AMD Radeon R9 FURY X
AMD Radeon R9 FURY X: A Legend of the Past in the World of 2025
An overview of capabilities, drawbacks, and relevance in today's conditions
Introduction
In 2015, the AMD Radeon R9 FURY X caused a sensation, becoming the first consumer graphics card with HBM memory and a liquid cooling system. A decade later, in 2025, it remains an iconic device for enthusiasts, but how relevant is it today? Let's dive into the details by evaluating its architecture, performance, and position in the modern market.
Architecture and Key Features
Fiji XT Architecture — the heart of the R9 FURY X. The card is built on a 28nm manufacturing process, which is considered outdated in 2025 (modern GPUs use 5nm and 4nm standards). The chip contains 4096 stream processors and 64 compute units.
Unique Features for Its Time:
- HBM (High Bandwidth Memory) — a revolutionary memory for 2015 with a 3D package that reduced physical size and increased bandwidth.
- Integrated Liquid Cooling System — ensured low temperatures even under load.
Technology Support:
- DirectX 12 and Mantle (the predecessor of Vulkan) — relevant for older games, but lacks compatibility with modern API features such as DirectX 12 Ultimate.
- LiquidVR — optimization for VR headsets, but by 2025, this is insufficient for devices like Meta Quest 4 or Apple Vision Pro.
- Lack of DLSS/FSR analogs at the hardware level — FURY X does not support FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR), introduced by AMD in 2021.
Memory: Innovation That Became a Limitation
- Type and Capacity: 4 GB of first-generation HBM with a 4096-bit bus.
- Bandwidth: 512 GB/s — an impressive figure even in 2025, but the small memory capacity undermines this advantage.
Impact on Performance:
- For 1080p in older games (e.g., The Witcher 3), 4 GB is sufficient, but in projects from 2023-2025 (Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, Starfield) at high settings, FPS drops occur due to buffer overflow.
- 1440p and 4K — modes where lack of VRAM is critical. Even in Fortnite with Epic rendering enabled, lag is noticeable.
Gaming Performance: Nostalgia vs. Reality
Average FPS (at medium settings):
- 1080p:
- GTA V — 75–90 FPS.
- Red Dead Redemption 2 — 35–45 FPS.
- Elden Ring — 40–50 FPS.
- 1440p:
- CS2 — 120–140 FPS.
- Hogwarts Legacy — 25–30 FPS.
Ray Tracing: Not supported at the hardware level. Software solutions (such as through Proton in Linux) reduce FPS to unacceptable levels (less than 15 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077).
Summary: The card is suitable for less demanding esports titles (CS2, Dota 2) and retro gaming, but it is underpowered for AAA projects of 2025.
Professional Tasks: Modest Capabilities
- Video Editing: In DaVinci Resolve, rendering 1080p videos is possible, but 4K material causes crashes.
- 3D Modeling: In Blender, OpenCL rendering works, but the speed is 2-3 times slower than that of an NVIDIA RTX 3050.
- Scientific Calculations: The lack of CUDA support limits use in MATLAB and similar packages.
Conclusion: The FURY X is not a choice for professionals. Its niche is basic tasks and occasional use.
Power Consumption and Heat Dissipation
- TDP: 275 W — a high level even for 2025. For comparison, NVIDIA RTX 4060 (115 W) offers similar performance.
- Cooling: The integrated liquid cooling system is effective (60–70°C under load) but requires maintenance (liquid replacement every 2–3 years).
- Case Recommendations: Mini-PCs are not suitable — a case with 120mm radiator ventilation is necessary.
Comparison with Competitors
- In 2015: The main competitor was the NVIDIA GTX 980 Ti (6 GB GDDR5). FURY X excelled in bandwidth but fell short in memory volume.
- In 2025:
- NVIDIA RTX 3050 (8 GB GDDR6, $199): 30-40% faster, supports ray tracing and DLSS.
- AMD Radeon RX 6600 (8 GB GDDR6, $229): Outperforms FURY X in 4K gaming thanks to FSR.
Price: New FURY X cards in 2025 are rare finds. Remaining stock is priced at $250–300, which is unjustifiable for outdated hardware.
Practical Tips
1. Power Supply: At least 600W with 80+ Bronze certification.
2. Compatibility:
- PCIe 3.0 x16 — works in PCIe 4.0/5.0 slots, but without speed gain.
- Windows 10/11 and Linux (AMD drivers stopped support in 2022; use third-party solutions).
3. Drivers: The last official version is Adrenalin 22.6.1. There may be bugs for new games.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Iconic design and liquid cooling included.
- High bandwidth of HBM.
- Quiet operation even under load.
Cons:
- 4 GB VRAM — critical for modern games.
- No support for ray tracing and FSR/XeSS.
- High power consumption.
Final Conclusion: Who Is the R9 FURY X Suitable for in 2025?
1. Collectors and Enthusiasts: For those who value historical artifacts of the IT industry.
2. Owners of Older Systems: Upgrade for PCs from 2015-2018 without power supply replacement.
3. Budget Gamers: If the card is bought for $100–150 on the second-hand market for 1080p gaming.
Alternative: For $200–300, it is better to purchase a new Radeon RX 6600 or GeForce RTX 3050 — they are more efficient, modern, and guarantee support for current technologies.
Conclusion
The AMD Radeon R9 FURY X is a monument to engineering from the mid-2010s, but by 2025 its role is limited to niche scenarios. It serves as a reminder of how quickly the technological landscape evolves and teaches us to appreciate the balance between innovation and practicality.