M1 8-Core GPU vs Radeon R9 270X

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.

M1 8-Core GPU vs Radeon R9 270X FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 9800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

M1 8-Core GPU vs Radeon R9 270X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

M1 8-Core GPU

2020

Why buy it

✅Better long-term bet: Unknown architecture on 5nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.
✅Draws 30W instead of 180W, a 150W reduction.
✅More future proof: Unknown architecture on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 4 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 24.5 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $199 MSRP).

Radeon R9 270X

2013

Why buy it

✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 24.5 vs 0 G3D/$ ($199 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (4 GB vs 2 GB).

Trade-offs

❌2013 hardware with 4 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌500% higher power demand at 180W vs 30W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

M1 8-Core GPU is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 2.6% in PassMark G3D (5,000 vs 4,874), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.

Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?

M1 8-Core GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a 5nm process instead of 28nm and a newer 2020 generation instead of 2013. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

Radeon R9 270X makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, Radeon R9 270X is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, M1 8-Core GPU has the stronger long-term case.

M1 8-Core GPU vs Radeon R9 270X Technical Specifications

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

M1 8-Core GPU

The M1 8-Core GPU is manufactured by Apple. It was released in November 10 2020. The core clock speed is 1278 MHz. It has 8 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 30W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,000 points.

Radeon R9 270X

The Radeon R9 270X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in October 8 2013. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1050 MHz. It has 1280 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 180W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 4,874 points. Launch price was $199.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The M1 8-Core GPU scores 5,000 and the Radeon R9 270X reaches 4,874 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.6% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. Shader units: 8 (M1 8-Core GPU) vs 1,280 (Radeon R9 270X).

Feature	M1 8-Core GPU	Radeon R9 270X
G3D Mark Score	5,000+3%	4,874
Process Node	5 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	8	1280+15900%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	M1 8-Core GPU	Radeon R9 270X
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 M1 8-Core GPU has 2 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon R9 270X carries 4 GB. Radeon R9 270X gives you 100% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 68 GB/s (M1 8-Core GPU) vs 179.2 GB/s (Radeon R9 270X) — a 163.5% advantage for the Radeon R9 270X. Memory bus width is Unified on the M1 8-Core GPU and 256-bit on the Radeon R9 270X.

Feature	M1 8-Core GPU	Radeon R9 270X
VRAM Capacity	2 GB	4 GB+100%
Memory Type	Shared	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	68 GB/s	179.2 GB/s+164%
Bus Width	Unified	256-bit

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: N/A (M1 8-Core GPU) vs 12 (11_1) (Radeon R9 270X). OpenGL: 4.1 (Rosetta 2) vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 4.

Feature	M1 8-Core GPU	Radeon R9 270X
DirectX	N/A	12 (11_1)
OpenGL	4.1 (Rosetta 2)	4.6+12%
Max Displays	2	4+100%

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: Apple M1 Video Encoder (M1 8-Core GPU) vs VCE 1.0 (Radeon R9 270X). Decoder: Apple M1 Video Decoder vs UVD 4.2. Supported codecs: H.264,HEVC,ProRes,ProRes RAW (M1 8-Core GPU) vs H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,MPEG-4 (Radeon R9 270X).

Feature	M1 8-Core GPU	Radeon R9 270X
Encoder	Apple M1 Video Encoder	VCE 1.0
Decoder	Apple M1 Video Decoder	UVD 4.2
Codecs	H.264,HEVC,ProRes,ProRes RAW	H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,MPEG-4

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The M1 8-Core GPU draws 30W versus the Radeon R9 270X's 180W — a 142.9% difference. The M1 8-Core GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (M1 8-Core GPU) vs 500W (Radeon R9 270X). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 2x 6-pin.

Feature	M1 8-Core GPU	Radeon R9 270X
TDP	30W-83%	180W
Recommended PSU	350W-30%	500W
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	2x 6-pin
Length	—	241mm
Height	—	109mm
Slots	0-100%	2
Temp (Load)	—	80 C
Perf/Watt	166.7+515%	27.1

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the M1 8-Core GPU came in at $0, while the Radeon R9 270X launched at $199. On MSRP, M1 8-Core GPU was 100+% cheaper ($199 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): Infinity (M1 8-Core GPU) vs 24.5 (Radeon R9 270X) — the M1 8-Core GPU offers Infinity% better value. The newer card here is M1 8-Core GPU (2020 vs 2013).

Feature	M1 8-Core GPU	Radeon R9 270X
MSRP	$0-100%	$199
Performance per Dollar	Infinity	24.5
Codename	—	Curacao
Release	November 10 2020	October 8 2013
Ranking	#428	#448

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