M1 8-Core GPU vs Radeon R9 270X
M1 8-Core GPU
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Radeon R9 270X
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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
⚠️ Generational Difference
The M1 8-Core GPU is significantly newer (2020 vs 2013). The M1 8-Core GPU likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The Radeon R9 270X lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The M1 8-Core GPU is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.6% higher G3D Mark score. However, the Radeon R9 270X offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | M1 8-Core GPU | Radeon R9 270X |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+2.6%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.6%) |
| Longevity | Legacy (5nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+100%) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | — | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
While current pricing data is unavailable, the M1 8-Core GPU remains the clear technical winner. Check real-time availability to determine if the performance gap justifies the market price.
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 M1 8-Core GPU and Radeon R9 270X
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 | FSR 1.0 (Software) | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | AMD Anti-Lag |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The M1 8-Core GPU comes with 2 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon R9 270X has 4 GB. The Radeon R9 270X offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. 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. Bus width: Unified vs 256-bit.
| 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
The M1 8-Core GPU launched at $0 MSRP and currently averages $0, while the Radeon R9 270X launched at $199 and now averages $40. The M1 8-Core GPU costs 100+% less ($40 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): Infinity (M1 8-Core GPU) vs 121.8 (Radeon R9 270X) — the M1 8-Core GPU offers Infinity% better value. The M1 8-Core GPU is the newer GPU (2020 vs 2013).
| Feature | M1 8-Core GPU | Radeon R9 270X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $0-100% | $199 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $0-100% | $40 |
| Performance per Dollar | Infinity | 121.8 |
| Codename | — | Curacao |
| Release | November 10 2020 | October 8 2013 |
| Ranking | #428 | #448 |
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