NVIDIA
GeForce 8600 GTS vs ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2
Full comparison of specs, performance and benchmarks
AMD
ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2
Aggregate performance score
We've compared 8600 GTS and ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2 across specs and all relevant benchmarks.
↗8600 GTS outperforms ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2 by 26% based on our aggregate benchmark results.+26%
Scores are normalized on the Head to Head scale. Higher is better.GeForce 8600 GTS vs ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2: key takeaway
The comparison of 8600 GTS and ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2 shows a 26% advantage for 8600 GTS in gaming performance, while ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2 may still be stronger in efficiency and feature set. Use the sections below to check whether that lead comes from real FPS, specifications, efficiency, price or platform features.
SUMMARY PROFILE
Verified-metrics radar
Axes with missing data are hidden; every value uses a fixed scale.
NVIDIA
AMDPerformance
Efficiency
Price / performance
Memory capacity
3931
10053
100100
1343
COMPARISON RESULT
8600 GTS is the best overall choice
8600 GTS leads in combined game performance. 8600 GTS offers the better price per frame, while the final choice depends on the required features, memory, and games.
8600 GTS leads in the combined performance index
8600 GTS costs less
CATALOG POSITION
Full ranking →Graphics card ranking
Positions 70–75of 319
COMPARISON VERDICT
Which should you choose?
Two practical conclusions based on community votes and gaming value.
ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2
179 likesHead to Head visitors currently choose this model more often.
GeForce 8600 GTS
100/100 · Price $79The choice is based on the price-to-performance index and launch price.
OVERALL SCORE
Overview
Scores are calculated from specifications, performance, and efficiency.
The Summary score section compares 8600 GTS and ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2 with normalized H2H data, turning specifications, tests and value signals into practical buying context.
GamesDirectX, OpenCL, and Vulkan performance
39Better
31
Professional applications3D modeling, video editing, and rendering
34Better
29
AI and machine learningMachine-learning and AI capabilities
32Better
26
Power efficiencyPower consumption across workloads
100Better
53
Head to Head scoreOverall catalog score
62Better
49
FULL COMPARISON
Specifications
The better numeric value is highlighted in green, taking the metric direction into account.
The Specifications section compares 8600 GTS and ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2 with normalized H2H data, turning specifications, tests and value signals into practical buying context.
Device classDesktopDesktop
DirectX10.010.1
OpenGL3.33.3
TFLOPS0.0930.528Better
Power consumption60 WBetter196 W
Memory typeGDDR3GDDR3
Power connector6 pin6+8 pin
Release date20072008
ArchitectureTeslaTeraScale
ThicknessSingle-slotDual-slot
Clock speed675 MHz825 MHzBetter
Base clock675 MHz825 MHzBetter
Boost clock675 MHz825 MHzBetter
VRAM512 MB GDDR3Better1 GB GDDR3
Memory frequency2 GHzBetter1,8 GHz
Memory bus128 bit256x2 bitBetter
Memory bandwidth32 GB/s58 GB/sBetter
InterfacePCIe 1x16PCIe 2x16
Power consumption60 WBetter196 W
Process node80 nm55 nmBetter
Recommended PSU250 WBetter450 W
Length198 mmBetter267 mm
Compute APIOpenCL 1.1, CUDA 1.1OpenCL 1.x
Launch price$79Better$159
Shader units / cores32320Better
Die size169 mm²Better192 mm²
Memory cacheL2 0.03 MBL2 0.25 MB
Transistor count289 million666 millionBetter
Max monitors33
Max resolution2560 × 16002560 × 1600
USB Type-CNoNo
UpscalingNot supportedNot supported
VulkanNot supportedNot supported
DisplayPortBoard dependentBoard dependent
HDMIBoard dependentBoard dependent
GAME TEST BENCH
Gaming FPS
Available results are shown separately; missing data is not treated as zero.
The Gaming FPS section compares 8600 GTS and ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2 across curated H2H Lab game presets. The useful signal is not only average FPS, but also how each device behaves at 1440p and 4K, how memory capacity and bus width affect heavy textures, and whether the game engine favors raster performance, ray tracing, or driver maturity.
8600 GTSATI Radeon HD 3870 X2
Verified H2HCommunity VerifiedEstimatedPredicted
Black Myth: Wukong
1080p High
23 FPSEstimated 64%
18 FPSEstimated 64%
1080p Ultra
20 FPSEstimated 64%
15 FPSEstimated 64%
1440p Ultra
10 FPSEstimated 58%
8 FPSEstimated 58%
4K Ultra
5 FPSEstimated 55%
5 FPSEstimated 55%
Black Myth: Wukong8600 GTS23 FPSEstimated 64%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X218 FPSEstimated 64%8600 GTS20 FPSEstimated 64%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X215 FPSEstimated 64%8600 GTS10 FPSEstimated 58%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X28 FPSEstimated 58%8600 GTS5 FPSEstimated 55%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X25 FPSEstimated 55%
Call of Duty: Warzone8600 GTS23 FPSEstimated 64%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X218 FPSEstimated 64%8600 GTS20 FPSEstimated 64%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X215 FPSEstimated 64%8600 GTS10 FPSEstimated 58%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X28 FPSEstimated 58%8600 GTS5 FPSEstimated 55%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X25 FPSEstimated 55%
Counter-Strike 28600 GTS197 FPSEstimated 72%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2153 FPSEstimated 72%8600 GTS138 FPSEstimated 72%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2107 FPSEstimated 72%8600 GTS74 FPSEstimated 66%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X260 FPSEstimated 66%8600 GTS27 FPSEstimated 62%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X223 FPSEstimated 63%
Cyberpunk 20778600 GTS127 FPSEstimated 72%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X298 FPSEstimated 72%8600 GTS109 FPSEstimated 72%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X285 FPSEstimated 72%8600 GTS54 FPSEstimated 66%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X244 FPSEstimated 66%8600 GTS18 FPSEstimated 62%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X215 FPSEstimated 63%
Forza Horizon 58600 GTS160 FPSEstimated 78%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2124 FPSEstimated 78%8600 GTS104 FPSEstimated 72%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X280 FPSEstimated 72%8600 GTS67 FPSEstimated 66%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X254 FPSEstimated 66%8600 GTS39 FPSEstimated 62%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X233 FPSEstimated 63%
God of War Ragnarök8600 GTS23 FPSEstimated 64%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X218 FPSEstimated 64%8600 GTS20 FPSEstimated 64%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X215 FPSEstimated 64%8600 GTS10 FPSEstimated 58%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X28 FPSEstimated 58%8600 GTS5 FPSEstimated 55%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X25 FPSEstimated 55%
Hogwarts Legacy8600 GTS104 FPSEstimated 72%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X280 FPSEstimated 72%8600 GTS87 FPSEstimated 72%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X267 FPSEstimated 72%8600 GTS48 FPSEstimated 66%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X239 FPSEstimated 66%8600 GTS18 FPSEstimated 62%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X215 FPSEstimated 63%
Microsoft Flight Simulator 20248600 GTS23 FPSEstimated 64%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X218 FPSEstimated 64%8600 GTS20 FPSEstimated 64%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X215 FPSEstimated 64%8600 GTS10 FPSEstimated 58%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X28 FPSEstimated 58%8600 GTS5 FPSEstimated 55%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X25 FPSEstimated 55%
Monster Hunter Wilds8600 GTS23 FPSEstimated 64%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X218 FPSEstimated 64%8600 GTS20 FPSEstimated 64%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X215 FPSEstimated 64%8600 GTS10 FPSEstimated 58%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X28 FPSEstimated 58%8600 GTS5 FPSEstimated 55%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X25 FPSEstimated 55%
Starfield8600 GTS23 FPSEstimated 64%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X218 FPSEstimated 64%8600 GTS20 FPSEstimated 64%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X215 FPSEstimated 64%8600 GTS10 FPSEstimated 58%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X28 FPSEstimated 58%8600 GTS5 FPSEstimated 55%ATI Radeon HD 3870 X25 FPSEstimated 55%
HEAD TO HEAD · CALCULATED INDEX
H2H workload indices
Comparable internal indices on a fixed 0–100 scale.
The Benchmarks section compares 8600 GTS and ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2 with normalized H2H data, turning specifications, tests and value signals into practical buying context.
H2H Raster IndexH2H Index / 100393123%
H2H Compute IndexH2H Index / 10033323%
H2H Rendering IndexH2H Index / 10032346%
H2H Memory Workload IndexH2H Index / 1001343107%
H2H Efficiency IndexH2H Index / 1001005361%
These are versioned H2H calculated indices derived from normalized catalog data. They are not results from a third-party benchmark.
HEAD TO HEAD · CALCULATED INDEX
H2H AI workload indices
Estimated workload profiles based on available performance and memory data.
The Detailed comparison section compares 8600 GTS and ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2 with normalized H2H data, turning specifications, tests and value signals into practical buying context.
H2H Image Generation IndexH2H Index / 100273629%
H2H ML Training IndexH2H Index / 100283625%
H2H Inference IndexH2H Index / 10032346%
H2H Local LLM IndexH2H Index / 100243845%
H2H Computer Vision IndexH2H Index / 100313512%
These are versioned H2H calculated indices derived from normalized catalog data. They are not results from a third-party benchmark.
Graphics APIs, SDKs and upscaling
The Graphics APIs, SDKs and upscaling section compares 8600 GTS and ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2 with normalized H2H data, turning specifications, tests and value signals into practical buying context.
DirectX10.010.1
VulkanNot supportedNot supported
OpenGL3.33.3
UpscalingNot supportedNot supported
Compute APIOpenCL 1.1, CUDA 1.1OpenCL 1.x
Architecture and release
The Architecture and release section compares 8600 GTS and ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2 with normalized H2H data, turning specifications, tests and value signals into practical buying context.
ArchitectureTeslaTeraScale
Process node80 nm55 nmBetter
Release date20072008
Device classDesktopDesktop
GPU cores, die and clocks
The Core layout and clocks section compares 8600 GTS and ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2 with normalized H2H data, turning specifications, tests and value signals into practical buying context.
Transistor count289 million666 millionBetter
Die size169 mm²Better192 mm²
Shader units / cores32320Better
Base clock675 MHz825 MHzBetter
Boost clock675 MHz825 MHzBetter
Board size, power and compatibility
The Form factor and compatibility section compares 8600 GTS and ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2 with normalized H2H data, turning specifications, tests and value signals into practical buying context.
InterfacePCIe 1x16PCIe 2x16
Length198 mmBetter267 mm
ThicknessSingle-slotDual-slot
Recommended PSU250 WBetter450 W
Power connector6 pin6+8 pin
Display outputs and limits
The Display outputs section compares 8600 GTS and ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2 with normalized H2H data, turning specifications, tests and value signals into practical buying context.
HDMIBoard dependentBoard dependent
DisplayPortBoard dependentBoard dependent
USB Type-CNoNo
Max monitors33
Max resolution2560 × 16002560 × 1600
Memory and compute throughput
The VRAM capacity and bandwidth section compares 8600 GTS and ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2 with normalized H2H data, turning specifications, tests and value signals into practical buying context.
VRAM512 MB GDDR3Better1 GB GDDR3
Memory typeGDDR3GDDR3
Memory bus128 bit256x2 bitBetter
TFLOPS0.0930.528Better
HEAD TO HEAD · DISCOVER
6Other comparisons
Arc A310IntelReviews and questions
AI EXPLAIN · HEAD TO HEAD
Explain this comparison
Beyond percentages: causes, relevant specifications, and practical impact behind every chart.
What AI will explain
Overall score, radar, FPS, synthetic tests, specifications, efficiency, and value.
REAL CONFIGURATIONS
Owner experiences
Real builds, results, and community feedback.
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Frequently asked comparison questions
Short recommendations based on performance, memory, power consumption, and intended use.
01Which is better for gaming: 8600 GTS or ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2?+
8600 GTS has the higher overall gaming score, while 8600 GTS offers the better price-to-performance ratio. The final choice depends on resolution and settings.
02Which is better for streaming?+
8600 GTS is the stronger streaming choice thanks to performance, hardware encoding, and application support. Check AV1, H.264, and HEVC support before buying.
03Which is better for Blender?+
8600 GTS is generally the better option for Blender and GPU rendering. Rendering-engine support and available VRAM also matter.
04Which is better for video editing?+
8600 GTS offers more overall performance, while 8600 GTS offers more memory headroom. Codecs, hardware encoders, and editor optimization can change the result.
05Which is better for neural networks and AI?+
8600 GTS is the more practical option for local AI workloads. VRAM capacity, compute libraries, and framework compatibility are especially important.
06Which is better for 1080p?+
8600 GTS is the most rational 1080p choice, where high frame rates and cost per frame matter most.
07Which is better for 1440p?+
8600 GTS leads in combined 1440p performance. 8600 GTS can be preferable for heavy textures and games with high VRAM usage.
08Which is better for 4K?+
8600 GTS is preferable for 4K, where total performance, memory bandwidth, and VRAM capacity have the greatest impact.
09Which is better for a quiet PC?+
8600 GTS is easier to use in a quiet build because of its lower estimated power and thermal load. Actual noise depends on the specific cooler.
10Which is better without replacing the power supply?+
8600 GTS is the safer candidate because its stated power consumption is lower. Verify PSU wattage, age, and power connectors.
11Is it worth upgrading from the previous generation?+
Consider upgrading to 8600 GTS if your current device no longer delivers the required FPS, memory capacity, or feature support. A gain below 15–20% is usually worth waiting for a price cut.