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AMD Instinct MI100 vs AMD FirePro W5170M: Comparison
Instinct MI100 vs FirePro W5170M: the memory bandwidth difference
Start with memory bandwidth, because it is the widest measured gap between them: Instinct MI100 1200 GB/s against FirePro W5170M 72 GB/s, 94% in favour of Instinct MI100. Add boost clock to that, 1502 MHz on the Instinct MI100 versus 925 MHz on the FirePro W5170M, and the pattern holds. Add memory bus width to that, 4096 bit on the Instinct MI100 versus 128 bit on the FirePro W5170M, and the pattern holds. Architecture is not the same on both, CDNA on the Instinct MI100 versus Graphics Core Next on the FirePro W5170M. There is a split on shader units as well, 7680 on the Instinct MI100 versus 640 on the FirePro W5170M. There is a split on compute blocks as well, 120 on the Instinct MI100 versus 10 on the FirePro W5170M.
Who each one is for
The Instinct MI100 is the one to take for buyers comparing AMD's official reference specifications and researching a chip before choosing a board-partner card, though it is not the pick for overclocking-focused enthusiasts (reference clocks only). It is not the one for buyers wanting a specific retail card with cooler and warranty details. Buy the FirePro W5170M for buyers comparing AMD's official reference specifications and researching a chip before choosing a board-partner card, though it is not built for overclocking-focused enthusiasts (reference clocks only). Avoid it for buyers wanting a specific retail card with cooler and warranty details.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Instinct MI100 and FirePro W5170M differ on product type?
Yes. Product Type reads Datacenter Accelerator on the Instinct MI100 versus Laptop GPU on the FirePro W5170M.
Is the GPU Brand the same on the Instinct MI100 and FirePro W5170M?
It is. Both are listed at AMD, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
GPU Brand
- AMD Instinct MI100
- AMD
- AMD FirePro W5170M
- AMD
Product Type
- AMD Instinct MI100
- Datacenter Accelerator
- AMD FirePro W5170M
- Laptop GPU
Series
- AMD Instinct MI100
- Instinct
- AMD FirePro W5170M
- Legacy
Board Partner
- AMD Instinct MI100
- Reference
- AMD FirePro W5170M
- AMD (Reference)
Memory Type
- AMD Instinct MI100
- HBM2
- AMD FirePro W5170M
- GDDR5Best
Boost Clock
- AMD Instinct MI100
- 1502 MHzBest
- AMD FirePro W5170M
- 925 MHz-38%
Architecture
- AMD Instinct MI100
- CDNA
- AMD FirePro W5170M
- Graphics Core Next (GCN)
Process Node
- AMD Instinct MI100
- TSMC 7nm FinFET
- AMD FirePro W5170M
- Other
Shader Units
- AMD Instinct MI100
- 7680
- AMD FirePro W5170M
- 640
Compute Blocks
- AMD Instinct MI100
- 120
- AMD FirePro W5170M
- 10
Memory Bus Width
- AMD Instinct MI100
- 4096 bitBest
- AMD FirePro W5170M
- 128 bit-97%
Memory Bandwidth
- AMD Instinct MI100
- 1200 GB/sBest
- AMD FirePro W5170M
- 72 GB/s-94%
PCIe Generation
- AMD Instinct MI100
- PCIe 4.0
- AMD FirePro W5170M
- PCIe 3.0 x16
Launch Date
- AMD Instinct MI100
- 11/16/2020
- AMD FirePro W5170M
- 08/25/2014
ECC Memory
- AMD Instinct MI100
- Yes
- AMD FirePro W5170M
- No
Form Factor
- AMD Instinct MI100
- PCIe Add-in Card
- AMD FirePro W5170M
- Laptops
Which one should you pick?
Choose AMD Instinct MI100 if you want the higher boost clock (1502 MHz vs 925 MHz), the higher memory bus width (4096 bit vs 128 bit) and the higher memory bandwidth (1200 GB/s vs 72 GB/s).
Choose AMD FirePro W5170M if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.