Radeon HD 6870 vs Radeon HD 5870
Radeon HD 6870
Popular choices:
Radeon HD 5870
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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
🚀 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 6870 | Radeon HD 5870 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.2%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.2%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2010 / TeraScale 2 (2009−2015)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2009 / TeraScale 2 (2009−2015)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+0%) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (247mm) | Standard Size (280mm) |
💎 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 6870 | Radeon HD 5870 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+1.2%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| 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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Radeon HD 6870 and Radeon HD 5870
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.
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.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon HD 6870 scores 2,206 and the Radeon HD 5870 reaches 2,180 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.2% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon HD 6870 is built on TeraScale 2 while the Radeon HD 5870 uses TeraScale 2, both on a 40 nm process. Shader units: 1,120 (Radeon HD 6870) vs 1,600 (Radeon HD 5870). Raw compute: 2.016 TFLOPS (Radeon HD 6870) vs 2.72 TFLOPS (Radeon HD 5870).
| Feature | Radeon HD 6870 | Radeon HD 5870 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 2,206+1% | 2,180 |
| Architecture | TeraScale 2 | TeraScale 2 |
| Process Node | 40 nm | 40 nm |
| Shading Units | 1120 | 1600+43% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 2.016 TFLOPS | 2.72 TFLOPS+35% |
| ROPs | 32 | 32 |
| TMUs | 56 | 80+43% |
| L1 Cache | 224 KB+40% | 160 KB |
| L2 Cache | 512 KB | 512 KB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon HD 6870 | Radeon HD 5870 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 6870 | Radeon HD 5870 |
|---|---|---|
| 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: 11.0 (Radeon HD 6870) vs 11.2 (Radeon HD 5870). Maximum simultaneous displays: 6 vs 3.
| Feature | Radeon HD 6870 | Radeon HD 5870 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 11.0 | 11.2+2% |
| Max Displays | 6+100% | 3 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: None (Radeon HD 6870) vs UVD 2.2 (Radeon HD 5870). Decoder: UVD 3.0 vs UVD 2.2. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264,MPEG-4,MVC (Radeon HD 6870) vs H.264 (Radeon HD 5870).
| Feature | Radeon HD 6870 | Radeon HD 5870 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | None | UVD 2.2 |
| Decoder | UVD 3.0 | UVD 2.2 |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264,MPEG-4,MVC | H.264 |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon HD 6870 draws 151W versus the Radeon HD 5870's 188W — a 21.8% difference. The Radeon HD 6870 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (Radeon HD 6870) vs 500W (Radeon HD 5870). Power connectors: 2x 6-pin vs 2x 6-pin. Card length: 247mm vs 280mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots.
| Feature | Radeon HD 6870 | Radeon HD 5870 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 151W-20% | 188W |
| Recommended PSU | 500W | 500W |
| Power Connector | 2x 6-pin | 2x 6-pin |
| Length | 247mm | 280mm |
| Height | 111mm | — |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 85 | — |
| Perf/Watt | 14.6+26% | 11.6 |
Value Analysis
The Radeon HD 6870 launched at $239 MSRP and currently averages $50, while the Radeon HD 5870 launched at $399 and now averages $50. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 44.1 (Radeon HD 6870) vs 43.6 (Radeon HD 5870) — the Radeon HD 6870 offers 1.1% better value. The Radeon HD 6870 is the newer GPU (2010 vs 2009).
| Feature | Radeon HD 6870 | Radeon HD 5870 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $239-40% | $399 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $50 | $50 |
| Performance per Dollar | 44.1+1% | 43.6 |
| Codename | Barts | Cypress |
| Release | October 21 2010 | September 23 2009 |
| Ranking | #661 | #663 |
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