Iris Plus Graphics 640 vs Radeon HD 4870 X2

Intel

Iris Plus Graphics 640

2017Core: 300 MHzBoost: 1100 MHz
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Radeon HD 4870 X2

2008Core: 700 MHz
Similar parts
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Iris Plus Graphics 640 vs Radeon HD 4870 X2 Performance Spectrum

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.

Iris Plus Graphics 640 vs Radeon HD 4870 X2: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

Iris Plus Graphics 640

2017

Why buy it

  • Draws 15W instead of 286W, a 271W reduction.
  • More future proof: Generation 9.5 (2016−2020) on 14nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • Less VRAM, with Unknown vs 1 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • 2017 hardware with Unknown of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 2.4 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $550 MSRP).

Radeon HD 4870 X2

2008

Why buy it

  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 2.4 vs 0 G3D/$ ($550 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • 100+% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (1 GB vs Unknown).
  • Iris Plus Graphics 640 is already obsolete for modern gaming, so Radeon HD 4870 X2 is the less risky modern option long term.

Trade-offs

  • 2008 hardware with 1 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • 1806.7% higher power demand at 286W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
Iris Plus Graphics 640 is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 3.4% in PassMark G3D (1,353 vs 1,309), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
Radeon HD 4870 X2 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 1 GB vs Unknown of VRAM and the newer upscaling stack, FSR Upscaling / FSR 4 (2025) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
Radeon HD 4870 X2 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. Iris Plus Graphics 640 still makes more sense if max raw gaming performance matters more than value.

Iris Plus Graphics 640 vs Radeon HD 4870 X2 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Intel

Iris Plus Graphics 640

The Iris Plus Graphics 640 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in January 3 2017. It features the Generation 9.5 architecture. The core clock ranges from 300 MHz to 1100 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 15W. Manufactured using 14 nm++ process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,353 points.

AMD

Radeon HD 4870 X2

The Radeon HD 4870 X2 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in August 12 2008. It features the TeraScale architecture. The core clock speed is 700 MHz. It has 800 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 286W. Manufactured using 55 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,309 points. Launch price was $550.

Graphics Performance

The Iris Plus Graphics 640 scores 1,353 and the Radeon HD 4870 X2 reaches 1,309 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 3.4% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Iris Plus Graphics 640 is built on Generation 9.5 while the Radeon HD 4870 X2 uses TeraScale, both on 14 nm++ vs 55 nm. Shader units: 384 (Iris Plus Graphics 640) vs 800 (Radeon HD 4870 X2). Raw compute: 0.8448 TFLOPS (Iris Plus Graphics 640) vs 1.12 TFLOPS ×2 (Radeon HD 4870 X2).

FeatureIris Plus Graphics 640Radeon HD 4870 X2
G3D Mark Score
1,353+3%
1,309
Architecture
Generation 9.5
TeraScale
Process Node
14 nm++
55 nm
Shading Units
384
800 ×2+108%
Compute (TFLOPS)
0.8448 TFLOPS
1.12 TFLOPS ×2+33%
ROPs
6
16 ×2+167%
TMUs
48+20%
40 ×2

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureIris Plus Graphics 640Radeon HD 4870 X2
Upscaling Tech
Upscaling support
FSR Upscaling / FSR 4
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
Standard
AMD Anti-Lag
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The Iris Plus Graphics 640 has 0 MB of VRAM, while the Radeon HD 4870 X2 carries 1 GB. Radeon HD 4870 X2 gives you 100+% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is System on the Iris Plus Graphics 640 and 64-bit on the Radeon HD 4870 X2.

FeatureIris Plus Graphics 640Radeon HD 4870 X2
VRAM Capacity
Shared System RAM
1 GB
Memory Type
Shared
GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth
System
Unknown
Bus Width
System
64-bit
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (12_1) (Iris Plus Graphics 640) vs 10.1 (Radeon HD 4870 X2). OpenGL: 4.6 vs 3.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 3 vs 2.

FeatureIris Plus Graphics 640Radeon HD 4870 X2
DirectX
12 (12_1)+19%
10.1
OpenGL
4.6+39%
3.3
Max Displays
3+50%
2
🎬

Media & Encoding

Decoder: Quick Sync Video vs UVD 2. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265,VP8,VP9 (Iris Plus Graphics 640) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4,DivX (Radeon HD 4870 X2).

FeatureIris Plus Graphics 640Radeon HD 4870 X2
Encoder
Quick Sync Video
Decoder
Quick Sync Video
UVD 2
Codecs
H.264,H.265,VP8,VP9
H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4,DivX
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Iris Plus Graphics 640 draws 15W versus the Radeon HD 4870 X2's 286W — a 180.1% difference. The Iris Plus Graphics 640 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 0W (Iris Plus Graphics 640) vs 650W (Radeon HD 4870 X2). Power connectors: None vs 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin. Card length: 0mm vs 267mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80 vs 90°C.

FeatureIris Plus Graphics 640Radeon HD 4870 X2
TDP
15W-95%
286W
Recommended PSU
0W-100%
650W
Power Connector
None
1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin
Length
0mm
267mm
Height
0mm
Slots
0-100%
2
Temp (Load)
80-11%
90°C
Perf/Watt
90.2+1861%
4.6
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Iris Plus Graphics 640 came in at $0, while the Radeon HD 4870 X2 launched at $550. On MSRP, Iris Plus Graphics 640 was 100+% cheaper ($550 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): Infinity (Iris Plus Graphics 640) vs 2.4 (Radeon HD 4870 X2) — the Iris Plus Graphics 640 offers Infinity% better value. The newer card here is Iris Plus Graphics 640 (2017 vs 2008).

FeatureIris Plus Graphics 640Radeon HD 4870 X2
MSRP
$0-100%
$550
Performance per Dollar
Infinity
2.4
Codename
Kaby Lake GT3e
R700
Release
January 3 2017
August 12 2008
Ranking
#767
#796

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