Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire vs GeForce RTX 2060

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

#254

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

592%

#256

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

537%

#257

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

536%

#261

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

487%

#262

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

484%

#264

Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire

MSRP: $300|Avg: $75

100%

#265

Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arrow Lake)

MSRP: $300|Avg: $100

100%

#270

GeForce GTX 960A

MSRP: $199|Avg: $60

95%

#271

Radeon HD 8770

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

95%

#273

Radeon R9 M295X

MSRP: $300|Avg: $150

94%

#274

GeForce GT 325M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $20

93%

#275

GeForce GTS 160M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $30

93%

#276

GeForce GTX 470M SLI

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $60

92%

#277

Radeon Vega 8 Ryzen 3 3200G

MSRP: $99|Avg: $70

92%

#279

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

⚠️ Generational Difference

The GeForce RTX 2060 is significantly newer (2019 vs 2012). The GeForce RTX 2060 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 GeForce RTX 2060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 156.6% 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 RTX 2060
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-156.6%)	✅Leading raw performance (+156.6%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / GCN (2012−2015))	Turing (2018−2022) (12nm)
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	🎮 High Capacity (6 GB)
Efficiency	⚡ Higher Power Consumption	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
Case Fit	—	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce RTX 2060 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Although it costs $120 (vs $75), its significant performance lead justifies the premium, offering 60.4% better value per dollar than the Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire.

Insight	Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire	GeForce RTX 2060
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+60.4%)
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($75)	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($120)

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 RTX 2060 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

No prediction data available

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

No prediction data available

League of Legends

League of Legends

No prediction data available

Valorant

Valorant

No prediction data available

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire and GeForce RTX 2060

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 RTX 2060

The GeForce RTX 2060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 7 2019. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 1365 MHz to 1680 MHz. It has 1920 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 160W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. It features 30 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 14,114 points. Launch price was $349.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire scores 5,500 versus the GeForce RTX 2060's 14,114 — the GeForce RTX 2060 leads by 156.6%. The Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire is built on GCN while the GeForce RTX 2060 uses Turing, both on 28 nm vs 12 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire) vs 1,920 (GeForce RTX 2060). Boost clocks: 900 MHz vs 1680 MHz.

Feature	Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire	GeForce RTX 2060
G3D Mark Score	5,500	14,114+157%
Architecture	GCN	Turing
Process Node	28 nm	12 nm
Shading Units	2560+33%	1920
Boost Clock	900 MHz	1680 MHz+87%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire	GeForce RTX 2060
Upscaling Tech	FSR 1.0 (Software)	DLSS 2.0
Frame Generation	Not Supported	FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible)
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	AMD Anti-Lag	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 2060 has 6 GB. The GeForce RTX 2060 offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 153.6 GB/s x2 (Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire) vs 336 GB/s (GeForce RTX 2060) — a 118.7% advantage for the GeForce RTX 2060. Bus width: 256-bit x2 vs 192-bit.

Feature	Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire	GeForce RTX 2060
VRAM Capacity	4 GB	6 GB+50%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	153.6 GB/s x2	336 GB/s+119%
Bus Width	256-bit x2+33%	192-bit

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire draws 200W versus the GeForce RTX 2060's 160W — a 22.2% difference. The GeForce RTX 2060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire) vs 500W (GeForce RTX 2060). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs 8-pin.

Feature	Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire	GeForce RTX 2060
TDP	200W	160W-20%
Recommended PSU	350W-30%	500W
Power Connector	1x 6-pin	8-pin
Length	—	229mm
Height	—	113mm
Slots	—	2
Temp (Load)	—	72
Perf/Watt	27.5	88.2+221%

💰

Value Analysis

The Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire launched at $300 MSRP and currently averages $75, while the GeForce RTX 2060 launched at $349 and now averages $120. The Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire costs 37.5% less ($45 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 73.3 (Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire) vs 117.6 (GeForce RTX 2060) — the GeForce RTX 2060 offers 60.4% better value. The GeForce RTX 2060 is the newer GPU (2019 vs 2012).