CPU
GPU
Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire
Popular choices:
Arc A310
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. The Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire is positioned at rank #264 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. 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 Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire
Performance Per Dollar Arc A310
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The Arc A310 is significantly newer (2022 vs 2012). 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 8970M Crossfire lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.1% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Arc A310.
| Insight | Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire | Arc A310 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.1%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.1%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / GCN (2012−2015)) | Generation 12.7 (2022−2023) (6nm) |
| 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 8970M Crossfire offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $75 versus $100 for the Arc A310, it costs 25% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 34.9% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire | Arc A310 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+34.9%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($75) | ⚠️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 8970M Crossfire and Arc A310
Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire
The Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire is manufactured by AMD. It was released in May 1 2012. It features the GCN architecture. The core clock ranges from 850 MHz to 900 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 200W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,500 points.
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 8970M Crossfire scores 5,500 and the Arc A310 reaches 5,438 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire is built on GCN while the Arc A310 uses Generation 12.7, both on 28 nm vs 6 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire) vs 768 (Arc A310). Boost clocks: 900 MHz vs 2000 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire | Arc A310 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 5,500+1% | 5,438 |
| Architecture | GCN | Generation 12.7 |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 6 nm |
| Shading Units | 2560+233% | 768 |
| Boost Clock | 900 MHz | 2000 MHz+122% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire | 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)
Both cards feature 4 GB of video memory. Memory bandwidth: 153.6 GB/s x2 (Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire) vs 124 GB/s (Arc A310) — a 23.9% advantage for the Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire. Bus width: 256-bit x2 vs 64-bit.
| Feature | Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire | Arc A310 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 153.6 GB/s x2+24% | 124 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 256-bit x2+300% | 64-bit |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire draws 200W versus the Arc A310's 75W — a 90.9% difference. The Arc A310 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire) vs 300W (Arc A310). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs None.
| Feature | Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire | Arc A310 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 200W | 75W-63% |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 300W-14% |
| Power Connector | 1x 6-pin | None |
| Length | — | 169mm |
| Height | — | 69mm |
| Slots | — | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | — | 65°C |
| Perf/Watt | 27.5 | 72.5+164% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire launched at $300 MSRP and currently averages $75, while the Arc A310 launched at $100 and now averages $100. The Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire costs 25% less ($25 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 73.3 (Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire) vs 54.4 (Arc A310) — the Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire offers 34.7% better value. The Arc A310 is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2012).
| Feature | Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire | Arc A310 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $300 | $100-67% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $75-25% | $100 |
| Performance per Dollar | 73.3+35% | 54.4 |
| Codename | Neptune CF | DG2-128 |
| Release | May 1 2012 | October 12 2022 |
| Ranking | #350 | #422 |
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The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
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