Radeon HD 5870 vs Radeon HD 6870

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

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The Radeon HD 6870 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.2% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon HD 5870.

Insight	Radeon HD 5870	Radeon HD 6870
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.2%)	✅Leading raw performance (+1.2%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2009 / TeraScale 2 (2009−2015))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2010 / TeraScale 2 (2009−2015))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+0%)
Efficiency	⚡ Higher Power Consumption	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
Case Fit	Standard Size (280mm)	Standard Size (247mm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Radeon HD 6870 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Radeon HD 6870 holds the technical lead. Priced at $50 (vs $50), it costs 0% less, resulting in a 1.2% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	Radeon HD 5870	Radeon HD 6870
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+1.2%)
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

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.

Radeon HD 5870 Benchmark Check

Radeon HD 6870 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Radeon HD 5870 and Radeon HD 6870

Radeon HD 5870

The Radeon HD 5870 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in September 23 2009. It features the TeraScale 2 architecture. The core clock speed is 850 MHz. It has 1600 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 188W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,180 points. Launch price was $399.

Radeon HD 6870

The Radeon HD 6870 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in October 21 2010. It features the TeraScale 2 architecture. The boost clock speed is 900 MHz. It has 1120 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 151W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,206 points. Launch price was $239.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The Radeon HD 5870 scores 2,180 and the Radeon HD 6870 reaches 2,206 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.2% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon HD 5870 is built on TeraScale 2 while the Radeon HD 6870 uses TeraScale 2, both on a 40 nm process. Shader units: 1,600 (Radeon HD 5870) vs 1,120 (Radeon HD 6870). Raw compute: 2.72 TFLOPS (Radeon HD 5870) vs 2.016 TFLOPS (Radeon HD 6870).

Feature	Radeon HD 5870	Radeon HD 6870
G3D Mark Score	2,180	2,206+1%
Architecture	TeraScale 2	TeraScale 2
Process Node	40 nm	40 nm
Shading Units	1600+43%	1120
Compute (TFLOPS)	2.72 TFLOPS+35%	2.016 TFLOPS
ROPs	32	32
TMUs	80+43%	56
L1 Cache	160 KB	224 KB+40%
L2 Cache	512 KB	512 KB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	Radeon HD 5870	Radeon HD 6870
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)

Both cards feature 2 GB of GDDR5. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit.

Feature	Radeon HD 5870	Radeon HD 6870
VRAM Capacity	2 GB	2 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	Unknown
Bus Width	128-bit	128-bit
L2 Cache	512 KB	512 KB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 11.2 (Radeon HD 5870) vs 11.0 (Radeon HD 6870). Maximum simultaneous displays: 3 vs 6.

Feature	Radeon HD 5870	Radeon HD 6870
DirectX	11.2+2%	11.0
Max Displays	3	6+100%

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: UVD 2.2 (Radeon HD 5870) vs None (Radeon HD 6870). Decoder: UVD 2.2 vs UVD 3.0. Supported codecs: H.264 (Radeon HD 5870) vs MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264,MPEG-4,MVC (Radeon HD 6870).

Feature	Radeon HD 5870	Radeon HD 6870
Encoder	UVD 2.2	None
Decoder	UVD 2.2	UVD 3.0
Codecs	H.264	MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264,MPEG-4,MVC

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Radeon HD 5870 draws 188W versus the Radeon HD 6870's 151W — a 21.8% difference. The Radeon HD 6870 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (Radeon HD 5870) vs 500W (Radeon HD 6870). Power connectors: 2x 6-pin vs 2x 6-pin. Card length: 280mm vs 247mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots.

Feature	Radeon HD 5870	Radeon HD 6870
TDP	188W	151W-20%
Recommended PSU	500W	500W
Power Connector	2x 6-pin	2x 6-pin
Length	280mm	247mm
Height	—	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	—	85
Perf/Watt	11.6	14.6+26%

💰

Value Analysis

The Radeon HD 5870 launched at $399 MSRP and currently averages $50, while the Radeon HD 6870 launched at $239 and now averages $50. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 43.6 (Radeon HD 5870) vs 44.1 (Radeon HD 6870) — the Radeon HD 6870 offers 1.1% better value. The Radeon HD 6870 is the newer GPU (2010 vs 2009).