GeForce GTX 690 vs Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire

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 Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire

#113

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

289%

#115

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

262%

#116

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

261%

#120

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

238%

#121

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

236%

#123

Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

100%

#125

GeForce GT 550M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $30

100%

#131

GeForce GT 335M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $25

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.8% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (4 GB vs 2 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 690.

Insight	GeForce GTX 690	Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.8%)	✅Leading raw performance (+1.8%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / Kepler (2012−2018))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2011 / Terascale 2 (2009−2015))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+100%)
Efficiency	⚡ Higher Power Consumption	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
Case Fit	Standard Size (279mm)	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 690 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 690 holds the technical lead. Priced at $45 (vs $150), it costs 70% less, resulting in a 227.4% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 690	Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+227.4%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($45)	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($150)

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 690 Benchmark Check

Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 690 and Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire

GeForce GTX 690

The GeForce GTX 690 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 3 2012. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 915 MHz to 1019 MHz. It has 3072 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 300W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,536 points. Launch price was $999.

Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire

The Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire is manufactured by AMD. It was released in January 6 2011. It features the Terascale 2 architecture. The core clock speed is 680 MHz. It has 1920 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 50W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,637 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 690 scores 5,536 and the Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire reaches 5,637 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.8% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 690 is built on Kepler while the Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire uses Terascale 2, both on 28 nm vs 40 nm. Shader units: 3,072 (GeForce GTX 690) vs 1,920 (Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire).

Feature	GeForce GTX 690	Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire
G3D Mark Score	5,536	5,637+2%
Architecture	Kepler	Terascale 2
Process Node	28 nm	40 nm
Shading Units	3072 ×2+60%	1920

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 690	Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire
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 690 comes with 2 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire has 4 GB. The Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 192.2 GB/s x2 (GeForce GTX 690) vs 115.2 GB/s x2 (Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire) — a 66.8% advantage for the GeForce GTX 690. Bus width: 256-bit x2 vs 256-bit x2.

Feature	GeForce GTX 690	Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire
VRAM Capacity	2 GB	4 GB+100%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	192.2 GB/s x2+67%	115.2 GB/s x2
Bus Width	256-bit x2	256-bit x2

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12_0 (GeForce GTX 690) vs 11_0 (Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire). Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 0.

Feature	GeForce GTX 690	Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire
DirectX	12_0+9%	11_0
Max Displays	4	0

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 1st Gen (GeForce GTX 690) vs UVD 3 (Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire). Decoder: VP5 vs UVD 3.

Feature	GeForce GTX 690	Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire
Encoder	NVENC 1st Gen	UVD 3
Decoder	VP5	UVD 3

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 690 draws 300W versus the Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire's 50W — a 142.9% difference. The Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 650W (GeForce GTX 690) vs 350W (Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire). Power connectors: 2x 8-pin vs 1x 6-pin. Card length: 279mm vs 1mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots.

Feature	GeForce GTX 690	Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire
TDP	300W	50W-83%
Recommended PSU	650W	350W-46%
Power Connector	2x 8-pin	1x 6-pin
Length	279mm	1mm
Slots	2	0-100%
Perf/Watt	18.5	112.7+509%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 690 launched at $999 MSRP and currently averages $45, while the Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire launched at $150 and now averages $150. The GeForce GTX 690 costs 70% less ($105 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 123.0 (GeForce GTX 690) vs 37.6 (Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire) — the GeForce GTX 690 offers 227.1% better value. The GeForce GTX 690 is the newer GPU (2012 vs 2011).