Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire vs GeForce GTX 690

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. The Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire is positioned at rank #123 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. 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 Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire

#113

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

289%

#115

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

262%

#116

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

261%

#120

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

238%

#121

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

236%

#123

Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

100%

#125

GeForce GT 550M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $30

100%

#131

GeForce GT 335M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $25

98%

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 6970M Crossfire is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.8% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (4 GB vs 2 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 690.

Insight	Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire	GeForce GTX 690
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+1.8%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.8%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2011 / Terascale 2 (2009−2015))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / Kepler (2012−2018))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	✅ More VRAM (+100%)	❌ Less VRAM capacity
Efficiency	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt	⚡ Higher Power Consumption
Case Fit	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly	Standard Size (279mm)

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 690 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 690 holds the technical lead. Priced at $45 (vs $150), it costs 70% less, resulting in a 227.4% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire	GeForce GTX 690
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+227.4%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($150)	✅More affordable ($45)

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 6970M Crossfire Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 690 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire and GeForce GTX 690

Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire

The Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire is manufactured by AMD. It was released in January 6 2011. It features the Terascale 2 architecture. The core clock speed is 680 MHz. It has 1920 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 50W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,637 points.

GeForce GTX 690

The GeForce GTX 690 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 3 2012. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 915 MHz to 1019 MHz. It has 3072 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 300W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,536 points. Launch price was $999.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire scores 5,637 and the GeForce GTX 690 reaches 5,536 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.8% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire is built on Terascale 2 while the GeForce GTX 690 uses Kepler, both on 40 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 1,920 (Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire) vs 3,072 (GeForce GTX 690).

Feature	Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire	GeForce GTX 690
G3D Mark Score	5,637+2%	5,536
Architecture	Terascale 2	Kepler
Process Node	40 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	1920	3072 ×2+60%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire	GeForce GTX 690
Upscaling Tech	FSR 1.0 (Software)	FSR 2.1 (Compatible)
Frame Generation	Not Supported	FSR 3 (Compatible)
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	AMD Anti-Lag	Standard

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 690 has 2 GB. The Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 115.2 GB/s x2 (Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire) vs 192.2 GB/s x2 (GeForce GTX 690) — a 66.8% advantage for the GeForce GTX 690. Bus width: 256-bit x2 vs 256-bit x2.

Feature	Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire	GeForce GTX 690
VRAM Capacity	4 GB+100%	2 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	115.2 GB/s x2	192.2 GB/s x2+67%
Bus Width	256-bit x2	256-bit x2

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 11_0 (Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire) vs 12_0 (GeForce GTX 690). Maximum simultaneous displays: 0 vs 4.

Feature	Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire	GeForce GTX 690
DirectX	11_0	12_0+9%
Max Displays	0	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: UVD 3 (Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire) vs NVENC 1st Gen (GeForce GTX 690). Decoder: UVD 3 vs VP5.

Feature	Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire	GeForce GTX 690
Encoder	UVD 3	NVENC 1st Gen
Decoder	UVD 3	VP5

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire draws 50W versus the GeForce GTX 690's 300W — a 142.9% difference. The Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire) vs 650W (GeForce GTX 690). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs 2x 8-pin. Card length: 1mm vs 279mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots.

Feature	Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire	GeForce GTX 690
TDP	50W-83%	300W
Recommended PSU	350W-46%	650W
Power Connector	1x 6-pin	2x 8-pin
Length	1mm	279mm
Slots	0-100%	2
Perf/Watt	112.7+509%	18.5

💰

Value Analysis

The Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire launched at $150 MSRP and currently averages $150, while the GeForce GTX 690 launched at $999 and now averages $45. The GeForce GTX 690 costs 70% less ($105 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 37.6 (Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire) vs 123.0 (GeForce GTX 690) — the GeForce GTX 690 offers 227.1% better value. The GeForce GTX 690 is the newer GPU (2012 vs 2011).