FirePro 3D V9800
VS
Radeon HD 6970

FirePro 3D V9800 vs Radeon HD 6970

FirePro 3D V9800

2011Core: 725 MHz
VS
AMD

Radeon HD 6970

2010Boost: 880 MHz

Performance Spectrum - GPU

About G3D Mark

G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. The FirePro 3D V9800 is positioned at rank #365 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar FirePro 3D V9800

#349
Tesla K20m
MSRP: $3199|Avg: $55
18466%
#364
FirePro 3D V8700
MSRP: $1499|Avg: $1229
100%
#365
FirePro 3D V9800
MSRP: $3499|Avg: $80
100%
#366
Quadro 5000
MSRP: $2499|Avg: $100
99%
#367
FirePro V5700
MSRP: $599|Avg: $20
98%
#368
FirePro V9800
MSRP: $3499|Avg: $250
98%
#369
FirePro 3D V8750
MSRP: $1799|Avg: $500
89%
#370
FirePro 3D V7750
MSRP: $799|Avg: $20
85%
#371
GRID M10-2B
MSRP: $2500|Avg: $80
83%
#372
Quadro FX 370
MSRP: $129|Avg: $500
81%
#373
RTXA5000-6Q
MSRP: $2500|Avg: $2500
76%
#374
GRID M6-0B
MSRP: $1500|Avg: $100
76%
#375
Quadro 6000
MSRP: $4399|Avg: $150
76%
#376
GRID M10-1B
MSRP: $2500|Avg: $150
75%
#377
Tesla K40c
MSRP: $7699|Avg: $500
72%
#378
Quadro FX 4800
MSRP: $1799|Avg: $80
70%
#379
Tesla M2090
MSRP: $2500|Avg: $40
70%
Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The Radeon HD 6970 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.7% higher G3D Mark score. However, the FirePro 3D V9800 offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.

InsightFirePro 3D V9800Radeon HD 6970
Performance
Lower raw frame rates (-0.7%)
Leading raw performance (+0.7%)
Longevity
🛑Obsolete Architecture (2011 / TeraScale 3 (2010−2013))
🛑Obsolete Architecture (2010 / TeraScale 3 (2010−2013))
Ecosystem
Supports FSR Upscaling
Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM
✅ More VRAM (+100%)
❌ Less VRAM capacity
Efficiency
💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
⚡ Higher Power Consumption
Case Fit
Standard Size (267mm)
Standard Size (286mm)

💎 Value Proposition

The FirePro 3D V9800 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the FirePro 3D V9800 holds the technical lead. Priced at $80 (vs $100), it costs 20% less, resulting in a 24.2% higher cost efficiency score.

InsightFirePro 3D V9800Radeon HD 6970
Cost Efficiency
Better overall value (+24.2%)
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($80)
⚠️Higher upfront cost ($100)

Performance Check

Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 7800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.

Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of FirePro 3D V9800 and Radeon HD 6970

AMD

FirePro 3D V9800

The FirePro 3D V9800 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in May 24 2011. It features the TeraScale 3 architecture. The core clock speed is 725 MHz. It has 1280 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,812 points.

AMD

Radeon HD 6970

The Radeon HD 6970 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in December 14 2010. It features the TeraScale 3 architecture. The boost clock speed is 880 MHz. It has 1536 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 250W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,831 points. Launch price was $369.

Graphics Performance

The FirePro 3D V9800 scores 2,812 and the Radeon HD 6970 reaches 2,831 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.7% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The FirePro 3D V9800 is built on TeraScale 3 while the Radeon HD 6970 uses TeraScale 3, both on a 40 nm process. Shader units: 1,280 (FirePro 3D V9800) vs 1,536 (Radeon HD 6970). Raw compute: 1.856 TFLOPS (FirePro 3D V9800) vs 2.703 TFLOPS (Radeon HD 6970).

FeatureFirePro 3D V9800Radeon HD 6970
G3D Mark Score
2,812
2,831
Architecture
TeraScale 3
TeraScale 3
Process Node
40 nm
40 nm
Shading Units
1280
1536+20%
Compute (TFLOPS)
1.856 TFLOPS
2.703 TFLOPS+46%
ROPs
32
32
TMUs
80
96+20%
L1 Cache
320 KB+67%
192 KB
L2 Cache
512 KB
512 KB

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureFirePro 3D V9800Radeon HD 6970
Upscaling Tech
FSR 1.0 (Software)
FSR 1.0 (Software)
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
Standard
AMD Anti-Lag
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The FirePro 3D V9800 comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon HD 6970 has 2 GB. The FirePro 3D V9800 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 64-bit vs 128-bit.

FeatureFirePro 3D V9800Radeon HD 6970
VRAM Capacity
4 GB+100%
2 GB
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR5
Bus Width
64-bit
128-bit+100%
L2 Cache
512 KB
512 KB
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 11.2 (FirePro 3D V9800) vs 11.0 (Radeon HD 6970). Vulkan: None vs N/A. OpenGL: 4.4 vs 4.4. Maximum simultaneous displays: 6 vs 6.

FeatureFirePro 3D V9800Radeon HD 6970
DirectX
11.2+2%
11.0
Vulkan
None
N/A
OpenGL
4.4
4.4
Max Displays
6
6
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: None (FirePro 3D V9800) vs None (Radeon HD 6970). Decoder: UVD 2.3 vs UVD 3.0. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (FirePro 3D V9800) vs MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264,MPEG-4,MVC (Radeon HD 6970).

FeatureFirePro 3D V9800Radeon HD 6970
Encoder
None
None
Decoder
UVD 2.3
UVD 3.0
Codecs
H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2
MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264,MPEG-4,MVC
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The FirePro 3D V9800 draws 150W versus the Radeon HD 6970's 250W — a 50% difference. The FirePro 3D V9800 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (FirePro 3D V9800) vs 550W (Radeon HD 6970). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 6-pin + 8-pin. Card length: 267mm vs 286mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 90 vs 90.

FeatureFirePro 3D V9800Radeon HD 6970
TDP
150W-40%
250W
Recommended PSU
350W-36%
550W
Power Connector
PCIe-powered
6-pin + 8-pin
Length
267mm
286mm
Height
111mm
111mm
Slots
2
2
Temp (Load)
90
90
Perf/Watt
18.7+65%
11.3
💰

Value Analysis

The FirePro 3D V9800 launched at $3499 MSRP and currently averages $80, while the Radeon HD 6970 launched at $369 and now averages $100. The FirePro 3D V9800 costs 20% less ($20 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 35.1 (FirePro 3D V9800) vs 28.3 (Radeon HD 6970) — the FirePro 3D V9800 offers 24% better value. The FirePro 3D V9800 is the newer GPU (2011 vs 2010).

FeatureFirePro 3D V9800Radeon HD 6970
MSRP
$3499
$369-89%
Avg Price (30d)
$80-20%
$100
Performance per Dollar
35.1+24%
28.3
Codename
Cayman
Cayman
Release
May 24 2011
December 14 2010
Ranking
#656
#596