Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire
GPU·Budget

Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire

AMD

G3D Mark

5,500

MSRP

$300

AVG Price

$75

May 1 2012
200 Watt
GCN (2012−2015)

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.

Overview

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.

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 Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire

#335
GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50
122%
#336
122%
#337
Radeon RX 550 (móvel)
MSRP: $79|Avg: $40
119%
#338
HD Graphics 6000
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $10
119%
#339
Radeon RX 560X (móvel)
MSRP: $55|Avg: $55
119%
#340
GeForce GTX 950A
MSRP: $159|Avg: $30
118%
#341
Radeon 820M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $25
117%
#342
RADEON HD6410D
MSRP: $35|Avg: $5
115%
#343
GeForce GT 750M Mac Edition
MSRP: $149|Avg: $40
113%
#344
GeForce 770M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $40
111%
#345
107%
#346
107%
#347
Radeon RX 5600
MSRP: $229|Avg: $150
107%
#348
GeForce 9800M GT
MSRP: $160|Avg: $5
104%
#349
GeForce 945A
MSRP: $100|Avg: $25
101%
#350
Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire
MSRP: $300|Avg: $75
100%
#351
GeForce GTX 770M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $40
95%
#352
94%
#353
Tiger Lake-U Xe Graphics G7
MSRP: $100|Avg: $50
92%
#354
GeForce GTX 960M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50
92%
#355
90%
#356
89%
#357
GeForce GT 755M SLI
MSRP: $200|Avg: $50
89%
#358
GeForce GTX 680M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50
89%
#359
Radeon R8 M365DX
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $10
88%
#360
GeForce GTX 780M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $60
87%
#361
GeForce 240M GT
MSRP: $100|Avg: $5
87%
#362
GeForce GTX 850M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $40
86%
#363
GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150
86%
#364
86%
#365
Radeon RX 7600S
MSRP: $269|Avg: $250
85%
Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

FPS Benchmarks

Predicted performance for Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 7800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

1080p
low87 FPS
medium60 FPS
high44 FPS
ultra29 FPS
1440p
low49 FPS
medium29 FPS
high21 FPS
ultra15 FPS
4k
low17 FPS
medium11 FPS
high9 FPS
ultra6 FPS
Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077

1080p
low20 FPS
medium13 FPS
high6 FPS
ultra3 FPS
1440p
low12 FPS
medium8 FPS
high4 FPS
ultra2 FPS
4k
low6 FPS
medium3 FPS
high2 FPS
ultra1 FPS
Dead by Daylight

Dead by Daylight

1080p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra57 FPS
1440p
low51 FPS
medium43 FPS
high38 FPS
ultra33 FPS
4k
low42 FPS
medium39 FPS
high32 FPS
ultra28 FPS
Elden Ring

Elden Ring

1080p
low44 FPS
medium35 FPS
high28 FPS
ultra21 FPS
1440p
low38 FPS
medium30 FPS
high21 FPS
ultra17 FPS
4k
low19 FPS
medium13 FPS
high11 FPS
ultra10 FPS
Final Fantasy XIV

Final Fantasy XIV

1080p
low119 FPS
medium96 FPS
high75 FPS
ultra58 FPS
1440p
low84 FPS
medium73 FPS
high59 FPS
ultra47 FPS
4k
low46 FPS
medium40 FPS
high34 FPS
ultra27 FPS
Hearts of Iron IV

Hearts of Iron IV

1080p
low47 FPS
medium45 FPS
high39 FPS
ultra26 FPS
1440p
low34 FPS
medium32 FPS
high29 FPS
ultra23 FPS
4k
low13 FPS
medium12 FPS
high10 FPS
ultra8 FPS
Hogwarts Legacy

Hogwarts Legacy

1080p
low78 FPS
medium59 FPS
high45 FPS
ultra39 FPS
1440p
low62 FPS
medium48 FPS
high37 FPS
ultra33 FPS
4k
low27 FPS
medium22 FPS
high19 FPS
ultra17 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

1080p
low248 FPS
medium198 FPS
high165 FPS
ultra124 FPS
1440p
low186 FPS
medium148 FPS
high124 FPS
ultra93 FPS
4k
low124 FPS
medium99 FPS
high82 FPS
ultra62 FPS
Palworld

Palworld

1080p
low31 FPS
medium20 FPS
high9 FPS
ultra7 FPS
1440p
low24 FPS
medium16 FPS
high8 FPS
ultra6 FPS
4k
low10 FPS
medium6 FPS
high3 FPS
ultra2 FPS
Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

1080p
low76 FPS
medium65 FPS
high51 FPS
ultra33 FPS
1440p
low68 FPS
medium58 FPS
high41 FPS
ultra26 FPS
4k
low24 FPS
medium23 FPS
high15 FPS
ultra13 FPS

Technical Analysis

Detailed breakdown of Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire specifications and capabilities.

Graphics Performance

The Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire scores 5,500 in the G3D Mark benchmark (the standard measure of rasterization GPU performance), placing it in the Budget tier as a Legacy generation graphics card. It is built on the GCN (2012−2015) architecture (codename: Neptune CF), manufactured on a 28 nm process— smaller process nodes improve power efficiency and transistor density. It packs 2560 shader units (the primary compute units for rendering pixels). Boost clock reaches 900 MHz from a base of 850 MHz.

SpecificationRadeon HD 8970M Crossfire
G3D MarkPassMark 3D graphics benchmark score5,500
ArchitectureGPU microarchitecture generationGCN (2012−2015)
CodenameInternal GPU die codenameNeptune CF
Manufacturing ProcessFabrication node — smaller = more efficient28 nm
Shader UnitsCore compute units for rendering/compute2560
Boost ClockMaximum GPU frequency under load900 MHz
Base ClockGuaranteed minimum GPU frequency850 MHz
PCIe InterfaceCPU↔GPU data link generationPCIe 3.0 x16
Performance RankPosition in global GPU performance ranking#350
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Video Memory (VRAM)

The Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire is equipped with 4 GB of GDDR5 video memory connected via a 256-bit x2 memory bus, delivering 153.6 GB/s x2 of bandwidth. Memory operates at 8 Gbps effective speed.

SpecificationRadeon HD 8970M Crossfire
VRAM SizeVideo memory capacity — more = better for high-res textures4 GB
VRAM TypeMemory technology generationGDDR5
Memory BusWidth of data path — wider = more bandwidth256-bit x2
Memory SpeedEffective memory data rate8 Gbps
BandwidthMaximum data throughput between GPU and VRAM153.6 GB/s x2

Advanced Features & APIs

The Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire supports modern upscaling and frame generation technologies: FidelityFX Super Resolution — these can dramatically boost effective FPS by generating intermediate frames or upscaling from lower internal resolution.

SpecificationRadeon HD 8970M Crossfire
FSR Frame Generation❌ Not Supported
AMD Fluid Motion Frames❌ Not Supported
FidelityFX Super Resolution✅ Supported
🖥️

Display & Media

Display outputs: .

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire draws 200 Watt under load (TDP) — a 350W PSU minimum is recommended. Power connector: 1x 6-pin.

SpecificationRadeon HD 8970M Crossfire
TDPPower consumption under load200 Watt
Recommended PSUMinimum power supply wattage350W
Power ConnectorRequired PCIe power cable type1x 6-pin
💰

Value Analysis

At an average price of $75 (MSRP: $300), the Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire delivers 73 G3D Mark points per dollar. Overall performance ranking position: #350 among all indexed GPUs.

SpecificationRadeon HD 8970M Crossfire
MSRPManufacturer's Suggested Retail Price$300
Avg Price (30d)Average market price over the last 30 days$75
Performance RankPosition in global GPU performance ranking#350
Release DateMay 1 2012
Release Year2012

Specifications Reference

Raw spec sheet for quick lookup. The analysis cards above explain what these fields mean in practice.

2 categories

Technical Specifications

14 specs

Vram4 GB
DLSS/FSRFSR upscaling
Core Clock850 MHz
Boost Clock900 MHz
Memory TypeGDDR5
Memory Speed8 Gbps
Shading Units2560
Upscaling TechAMD FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR)
PCIe GenerationPCIe 3.0 x16
Memory Bandwidth153.6 GB/s x2
Memory Bus Width256-bit x2
Frame GenerationFSR Frame Generation: No | AMD Fluid Motion Frames: No | FidelityFX Super Resolution: Yes
Manufacturing Process28 nm
Power Consumption (TDP)200 Watt

General Information

4 specs

CodenameNeptune CF
ArchitectureGCN (2012−2015)
Release DateMay 1 2012
Performance Ranking Position350

Our Recommendation for Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire

Suggested pairings based on performance balance

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