FireStream 9270
VS
Radeon HD 4870

FireStream 9270 vs Radeon HD 4870

FireStream 9270

2008Core: 750 MHz
VS
AMD

Radeon HD 4870

2008Core: 750 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. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The FireStream 9270 is positioned at rank 359 and the Radeon HD 4870 is on rank 241, so the Radeon HD 4870 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

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

Performance Per Dollar FireStream 9270

#344
Tesla K20m
MSRP: $3199|Avg: $55
16599%
#359
FireStream 9270
MSRP: $1499|Avg: $20
100%
#360
Quadro 400
MSRP: $169|Avg: $500
99%
#361
FirePro 2260
MSRP: $129|Avg: $15
99%
#362
Quadro FX 380 LP
MSRP: $169|Avg: $15
97%
#364
Quadro FX 1800
MSRP: $489|Avg: $100
91%
#365
FirePro 3D V8700
MSRP: $1499|Avg: $1229
90%
#366
FirePro 3D V9800
MSRP: $3499|Avg: $80
90%
#367
Quadro 5000
MSRP: $2499|Avg: $100
89%
#368
FirePro V5700
MSRP: $599|Avg: $20
88%
#369
FirePro V9800
MSRP: $3499|Avg: $250
88%
#370
FirePro 3D V8750
MSRP: $1799|Avg: $500
80%
#371
FirePro 3D V7750
MSRP: $799|Avg: $20
76%
#372
GRID M10-2B
MSRP: $2500|Avg: $80
74%
#373
Quadro FX 370
MSRP: $129|Avg: $500
73%
#374
Quadro 6000
MSRP: $4399|Avg: $150
69%
Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar Radeon HD 4870

#1
GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
MSRP: $399|Avg: $280
1563%
#2
GeForce RTX 5060
MSRP: $299|Avg: $299
1502%
#3
Radeon RX 5600 XT
MSRP: $279|Avg: $180
1484%
#4
Radeon RX 9060
MSRP: $249|Avg: $249
1482%
#5
GeForce RTX 5050
MSRP: $249|Avg: $249
1479%
#6
GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
MSRP: $249|Avg: $150
1470%
#7
Arc A580
MSRP: $179|Avg: $179
1452%
#8
Radeon RX 9060 XT
MSRP: $299|Avg: $299
1447%
#9
Radeon RX 9060 XT 8GB
MSRP: $299|Avg: $299
1433%
#10
Radeon RX 7600
MSRP: $269|Avg: $250
1429%
#11
Radeon RX 6600
MSRP: $329|Avg: $180
1412%
#12
GeForce RTX 4060
MSRP: $299|Avg: $299
1409%
#13
Arc B570
MSRP: $219|Avg: $219
1384%
#14
Arc B580
MSRP: $249|Avg: $249
1383%
#99
Radeon Ryzen 7 4700U
MSRP: $450|Avg: $450
98%
#226
Radeon R5 430 OEM
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $13
1724%
#241
Radeon HD 4870
MSRP: $299|Avg: $25
100%
#244
Radeon HD 7560D
MSRP: $101|Avg: $15
97%
#246
GeForce GTS 250
MSRP: $129|Avg: $20
95%
#247
GeForce G100
MSRP: $40|Avg: $5
95%
#249
Radeon R7 M265
MSRP: $130|Avg: $30
93%
#250
Radeon HD 8250
MSRP: $50|Avg: $50
91%
#251
Radeon HD 3300
MSRP: $30|Avg: $5
91%
#253
Radeon R5 220
MSRP: $35|Avg: $15
91%
#254
Radeon HD 7350
MSRP: $40|Avg: $10
89%
#255
GeForce GTX 285
MSRP: $359|Avg: $30
89%
#256
Radeon HD 7570
MSRP: $150|Avg: $150
87%
Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The Radeon HD 4870 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 3.4% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the FireStream 9270.

InsightFireStream 9270Radeon HD 4870
Performance
Lower raw frame rates (-3.4%)
Leading raw performance (+3.4%)
Longevity
🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / TeraScale (2005−2013))
🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / TeraScale (2005−2013))
Ecosystem
Supports FSR Upscaling
Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM
❌ Less VRAM capacity
✅ More VRAM (+0%)
Efficiency
Normal Efficiency
Normal Efficiency
Case Fit
📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The FireStream 9270 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the FireStream 9270 holds the technical lead. Priced at $20 (vs $25), it costs 20% less, resulting in a 20.9% higher cost efficiency score.

InsightFireStream 9270Radeon HD 4870
Cost Efficiency
Better overall value (+20.9%)
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($20)
⚠️Higher upfront cost ($25)

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 FireStream 9270 and Radeon HD 4870

AMD

FireStream 9270

The FireStream 9270 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in November 13 2008. It features the TeraScale architecture. The core clock speed is 750 MHz. It has 800 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 160W. Manufactured using 55 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,341 points.

AMD

Radeon HD 4870

The Radeon HD 4870 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in June 25 2008. It features the TeraScale architecture. The core clock speed is 750 MHz. It has 800 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 55 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,386 points. Launch price was $299.

Graphics Performance

The FireStream 9270 scores 1,341 and the Radeon HD 4870 reaches 1,386 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 3.4% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The FireStream 9270 is built on TeraScale while the Radeon HD 4870 uses TeraScale, both on a 55 nm process. Shader units: 800 (FireStream 9270) vs 800 (Radeon HD 4870). Raw compute: 1.2 TFLOPS (FireStream 9270) vs 1.2 TFLOPS (Radeon HD 4870).

FeatureFireStream 9270Radeon HD 4870
G3D Mark Score
1,341
1,386+3%
Architecture
TeraScale
TeraScale
Process Node
55 nm
55 nm
Shading Units
800
800
Compute (TFLOPS)
1.2 TFLOPS
1.2 TFLOPS
ROPs
16
16
TMUs
40
40
L1 Cache
160 KB
160 KB
L2 Cache
256 KB
256 KB

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureFireStream 9270Radeon HD 4870
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)

Both cards feature 2 GB of GDDR5. Bus width: 64-bit vs 64-bit.

FeatureFireStream 9270Radeon HD 4870
VRAM Capacity
2 GB
2 GB
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR5
Bus Width
64-bit
64-bit
L2 Cache
256 KB
256 KB
🎬

Media & Encoding

Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (FireStream 9270) vs H.264 (Radeon HD 4870).

FeatureFireStream 9270Radeon HD 4870
Encoder
None
Decoder
UVD 2.2
Codecs
H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2
H.264
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The FireStream 9270 draws 160W versus the Radeon HD 4870's 150W — a 6.5% difference. The Radeon HD 4870 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (FireStream 9270) vs 500W (Radeon HD 4870). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 2x 6-pin.

FeatureFireStream 9270Radeon HD 4870
TDP
160W
150W-6%
Recommended PSU
350W-30%
500W
Power Connector
PCIe-powered
2x 6-pin
Length
241mm
Height
111mm
Slots
2
Temp (Load)
85°C
Perf/Watt
8.4
9.2+10%
💰

Value Analysis

The FireStream 9270 launched at $1499 MSRP and currently averages $20, while the Radeon HD 4870 launched at $299 and now averages $25. The FireStream 9270 costs 20% less ($5 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 67.0 (FireStream 9270) vs 55.4 (Radeon HD 4870) — the FireStream 9270 offers 20.9% better value.

FeatureFireStream 9270Radeon HD 4870
MSRP
$1499
$299-80%
Avg Price (30d)
$20-20%
$25
Performance per Dollar
67.0+21%
55.4
Codename
RV770
RV770
Release
November 13 2008
June 25 2008
Ranking
#790
#784