CPU
GPU
GeForce 8800 GTX
Popular choices:
Radeon HD 3870
Popular choices:
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 GeForce 8800 GTX is positioned at rank 698 and the Radeon HD 3870 is on rank 298, so the Radeon HD 3870 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce 8800 GTX
Performance Per Dollar Radeon HD 3870
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce 8800 GTX is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.7% higher G3D Mark score. However, the Radeon HD 3870 offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | GeForce 8800 GTX | Radeon HD 3870 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+0.7%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.7%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / G9x (2007−2010)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+33.3%) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (267mm) | — |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon HD 3870 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Radeon HD 3870 holds the technical lead. Priced at $15 (vs $50), it costs 70% less, resulting in a 230.9% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce 8800 GTX | Radeon HD 3870 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+230.9%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($50) | ✅More affordable ($15) |
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 GeForce 8800 GTX and Radeon HD 3870
GeForce 8800 GTX
The GeForce 8800 GTX is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in July 15 2008. It features the G9x architecture. The core clock speed is 500 MHz. It has 224 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 65 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 556 points.
Radeon HD 3870
The Radeon HD 3870 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in March 5 2012. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 1000 MHz. It has 1280 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 200W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 552 points. Launch price was $349.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce 8800 GTX scores 556 and the Radeon HD 3870 reaches 552 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.7% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce 8800 GTX is built on G9x while the Radeon HD 3870 uses GCN 1.0, both on 65 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 224 (GeForce 8800 GTX) vs 1,280 (Radeon HD 3870).
| Feature | GeForce 8800 GTX | Radeon HD 3870 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 556 | 552 |
| Architecture | G9x | GCN 1.0 |
| Process Node | 65 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 224 | 1280+471% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce 8800 GTX | Radeon HD 3870 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 (Compatible) | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | AMD Anti-Lag |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce 8800 GTX comes with 768 MB of VRAM, while the Radeon HD 3870 has 1 GB. The Radeon HD 3870 offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 64-bit vs 128-bit.
| Feature | GeForce 8800 GTX | Radeon HD 3870 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 0.75 GB | 1 GB+33% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 64-bit | 128-bit+100% |
Media & Encoding
Supported codecs: MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264 (GeForce 8800 GTX) vs H.264 (Radeon HD 3870).
| Feature | GeForce 8800 GTX | Radeon HD 3870 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | None | — |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD (VP2) | — |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264 | H.264 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce 8800 GTX draws 150W versus the Radeon HD 3870's 200W — a 28.6% difference. The GeForce 8800 GTX is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 8800 GTX) vs 300W (Radeon HD 3870). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 1x 6-pin.
| Feature | GeForce 8800 GTX | Radeon HD 3870 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 150W-25% | 200W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 300W-14% |
| Power Connector | PCIe-powered | 1x 6-pin |
| Length | 267mm | — |
| Height | 111mm | — |
| Slots | 2 | — |
| Temp (Load) | 85 | — |
| Perf/Watt | 3.7+32% | 2.8 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce 8800 GTX launched at $599 MSRP and currently averages $50, while the Radeon HD 3870 launched at $219 and now averages $15. The Radeon HD 3870 costs 70% less ($35 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 11.1 (GeForce 8800 GTX) vs 36.8 (Radeon HD 3870) — the Radeon HD 3870 offers 231.5% better value. The Radeon HD 3870 is the newer GPU (2012 vs 2008).
| Feature | GeForce 8800 GTX | Radeon HD 3870 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $599 | $219-63% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $50 | $15-70% |
| Performance per Dollar | 11.1 | 36.8+232% |
| Codename | NB9E-GTX | Pitcairn |
| Release | July 15 2008 | March 5 2012 |
| Ranking | #825 | #460 |
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
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