GeForce GTX 560
VS
Radeon HD 6970

GeForce GTX 560 vs Radeon HD 6970

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 560

2011Core: 810 MHz
VS
AMD

Radeon HD 6970

2010Boost: 880 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.

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

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The Radeon HD 6970 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.3% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (2 GB vs 1 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 560.

InsightGeForce GTX 560Radeon HD 6970
Performance
Lower raw frame rates (-2.3%)
Leading raw performance (+2.3%)
Longevity
🛑Obsolete Architecture (2011 / Fermi 2.0 (2010−2014))
🛑Obsolete Architecture (2010 / TeraScale 3 (2010−2013))
Ecosystem
Supports FSR Upscaling
Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM
❌ Less VRAM capacity
✅ More VRAM (+100%)
Efficiency
💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
⚡ Higher Power Consumption
Case Fit
Standard Size (286mm)

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 560 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 560 holds the technical lead. Priced at $30 (vs $100), it costs 70% less, resulting in a 225.9% higher cost efficiency score.

InsightGeForce GTX 560Radeon HD 6970
Cost Efficiency
Better overall value (+225.9%)
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($30)
⚠️Higher upfront cost ($100)

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 GTX 560 and Radeon HD 6970

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 560

The GeForce GTX 560 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 17 2011. It features the Fermi 2.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 810 MHz. It has 336 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,768 points. Launch price was $199.

AMD

Radeon HD 6970

The Radeon HD 6970 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in December 14 2010. It features the TeraScale 3 architecture. The boost clock speed is 880 MHz. It has 1536 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 250W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,831 points. Launch price was $369.

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 560 scores 2,768 and the Radeon HD 6970 reaches 2,831 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.3% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 560 is built on Fermi 2.0 while the Radeon HD 6970 uses TeraScale 3, both on a 40 nm process. Shader units: 336 (GeForce GTX 560) vs 1,536 (Radeon HD 6970). Raw compute: 1.089 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 560) vs 2.703 TFLOPS (Radeon HD 6970).

FeatureGeForce GTX 560Radeon HD 6970
G3D Mark Score
2,768
2,831+2%
Architecture
Fermi 2.0
TeraScale 3
Process Node
40 nm
40 nm
Shading Units
336
1536+357%
Compute (TFLOPS)
1.089 TFLOPS
2.703 TFLOPS+148%
ROPs
32
32
TMUs
56
96+71%
L1 Cache
448 KB+133%
192 KB
L2 Cache
512 KB
512 KB

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureGeForce GTX 560Radeon HD 6970
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 GTX 560 comes with 1 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon HD 6970 has 2 GB. The Radeon HD 6970 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit.

FeatureGeForce GTX 560Radeon HD 6970
VRAM Capacity
1 GB
2 GB+100%
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth
Unknown
Unknown
Bus Width
128-bit
128-bit
L2 Cache
512 KB
512 KB
🎬

Media & Encoding

Supported codecs: H.264 (GeForce GTX 560) vs MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264,MPEG-4,MVC (Radeon HD 6970).

FeatureGeForce GTX 560Radeon HD 6970
Encoder
None
Decoder
UVD 3.0
Codecs
H.264
MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264,MPEG-4,MVC
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 560 draws 150W versus the Radeon HD 6970's 250W — a 50% difference. The GeForce GTX 560 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce GTX 560) vs 550W (Radeon HD 6970). Power connectors: 2x 6-pin vs 6-pin + 8-pin.

FeatureGeForce GTX 560Radeon HD 6970
TDP
150W-40%
250W
Recommended PSU
500W-9%
550W
Power Connector
2x 6-pin
6-pin + 8-pin
Length
286mm
Height
111mm
Slots
2
Temp (Load)
90
Perf/Watt
18.5+64%
11.3
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 560 launched at $199 MSRP and currently averages $30, while the Radeon HD 6970 launched at $369 and now averages $100. The GeForce GTX 560 costs 70% less ($70 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 92.3 (GeForce GTX 560) vs 28.3 (Radeon HD 6970) — the GeForce GTX 560 offers 226.1% better value. The GeForce GTX 560 is the newer GPU (2011 vs 2010).

FeatureGeForce GTX 560Radeon HD 6970
MSRP
$199-46%
$369
Avg Price (30d)
$30-70%
$100
Performance per Dollar
92.3+226%
28.3
Codename
GF114
Cayman
Release
May 17 2011
December 14 2010
Ranking
#605
#596