FireStream 9270 vs Tesla M2070

FireStream 9270

2008Core: 750 MHz
Similar parts
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VS
NVIDIA

Tesla M2070

2011Core: 574 MHz
Similar parts
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FireStream 9270 vs Tesla M2070 Performance Spectrum

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.

FireStream 9270 vs Tesla M2070: 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

  • Costs $1,600 less on MSRP ($1,499 MSRP vs $3,099 MSRP).
  • Delivers 112.4% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 0.9 vs 0.4 G3D/$ ($1,499 MSRP vs $3,099 MSRP).
  • 300% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (2 GB vs 512 MB).
  • Draws 160W instead of 225W, a 65W reduction.

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.

Tesla M2070

2011

Why buy it

  • More future proof: Fermi (2010−2014) on 40nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • Less VRAM, with 512 MB vs 2 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • 2011 hardware with 512 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • 106.7% HIGHER MSRP
    $3,099 MSRPvs$1,499 MSRP
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0.4 vs 0.9 G3D/$ ($3,099 MSRP vs $1,499 MSRP).
  • 40.6% higher power demand at 225W vs 160W.

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 2.8% in PassMark G3D (1,341 vs 1,305), 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 512 MB of VRAM. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
FireStream 9270 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $1,600 cheaper on MSRP at $1,499 vs $3,099, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 112.4% (0.9 vs 0.4), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

FireStream 9270 vs Tesla M2070 Technical Specifications

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

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.

NVIDIA

Tesla M2070

The Tesla M2070 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in July 25 2011. It features the Fermi architecture. The core clock speed is 574 MHz. It has 448 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 225W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,305 points. Launch price was $3,099.

Graphics Performance

The FireStream 9270 scores 1,341 and the Tesla M2070 reaches 1,305 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.8% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The FireStream 9270 is built on TeraScale while the Tesla M2070 uses Fermi, both on 55 nm vs 40 nm. Shader units: 800 (FireStream 9270) vs 448 (Tesla M2070). Raw compute: 1.2 TFLOPS (FireStream 9270) vs 1.03 TFLOPS (Tesla M2070).

FeatureFireStream 9270Tesla M2070
G3D Mark Score
1,341+3%
1,305
Architecture
TeraScale
Fermi
Process Node
55 nm
40 nm
Shading Units
800+79%
448
Compute (TFLOPS)
1.2 TFLOPS+17%
1.03 TFLOPS
ROPs
16
48+200%
TMUs
40
56+40%
L1 Cache
160 KB
896 KB+460%
L2 Cache
256 KB
768 KB+200%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureFireStream 9270Tesla M2070
Upscaling Tech
Upscaling support
Upscaling support
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
Standard
Standard
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The FireStream 9270 has 2 GB of VRAM, while the Tesla M2070 carries 512 MB. FireStream 9270 gives you 300% 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 Tesla M2070. L2 Cache: 256 KB (FireStream 9270) vs 768 KB (Tesla M2070) — the Tesla M2070 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureFireStream 9270Tesla M2070
VRAM Capacity
2 GB+300%
0.5 GB
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR5
Bus Width
64-bit
64-bit
L2 Cache
256 KB
768 KB+200%
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The FireStream 9270 draws 160W versus the Tesla M2070's 225W — a 33.8% difference. The FireStream 9270 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (FireStream 9270) vs 350W (Tesla M2070). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs PCIe-powered.

FeatureFireStream 9270Tesla M2070
TDP
160W-29%
225W
Recommended PSU
350W
350W
Power Connector
PCIe-powered
PCIe-powered
Length
241mm
Height
111mm
Slots
2
Temp (Load)
85°C
Perf/Watt
8.4+45%
5.8
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the FireStream 9270 came in at $1499, while the Tesla M2070 launched at $3099. On MSRP, FireStream 9270 was 51.6% cheaper ($1600 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 0.9 (FireStream 9270) vs 0.4 (Tesla M2070) — the FireStream 9270 offers 125% better value. The newer card here is Tesla M2070 (2011 vs 2008).

FeatureFireStream 9270Tesla M2070
MSRP
$1499-52%
$3099
Performance per Dollar
0.9+125%
0.4
Codename
RV770
GF100
Release
November 13 2008
July 25 2011
Ranking
#790
#698

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