CPU
GPU
Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X
Popular choices:
GeForce GTX 670
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
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GTX 670 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.2% 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 | GeForce GTX 670 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.2%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+2.2%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / Kepler (2012−2018)) |
| 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 GeForce GTX 670 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 670 holds the technical lead. Priced at $20 (vs $40), it costs 50% less, resulting in a 104.3% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X | GeForce GTX 670 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+104.3%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($40) | ✅More affordable ($20) |
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 670
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 670
The GeForce GTX 670 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 10 2012. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 915 MHz to 980 MHz. It has 1344 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 170W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,361 points. Launch price was $399.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X scores 5,248 and the GeForce GTX 670 reaches 5,361 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.2% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X is built on GCN 1.0 while the GeForce GTX 670 uses Kepler, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 2,048 (Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X) vs 1,344 (GeForce GTX 670). Raw compute: 4.096 TFLOPS (Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X) vs 2.634 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 670). Boost clocks: 1000 MHz vs 980 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X | GeForce GTX 670 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 5,248 | 5,361+2% |
| Architecture | GCN 1.0 | Kepler |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 2048+52% | 1344 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 4.096 TFLOPS+56% | 2.634 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1000 MHz+2% | 980 MHz |
| ROPs | 32 | 32 |
| TMUs | 128+14% | 112 |
| L1 Cache | 512 KB+357% | 112 KB |
| L2 Cache | 768 KB+50% | 512 KB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X | GeForce GTX 670 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 7970 / R9 280X comes with 3 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 670 has 4 GB. The GeForce GTX 670 offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 264 GB/s (Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X) vs 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 670) — a 37.5% advantage for the Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X. Bus width: 384-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 768 KB (Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X) vs 512 KB (GeForce GTX 670) — the Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X | GeForce GTX 670 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 3 GB | 4 GB+33% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 264 GB/s+38% | 192 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 384-bit+50% | 256-bit |
| L2 Cache | 768 KB+50% | 512 KB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (11_1) (Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X) vs 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 670). Vulkan: 1.2 vs N/A. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 6 vs 4.
| Feature | Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X | GeForce GTX 670 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (11_1) | 12 (11_0) |
| Vulkan | 1.2 | N/A |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 6+50% | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: VCE 1.0 (Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X) vs NVENC (3rd Gen) (GeForce GTX 670). Decoder: UVD 3.2 vs NVDEC (1st Gen). Supported codecs: H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,MPEG-4 (Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X) vs H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GeForce GTX 670).
| Feature | Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X | GeForce GTX 670 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | VCE 1.0 | NVENC (3rd Gen) |
| Decoder | UVD 3.2 | NVDEC (1st Gen) |
| Codecs | H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,MPEG-4 | H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X draws 200W versus the GeForce GTX 670's 170W — a 16.2% difference. The GeForce GTX 670 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X) vs 500W (GeForce GTX 670). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs 2x 6-pin. Card length: 275mm vs 241mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80 C vs 82 C.
| Feature | Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X | GeForce GTX 670 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 200W | 170W-15% |
| Recommended PSU | 500W | 500W |
| Power Connector | 6-pin + 8-pin | 2x 6-pin |
| Length | 275mm | 241mm |
| Height | 111mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 80 C-2% | 82 C |
| Perf/Watt | 26.2 | 31.5+20% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X launched at $299 MSRP and currently averages $40, while the GeForce GTX 670 launched at $399 and now averages $20. The GeForce GTX 670 costs 50% less ($20 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 131.2 (Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X) vs 268.1 (GeForce GTX 670) — the GeForce GTX 670 offers 104.3% better value. The Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X is the newer GPU (2013 vs 2012).
| Feature | Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X | GeForce GTX 670 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $299-25% | $399 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $40 | $20-50% |
| Performance per Dollar | 131.2 | 268.1+104% |
| Codename | Tahiti | GK104 |
| Release | October 8 2013 | May 10 2012 |
| Ranking | #404 | #424 |
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
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