GeForce GTX 580 vs Radeon HD 7870
GeForce GTX 580
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Radeon HD 7870
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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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GTX 580 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.4% higher G3D Mark score and 50% more VRAM (3 GB vs 2 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon HD 7870.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 580 | Radeon HD 7870 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.4%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.4%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2010 / Fermi 2.0 (2010−2014)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ✅ More VRAM (+50%) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (267mm) | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GTX 580 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 580 holds the technical lead. Priced at $30 (vs $45), it costs 33% less, resulting in a 52.2% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 580 | Radeon HD 7870 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+52.2%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($30) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($45) |
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 580 and Radeon HD 7870
GeForce GTX 580
The GeForce GTX 580 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in November 9 2010. It features the Fermi 2.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 772 MHz. It has 512 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 244W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 4,634 points. Launch price was $499.
Radeon HD 7870
The Radeon HD 7870 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: 4,568 points. Launch price was $349.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GTX 580 scores 4,634 and the Radeon HD 7870 reaches 4,568 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.4% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 580 is built on Fermi 2.0 while the Radeon HD 7870 uses GCN 1.0, both on 40 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 512 (GeForce GTX 580) vs 1,280 (Radeon HD 7870). Raw compute: 1.581 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 580) vs 2.56 TFLOPS (Radeon HD 7870).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 580 | Radeon HD 7870 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 4,634+1% | 4,568 |
| Architecture | Fermi 2.0 | GCN 1.0 |
| Process Node | 40 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 512 | 1280+150% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 1.581 TFLOPS | 2.56 TFLOPS+62% |
| ROPs | 48+50% | 32 |
| TMUs | 64 | 80+25% |
| L1 Cache | 1 MB+223% | 0.31 MB |
| L2 Cache | 768 KB+50% | 512 KB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 580 | Radeon HD 7870 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 580 comes with 3 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon HD 7870 has 2 GB. The GeForce GTX 580 offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 580) vs 153.6 GB/s (Radeon HD 7870) — a 25% advantage for the GeForce GTX 580. Bus width: 384-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 768 KB (GeForce GTX 580) vs 512 KB (Radeon HD 7870) — the GeForce GTX 580 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 580 | Radeon HD 7870 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 3 GB+50% | 2 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 192 GB/s+25% | 153.6 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 384-bit+50% | 256-bit |
| L2 Cache | 768 KB+50% | 512 KB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 580) vs 12 (11_1) (Radeon HD 7870). Vulkan: N/A vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 6.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 580 | Radeon HD 7870 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (11_0) | 12 (11_1) |
| Vulkan | N/A | 1.2 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 2 | 6+200% |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: None (GeForce GTX 580) vs VCE 1.0 (Radeon HD 7870). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP4 vs UVD 4.0. Supported codecs: H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GeForce GTX 580) vs H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (Radeon HD 7870).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 580 | Radeon HD 7870 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | None | VCE 1.0 |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP4 | UVD 4.0 |
| Codecs | H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 | H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 580 draws 244W versus the Radeon HD 7870's 200W — a 19.8% difference. The Radeon HD 7870 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce GTX 580) vs 500W (Radeon HD 7870). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs 2x 6-pin. Card length: 267mm vs 241mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 85 C vs 80°C.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 580 | Radeon HD 7870 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 244W | 200W-18% |
| Recommended PSU | 550W | 500W-9% |
| Power Connector | 6-pin + 8-pin | 2x 6-pin |
| Length | 267mm | 241mm |
| Height | 111mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 85 C | 80°C-6% |
| Perf/Watt | 19.0 | 22.8+20% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 580 launched at $499 MSRP and currently averages $30, while the Radeon HD 7870 launched at $349 and now averages $45. The GeForce GTX 580 costs 33.3% less ($15 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 154.5 (GeForce GTX 580) vs 101.5 (Radeon HD 7870) — the GeForce GTX 580 offers 52.2% better value. The Radeon HD 7870 is the newer GPU (2012 vs 2010).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 580 | Radeon HD 7870 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $499 | $349-30% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $30-33% | $45 |
| Performance per Dollar | 154.5+52% | 101.5 |
| Codename | GF110 | Pitcairn |
| Release | November 9 2010 | March 5 2012 |
| Ranking | #458 | #460 |
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
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