Radeon HD 6870 vs Radeon HD 6970M
Radeon HD 6870
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Radeon HD 6970M
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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 Radeon HD 6970M
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Radeon HD 6970M is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.9% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon HD 6870.
| Insight | Radeon HD 6870 | Radeon HD 6970M |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.9%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+2.9%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2010 / TeraScale 2 (2009−2015)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2011 / 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 (247mm) | — |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon HD 6970M offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Radeon HD 6970M holds the technical lead. Priced at $48 (vs $50), it costs 4% less, resulting in a 7.2% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon HD 6870 | Radeon HD 6970M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+7.2%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($50) | ✅More affordable ($48) |
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 6970M
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 6970M
The Radeon HD 6970M is manufactured by AMD. It was released in January 4 2011. It features the TeraScale 2 architecture. The core clock speed is 680 MHz. It has 960 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,270 points.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon HD 6870 scores 2,206 and the Radeon HD 6970M reaches 2,270 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.9% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon HD 6870 is built on TeraScale 2 while the Radeon HD 6970M uses TeraScale 2, both on a 40 nm process. Shader units: 1,120 (Radeon HD 6870) vs 960 (Radeon HD 6970M). Raw compute: 2.016 TFLOPS (Radeon HD 6870) vs 1.306 TFLOPS (Radeon HD 6970M).
| Feature | Radeon HD 6870 | Radeon HD 6970M |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 2,206 | 2,270+3% |
| Architecture | TeraScale 2 | TeraScale 2 |
| Process Node | 40 nm | 40 nm |
| Shading Units | 1120+17% | 960 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 2.016 TFLOPS+54% | 1.306 TFLOPS |
| ROPs | 32 | 32 |
| TMUs | 56+17% | 48 |
| L1 Cache | 224 KB+17% | 192 KB |
| L2 Cache | 512 KB | 512 KB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon HD 6870 | Radeon HD 6970M |
|---|---|---|
| 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 video memory. Bus width: 128-bit vs System.
| Feature | Radeon HD 6870 | Radeon HD 6970M |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 2 GB | 2 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | Shared |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | System |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | System |
| L2 Cache | 512 KB | 512 KB |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon HD 6870 draws 151W versus the Radeon HD 6970M's 75W — a 67.3% difference. The Radeon HD 6970M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (Radeon HD 6870) vs 350W (Radeon HD 6970M). Power connectors: 2x 6-pin vs 1x 6-pin.
| Feature | Radeon HD 6870 | Radeon HD 6970M |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 151W | 75W-50% |
| Recommended PSU | 500W | 350W-30% |
| Power Connector | 2x 6-pin | 1x 6-pin |
| Length | 247mm | — |
| Height | 111mm | — |
| Slots | 2 | — |
| Temp (Load) | 85 | — |
| Perf/Watt | 14.6 | 30.3+108% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon HD 6970M costs 4% less ($2 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 44.1 (Radeon HD 6870) vs 47.3 (Radeon HD 6970M) — the Radeon HD 6970M offers 7.3% better value. The Radeon HD 6970M is the newer GPU (2011 vs 2010).
| Feature | Radeon HD 6870 | Radeon HD 6970M |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $239 | — |
| Avg Price (30d) | $50 | $48-4% |
| Performance per Dollar | 44.1 | 47.3+7% |
| Codename | Barts | Blackcomb |
| Release | October 21 2010 | January 4 2011 |
| Ranking | #661 | #654 |
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
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