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The 2016 Fiji-based AMD Radeon Pro Duo is a dual-GPU graphics card that can deliver exceptional throughput in some rendering workloads, but it is not a universal winner. Its results depend heavily on whether software can use both GPUs: it excelled in LuxMark and select professional viewsets, while competing cards led in other tests. Its 375W TDP, three 8-pin power connectors, liquid-cooling radiator, and historical $1,499.99 tested MSRP also make it a demanding, expensive choice. The figures below come from period reviews and vendor testing, not a current retest.
Which Radeon Pro Duo was tested?
HotHardware’s 2016 review examined the Fiji-based Radeon Pro Duo: two Radeon Nano-class GPUs on one PCB, cooled by a self-contained liquid-cooling system. It was tested with an Intel Core i7-5960X, ASUS X99 motherboard, 16GB of DDR4, Windows 10 Pro x64, and AMD Crimson 16.4.2 drivers. The comparison set included the Radeon R9 Nano, three GeForce GTX 980 Ti cards, and Quadro M6000. HotHardware listed an MSRP as tested of $1,499.99. HotHardware’s review is a historical evaluation, not evidence of current resale value or driver support.
There is also a separate product called Radeon Pro Duo: AMD announced a Polaris-based model in 2017, with 72 compute units, 4,608 stream processors, and up to 11.45 TFLOPS, aimed at professional media and VR use. Those specifications do not describe the 2016 Fiji card discussed in the benchmark results below. AMD’s 2017 announcement identifies the later model.
How fast was the 2016 Radeon Pro Duo?
Its headline performance was workload-specific. In LuxMark, HotHardware measured performance nearly twice that of a single GeForce GTX 980 Ti or Quadro M6000, indicating that the dual-GPU design could be especially effective in OpenCL rendering. That result should not be generalized to games or every professional application. HotHardware’s LuxMark results cover that workload.
#1 Best Overall
- Dual GPUs On a Single PCB; 8GB HBM Memory
- Radeon VR Ready Creator products for VR professionals, experience designers, and developers. Capable of developing and driving VR experiences at the ultimate fidelity level. Create games faster with application optimization to enhance workflow performance.
- AMD LiquidVR technology enabled rich and immersive VR experiences by simplifying and optimizing VR content creation designed to work seamlessly with leading LiquidVR compatible headsets.
- Sleeved tubing, soft touch front and back plates, LED logo, matte black PCB and nickel-plated aluminum chassis on the Radeon Pro Duo graphics card has been crafted to turn heads.
- An ultra efficient closed loop liquid cooling solution with a 120 mm radiator ensures there is more than sufficient cooling for maximum performance all while staying quiet
In SPECviewperf 12, the Radeon Pro Duo was out-classed in most viewsets, but performed strongly in Autodesk Showcase, Catia, and Siemens NX. The mixed results show why professional graphics performance cannot be summarized by one overall ranking: application optimization, drivers, and the rest of the workstation stack matter. HotHardware’s SPECviewperf 12 results show the individual viewsets.
For gaming and synthetic benchmarks, the card was competitive without dominating every comparison. PC Perspective found it 27–31% ahead of the Radeon R9 295X2 in 3DMark GPU scores, while a pair of GTX 980 Ti cards was 7–10% faster in that comparison. These are PC Perspective’s 2016 results, not a prediction for every game or modern driver configuration. PC Perspective’s review provides the comparison context.
Rank #2
- 70 CU Compute Units, 2 AI Accelator per CU and 45 TFLOPS FP32 - to accelerate demanding workloads.
- 32GB GDDR6 MEMORY - allowing users to enjoy extreme levels of speed and responsiveness
- Support for 4K, 8K, 12K and AV1 displays: single 8K display at 60Hz (12-bit HDR uncompressed) or up to four 4K displays at 120Hz. With the DSC, a display of 12K at 60Hz or 8K at 120Hz is possible. AV1 encoding and decoding is available.
- EXHAUSTIVE API SUPPORT including OpenCL, DirectX, OpenGL and Vulkan and flagship applications such as: 3ds Max/Maya, Aftter Effects / Premiere Pro, Avid Media Composer, DaVinci Resolve, Maxon Cinema 4D, SideFX Houdini, Unity, Unreal Engine
- Support for flagship applications: 3ds Max/Maya, Aftter Effects / Premiere Pro, Avid Media Composer, DaVinci Resolve, Maxon Cinema 4D, SideFX Houdini, Unity, Unreal Engine
Benchmark figures and what they establish
| Test or specification | Reported result | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| 3DMark Fire Strike | 20,150 at 1080p; 11,466 at 1440p; 6,211 at 2160p, reported by AMD Performance Labs in 2016 | Vendor test figures, not independent review measurements. AMD’s test note specifies an Intel Core i7-5960X platform, 16GB memory, Windows 10, and driver versions. AMD’s Radeon Pro Duo page |
| 3DMark GPU scores versus Radeon R9 295X2 | 27–31% faster; dual GTX 980 Ti cards were 7–10% faster, measured by PC Perspective in 2016 | A review comparison in the stated synthetic benchmark, not a universal gaming advantage. PC Perspective |
| LuxMark | Nearly twice the performance of one GTX 980 Ti or Quadro M6000, measured by HotHardware in 2016 | A result for this OpenCL rendering workload. HotHardware |
| Power rating and connectors | 375W TDP; three 8-pin PCIe power connectors, reported by HotHardware in 2016 | These indicate substantial power and installation requirements; the review could not complete its usual load power-consumption testing. HotHardware |
| Price | $1,499.99 MSRP as tested, listed by HotHardware in 2016 | A historical MSRP, not a current market price. HotHardware |
HotHardware tested 3DMark Fire Strike, Thief, Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, Metro: Last Light, Far Cry Primal, Hitman: Absolution, LuxMark, and SPECviewperf 12. The review covered only a couple of days and explicitly says it could not complete its usual power-consumption load testing. Its results therefore do not establish present-day performance, total system draw under sustained load, or behavior with current games and software.
How it compares with the R9 Nano, R9 295X2, and GTX 980 Ti
Radeon R9 Nano
The Pro Duo’s design can be understood as two Radeon Nano-class GPUs on one PCB, but that does not mean it behaves like one faster single GPU. Software must make effective use of both processors, and performance varies by application. HotHardware included the R9 Nano in its testing, but the results supplied here do not establish a single across-the-board performance or value ratio between the cards.
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Rank #3
- 96 CU Compute Units, 2 AI Accelator per CU and 61 TFLOPS FP32 - to accelerate demanding workloads.
- 48GB GDDR6 MEMORY - allowing users to enjoy extreme levels of speed and responsiveness
- Support for 4K, 8K, 12K and AV1 displays: single 8K display at 60Hz (12-bit HDR uncompressed) or up to four 4K displays at 120Hz. With the DSC, a display of 12K at 60Hz or 8K at 120Hz is possible. AV1 encoding and decoding is available.
- EXHAUSTIVE API SUPPORT including OpenCL, DirectX, OpenGL, and Vulkan,
- Support for flagship applications: 3ds Max/Maya, Aftter Effects / Premiere Pro, Avid Media Composer, DaVinci Resolve, Maxon Cinema 4D, SideFX Houdini, Unity, Unreal Engine
Radeon R9 295X2
PC Perspective’s 2016 3DMark GPU results put the Pro Duo 27–31% ahead of the R9 295X2. This is a synthetic-test comparison, not evidence that the Pro Duo is that much faster in every game, nor does it establish current value against used cards.
GeForce GTX 980 Ti
In LuxMark, HotHardware found the Pro Duo nearly twice as fast as one GTX 980 Ti. In PC Perspective’s 3DMark GPU comparison, however, two GTX 980 Ti cards were 7–10% faster than the Pro Duo. These findings are not contradictory: they come from different workloads and compare the Pro Duo against one card in LuxMark but two cards in the 3DMark comparison.
Rank #4
- Delivering a Gigantic 32 GB of High-Performance ECC Memory
- Hardware Raytracing
- Optimizations for 6 Ultra-HD HDR Displays
- Accelerated Software Multi-Tasking
- PCIe 4.0 for Advanced Data Transfer Speeds
Professional workstation cards and applications
The Quadro M6000 comparison also varied by workload. The Pro Duo’s LuxMark result was strong, while SPECviewperf 12 favored other configurations in most viewsets, with exceptions in Showcase, Catia, and Siemens NX. Buyers whose work depends on certified application behavior should judge the exact application and driver support they need, rather than treating gaming or OpenCL performance as a proxy for workstation suitability.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can your power supply and case handle it?
HotHardware reports a 375W TDP and three 8-pin PCIe power connectors for the 2016 Fiji card. Check that a PSU has the required native connectors and adequate capacity for the entire system; the TDP is a product rating, not a measured guarantee of whole-system power draw. The review’s normal load power test was not completed, so its evidence does not support a precise PSU-wattage recommendation.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The self-contained water cooler avoids a separate custom loop, but the card still needs room and a suitable mounting position for its radiator. Before purchase, verify the card’s physical dimensions and radiator clearance against the exact case and radiator location you plan to use. The HotHardware review describes the cooler as very quiet during its testing, but that qualitative observation does not replace checking fit or airflow in your own build.
Is the Radeon Pro Duo worth it?
As a historical 2016 purchase, its $1,499.99 tested MSRP bought a specialized dual-GPU design rather than a dependable all-purpose performance lead. It made the strongest case for a workload such as OpenCL rendering that could use both GPUs effectively; its gaming results were competitive, while professional viewset outcomes were mixed. Power, connectors, radiator placement, and application support all affect whether its speed is useful. The cited tests do not establish what the card costs, how readily it can be found, or what driver support it receives today.
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