NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 vs AMD Radeon HD 7870 (GHz Edition)

VS
Performance
GeForce RTX 40901,589% better
104,598Best Performance
Radeon HD 7870 (GHz Edition)
6,1946% of 104,598

The GeForce RTX 4090 has 1,589% better performance than the Radeon HD 7870 (GHz Edition) for the 3DMark 11 Performance GPU benchmark.

Performance per dollar
GeForce RTX 4090269% better
65.4141% of 161.45
Radeon HD 7870 (GHz Edition)
17.7511% of 161.45

The GeForce RTX 4090 has 269% better value for the money than the Radeon HD 7870 (GHz Edition) for the 3DMark 11 Performance GPU benchmark.

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Summary

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About the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 is a desktop graphics card that launched in Q4 2022 with a MSRP of $1,599. It is built on the Ada Lovelace GPU microarchitecture (codename AD102) and is manufactured on a 5 nm process.

Memory

The RTX 4090 has 24 GB of GDDR6X memory, with a 1,313 MHz memory clock and a 384 bit interface. This gives it a memory bandwidth of 1.01 Tb/s, which affects how fast it can transfer data to and from memory. GPU memory stores temporary data that helps the GPU with complex math and graphics operations. More memory is generally better, as not having enough can cause performance bottlenecks.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The RTX 4090 includes 16,384 CUDA cores, the processing units for handling parallel computing tasks. The GPU operates at a core clock speed of 2,235 MHz and can dynamically boost its clock speed up to 2,520 MHz. Complementing the processing units are 512 texture mapping units (TMUs) for efficient texture filtering and 176 render output units (ROPs) for pixel processing. Additionally, the GPU features 512 tensor cores optimized for AI-accelerated workloads and 128 RT cores dedicated to real-time ray tracing calculations.

Compatibility & Power Consumption

The RTX 4090 is a large graphics card, occupying 3 PCIe 4.0 x16 expansion slots. It supports HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4a display connections. With a thermal design power (TDP) of 450 W and a large, 3-slot size, it is recommended to use a power supply of 850 W and a case with sufficient space to accommodate the card. Compare your card's model and your case's dimensions to verify compatibility.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The RTX 4090 has the best 3DMark 11 Performance GPU score among the 543 benchmarked GPUs in our database. Its 104,598 score and $1,599 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 65.41. This is the 49th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Performance GPU benchmark.

About the AMD Radeon HD 7870 (GHz Edition) GPU

The AMD Radeon HD 7870 (GHz Edition) is an end-of-life desktop graphics card that released in Q1 2012 with a MSRP of $349. It is built on the GCN 1.0 GPU microarchitecture (codename Pitcairn) and is manufactured on a 28 nm process.

Memory

The HD 7870 has 2 GB of GDDR5 memory, with a 1,200 MHz memory clock and a 256 bit interface. This gives it a memory bandwidth of 153.6 Gb/s, which affects how fast it can transfer data to and from memory. GPU memory stores temporary data that helps the GPU with complex math and graphics operations. More memory is generally better, as not having enough can cause performance bottlenecks.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The HD 7870 includes 1,280 stream processors (SPs), the processing units for handling parallel computing tasks. The GPU operates at a core clock speed of 1,000 MHz. Complementing the processing units are 80 texture mapping units (TMUs) for efficient texture filtering and 32 render output units (ROPs) for pixel processing.

Compatibility & Power Consumption

The HD 7870 occupies 2 PCIe expansion slots. It supports DVI, HDMI 1.4a, mini-DisplayPort 1.2 display connections. AMD recommends a power supply of at least 450 W to handle the GPU's thermal design power (TDP) of 175 W.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The HD 7870 has the 226th best 3DMark 11 Performance GPU score among the 543 benchmarked GPUs in our database. It achieves 5.92% of the performance of the best benchmarked GPU, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090. Its 6,194 score and $349 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 17.75. This is the 90th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Performance GPU benchmark.

General Info

General overview of the GPU, including details like its manufacturer, release date, launch price, and current production status.

InfoGeForce RTX 4090Radeon HD 7870 (GHz Edition)
ManufacturerNVIDIAAMD
ArchitectureAda LovelaceGCN 1.0
Market SegmentDesktopDesktop
Release DateQ4 2022Q1 2012
Launch Price (MSRP)$1,599$349
Production StatusActiveEnd-of-life
ShopCheck PriceCheck Price

Gaming Performance

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Select a game to compare FPS metrics

Display FPS for Black Myth: Wukong
Black Myth: Wukong
Display FPS for Once Human
Once Human
Display FPS for The First Descendant
The First Descendant
Display FPS for F1 24
F1 24
Display FPS for Senua's Saga Hellblade 2
Senua's Saga Hellblade 2
Display FPS for Ghost of Tsushima
Ghost of Tsushima
Display FPS for Dragon's Dogma 2
Dragon's Dogma 2

FPS Benchmarks

This table showcases the average frame rate (FPS) achieved both GPUs in at various resolutions. Frame rate is a crucial indicator of how smoothly the GPU can run the game. A higher FPS generally translates to a smoother gameplay experience.

  • Frames Per Second
FPS data for Black Myth: Wukong
Black Myth: Wukong
GeForce RTX 4090Radeon HD 7870 (GHz Edition)
Low - 1080p
219 FPS
--
Medium - 1080p
166 FPS
--
High - 1080p
132 FPS
--
Ultra - 1080p
85 FPS
--
QHD - 1440p
67 FPS
--
4K UHD - 2160p
42 FPS
--
FPS Source: Notebookcheck

Compare Frames Per Second (FPS)

The average frame rate (FPS) in can be compared to similar GPUs to assess relative performance. Generally, higher FPS results in a smoother gameplay experience.

Choose Baseline GPU:GeForce RTX 4090 orRadeon HD 7870 (GHz Edition)
GPUFrames Per Second
GeForce RTX 409042
Radeon RX 7900 XTX32-24%
GeForce RTX 309022-48%
GeForce RTX 3060 Ti13-69%

Compare Cost Per Frame

The average cost per frame in can be compared to similar GPUs to assess relative value. Generally, a lower cost per frame implies better value for your money.

Choose Baseline GPU:GeForce RTX 4090 orRadeon HD 7870 (GHz Edition)
GPUCost Per Frame
GeForce RTX 3060 Ti30.69-19%
Radeon RX 7900 XTX31.22-18%
GeForce RTX 409038.07
GeForce RTX 309068.14+79%

Benchmark Performance

#
Performance
GeForce RTX 40901,589% better
104,598Best Performance
Radeon HD 7870 (GHz Edition)
6,1946% of 104,598

The GeForce RTX 4090 has 1,589% better performance than the Radeon HD 7870 (GHz Edition) for the 3DMark 11 Performance GPU benchmark.

The GeForce RTX 4090 is ranked 1st with a score of 104,598, and the Radeon HD 7870 (GHz Edition) is ranked 226th with a score of 6,194.

Performance per dollar
GeForce RTX 4090269% better
65.4141% of 161.45
Radeon HD 7870 (GHz Edition)
17.7511% of 161.45

The GeForce RTX 4090 has 269% better value for the money than the Radeon HD 7870 (GHz Edition) for the 3DMark 11 Performance GPU benchmark.

The GeForce RTX 4090 is ranked 49th with a performance per dollar of 65.41, and the Radeon HD 7870 (GHz Edition) is ranked 90th with a performance per dollar of 17.75.

Relative Performance

The average score in the benchmark test can be compared to similar GPUs to assess relative performance. Generally, powerful GPUs tend to have higher scores.

Choose Baseline GPU:GeForce RTX 4090 or

Relative Value For Money

The average performance per dollar in the benchmark test can be compared to similar GPUs to assess relative value. A higher score implies a better value for your money.

Choose Baseline GPU:GeForce RTX 4090 or

Benchmark Scores

This table showcases the average performance scores achieved by both GPUs across industry-standard benchmark tests. These scores provide a valuable insight into overall performance. Powerful GPUs tend to have higher scores.

  • Popular
BenchmarkGeForce RTX 4090Radeon HD 7870 (GHz Edition)
3DMark Time Spy Graphics
36,836
--
3DMark Time Spy Score
30,977
--
3DMark Cloud Gate Graphics
260,357
--
3DMark Fire Strike Standard Graphics
73,447
--
3DMark Night Raid Graphics
209,337
--
3DMark 11 Performance Score
63,861
(+931.68%)
6,190
Cinebench R15 OpenGL 64 Bit
326.7
(+172.02%)
120.1
PassMark G3D Mark
38,576
(+732.46%)
4,634
PassMark G2D Mark
1,301
(+122.01%)
586
Benchmarks Source: Notebookcheck

Technical Specs

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Graphics Processor

General information about the graphics processing unit like their architecture, manufacturing process size, and transistor count. Newer GPU architectures generally bring efficiency improvements and may introduce technologies that enhance graphical capabilities.

SpecGeForce RTX 4090Radeon HD 7870 (GHz Edition)
CodenameAD102Pitcairn
ArchitectureAda LovelaceGCN 1.0
Process Size5 nm28 nm
Transistors76,300 million2,800 million

Memory Details

Memory specifications like their capacity, bandwidth, and clock speeds. GPU memory stores graphics data like frames, textures, and shadows which helps display rendered images. These specs are crucial for graphics-intense applications like gaming and 3D modeling.

SpecGeForce RTX 4090Radeon HD 7870 (GHz Edition)
Memory Size24 GB2 GB
Memory TypeGDDR6XGDDR5
Memory Bandwidth1.01 Tb/s153.6 Gb/s
Memory Clock1,313 MHz1,200 MHz
Memory Interface384 bit256 bit
L1 Cache128 KB16 KB
L2 Cache72 MB512 KB

Board Compatibility

Compatibility information like their slot size, bus interface, power consumption, and display support. These specs are useful for verifying compatibility with your motherboard, power supply, and monitor.

SpecGeForce RTX 4090Radeon HD 7870 (GHz Edition)
Slots3 slots2 slots
Bus InterfacePCIe 4.0 x16PCIe 3.0 x16
Thermal Design Power (TDP)450 W175 W
Suggested PSU850 W450 W
Power Connectors1x 16-pin2x 6-pin
OutputsHDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4aDVI, HDMI 1.4a, mini-DisplayPort 1.2

Cores & Clock Speeds

Processing power information like its cores and clock speed. These specs impact how fast they can process graphics. Each type of core or component serves a specific computational purpose.

SpecGeForce RTX 4090Radeon HD 7870 (GHz Edition)
Stream Processors (SP)--1,280
CUDA Cores16,384--
Compute Units (CU)--20
Stream Multiprocessors (SM)128--
Texture Mapping Units (TMU)51280
Render Output Units (ROP)17632
Tensor Cores512--
Ray Tracing Cores128--
Core Clock Speed2,235 MHz1,000 MHz
Core Clock Speed (Boost)2,520 MHz--

Theoretical Performance

Theoretical performance numbers derived from the raw specifications of the different components like core count and clock speeds. While these provide a glimpse into peak processing power, they do not represent real-world performance.

SpecGeForce RTX 4090Radeon HD 7870 (GHz Edition)
Pixel Fill Rate443.5 GPixel/s32 GPixel/s
Texture Fill Rate1,290 GTexel/s80 GTexel/s
FP32 Performance82.58 TFLOPS2.56 TFLOPS
FP64 Performance1,290 GFLOPS160 GFLOPS

API Support

Graphics API versions supported by these graphics cards. APIs evolve over time, introducing new features and functionalities. Older GPUs may not support recent versions.

SpecGeForce RTX 4090Radeon HD 7870 (GHz Edition)
DirectX12 Ultimate (12_2)12 (11_1)
OpenCL3.02.1 (1.2)
OpenGL4.64.6
Shader Model6.86.5 (5.1)

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* Performance rating, performance per dollar, and rankings are based on the 3DMark 11 Performance GPU benchmark and MSRP.