FireStream 9270 vs Radeon HD 4870 X2

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.

FireStream 9270 vs Radeon HD 4870 X2 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 9800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

FireStream 9270 vs Radeon HD 4870 X2: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

FireStream 9270

2008

Why buy it

✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (2 GB vs 1 GB).
✅Draws 160W instead of 286W, a 126W reduction.
✅Measures 241mm instead of 267mm, a 26mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌2008 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌
172.5% HIGHER MSRP
$1,499 MSRPvs$550 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0.9 vs 2.4 G3D/$ ($1,499 MSRP vs $550 MSRP).

Radeon HD 4870 X2

2008

Why buy it

✅Costs $949 less on MSRP ($550 MSRP vs $1,499 MSRP).
✅Delivers 166% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 2.4 vs 0.9 G3D/$ ($550 MSRP vs $1,499 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 1 GB vs 2 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2008 hardware with 1 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌78.8% higher power demand at 286W vs 160W.
❌10.8% longer card at 267mm vs 241mm.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

FireStream 9270 is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 2.4% in PassMark G3D (1,341 vs 1,309), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.

Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?

FireStream 9270 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 2 GB vs 1 GB of VRAM. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

Radeon HD 4870 X2 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $949 cheaper on MSRP at $550 vs $1,499, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 166% (2.4 vs 0.9), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, Radeon HD 4870 X2 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, FireStream 9270 has the stronger long-term case.

FireStream 9270 vs Radeon HD 4870 X2 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

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.

Radeon HD 4870 X2

The Radeon HD 4870 X2 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in August 12 2008. It features the TeraScale architecture. The core clock speed is 700 MHz. It has 800 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 286W. Manufactured using 55 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,309 points. Launch price was $550.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The FireStream 9270 scores 1,341 and the Radeon HD 4870 X2 reaches 1,309 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.4% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The FireStream 9270 is built on TeraScale while the Radeon HD 4870 X2 uses TeraScale, both on a 55 nm process. Shader units: 800 (FireStream 9270) vs 800 (Radeon HD 4870 X2). Raw compute: 1.2 TFLOPS (FireStream 9270) vs 1.12 TFLOPS ×2 (Radeon HD 4870 X2).

Feature	FireStream 9270	Radeon HD 4870 X2
G3D Mark Score	1,341+2%	1,309
Architecture	TeraScale	TeraScale
Process Node	55 nm	55 nm
Shading Units	800	800 ×2
Compute (TFLOPS)	1.2 TFLOPS+7%	1.12 TFLOPS ×2
ROPs	16	16 ×2
TMUs	40	40 ×2
L1 Cache	160 KB	160 KB
L2 Cache	256 KB	256 KB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	FireStream 9270	Radeon HD 4870 X2
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	FSR Upscaling / FSR 4
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	Standard	AMD Anti-Lag

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The FireStream 9270 has 2 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon HD 4870 X2 carries 1 GB. FireStream 9270 gives you 100% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 64-bit on the FireStream 9270 and 64-bit on the Radeon HD 4870 X2.

Feature	FireStream 9270	Radeon HD 4870 X2
VRAM Capacity	2 GB+100%	1 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Bus Width	64-bit	64-bit
L2 Cache	256 KB	256 KB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 10.1 (FireStream 9270) vs 10.1 (Radeon HD 4870 X2). OpenGL: 3.3 vs 3.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 1 vs 2.

Feature	FireStream 9270	Radeon HD 4870 X2
DirectX	10.1	10.1
OpenGL	3.3	3.3
Max Displays	1	2+100%

🎬

Media & Encoding

Decoder: UVD 2.2 vs UVD 2. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (FireStream 9270) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4,DivX (Radeon HD 4870 X2).

Feature	FireStream 9270	Radeon HD 4870 X2
Encoder	None	—
Decoder	UVD 2.2	UVD 2
Codecs	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4,DivX

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The FireStream 9270 draws 160W versus the Radeon HD 4870 X2's 286W — a 56.5% difference. The FireStream 9270 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (FireStream 9270) vs 650W (Radeon HD 4870 X2). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin. Card length: 241mm vs 267mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 90°C.

Feature	FireStream 9270	Radeon HD 4870 X2
TDP	160W-44%	286W
Recommended PSU	350W-46%	650W
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin
Length	241mm	267mm
Height	111mm	—
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	85°C-6%	90°C
Perf/Watt	8.4+83%	4.6

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the FireStream 9270 came in at $1499, while the Radeon HD 4870 X2 launched at $550. On MSRP, Radeon HD 4870 X2 was 63.3% cheaper ($949 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 0.9 (FireStream 9270) vs 2.4 (Radeon HD 4870 X2) — the Radeon HD 4870 X2 offers 166.7% better value.

Feature	FireStream 9270	Radeon HD 4870 X2
MSRP	$1499	$550-63%
Performance per Dollar	0.9	2.4+167%
Codename	RV770	R700
Release	November 13 2008	August 12 2008
Ranking	#790	#796

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