AMD Radeon R9 M370X Mac Edition
AMD Radeon R9 M370X Mac Edition: A Retrospective and Relevance in 2025
Introduction
In 2015, AMD introduced the mobile graphics card Radeon R9 M370X, which became one of the last GPUs officially supported in Apple Mac computers. Despite its venerable age, this model is still found in used Mac devices, and its features continue to interest enthusiasts. Let's explore what makes this card noteworthy in 2025 and who might find it useful.
1. Architecture and Key Features
Architecture: The R9 M370X is based on the Graphics Core Next (GCN) 1.0 microarchitecture (codename “Cape Verde”). It is the second generation of GCN, optimized for a balance between performance and energy efficiency.
Manufacturing Process: 28 nm — standard for budget and mid-range solutions from the mid-2010s. In comparison, modern GPUs from AMD and NVIDIA are manufactured using 5–6 nm processes.
Unique Features:
- Support for Mantle API (the predecessor to Vulkan), which accelerates rendering in games.
- AMD Eyefinity technology for connecting multiple monitors.
- Lack of modern features: Ray Tracing (RTX), DLSS, or FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) are not supported.
Conclusion: The card is oriented towards basic tasks and games from the 2010s but is unsuitable for contemporary projects with advanced graphics.
2. Memory: Specifications and Impact on Performance
- Memory Type: GDDR5 (not to be confused with GDDR6 or HBM).
- Capacity: 2 GB — a minimal specification even for games from 2015–2017.
- Bus: 128-bit.
- Bandwidth: 96 GB/s (memory frequency — 1500 MHz, effective — 6000 MHz).
Practical Impact:
- In games like The Witcher 3 (2015) at 1080p and medium settings, the memory capacity becomes a bottleneck: textures load with delays, and there may be micro-stutters.
- For working in graphic editors (Photoshop, Lightroom), 2 GB is sufficient, but rendering complex 3D scenes in Blender is challenging.
3. Gaming Performance
FPS Tests (at launch):
- GTA V (1080p, medium settings): 35–45 FPS.
- Overwatch (1080p, low settings): 50–60 FPS.
- CS:GO (1080p, high settings): 70–90 FPS.
In 2025:
- Modern AAA titles (Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty, Starfield) will not run on the R9 M370X due to insufficient VRAM and outdated architecture.
- Indie games (Hades, Stardew Valley) and retro console emulators work comfortably.
Resolutions:
- 1080p: The only realistic option for gaming.
- 1440p and 4K: Not recommended — the GPU will struggle even with the OS interface without lag.
4. Professional Tasks
- Video Editing: In Final Cut Pro X (optimized for macOS), 1080p footage processing is possible, but 4K material will cause stuttering.
- 3D Modeling: Blender and Maya can operate in basic scenarios, but rendering on the GPU via OpenCL is 2–3 times slower than on modern Radeon RX 7000 or NVIDIA RTX 40 series.
- Scientific Calculations: Support for OpenCL 1.2 allows the card to be used for simple tasks, but the lack of hardware acceleration for AI (like in CUDA) limits its application.
Conclusion: The R9 M370X is only suitable for entry-level professional tasks.
5. Power Consumption and Heat Dissipation
- TDP: 50–65 W — a modest figure even by 2025 standards.
- Cooling: In Mac devices, passive or hybrid cooling systems (heat sink + quiet fan) were used.
- Recommendations:
- Regularly clean the system from dust (relevant for used Macs).
- Avoid prolonged loads above 80% — overheating may occur due to worn thermal paste.
Tip: For older MacBook Pros or iMacs with this card, consider installing utilities like Macs Fan Control to manually adjust fan speeds.
6. Comparison with Competitors
2015 Analogues:
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M: 10–15% faster in games, but more expensive.
- AMD Radeon R9 M395X: The flagship model for Mac with 4 GB of memory — outperforms the M370X by 30–40%.
In 2025:
- Even a budget NVIDIA GTX 1650 (4 GB GDDR6) is 3–4 times more powerful.
- Integrated GPUs like the Ryzen 7 8700G (Radeon 780M) exceed the R9 M370X in all parameters.
Conclusion: The card remains relevant only as an upgrade for older Macs where GPU replacement is impossible.
7. Practical Tips
- Power Supply: The built-in power supply in Mac devices is rated for the card's TDP — no additional power is required.
- Compatibility: Works only in certain models of MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2015) and iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014–2015).
- Drivers: Support for macOS is limited to versions up to Monterey (2021). Newer OS versions (Sonoma, 2023+) lack official drivers.
Hack: To run modern applications, use tools like OpenCore Legacy Patcher to bypass macOS limitations.
8. Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Silent operation in standard scenarios.
- Full integration with macOS (for older versions).
- Low power consumption.
Cons:
- Outdated architecture.
- Insufficient memory for modern tasks.
- Lack of support for new technologies (Ray Tracing, AI upscaling).
9. Final Conclusion: Who Will Benefit from the R9 M370X in 2025?
This graphics card is a relic from an era when Apple was still using discrete AMD GPUs in their computers. In 2025, it can be recommended to:
- Owners of old Macs who need to extend the device's life for surfing, office tasks, or photo editing.
- Enthusiasts collecting retro hardware.
- Users working with specialized macOS software that does not require powerful graphics.
Alternative: If your Mac supports eGPU, consider connecting an external GPU (such as the Radeon RX 6600) via Thunderbolt 3 — this will provide a performance boost of 5–7 times.
Price: New R9 M370X units have not been sold since 2017. On the secondary market, prices range from $30 to $80 depending on condition.
Conclusion
The AMD Radeon R9 M370X Mac Edition is an example of a “frozen in time” solution that was a worthy choice for Mac users a decade ago. Today, its role is limited to supporting legacy systems, but even in this capacity, it demonstrates how rapidly the GPU industry is evolving. For those who value nostalgia or seek minimalism, this card will remain a symbol of a bygone era.