Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire vs GeForce GTX 1060

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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire

#253

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

592%

#255

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

537%

#256

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

536%

#260

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

487%

#261

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

484%

#263

Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arrow Lake)

MSRP: $300|Avg: $100

100%

#264

Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire

MSRP: $300|Avg: $75

100%

#269

GeForce GTX 960A

MSRP: $199|Avg: $60

95%

#270

Radeon HD 8770

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

95%

#272

Radeon R9 M295X

MSRP: $300|Avg: $150

94%

#273

GeForce GT 325M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $20

93%

#274

GeForce GTS 160M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $30

93%

#275

GeForce GTX 470M SLI

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $60

92%

#276

Radeon Vega 8 Ryzen 3 3200G

MSRP: $99|Avg: $70

92%

#278

Radeon RX Vega 9

MSRP: $99|Avg: $50

92%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce GTX 1060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 83% higher G3D Mark score and 50% more VRAM (6 GB vs 4 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire.

Insight	Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire	GeForce GTX 1060
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-83%)	✅Leading raw performance (+83%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / GCN (2012−2015))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / Pascal (2016−2021))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+50%)
Efficiency	⚡ Higher Power Consumption	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
Case Fit	—	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 1060 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 1060 holds the technical lead. Priced at $60 (vs $75), it costs 20% less, resulting in a 128.7% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire	GeForce GTX 1060
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+128.7%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($75)	✅More affordable ($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.

Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 1060 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire and GeForce GTX 1060

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.

GeForce GTX 1060

The GeForce GTX 1060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 27 2016. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1607 MHz to 1733 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 180W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 10,064 points. Launch price was $599.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire scores 5,500 versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 10,064 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 83%. The Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire is built on GCN while the GeForce GTX 1060 uses Pascal, both on 28 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire) vs 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060). Boost clocks: 900 MHz vs 1733 MHz.

Feature	Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire	GeForce GTX 1060
G3D Mark Score	5,500	10,064+83%
Architecture	GCN	Pascal
Process Node	28 nm	16 nm
Shading Units	2560	2560
Boost Clock	900 MHz	1733 MHz+93%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire	GeForce GTX 1060
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 8970M Crossfire comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 1060 has 6 GB. The GeForce GTX 1060 offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 153.6 GB/s x2 (Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire) vs 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060) — a 25% advantage for the GeForce GTX 1060. Bus width: 256-bit x2 vs 192-bit.

Feature	Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire	GeForce GTX 1060
VRAM Capacity	4 GB	6 GB+50%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	153.6 GB/s x2	192 GB/s+25%
Bus Width	256-bit x2+33%	192-bit

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire draws 200W versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 180W — a 10.5% difference. The GeForce GTX 1060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 1060). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs 6-pin.

Feature	Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire	GeForce GTX 1060
TDP	200W	180W-10%
Recommended PSU	350W-13%	400W
Power Connector	1x 6-pin	6-pin
Length	—	173mm
Height	—	111mm
Slots	—	2
Perf/Watt	27.5	55.9+103%

💰

Value Analysis

The Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire launched at $300 MSRP and currently averages $75, while the GeForce GTX 1060 launched at $249 and now averages $60. The GeForce GTX 1060 costs 20% less ($15 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 73.3 (Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire) vs 167.7 (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 128.8% better value. The GeForce GTX 1060 is the newer GPU (2016 vs 2012).