Radeon HD 3870 X2 vs Radeon R5 M330
Radeon HD 3870 X2
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Radeon R5 M330
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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. The Radeon HD 3870 X2 is positioned at rank 327 and the Radeon R5 M330 is on rank 480, so the Radeon HD 3870 X2 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Radeon HD 3870 X2
Performance Per Dollar Radeon R5 M330
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The Radeon R5 M330 is significantly newer (2015 vs 2008). The Radeon R5 M330 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The Radeon HD 3870 X2 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Radeon R5 M330 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.5% higher G3D Mark score and 700% more VRAM (4 GB vs 512 MB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon HD 3870 X2.
| Insight | Radeon HD 3870 X2 | Radeon R5 M330 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.5%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.5%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / TeraScale (2005−2013)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / GCN (2012−2015)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+700%) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (267mm) | — |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon R5 M330 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Radeon R5 M330 holds the technical lead. Priced at $20 (vs $40), it costs 50% less, resulting in a 103.1% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon HD 3870 X2 | Radeon R5 M330 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+103.1%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($40) | ✅More affordable ($20) |
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 Radeon HD 3870 X2 and Radeon R5 M330
Radeon HD 3870 X2
The Radeon HD 3870 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: 587 points. Launch price was $550.
Radeon R5 M330
The Radeon R5 M330 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in June 9 2015. It features the GCN architecture. It has 1024 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 596 points.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon HD 3870 X2 scores 587 and the Radeon R5 M330 reaches 596 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.5% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon HD 3870 X2 is built on TeraScale while the Radeon R5 M330 uses GCN, both on 55 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 800 (Radeon HD 3870 X2) vs 1,024 (Radeon R5 M330).
| Feature | Radeon HD 3870 X2 | Radeon R5 M330 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 587 | 596+2% |
| Architecture | TeraScale | GCN |
| Process Node | 55 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 800 ×2 | 1024+28% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon HD 3870 X2 | Radeon R5 M330 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | AMD Anti-Lag | AMD Anti-Lag |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The Radeon HD 3870 X2 comes with 512 MB of VRAM, while the Radeon R5 M330 has 4 GB. The Radeon R5 M330 offers 700% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 64-bit vs 128-bit.
| Feature | Radeon HD 3870 X2 | Radeon R5 M330 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 0.5 GB | 4 GB+700% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 64-bit | 128-bit+100% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 10.1 (Radeon HD 3870 X2) vs 12 (FL11_1) (Radeon R5 M330). Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 3.
| Feature | Radeon HD 3870 X2 | Radeon R5 M330 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 10.1 | 12 (FL11_1)+19% |
| Max Displays | 2 | 3+50% |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: UVD+ (Radeon HD 3870 X2) vs UVD (Radeon R5 M330). Decoder: UVD+ vs VCE.
| Feature | Radeon HD 3870 X2 | Radeon R5 M330 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | UVD+ | UVD |
| Decoder | UVD+ | VCE |
| Codecs | — | H.264,HEVC,MPEG-4,MVC |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon HD 3870 X2 draws 286W versus the Radeon R5 M330's 75W — a 116.9% difference. The Radeon R5 M330 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (Radeon HD 3870 X2) vs 350W (Radeon R5 M330). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin vs Mobile.
| Feature | Radeon HD 3870 X2 | Radeon R5 M330 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 286W | 75W-74% |
| Recommended PSU | 550W | 350W-36% |
| Power Connector | 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin | Mobile |
| Length | 267mm | — |
| Slots | 2 | — |
| Temp (Load) | — | 95°C |
| Perf/Watt | 2.1 | 7.9+276% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon HD 3870 X2 launched at $449 MSRP and currently averages $40, while the Radeon R5 M330 launched at $120 and now averages $20. The Radeon R5 M330 costs 50% less ($20 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 14.7 (Radeon HD 3870 X2) vs 29.8 (Radeon R5 M330) — the Radeon R5 M330 offers 102.7% better value. The Radeon R5 M330 is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2008).
| Feature | Radeon HD 3870 X2 | Radeon R5 M330 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $449 | $120-73% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $40 | $20-50% |
| Performance per Dollar | 14.7 | 29.8+103% |
| Codename | R700 | Pitcairn |
| Release | August 12 2008 | June 9 2015 |
| Ranking | #796 | #522 |
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The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
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