GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design vs Radeon HD 8970M

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 GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design is positioned at rank 66 and the Radeon HD 8970M is on rank 78, so the GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design 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 GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design

#19

Radeon RX 5600

MSRP: $229|Avg: $150

98%

#22

Radeon RX 7700

MSRP: $449|Avg: $399

94%

#56

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

207%

#58

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

188%

#59

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

188%

#63

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

171%

#64

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

169%

#66

GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

100%

#68

GeForce GTX 850M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $40

97%

#78

Radeon HD 8970M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $170

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar Radeon HD 8970M

#25

Radeon RX 7600M XT

MSRP: $329|Avg: $300

92%

#68

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

224%

#70

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

203%

#71

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

203%

#75

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

184%

#76

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

183%

#78

Radeon HD 8970M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $170

100%

#82

Arc 7-Core iGPU

MSRP: $199|Avg: N/A

97%

#87

Radeon RX 560 (móvel)

MSRP: $99|Avg: $50

94%

#92

Radeon RX 550 (móvel)

MSRP: $79|Avg: $40

91%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

⚠️ Generational Difference

The GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design uses modern memory architecture. The GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The Radeon HD 8970M lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.3% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon HD 8970M.

Insight	GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design	Radeon HD 8970M
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+1.3%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.3%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2018 / Pascal (2016−2021))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+0%)
Efficiency	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt	⚡ Higher Power Consumption
Case Fit	—	—

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $50 versus $170 for the Radeon HD 8970M, it costs 71% less. While it maintains basic entry-level capabilities, this results in a 244.3% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design	Radeon HD 8970M
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+244.3%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($50)	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($170)

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.

GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design Benchmark Check

Radeon HD 8970M Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design and Radeon HD 8970M

GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design

The GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 3 2018. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1152 MHz to 1417 MHz. It has 768 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,925 points.

Radeon HD 8970M

The Radeon HD 8970M is manufactured by AMD. It was released in May 14 2013. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 850 MHz to 900 MHz. It has 1280 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 100W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,876 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design scores 3,925 and the Radeon HD 8970M reaches 3,876 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.3% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design is built on Pascal while the Radeon HD 8970M uses GCN 1.0, both on 14 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 768 (GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design) vs 1,280 (Radeon HD 8970M). Raw compute: 2.177 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design) vs 2.304 TFLOPS (Radeon HD 8970M). Boost clocks: 1417 MHz vs 900 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design	Radeon HD 8970M
G3D Mark Score	3,925+1%	3,876
Architecture	Pascal	GCN 1.0
Process Node	14 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	768	1280+67%
Compute (TFLOPS)	2.177 TFLOPS	2.304 TFLOPS+6%
Boost Clock	1417 MHz+57%	900 MHz
ROPs	32	32
TMUs	48	80+67%
L1 Cache	288 KB	320 KB+11%
L2 Cache	1 MB+100%	0.5 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design	Radeon HD 8970M
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)

Both cards feature 4 GB of video memory. Bus width: 128-bit vs System. L2 Cache: 1 MB (GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design) vs 0.5 MB (Radeon HD 8970M) — the GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design	Radeon HD 8970M
VRAM Capacity	4 GB	4 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	Shared
Memory Bandwidth	80 GB/s	System
Bus Width	128-bit	System
L2 Cache	1 MB+100%	0.5 MB

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design draws 75W versus the Radeon HD 8970M's 100W — a 28.6% difference. The GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design) vs 350W (Radeon HD 8970M). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 1x 6-pin.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design	Radeon HD 8970M
TDP	75W-25%	100W
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	1x 6-pin
Slots	0	—
Temp (Load)	70°C	—
Perf/Watt	52.3+35%	38.8

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design costs 70.6% less ($120 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 78.5 (GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design) vs 22.8 (Radeon HD 8970M) — the GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design offers 244.3% better value. The GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design is the newer GPU (2018 vs 2013).