GeForce GTX 670 vs Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X

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 GeForce GTX 670 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.2% higher G3D Mark score and 33.3% more VRAM (4 GB vs 3 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X.

Insight	GeForce GTX 670	Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+2.2%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.2%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / Kepler (2012−2018))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	✅ More VRAM (+33.3%)	❌ Less VRAM capacity
Efficiency	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt	⚡ Higher Power Consumption
Case Fit	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly	Standard Size (275mm)

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 670 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 670 holds the technical lead. Priced at $20 (vs $40), it costs 50% less, resulting in a 104.3% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 670	Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+104.3%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($20)	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($40)

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 670 Benchmark Check

Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 670 and Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X

GeForce GTX 670

The GeForce GTX 670 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 10 2012. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 915 MHz to 980 MHz. It has 1344 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 170W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,361 points. Launch price was $399.

Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X

The Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in October 8 2013. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1000 MHz. It has 2048 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 200W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,248 points. Launch price was $299.

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Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 670 scores 5,361 and the Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X reaches 5,248 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.2% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 670 is built on Kepler while the Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X uses GCN 1.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 1,344 (GeForce GTX 670) vs 2,048 (Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X). Raw compute: 2.634 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 670) vs 4.096 TFLOPS (Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X). Boost clocks: 980 MHz vs 1000 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 670	Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X
G3D Mark Score	5,361+2%	5,248
Architecture	Kepler	GCN 1.0
Process Node	28 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	1344	2048+52%
Compute (TFLOPS)	2.634 TFLOPS	4.096 TFLOPS+56%
Boost Clock	980 MHz	1000 MHz+2%
ROPs	32	32
TMUs	112	128+14%
L1 Cache	112 KB	512 KB+357%
L2 Cache	512 KB	768 KB+50%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 670	Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X
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 670 comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X has 3 GB. The GeForce GTX 670 offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 670) vs 264 GB/s (Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X) — a 37.5% advantage for the Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X. Bus width: 256-bit vs 384-bit. L2 Cache: 512 KB (GeForce GTX 670) vs 768 KB (Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X) — the Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 670	Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X
VRAM Capacity	4 GB+33%	3 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	192 GB/s	264 GB/s+38%
Bus Width	256-bit	384-bit+50%
L2 Cache	512 KB	768 KB+50%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 670) vs 12 (11_1) (Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X). Vulkan: N/A vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 6.

Feature	GeForce GTX 670	Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X
DirectX	12 (11_0)	12 (11_1)
Vulkan	N/A	1.2
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	6+50%

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (3rd Gen) (GeForce GTX 670) vs VCE 1.0 (Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X). Decoder: NVDEC (1st Gen) vs UVD 3.2. Supported codecs: H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GeForce GTX 670) vs H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,MPEG-4 (Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X).

Feature	GeForce GTX 670	Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X
Encoder	NVENC (3rd Gen)	VCE 1.0
Decoder	NVDEC (1st Gen)	UVD 3.2
Codecs	H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1	H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,MPEG-4

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 670 draws 170W versus the Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X's 200W — a 16.2% difference. The GeForce GTX 670 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce GTX 670) vs 500W (Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X). Power connectors: 2x 6-pin vs 6-pin + 8-pin. Card length: 241mm vs 275mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 82 C vs 80 C.

Feature	GeForce GTX 670	Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X
TDP	170W-15%	200W
Recommended PSU	500W	500W
Power Connector	2x 6-pin	6-pin + 8-pin
Length	241mm	275mm
Height	111mm	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	82 C	80 C-2%
Perf/Watt	31.5+20%	26.2

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 670 launched at $399 MSRP and currently averages $20, while the Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X launched at $299 and now averages $40. The GeForce GTX 670 costs 50% less ($20 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 268.1 (GeForce GTX 670) vs 131.2 (Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X) — the GeForce GTX 670 offers 104.3% better value. The Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X is the newer GPU (2013 vs 2012).