Radeon HD 7870 vs Radeon Sky 500
Radeon HD 7870
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Radeon Sky 500
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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 Sky 500
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Radeon Sky 500 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 3.4% higher G3D Mark score. 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 | Radeon Sky 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-3.4%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+3.4%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+0%) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | — |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon HD 7870 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Radeon HD 7870 holds the technical lead. Priced at $45 (vs $500), it costs 91% less, resulting in a 974.6% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon HD 7870 | Radeon Sky 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+974.6%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($45) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($500) |
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 Radeon Sky 500
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.
Radeon Sky 500
The Radeon Sky 500 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in March 27 2013. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 950 MHz. It has 1280 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 4,723 points.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon HD 7870 scores 4,568 and the Radeon Sky 500 reaches 4,723 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 3.4% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon HD 7870 is built on GCN 1.0 while the Radeon Sky 500 uses GCN 1.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 1,280 (Radeon HD 7870) vs 1,280 (Radeon Sky 500). Raw compute: 2.56 TFLOPS (Radeon HD 7870) vs 2.432 TFLOPS (Radeon Sky 500).
| Feature | Radeon HD 7870 | Radeon Sky 500 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 4,568 | 4,723+3% |
| Architecture | GCN 1.0 | GCN 1.0 |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 1280 | 1280 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 2.56 TFLOPS+5% | 2.432 TFLOPS |
| ROPs | 32 | 32 |
| TMUs | 80 | 80 |
| L1 Cache | 320 KB | 320 KB |
| L2 Cache | 512 KB | 512 KB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon HD 7870 | Radeon Sky 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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: 256-bit vs 64-bit.
| Feature | Radeon HD 7870 | Radeon Sky 500 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 2 GB | 2 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Bus Width | 256-bit+300% | 64-bit |
| L2 Cache | 512 KB | 512 KB |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon HD 7870 draws 200W versus the Radeon Sky 500's 150W — a 28.6% difference. The Radeon Sky 500 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (Radeon HD 7870) vs 350W (Radeon Sky 500). Power connectors: 2x 6-pin vs PCIe-powered.
| Feature | Radeon HD 7870 | Radeon Sky 500 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 200W | 150W-25% |
| Recommended PSU | 500W | 350W-30% |
| Power Connector | 2x 6-pin | PCIe-powered |
| Length | 241mm | — |
| Height | 111mm | — |
| Slots | 2 | — |
| Temp (Load) | 80°C | — |
| Perf/Watt | 22.8 | 31.5+38% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon HD 7870 launched at $349 MSRP and currently averages $45, while the Radeon Sky 500 launched at $500 and now averages $500. The Radeon HD 7870 costs 91% less ($455 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 101.5 (Radeon HD 7870) vs 9.4 (Radeon Sky 500) — the Radeon HD 7870 offers 979.8% better value. The Radeon Sky 500 is the newer GPU (2013 vs 2012).
| Feature | Radeon HD 7870 | Radeon Sky 500 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $349-30% | $500 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $45-91% | $500 |
| Performance per Dollar | 101.5+980% | 9.4 |
| Codename | Pitcairn | Pitcairn |
| Release | March 5 2012 | March 27 2013 |
| Ranking | #460 | #455 |
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