Radeon R9 270X vs M1 8-Core GPU

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.

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

Performance Per Dollar

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 M1 8-Core GPU is significantly newer (2020 vs 2013). The M1 8-Core GPU likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The Radeon R9 270X lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.

🚀 Performance Leadership

The M1 8-Core GPU is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.6% higher G3D Mark score. However, the Radeon R9 270X offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.

Insight	Radeon R9 270X	M1 8-Core GPU
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.6%)	✅Leading raw performance (+2.6%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020))	Legacy (5nm)
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	✅ More VRAM (+100%)	❌ Less VRAM capacity
Efficiency	⚡ Higher Power Consumption	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
Case Fit	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly	—

💎 Value Proposition

While current pricing data is unavailable, the M1 8-Core GPU remains the clear technical winner. Check real-time availability to determine if the performance gap justifies the market price.

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 R9 270X Benchmark Check

M1 8-Core GPU Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Radeon R9 270X and M1 8-Core GPU

Radeon R9 270X

The Radeon R9 270X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in October 8 2013. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1050 MHz. It has 1280 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 180W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 4,874 points. Launch price was $199.

M1 8-Core GPU

The M1 8-Core GPU is manufactured by Apple. It was released in November 10 2020. The core clock speed is 1278 MHz. It has 8 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 30W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,000 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The Radeon R9 270X scores 4,874 and the M1 8-Core GPU reaches 5,000 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.6% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. Shader units: 1,280 (Radeon R9 270X) vs 8 (M1 8-Core GPU).

Feature	Radeon R9 270X	M1 8-Core GPU
G3D Mark Score	4,874	5,000+3%
Process Node	28 nm	5 nm
Shading Units	1280+15900%	8

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	Radeon R9 270X	M1 8-Core GPU
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	Standard

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The Radeon R9 270X comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the M1 8-Core GPU has 2 GB. The Radeon R9 270X offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 179.2 GB/s (Radeon R9 270X) vs 68 GB/s (M1 8-Core GPU) — a 163.5% advantage for the Radeon R9 270X. Bus width: 256-bit vs Unified.

Feature	Radeon R9 270X	M1 8-Core GPU
VRAM Capacity	4 GB+100%	2 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	Shared
Memory Bandwidth	179.2 GB/s+164%	68 GB/s
Bus Width	256-bit	Unified

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (11_1) (Radeon R9 270X) vs N/A (M1 8-Core GPU). OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.1 (Rosetta 2). Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 2.

Feature	Radeon R9 270X	M1 8-Core GPU
DirectX	12 (11_1)	N/A
OpenGL	4.6+12%	4.1 (Rosetta 2)
Max Displays	4+100%	2

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: VCE 1.0 (Radeon R9 270X) vs Apple M1 Video Encoder (M1 8-Core GPU). Decoder: UVD 4.2 vs Apple M1 Video Decoder. Supported codecs: H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,MPEG-4 (Radeon R9 270X) vs H.264,HEVC,ProRes,ProRes RAW (M1 8-Core GPU).

Feature	Radeon R9 270X	M1 8-Core GPU
Encoder	VCE 1.0	Apple M1 Video Encoder
Decoder	UVD 4.2	Apple M1 Video Decoder
Codecs	H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,MPEG-4	H.264,HEVC,ProRes,ProRes RAW

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Radeon R9 270X draws 180W versus the M1 8-Core GPU's 30W — a 142.9% difference. The M1 8-Core GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (Radeon R9 270X) vs 350W (M1 8-Core GPU). Power connectors: 2x 6-pin vs PCIe-powered.

Feature	Radeon R9 270X	M1 8-Core GPU
TDP	180W	30W-83%
Recommended PSU	500W	350W-30%
Power Connector	2x 6-pin	PCIe-powered
Length	241mm	—
Height	109mm	—
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	80 C	—
Perf/Watt	27.1	166.7+515%

💰

Value Analysis

The Radeon R9 270X launched at $199 MSRP and currently averages $40, while the M1 8-Core GPU launched at $0 and now averages $0. The M1 8-Core GPU costs 100+% less ($40 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 121.8 (Radeon R9 270X) vs Infinity (M1 8-Core GPU) — the M1 8-Core GPU offers Infinity% better value. The M1 8-Core GPU is the newer GPU (2020 vs 2013).