
#513
95%
#514
Radeon HD 7660D
MSRP: $122|Avg: $15
95%
#515
Radeon HD 8650G + 8500M Dual
MSRP: $150|Avg: $30
94%
Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Technical Analysis

Detailed breakdown of Radeon R5 230 specifications and capabilities.

Graphics Performance

The Radeon R5 230 scores 222 in the G3D Mark benchmark (the standard measure of rasterization GPU performance), placing it in the Entry Level tier as a Legacy generation graphics card. It is built on the GCN 3.0 (2014−2019) architecture (codename: Weston), manufactured on a 28 nm process— smaller process nodes improve power efficiency and transistor density. It packs 384 shader units (the primary compute units for rendering pixels), 24 TMUs (texture mapping units), and 8 ROPs (render output units that handle final pixel output). Raw FP32 compute power: 0.7864 TFLOPS — this measures the theoretical peak floating-point performance. Boost clock reaches 1024 MHz from a base of 730 MHz.

SpecificationRadeon R5 230
G3D MarkPassMark 3D graphics benchmark score222
ArchitectureGPU microarchitecture generationGCN 3.0 (2014−2019)
CodenameInternal GPU die codenameWeston
Manufacturing ProcessFabrication node — smaller = more efficient28 nm
Shader UnitsCore compute units for rendering/compute384
TMUsTexture Mapping Units — handle texture sampling24
ROPsRender Output Units — final pixel/color blending8
Boost ClockMaximum GPU frequency under load1024 MHz
Base ClockGuaranteed minimum GPU frequency730 MHz
Compute (FP32)Peak single-precision floating-point performance0.7864 TFLOPS
Texture Fill RateTextures processed per second24.58 GTexel/s
PCIe InterfaceCPU↔GPU data link generationPCIe 3.0 x16
Transistor Count1,550 million
Performance RankPosition in global GPU performance ranking#873
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Video Memory (VRAM)

The Radeon R5 230 is equipped with 0.5 GB of GDDR5 video memory connected via a 128-bit memory bus, delivering Unknown of bandwidth. Memory operates at 8 Gbps effective speed.

SpecificationRadeon R5 230
VRAM SizeVideo memory capacity — more = better for high-res textures0.5 GB
VRAM TypeMemory technology generationGDDR5
Memory BusWidth of data path — wider = more bandwidth128-bit
Memory SpeedEffective memory data rate8 Gbps
BandwidthMaximum data throughput between GPU and VRAMUnknown
L1 Cache96 kB
L2 Cache128 kB

Advanced Features & APIs

The Radeon R5 230 supports modern upscaling and frame generation technologies: FidelityFX Super Resolution — these can dramatically boost effective FPS by generating intermediate frames or upscaling from lower internal resolution. Graphics API support: DirectX 11.2— latest API versions enable the most advanced rendering features like ray tracing and mesh shaders.

SpecificationRadeon R5 230
FSR Frame Generation❌ Not Supported
AMD Fluid Motion Frames❌ Not Supported
FidelityFX Super Resolution✅ Supported
DirectXMicrosoft graphics API version11.2
Compute APIGPGPU framework (CUDA/ROCm/OpenCL)OpenCL 1.2
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Display & Media

Display outputs: DVIx 0, HDMIx 1, VGAx 2 — supports up to 2 simultaneous displays. Hardware encoder: UVD 2.2, decoder: UVD 2.2— dedicated hardware for video encoding/decoding accelerates streaming, recording, and video playback.

SpecificationRadeon R5 230
0 PortsNumber of 0 display connectorsDVIx
1 PortsNumber of 1 display connectorsHDMIx
2 PortsNumber of 2 display connectorsVGAx
Max DisplaysMaximum simultaneously connected monitors2
Hardware EncoderVideo encoding engine versionUVD 2.2
Hardware DecoderVideo decoding engine versionUVD 2.2
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Power & Dimensions

The Radeon R5 230 draws 50 Watt under load (TDP) — a 350W PSU minimum is recommended. Power connector: PCIe-powered. Physical size: 168mm long, occupying 1 expansion slots— verify your case has clearance before purchasing.

SpecificationRadeon R5 230
TDPPower consumption under load50 Watt
Recommended PSUMinimum power supply wattage350W
Power ConnectorRequired PCIe power cable typePCIe-powered
Card LengthGPU card length — check case clearance168mm
Slot WidthExpansion slots occupied1-slot
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Value Analysis

At an average price of $25 (MSRP: $50), the Radeon R5 230 delivers 9 G3D Mark points per dollar. It holds Rank #500 in the cost-benefit ranking — a comprehensive score that weighs raw performance against current market pricing. Overall performance ranking position: #873 among all indexed GPUs.

SpecificationRadeon R5 230
MSRPManufacturer's Suggested Retail Price$50
Avg Price (30d)Average market price over the last 30 days$25
Cost-Benefit RankOverall value ranking position#500
Performance RankPosition in global GPU performance ranking#873
Release DateApril 18 2017
Release Year2017

Our Recommendation for Radeon R5 230

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