Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire vs GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire
Popular choices:
GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
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 GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is significantly newer (2022 vs 2012). The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB 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 3050 8GB is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 127.9% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (8 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 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-127.9%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+127.9%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / GCN (2012−2015)) | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | 🎮 High Capacity (8 GB) |
| 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 $209 for the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB, it costs 64% less. While it maintains significantly lower raw performance, this results in a 22.3% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+22.3%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($75) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($209) |
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 GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
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 3050 8GB
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 4 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1552 MHz to 1777 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 130W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 20 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 12,535 points. Launch price was $249.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire scores 5,500 versus the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB's 12,535 — the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB leads by 127.9%. The Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire is built on GCN while the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB uses Ampere, both on 28 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire) vs 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB). Boost clocks: 900 MHz vs 1777 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 5,500 | 12,535+128% |
| Architecture | GCN | Ampere |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 2560 | 2560 |
| Boost Clock | 900 MHz | 1777 MHz+97% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| 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 3050 8GB has 8 GB. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 153.6 GB/s x2 (Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire) vs 224 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) — a 45.8% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB. Bus width: 256-bit x2 vs 128-bit.
| Feature | Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 8 GB+100% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 153.6 GB/s x2 | 224 GB/s+46% |
| Bus Width | 256-bit x2+100% | 128-bit |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire draws 200W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB's 130W — a 42.4% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire) vs 450W (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs 8-pin.
| Feature | Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 200W | 130W-35% |
| Recommended PSU | 350W-22% | 450W |
| Power Connector | 1x 6-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | — | 242mm |
| Height | — | 112mm |
| Slots | — | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | — | 66°C |
| Perf/Watt | 27.5 | 96.4+251% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire launched at $300 MSRP and currently averages $75, while the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB launched at $249 and now averages $209. The Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire costs 64.1% less ($134 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 73.3 (Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire) vs 60.0 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) — the Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire offers 22.2% better value. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2012).
| Feature | Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $300 | $249-17% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $75-64% | $209 |
| Performance per Dollar | 73.3+22% | 60.0 |
| Codename | Neptune CF | GA106 |
| Release | May 1 2012 | January 4 2022 |
| Ranking | #350 | #211 |
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar GPU comparisons based on Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire and GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
