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AMD Instinct MI250 vs AMD FirePro W5170M: Comparison
Instinct MI250 vs FirePro W5170M: the memory bandwidth difference
Start with memory bandwidth, because it is the widest measured gap between them: Instinct MI250 3200 GB/s against FirePro W5170M 72 GB/s, 98% in favour of Instinct MI250. Boost clock runs the same way, 1700 MHz on the Instinct MI250 versus 925 MHz on the FirePro W5170M, another win for Instinct MI250. Memory bus width runs the same way, 8192 bit on the Instinct MI250 versus 128 bit on the FirePro W5170M, another win for Instinct MI250. They differ on board partner too, Reference on the Instinct MI250 versus AMD on the FirePro W5170M. There is a split on architecture as well, CDNA2 on the Instinct MI250 versus Graphics Core Next on the FirePro W5170M. They differ on shader units too, 13312 on the Instinct MI250 versus 640 on the FirePro W5170M. They differ on compute blocks too, 208 on the Instinct MI250 versus 10 on the FirePro W5170M.
Instinct MI250 vs FirePro W5170M: which one fits your build
The Instinct MI250 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 the wrong buy for overclocking-focused enthusiasts (reference clocks only). Avoid it 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 the pick for overclocking-focused enthusiasts (reference clocks only). It is the wrong buy for buyers wanting a specific retail card with cooler and warranty details.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Instinct MI250 and FirePro W5170M differ on product type?
Yes. Product Type reads Datacenter Accelerator on the Instinct MI250 versus Laptop GPU on the FirePro W5170M.
Is the GPU Brand the same on the Instinct MI250 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 MI250
- AMD
- AMD FirePro W5170M
- AMD
Product Type
- AMD Instinct MI250
- Datacenter Accelerator
- AMD FirePro W5170M
- Laptop GPU
Series
- AMD Instinct MI250
- Instinct
- AMD FirePro W5170M
- Legacy
Board Partner
- AMD Instinct MI250
- Reference
- AMD FirePro W5170M
- AMD (Reference)
Memory Type
- AMD Instinct MI250
- HBM2E
- AMD FirePro W5170M
- GDDR5Best
Boost Clock
- AMD Instinct MI250
- 1700 MHzBest
- AMD FirePro W5170M
- 925 MHz-46%
Architecture
- AMD Instinct MI250
- CDNA2
- AMD FirePro W5170M
- Graphics Core Next (GCN)
Process Node
- AMD Instinct MI250
- TSMC 6nm FinFET
- AMD FirePro W5170M
- Other
Shader Units
- AMD Instinct MI250
- 13312
- AMD FirePro W5170M
- 640
Compute Blocks
- AMD Instinct MI250
- 208
- AMD FirePro W5170M
- 10
Memory Bus Width
- AMD Instinct MI250
- 8192 bitBest
- AMD FirePro W5170M
- 128 bit-98%
Memory Bandwidth
- AMD Instinct MI250
- 3200 GB/sBest
- AMD FirePro W5170M
- 72 GB/s-98%
PCIe Generation
- AMD Instinct MI250
- PCIe 4.0
- AMD FirePro W5170M
- PCIe 3.0 x16
Launch Date
- AMD Instinct MI250
- 11/08/2021
- AMD FirePro W5170M
- 08/25/2014
ECC Memory
- AMD Instinct MI250
- Yes
- AMD FirePro W5170M
- No
Form Factor
- AMD Instinct MI250
- OAM Module
- AMD FirePro W5170M
- Laptops
Which one should you pick?
Choose AMD Instinct MI250 if you want the higher boost clock (1700 MHz vs 925 MHz), the higher memory bus width (8192 bit vs 128 bit) and the higher memory bandwidth (3200 GB/s vs 72 GB/s).
Choose AMD FirePro W5170M if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.