Radeon R5 M330 vs Radeon HD 3870 X2
Radeon R5 M330
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Radeon HD 3870 X2
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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. The Radeon R5 M330 is positioned at rank 480 and the Radeon HD 3870 X2 is on rank 327, so the Radeon HD 3870 X2 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Radeon R5 M330
Performance Per Dollar Radeon HD 3870 X2
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The Radeon R5 M330 is significantly newer (2015 vs 2008). The Radeon R5 M330 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The Radeon HD 3870 X2 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Radeon R5 M330 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.5% higher G3D Mark score and 700% more VRAM (4 GB vs 512 MB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon HD 3870 X2.
| Insight | Radeon R5 M330 | Radeon HD 3870 X2 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.5%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.5%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / GCN (2012−2015)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / TeraScale (2005−2013)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ✅ More VRAM (+700%) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | — | Standard Size (267mm) |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon R5 M330 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Radeon R5 M330 holds the technical lead. Priced at $20 (vs $40), it costs 50% less, resulting in a 103.1% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon R5 M330 | Radeon HD 3870 X2 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+103.1%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($20) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($40) |
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 R5 M330 and Radeon HD 3870 X2
Radeon R5 M330
The Radeon R5 M330 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in June 9 2015. It features the GCN architecture. It has 1024 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 596 points.
Radeon HD 3870 X2
The Radeon HD 3870 X2 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in August 12 2008. It features the TeraScale architecture. The core clock speed is 700 MHz. It has 800 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 286W. Manufactured using 55 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 587 points. Launch price was $550.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon R5 M330 scores 596 and the Radeon HD 3870 X2 reaches 587 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.5% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon R5 M330 is built on GCN while the Radeon HD 3870 X2 uses TeraScale, both on 28 nm vs 55 nm. Shader units: 1,024 (Radeon R5 M330) vs 800 (Radeon HD 3870 X2).
| Feature | Radeon R5 M330 | Radeon HD 3870 X2 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 596+2% | 587 |
| Architecture | GCN | TeraScale |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 55 nm |
| Shading Units | 1024+28% | 800 ×2 |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon R5 M330 | Radeon HD 3870 X2 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | AMD Anti-Lag | AMD Anti-Lag |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The Radeon R5 M330 comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon HD 3870 X2 has 512 MB. The Radeon R5 M330 offers 700% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 64-bit.
| Feature | Radeon R5 M330 | Radeon HD 3870 X2 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB+700% | 0.5 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit+100% | 64-bit |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (FL11_1) (Radeon R5 M330) vs 10.1 (Radeon HD 3870 X2). Maximum simultaneous displays: 3 vs 2.
| Feature | Radeon R5 M330 | Radeon HD 3870 X2 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (FL11_1)+19% | 10.1 |
| Max Displays | 3+50% | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: UVD (Radeon R5 M330) vs UVD+ (Radeon HD 3870 X2). Decoder: VCE vs UVD+.
| Feature | Radeon R5 M330 | Radeon HD 3870 X2 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | UVD | UVD+ |
| Decoder | VCE | UVD+ |
| Codecs | H.264,HEVC,MPEG-4,MVC | — |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon R5 M330 draws 75W versus the Radeon HD 3870 X2's 286W — a 116.9% difference. The Radeon R5 M330 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon R5 M330) vs 550W (Radeon HD 3870 X2). Power connectors: Mobile vs 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin.
| Feature | Radeon R5 M330 | Radeon HD 3870 X2 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 75W-74% | 286W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W-36% | 550W |
| Power Connector | Mobile | 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin |
| Length | — | 267mm |
| Slots | — | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 95°C | — |
| Perf/Watt | 7.9+276% | 2.1 |
Value Analysis
The Radeon R5 M330 launched at $120 MSRP and currently averages $20, while the Radeon HD 3870 X2 launched at $449 and now averages $40. The Radeon R5 M330 costs 50% less ($20 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 29.8 (Radeon R5 M330) vs 14.7 (Radeon HD 3870 X2) — the Radeon R5 M330 offers 102.7% better value. The Radeon R5 M330 is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2008).
| Feature | Radeon R5 M330 | Radeon HD 3870 X2 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $120-73% | $449 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $20-50% | $40 |
| Performance per Dollar | 29.8+103% | 14.7 |
| Codename | Pitcairn | R700 |
| Release | June 9 2015 | August 12 2008 |
| Ranking | #522 | #796 |
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