AMD
Radeon HD 7870 vs Radeon HD 6990
Full comparison of specs, performance and benchmarks
AMD
HD 6990
Aggregate performance score
We've compared HD 7870 and HD 6990 across specs and all relevant benchmarks.
↗HD 7870 outperforms HD 6990 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
Higher catalog score: Radeon HD 7870 (~18%)
The score difference is not a measured FPS improvement.
Reasons to consider HD 7870
- Lower stated power consumption
- Lower recorded market price
- Recorded feature support: OpenCL 1.2 · Not supported
Reasons to consider HD 6990
- 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
3333
6329
100100
5656
Graphics card ranking
Positions 239–244of 321
Which should you choose?
Two practical conclusions based on community votes and gaming value.
Radeon HD 7870
151 likesHead to Head visitors currently choose this model more often.
Radeon HD 7870
Price $26.00Based 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
33
33
Professional applications3D modeling, video editing, and rendering
30
30
AI and machine learningMachine-learning and AI capabilities
28
28
Power efficiencyPower consumption across workloads
63Better
29
Head to Head scoreOverall catalog score
46Better
39
Specifications
The better numeric value is highlighted in green, taking the metric direction into account.
Device class
USB Type-C
Power consumptionBetter
DirectX
Vulkan
Max monitors
Max resolution
Recommended PSU
Length
Thickness
OpenGL
DisplayPort
TFLOPSBetter
Memory type
Power connector
Release date
ArchitectureBetter
Compute API
Launch priceBetter
Shader units / coresBetter
Clock speedBetter
Base clockBetter
Boost clockBetter
VRAMBetter
Memory frequencyBetter
Memory bus
Memory bandwidthBetter
Interface
Power consumptionBetter
Process node
Die sizeBetter
Memory cache
Transistor countBetter
Upscaling
HDMI
Gaming FPS
Available results are shown separately; missing data is not treated as zero.
The Gaming FPS section compares HD 7870 and HD 6990 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 7870HD 6990
Verified externalEstimatedSources ↗
Counter-Strike 2
1080p High
166 FPS
169 FPS
1080p Ultra
113 FPS
116 FPS
1440p Ultra
63 FPS
63 FPS
4K Ultra
23 FPS
23 FPS
Counter-Strike 2HD 7870166 FPSHD 6990169 FPSHD 7870113 FPSHD 6990116 FPSHD 787063 FPSHD 699063 FPSHD 787023 FPSHD 699023 FPS
Cyberpunk 2077HD 7870107 FPSHD 6990109 FPSHD 787090 FPSHD 699091 FPSHD 787045 FPSHD 699046 FPSHD 787015 FPSHD 699016 FPS
Forza Horizon 5HD 7870135 FPSHD 6990138 FPSHD 787085 FPSHD 699087 FPSHD 787056 FPSHD 699057 FPSHD 787034 FPSHD 699034 FPS
Hogwarts LegacyHD 787087 FPSHD 699089 FPSHD 787071 FPSHD 699073 FPSHD 787041 FPSHD 699041 FPSHD 787016 FPSHD 699016 FPS
H2H workload indices
Comparable internal indices on a fixed 0–100 scale.
H2H Raster IndexH2H Index / 10033330%
H2H Compute IndexH2H Index / 10036360%
H2H Rendering IndexH2H Index / 10039390%
H2H Memory Workload IndexH2H Index / 10056560%
H2H Efficiency IndexH2H Index / 100632974%
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 / 10042420%
H2H Inference IndexH2H Index / 10039390%
H2H Local LLM IndexH2H Index / 10045450%
H2H Computer Vision IndexH2H Index / 10040400%
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
DirectX11.111.0
Vulkan1.2Not supported
OpenGL4.64.4
UpscalingNot supportedNot supported
Compute APIOpenCL 1.2OpenCL 1.2
Architecture and release
ArchitectureGCN 1.0TeraScale 3Better
Process node40 nm40 nm
Release date20122011
Device classDesktopDesktop
GPU cores, die and clocks
Transistor count1500 million2640 millionBetter
Die size123 mm²Better389 mm²
Shader units / cores6401536Better
Base clock1000 MHzBetter830 MHz
Boost clock1000 MHzBetter880 MHz
Board size, power and compatibility
InterfacePCIe 3x16PCIe 2x16
LengthVaries by board310 mm
ThicknessVaries by boardDual-slot
Recommended PSUVaries by board750 W
Power connector6+6 pin8+8 pin
Display outputs and limits
HDMIBoard dependentBoard dependent
DisplayPortBoard dependentmini-DisplayPort 1.2
USB Type-CNoNo
Max monitorsVaries by board5
Max resolutionVaries by board4096 × 2160
Memory and compute throughput
VRAM2 GB GDDR54 GB GDDR5Better
Memory typeGDDR5GDDR5
Memory bus256 bit256x2 bit
TFLOPS1.0242.55Better
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 7870 or HD 6990?+
HD 7870 has the higher overall gaming score, while HD 7870 offers the better price-to-performance ratio. The final choice depends on resolution and settings.
02Which is better for streaming?+
HD 7870 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 7870 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 7870 offers more overall performance, while HD 7870 offers more memory headroom. Codecs, hardware encoders, and editor optimization can change the result.
05Which is better for neural networks and AI?+
HD 7870 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 7870 is the most rational 1080p choice, where high frame rates and cost per frame matter most.
07Which is better for 1440p?+
HD 7870 leads in combined 1440p performance. HD 7870 can be preferable for heavy textures and games with high VRAM usage.
08Which is better for 4K?+
HD 7870 is preferable for 4K, where total performance, memory bandwidth, and VRAM capacity have the greatest impact.
09Which is better for a quiet PC?+
HD 7870 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 7870 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 7870 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.