AMD FirePro S9300 X2
AMD FirePro S9300 X2: Professional Power in Detail
April 2025
Introduction
The AMD FirePro S9300 X2 is a legendary professional graphics card released in 2015. Despite its age, it is still used in specific tasks thanks to its unique features. In this article, we’ll explore who might find this model useful in 2025 and whether it is worth considering alongside modern solutions.
Architecture and Key Features
Architecture: The S9300 X2 is based on the GCN 3.0 (Graphics Core Next) microarchitecture with two Fiji XT chips. The manufacturing process is at 28nm, which is considered outdated by today’s standards (compared to the 5nm process of cards released in 2025).
Unique Features:
- Support for OpenCL 2.0 and DirectX 12 for parallel computing and rendering.
- AMD Eyefinity technology for multi-monitor setups (up to 6 displays).
- Double Precision Compute — high performance in tasks requiring double precision (FP64), which is critical for scientific computations.
Note: Modern features such as ray tracing (RTX) and AI acceleration (DLSS) are absent as this card is oriented towards computation rather than gaming.
Memory: High Bandwidth
- Memory Type: HBM (High Bandwidth Memory) first generation.
- Capacity: 32 GB (16 GB per GPU) — an impressive figure even for 2025.
- Bandwidth: 1024 GB/s (512 GB/s per chip) thanks to the 4096-bit memory interface.
Impact on Performance:
The volume and speed of the memory make the S9300 X2 ideal for tasks requiring large data processing:
- 8K video rendering.
- Complex 3D models with high-resolution textures.
- Scientific simulations (e.g., CFD analysis).
For gaming, HBM is less relevant — frame rate is more critical than memory capacity.
Gaming Performance: Conditional Usability
The FirePro S9300 X2 was not designed for gaming, but theoretically, it can run 2020s projects at low to medium settings:
- Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p): ~25-30 FPS (without ray tracing).
- Horizon Forbidden West (1440p): ~35-40 FPS.
- Fortnite (4K): ~20-25 FPS (on medium settings).
Supported Resolutions:
The card handles 4K, but due to the lack of optimizations for modern APIs (e.g., DirectX 12 Ultimate) and upscaling technologies (DLSS, FSR), FPS remains low.
Ray Tracing: Not supported — this requires RT cores or Vulkan RT compatible extensions.
Professional Tasks: Main Specialization
1. Video Editing:
- Support for ProRes and RED RAW in DaVinci Resolve and Premiere Pro.
- Rendering 8K projects 1.5-2 times faster than gaming cards like the RTX 3080.
2. 3D Modeling:
- Smooth performance in Autodesk Maya and Blender with polygon meshes >10 million polygons.
- GPU rendering through OctaneRender or Redshift reduces time by 30% compared to single-chip solutions.
3. Scientific Computations:
- High speed in OpenCL and CUDA (via emulation). For instance, molecular dynamics simulation takes 4.2 hours versus 6.5 hours for the NVIDIA Tesla K80.
Important: For machine learning, the card is underwhelming — it lacks support for Tensor Cores and has low performance in FP16.
Power Consumption and Heat Dissipation
- TDP: 275W — requires powerful cooling.
- Recommendations:
- Case with 6-8 fans for active airflow.
- Liquid cooling — GPU temperature under load should not exceed 85°C.
- Power supply at least 750W (with headroom for stability).
The system's noise level may be high — a downside for studios with acoustics requirements.
Comparison with Competitors
1. NVIDIA Quadro RTX 6000 (2018):
- Pros: RTX support, DLSS, 24 GB GDDR6.
- Cons: Smaller memory capacity, lower speed in FP64.
- Price: $4000 (new units in 2025).
2. AMD Radeon Pro W6800 (2021):
- Pros: RDNA 2.0, 32 GB GDDR6, FSR support.
- Cons: Limited availability.
- Price: $2500.
3. Modern Alternatives (2025):
Cards based on CDNA 3 architecture (e.g., Instinct MI300) offer 5-7 times higher performance, but they start at $10,000.
Conclusion: The S9300 X2 excels only in scenarios where HBM memory capacity is critical and priced under $2000 (in the used market).
Practical Tips
1. Power Supply: Don't skimp — choose models with an 80+ Gold certification and a power rating of at least 750W.
2. Compatibility:
- Motherboard with PCIe 3.0 x16 (backward compatibility with PCIe 4.0 is present, but with no speed gain).
- Update BIOS to avoid conflicts.
3. Drivers: Use AMD Pro Edition — they are more stable for workstations.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Large volume of HBM memory.
- High bandwidth.
- Optimized for professional software.
Cons:
- Outdated architecture.
- High power consumption.
- No support for modern technologies (RTX, FSR 3.0).
Final Conclusion: Who is the S9300 X2 Suitable For?
This card is a choice for a narrow circle of specialists:
- Studios with a limited budget: If you need to render 8K videos or work with heavy 3D models but lack funds for modern counterparts.
- Scientific laboratories: For tasks where FP64 computation speed is crucial.
- Enthusiasts: Those wanting to build a "budget" workstation from used components.
For gaming, machine learning, or AI-related tasks, it’s better to consider modern GPUs. However, if you are looking for a time-tested solution for specific projects, the S9300 X2 can still impress.
Price: Not available as new. In the used market — from $800 to $1500 (April 2025).