AMD
Radeon HD 6790 vs Radeon HD 6870
Full comparison of specs, performance and benchmarks
AMD
HD 6870
Aggregate performance score
We've compared HD 6790 and HD 6870 across specs and all relevant benchmarks.
↗HD 6790 outperforms HD 6870 by ~1% on the catalog index; this is not a measured FPS gain.+1%
Scores are normalized on the Head to Head scale. Higher is better. How is this calculated?H2HBench Data Quality
Low confidenceSpecifications: Field verification not recordedVerified gaming results: 0Estimated / unverified results: 32Price record updated: Sep 6, 2026
Limited verified data
H2HBench Verdict
Equal catalog scores
The score difference is not a measured FPS improvement.
Reasons to consider HD 6790
- Lower stated power consumption
- Lower recorded market price
- Recorded feature support: OpenCL 1.2 · Not supported
Reasons to consider HD 6870
- Recorded feature support: OpenCL 1.2 · Not supported
Catalog metrics radar
Axes with missing data are hidden; every value uses a fixed scale.
AMDPerformance
Efficiency
Price / performance
Memory capacity
3232
7171
100100
5656
Graphics card ranking
Positions 228–233of 321
Which should you choose?
Two practical conclusions based on community votes and gaming value.
Radeon HD 6870
164 likesHead to Head visitors currently choose this model more often.
Radeon HD 6870
Price $11.00Based on catalog performance per unit of current market price, not measured FPS.
Overview
Scores are calculated from specifications, performance, and efficiency.
GamesDirectX, OpenCL, and Vulkan performance
32
32
Professional applications3D modeling, video editing, and rendering
29
29
AI and machine learningMachine-learning and AI capabilities
27
27
Power efficiencyPower consumption across workloads
71
71
Head to Head scoreOverall catalog score
47
47
Specifications
The better numeric value is highlighted in green, taking the metric direction into account.
DisplayPort
HDMI
Device class
Max monitors
Max resolution
USB Type-C
DirectX
OpenGL
TFLOPSBetter
Power consumptionBetter
Release date
Architecture
Memory type
Power connector
Thickness
Compute API
Launch priceBetter
Shader units / coresBetter
Process node
Clock speedBetter
Base clockBetter
Boost clockBetter
VRAM
Memory frequency
Memory bus
Memory bandwidth
Interface
Power consumptionBetter
Recommended PSU
LengthBetter
Die size
Memory cache
Transistor count
Vulkan
Upscaling
Gaming FPS
Available results are shown separately; missing data is not treated as zero.
The Gaming FPS section compares HD 6790 and HD 6870 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.
HD 6790HD 6870
Verified externalEstimatedSources ↗
Counter-Strike 2
1080p High
162 FPS
164 FPS
1080p Ultra
111 FPS
112 FPS
1440p Ultra
63 FPS
63 FPS
4K Ultra
23 FPS
23 FPS
Counter-Strike 2HD 6790162 FPSHD 6870164 FPSHD 6790111 FPSHD 6870112 FPSHD 679063 FPSHD 687063 FPSHD 679023 FPSHD 687023 FPS
Cyberpunk 2077HD 6790104 FPSHD 6870106 FPSHD 679087 FPSHD 687088 FPSHD 679045 FPSHD 687046 FPSHD 679015 FPSHD 687016 FPS
Forza Horizon 5HD 6790132 FPSHD 6870133 FPSHD 679083 FPSHD 687084 FPSHD 679056 FPSHD 687057 FPSHD 679034 FPSHD 687034 FPS
Hogwarts LegacyHD 679085 FPSHD 687086 FPSHD 679069 FPSHD 687070 FPSHD 679041 FPSHD 687041 FPSHD 679016 FPSHD 687016 FPS
H2H workload indices
Comparable internal indices on a fixed 0–100 scale.
H2H Raster IndexH2H Index / 10032320%
H2H Compute IndexH2H Index / 10035350%
H2H Rendering IndexH2H Index / 10039390%
H2H Memory Workload IndexH2H Index / 10056560%
H2H Efficiency IndexH2H Index / 10071710%
These are versioned H2H calculated indices derived from normalized catalog data. They are not results from a third-party benchmark.
H2H AI workload indices
Estimated workload profiles based on available performance and memory data.
H2H Image Generation IndexH2H Index / 10043430%
H2H ML Training IndexH2H Index / 10041410%
H2H Inference IndexH2H Index / 10039390%
H2H Local LLM IndexH2H Index / 10045450%
H2H Computer Vision IndexH2H Index / 10039390%
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
DirectX11.011.0
VulkanNot supportedNot supported
OpenGL4.44.4
UpscalingNot supportedNot supported
Compute APIOpenCL 1.2OpenCL 1.2
Architecture and release
ArchitectureTeraScale 2TeraScale 2
Process node40 nm40 nm
Release date20112010
Device classDesktopDesktop
GPU cores, die and clocks
Transistor count1700 million1700 million
Die size255 mm²255 mm²
Shader units / cores8001120Better
Base clock840 MHz900 MHzBetter
Boost clock840 MHz900 MHzBetter
Board size, power and compatibility
InterfacePCIe 2x16PCIe 2x16
Length198 mmBetter247 mm
ThicknessDual-slotDual-slot
Recommended PSU450 W450 W
Power connector6+6 pin6+6 pin
Display outputs and limits
HDMIHDMI 1.3aHDMI 1.3a
DisplayPortDisplayPort 1.1mini-DisplayPort 1.1
USB Type-CNoNo
Max monitors45
Max resolution4096 × 21604096 × 2160
Memory and compute throughput
VRAM1 GB GDDR51 GB GDDR5
Memory typeGDDR5GDDR5
Memory bus256 bit256 bit
TFLOPS1.3442.016Better
Other comparisons
Reviews and questions
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.
Evidence details
Data coverage
- Verified gaming results
- 0
- Verified synthetic results
- 0
- Games with verified results
- 0
- Verified community results
- 0
- Estimated / unverified results
- 32
- Specifications
- 0 / 70
Calculated scores · How is this calculated?
Scores use the catalog model and may include estimated inputs. Open each score to see its origin and the methodology.
clamp(round(performance × 0.7 + (efficiency ?? 50) × 0.2 + (value is missing ? 0 : (value − 50) × 0.2)), 0, 100)Price evidence · View sources (6)
Verified community results
No verified community benchmarks yet.
Reviewed by
No individual editorial review is recorded for this comparison.
Comparison history
Show recorded changes (4)
- · Record updated: products
- · Record updated: products
- · Record updated: products
- · Record updated: products
Why you can trust this comparison
Origin and confidence are evaluated from the evidence attached to each value. Unverified results are identified, and specification, benchmark and price dates remain separate.
Owner experiences
Real builds, results, and community feedback.
Moderator reviewedHelpful to the communityExpert badges
Frequently asked comparison questions
Short recommendations based on performance, memory, power consumption, and intended use.
01Which is better for gaming: HD 6790 or HD 6870?+
HD 6790 has the higher overall gaming score, while HD 6790 offers the better price-to-performance ratio. The final choice depends on resolution and settings.
02Which is better for streaming?+
HD 6790 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?+
HD 6790 is generally the better option for Blender and GPU rendering. Rendering-engine support and available VRAM also matter.
04Which is better for video editing?+
HD 6790 offers more overall performance, while HD 6790 offers more memory headroom. Codecs, hardware encoders, and editor optimization can change the result.
05Which is better for neural networks and AI?+
HD 6790 is the more practical option for local AI workloads. VRAM capacity, compute libraries, and framework compatibility are especially important.
06Which is better for 1080p?+
HD 6790 is the most rational 1080p choice, where high frame rates and cost per frame matter most.
07Which is better for 1440p?+
HD 6790 leads in combined 1440p performance. HD 6790 can be preferable for heavy textures and games with high VRAM usage.
08Which is better for 4K?+
HD 6790 is preferable for 4K, where total performance, memory bandwidth, and VRAM capacity have the greatest impact.
09Which is better for a quiet PC?+
HD 6790 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?+
HD 6790 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 HD 6790 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.