Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X vs Arc A310
Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X
Popular choices:
Arc A310
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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 Arc A310
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The Arc A310 is significantly newer (2022 vs 2013). The Arc A310 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Arc A310 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 3.6% higher G3D Mark score and 33.3% more VRAM (4 GB vs 3 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X.
| Insight | Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X | Arc A310 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-3.6%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+3.6%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)) | Generation 12.7 (2022−2023) (6nm) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+33.3%) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (275mm) | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $40 versus $100 for the Arc A310, it costs 60% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 141.3% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X | Arc A310 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+141.3%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($40) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($100) |
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 7970 / R9 280X and Arc A310
Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X
The Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in October 8 2013. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1000 MHz. It has 2048 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 200W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,248 points. Launch price was $299.
Arc A310
The Arc A310 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in October 12 2022. It features the Generation 12.7 architecture. The core clock ranges from 2000 MHz to 2000 MHz. It has 768 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 6 nm process technology. It features 6 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,438 points.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X scores 5,248 and the Arc A310 reaches 5,438 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 3.6% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X is built on GCN 1.0 while the Arc A310 uses Generation 12.7, both on 28 nm vs 6 nm. Shader units: 2,048 (Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X) vs 768 (Arc A310). Raw compute: 4.096 TFLOPS (Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X) vs 3.072 TFLOPS (Arc A310). Boost clocks: 1000 MHz vs 2000 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X | Arc A310 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 5,248 | 5,438+4% |
| Architecture | GCN 1.0 | Generation 12.7 |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 6 nm |
| Shading Units | 2048+167% | 768 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 4.096 TFLOPS+33% | 3.072 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1000 MHz | 2000 MHz+100% |
| ROPs | 32+100% | 16 |
| TMUs | 128+300% | 32 |
| L1 Cache | 0.5 MB | 1.1 MB+120% |
| L2 Cache | 0.75 MB | 4 MB+433% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X | Arc A310 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | XeSS |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | FSR 3 (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | AMD Anti-Lag | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X comes with 3 GB of VRAM, while the Arc A310 has 4 GB. The Arc A310 offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 264 GB/s (Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X) vs 124 GB/s (Arc A310) — a 112.9% advantage for the Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X. Bus width: 384-bit vs 64-bit. L2 Cache: 0.75 MB (Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X) vs 4 MB (Arc A310) — the Arc A310 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X | Arc A310 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 3 GB | 4 GB+33% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 264 GB/s+113% | 124 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 384-bit+500% | 64-bit |
| L2 Cache | 0.75 MB | 4 MB+433% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (11_1) (Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X) vs 12 Ultimate (Arc A310). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 6 vs 4.
| Feature | Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X | Arc A310 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 7970 / R9 280X) vs Xe Media Engine (Arc A310). Decoder: UVD 3.2 vs Xe Media Engine. Supported codecs: H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,MPEG-4 (Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X) vs AV1,H.264,H.265/HEVC,VP9 (Arc A310).
| Feature | Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X | Arc A310 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | VCE 1.0 | Xe Media Engine |
| Decoder | UVD 3.2 | Xe Media Engine |
| Codecs | H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,MPEG-4 | AV1,H.264,H.265/HEVC,VP9 |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X draws 200W versus the Arc A310's 75W — a 90.9% difference. The Arc A310 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X) vs 300W (Arc A310). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs None. Card length: 275mm vs 169mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80 C vs 65°C.
| Feature | Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X | Arc A310 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 200W | 75W-63% |
| Recommended PSU | 500W | 300W-40% |
| Power Connector | 6-pin + 8-pin | None |
| Length | 275mm | 169mm |
| Height | 111mm | 69mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 80 C | 65°C-19% |
| Perf/Watt | 26.2 | 72.5+177% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X launched at $299 MSRP and currently averages $40, while the Arc A310 launched at $100 and now averages $100. The Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X costs 60% less ($60 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 131.2 (Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X) vs 54.4 (Arc A310) — the Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X offers 141.2% better value. The Arc A310 is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2013).
| Feature | Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X | Arc A310 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $299 | $100-67% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $40-60% | $100 |
| Performance per Dollar | 131.2+141% | 54.4 |
| Codename | Tahiti | DG2-128 |
| Release | October 8 2013 | October 12 2022 |
| Ranking | #404 | #422 |
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