Radeon R9 270 vs Radeon HD 7870 XT
Radeon R9 270
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Radeon HD 7870 XT
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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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Radeon HD 7870 XT is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 3.8% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon R9 270.
| Insight | Radeon R9 270 | Radeon HD 7870 XT |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-3.8%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+3.8%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+0%) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | — | Standard Size (267mm) |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon R9 270 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Radeon R9 270 holds the technical lead. Priced at $30 (vs $270), it costs 89% less, resulting in a 767% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon R9 270 | Radeon HD 7870 XT |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+767%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($30) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($270) |
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 R9 270 and Radeon HD 7870 XT
Radeon R9 270
The Radeon R9 270 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in November 13 2013. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 925 MHz. It has 1280 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 4,306 points. Launch price was $179.
Radeon HD 7870 XT
The Radeon HD 7870 XT is manufactured by AMD. It was released in November 19 2012. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 925 MHz to 975 MHz. It has 1536 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 185W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 4,470 points. Launch price was $270.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon R9 270 scores 4,306 and the Radeon HD 7870 XT reaches 4,470 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 3.8% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon R9 270 is built on GCN 1.0 while the Radeon HD 7870 XT uses GCN 1.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 1,280 (Radeon R9 270) vs 1,536 (Radeon HD 7870 XT). Raw compute: 2.368 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 270) vs 2.995 TFLOPS (Radeon HD 7870 XT). Boost clocks: 925 MHz vs 975 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon R9 270 | Radeon HD 7870 XT |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 4,306 | 4,470+4% |
| Architecture | GCN 1.0 | GCN 1.0 |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 1280 | 1536+20% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 2.368 TFLOPS | 2.995 TFLOPS+26% |
| Boost Clock | 925 MHz | 975 MHz+5% |
| ROPs | 32 | 32 |
| TMUs | 80 | 96+20% |
| L1 Cache | 320 KB | 384 KB+20% |
| L2 Cache | 512 KB | 512 KB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon R9 270 | Radeon HD 7870 XT |
|---|---|---|
| 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)
Both cards feature 2 GB of GDDR5. Memory bandwidth: 179.2 GB/s (Radeon R9 270) vs 192 GB/s (Radeon HD 7870 XT) — a 7.1% advantage for the Radeon HD 7870 XT. Bus width: 256-bit vs 256-bit.
| Feature | Radeon R9 270 | Radeon HD 7870 XT |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 2 GB | 2 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 179.2 GB/s | 192 GB/s+7% |
| Bus Width | 256-bit | 256-bit |
| L2 Cache | 512 KB | 512 KB |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon R9 270 draws 150W versus the Radeon HD 7870 XT's 185W — a 20.9% difference. The Radeon R9 270 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (Radeon R9 270) vs 500W (Radeon HD 7870 XT). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs 2x 6-pin.
| Feature | Radeon R9 270 | Radeon HD 7870 XT |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 150W-19% | 185W |
| Recommended PSU | 500W | 500W |
| Power Connector | 1x 6-pin | 2x 6-pin |
| Length | — | 267mm |
| Height | — | 111mm |
| Slots | — | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | — | 80 |
| Perf/Watt | 28.7+19% | 24.2 |
Value Analysis
The Radeon R9 270 launched at $179 MSRP and currently averages $30, while the Radeon HD 7870 XT launched at $270 and now averages $270. The Radeon R9 270 costs 88.9% less ($240 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 143.5 (Radeon R9 270) vs 16.6 (Radeon HD 7870 XT) — the Radeon R9 270 offers 764.5% better value. The Radeon R9 270 is the newer GPU (2013 vs 2012).
| Feature | Radeon R9 270 | Radeon HD 7870 XT |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $179-34% | $270 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $30-89% | $270 |
| Performance per Dollar | 143.5+764% | 16.6 |
| Codename | Curacao | Tahiti |
| Release | November 13 2013 | November 19 2012 |
| Ranking | #476 | #469 |
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