Radeon HD 7870 vs GeForce RTX 3060
Radeon HD 7870
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GeForce RTX 3060
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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 GeForce RTX 3060
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3060 is significantly newer (2021 vs 2012). The GeForce RTX 3060 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The Radeon HD 7870 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 3060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 272% higher G3D Mark score and 500% more VRAM (12 GB vs 2 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon HD 7870.
| Insight | Radeon HD 7870 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-272%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+272%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)) | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere / 8nm) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | 🎮 High Capacity (12 GB) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon HD 7870 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $45 versus $289 for the GeForce RTX 3060, it costs 84% less. While it maintains significantly lower raw performance, this results in a 72.6% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon HD 7870 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+72.6%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($45) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($289) |
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 7870 and GeForce RTX 3060
Radeon HD 7870
The Radeon HD 7870 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in March 5 2012. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 1000 MHz. It has 1280 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 200W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 4,568 points. Launch price was $349.
GeForce RTX 3060
The GeForce RTX 3060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 12 2021. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1320 MHz to 1777 MHz. It has 3584 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 170W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 28 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 16,995 points. Launch price was $329.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the Radeon HD 7870 scores 4,568 versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 16,995 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 272%. The Radeon HD 7870 is built on GCN 1.0 while the GeForce RTX 3060 uses Ampere, both on 28 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 1,280 (Radeon HD 7870) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060). Raw compute: 2.56 TFLOPS (Radeon HD 7870) vs 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060).
| Feature | Radeon HD 7870 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 4,568 | 16,995+272% |
| Architecture | GCN 1.0 | Ampere |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 1280 | 3584+180% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 2.56 TFLOPS | 12.74 TFLOPS+398% |
| ROPs | 32 | 48+50% |
| TMUs | 80 | 112+40% |
| L1 Cache | 0.31 MB | 3.5 MB+1029% |
| L2 Cache | 0.5 MB | 3 MB+500% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon HD 7870 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | DLSS 2.0 |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | AMD Anti-Lag | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The Radeon HD 7870 comes with 2 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 has 12 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 500% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 153.6 GB/s (Radeon HD 7870) vs 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) — a 134.4% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060. Bus width: 256-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 0.5 MB (Radeon HD 7870) vs 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 3060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | Radeon HD 7870 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 2 GB | 12 GB+500% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 153.6 GB/s | 360 GB/s+134% |
| Bus Width | 256-bit+33% | 192-bit |
| L2 Cache | 0.5 MB | 3 MB+500% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (11_1) (Radeon HD 7870) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 6 vs 4.
| Feature | Radeon HD 7870 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (11_1) | 12 Ultimate |
| Vulkan | 1.2 | 1.3+8% |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 6+50% | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: VCE 1.0 (Radeon HD 7870) vs NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060). Decoder: UVD 4.0 vs NVDEC 5th Gen. Supported codecs: H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (Radeon HD 7870) vs AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060).
| Feature | Radeon HD 7870 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | VCE 1.0 | NVENC 7th Gen |
| Decoder | UVD 4.0 | NVDEC 5th Gen |
| Codecs | H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 | AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon HD 7870 draws 200W versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 170W — a 16.2% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (Radeon HD 7870) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 3060). Power connectors: 2x 6-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 241mm vs 242mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 75.
| Feature | Radeon HD 7870 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 200W | 170W-15% |
| Recommended PSU | 500W-9% | 550W |
| Power Connector | 2x 6-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 241mm | 242mm |
| Height | 111mm | 112mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 80°C | 75-6% |
| Perf/Watt | 22.8 | 100.0+339% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon HD 7870 launched at $349 MSRP and currently averages $45, while the GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329 and now averages $289. The Radeon HD 7870 costs 84.4% less ($244 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 101.5 (Radeon HD 7870) vs 58.8 (GeForce RTX 3060) — the Radeon HD 7870 offers 72.6% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2012).
| Feature | Radeon HD 7870 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $349 | $329-6% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $45-84% | $289 |
| Performance per Dollar | 101.5+73% | 58.8 |
| Codename | Pitcairn | GA106 |
| Release | March 5 2012 | January 12 2021 |
| Ranking | #460 | #114 |
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