AMD Radeon R9 M375X
AMD Radeon R9 M375X: Review of an Outdated, Yet Still Relevant Mobile Graphics Card in 2025
April 2025
Introduction
Despite being released nearly a decade ago, the AMD Radeon R9 M375X is still found in some budget laptops and workstations. In 2025, this graphics card can no longer compete with modern solutions, but it can still be utilized for basic tasks. Let’s explore who might find this GPU suitable and what potential pitfalls to consider.
1. Architecture and Key Features
Architecture: The R9 M375X is based on the Graphics Core Next (GCN) 1.0 microarchitecture, which debuted in 2012. This is the first generation of GCN, optimized for a balance between performance and energy efficiency.
Manufacturing Process: 28 nm — an outdated standard, leading to high thermal output by modern standards.
Features:
- Support for AMD FidelityFX (only basic effects, such as Contrast Adaptive Sharpening).
- No hardware support for ray tracing (RT) or equivalents like DLSS.
- Compatibility with DirectX 12 (Feature Level 11_1) and Vulkan 1.0.
Conclusion: The GCN 1.0 architecture limits the card's capabilities in modern games and applications, but it is sufficient for basic scenarios.
2. Memory: Type, Size, and Bandwidth
- Memory Type: GDDR5 — an outdated standard, but still found in budget devices.
- Size: 4 GB. This is adequate for gaming at low settings at 1080p resolution.
- Bus Width: 128-bit.
- Bandwidth: 96 GB/s (memory clock speed — 6 GHz).
Performance Impact: The narrow bus and low bandwidth become a "bottleneck" in modern games with highly detailed textures (e.g., Starfield or Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty). However, it manages well for projects from the 2010s (e.g., The Witcher 3) at medium settings.
3. Gaming Performance
In 2025, the R9 M375X is a choice for less demanding gamers. FPS examples (1080p, medium settings):
- CS2 (Counter-Strike 2): 60-70 FPS.
- Fortnite: 40-50 FPS (without turning on Epic settings).
- Apex Legends: 35-45 FPS (minimum settings).
- Hogwarts Legacy: 20-25 FPS (low settings, possible drops).
Supported Resolutions:
- 1080p: Optimal for most games.
- 1440p and 4K: Not recommended — FPS drops below 30 even in older titles.
Ray Tracing: Not supported at the hardware level. Software emulation (e.g., through Proton) reduces performance by 2-3 times.
4. Professional Tasks
- Video Editing: In Adobe Premiere Pro, rendering 1080p video takes 3-4 times longer than on modern GPUs. OpenCL support is available, but optimization is weak.
- 3D Modeling: Blender and Maya run at minimal settings. Rendering complex scenes (e.g., in Cycles) is nearly impossible.
- Scientific Calculations: Due to lack of CUDA support, the card is unsuitable for tasks based on NVIDIA OptiX. OpenCL computations (e.g., in MATLAB) are slow.
Conclusion: This GPU is only suitable for basic tasks and learning (e.g., layout in AutoCAD).
5. Power Consumption and Heat Output
- TDP: 50-75 W — a modest figure, but for laptops from the 2010s, it could cause overheating.
- Cooling: In older laptops, cooling systems are often clogged with dust. Regular cleaning and thermal paste replacement are recommended.
- Enclosures: For PCs with external connections (eGPU), a case with active cooling is required.
Tip: Use the card only in well-ventilated systems. Avoid prolonged loads (more than 1 hour) in laptops.
6. Comparison with Competitors
2015 Alternatives:
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M: 15-20% faster in games, better driver optimization.
- AMD Radeon R9 M380: A close alternative but with a higher core clock.
Modern Competitors (2025):
- AMD Radeon RX 6500M (4 GB GDDR6): 3-4 times faster, support for FSR 3.0 and hardware Ray Tracing.
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Mobile: 200% more performance, includes DLSS 2.0.
Conclusion: The R9 M375X lags behind even budget GPUs from 2025, but it is inexpensive in the secondary market (about $50-70 for laptops).
7. Practical Tips
- Power Supply: A 400W PSU is sufficient for PCs with eGPU.
- Compatibility: The card only works with PCIe 3.0 x8. On platforms with PCIe 4.0/5.0, full bus load may not be achieved.
- Drivers: Official AMD support ended in 2021. Use Community mods (e.g., Amernime Zone) for compatibility with Windows 11 24H2.
Nuances:
- On Linux, AMDGPU drivers work stably, but there is no support for Vulkan 1.3.
- Avoid Windows 12 — no compatible drivers available.
8. Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Low price in the secondary market.
- Suitable for office tasks and old games.
- Energy efficiency is better than desktop GPUs from 2015.
Cons:
- Outdated architecture and manufacturing process.
- No support for modern APIs (DirectX 12 Ultimate, Vulkan 1.3).
- Limited performance in professional applications.
9. Final Verdict: Who is the R9 M375X For?
This graphics card is a choice for:
1. Owners of old laptops looking to extend their life for office applications and browsing.
2. Budget gamers ready to play projects from the 2010s at medium settings.
3. Enthusiasts experimenting with eGPU setups on weak PCs.
Alternative: If your budget allows spending $150-200, consider newer GPUs like the Intel Arc A380 or AMD RX 6400 — they are significantly more powerful and support modern technologies.
Conclusion
In 2025, the AMD Radeon R9 M375X represents an example of a "workhorse" from the last decade. It is unsuitable for modern AAA games or professional tasks but remains an accessible solution for basic needs. It is only advisable to purchase it if you are under strict budget constraints or as a temporary solution before upgrading.