CPU
GPU
Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X
Popular choices:
GeForce GTX 1050 3GB
Popular choices:
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
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce GTX 1050 3GB uses modern memory architecture. The GeForce GTX 1050 3GB 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 Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.6% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 1050 3GB.
| Insight | Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X | GeForce GTX 1050 3GB |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+2.6%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.6%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2018 / Pascal (2016−2021)) |
| 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 (275mm) | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $40 versus $60 for the GeForce GTX 1050 3GB, it costs 33% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 53.9% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X | GeForce GTX 1050 3GB |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+53.9%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($40) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($60) |
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 GeForce GTX 1050 3GB
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.
GeForce GTX 1050 3GB
The GeForce GTX 1050 3GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 21 2018. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1392 MHz to 1518 MHz. It has 768 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,116 points.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X scores 5,248 and the GeForce GTX 1050 3GB reaches 5,116 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.6% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X is built on GCN 1.0 while the GeForce GTX 1050 3GB uses Pascal, both on 28 nm vs 14 nm. Shader units: 2,048 (Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X) vs 768 (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB). Raw compute: 4.096 TFLOPS (Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X) vs 2.332 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB). Boost clocks: 1000 MHz vs 1518 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X | GeForce GTX 1050 3GB |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 5,248+3% | 5,116 |
| Architecture | GCN 1.0 | Pascal |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 14 nm |
| Shading Units | 2048+167% | 768 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 4.096 TFLOPS+76% | 2.332 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1000 MHz | 1518 MHz+52% |
| ROPs | 32+33% | 24 |
| TMUs | 128+167% | 48 |
| L1 Cache | 512 KB+78% | 288 KB |
| L2 Cache | 768 KB | 768 KB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X | GeForce GTX 1050 3GB |
|---|---|---|
| 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)
Both cards feature 3 GB of GDDR5. Memory bandwidth: 264 GB/s (Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X) vs 84 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB) — a 214.3% advantage for the Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X. Bus width: 384-bit vs 96-bit.
| Feature | Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X | GeForce GTX 1050 3GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 3 GB | 3 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 264 GB/s+214% | 84 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 384-bit+300% | 96-bit |
| L2 Cache | 768 KB | 768 KB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (11_1) (Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X) vs 12 (12_1) (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 6 vs 3.
| Feature | Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X | GeForce GTX 1050 3GB |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (11_1) | 12 (12_1) |
| Vulkan | 1.2 | 1.3+8% |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 6+100% | 3 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: VCE 1.0 (Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X) vs NVENC 6.0 (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB). Decoder: UVD 3.2 vs NVDEC 3.0. Supported codecs: H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,MPEG-4 (Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X) vs H.264,H.265,VP9 (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB).
| Feature | Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X | GeForce GTX 1050 3GB |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | VCE 1.0 | NVENC 6.0 |
| Decoder | UVD 3.2 | NVDEC 3.0 |
| Codecs | H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,MPEG-4 | H.264,H.265,VP9 |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X draws 200W versus the GeForce GTX 1050 3GB's 75W — a 90.9% difference. The GeForce GTX 1050 3GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X) vs 300W (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs None. Card length: 275mm vs 145mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80 C vs 65.
| Feature | Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X | GeForce GTX 1050 3GB |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 200W | 75W-63% |
| Recommended PSU | 500W | 300W-40% |
| Power Connector | 6-pin + 8-pin | None |
| Length | 275mm | 145mm |
| Height | 111mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 80 C | 65-19% |
| Perf/Watt | 26.2 | 68.2+160% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X launched at $299 MSRP and currently averages $40, while the GeForce GTX 1050 3GB launched at $129 and now averages $60. The Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X costs 33.3% less ($20 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 131.2 (Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X) vs 85.3 (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB) — the Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X offers 53.8% better value. The GeForce GTX 1050 3GB is the newer GPU (2018 vs 2013).
| Feature | Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X | GeForce GTX 1050 3GB |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $299 | $129-57% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $40-33% | $60 |
| Performance per Dollar | 131.2+54% | 85.3 |
| Codename | Tahiti | GP107 |
| Release | October 8 2013 | May 21 2018 |
| Ranking | #404 | #440 |
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