AMD
Radeon HD 7970 vs Radeon R9 290X
Full comparison of specs, performance and benchmarks
AMD
R9 290X
Aggregate performance score
We've compared HD 7970 and R9 290X across specs and all relevant benchmarks.
↗R9 290X outperforms HD 7970 by ~6% on the catalog index; this is not a measured FPS gain.+6%
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 7970
- Lower stated power consumption
- Lower recorded market price
- Recorded feature support: OpenCL 1.2 · Not supported
Reasons to consider R9 290X
- Higher catalog performance index
- Recorded feature support: OpenCL 2.1 · Not supported
Catalog metrics radar
Axes with missing data are hidden; every value uses a fixed scale.
AMDPerformance
Efficiency
Price / performance
Memory capacity
3638
4844
100100
5656
Graphics card ranking
Positions 252–257of 321
Which should you choose?
Two practical conclusions based on community votes and gaming value.
Radeon R9 290X
112 likesHead to Head visitors currently choose this model more often.
Radeon HD 7970
Price $40.00Based 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
36
38Better
Professional applications3D modeling, video editing, and rendering
32
34Better
AI and machine learningMachine-learning and AI capabilities
30
31Better
Power efficiencyPower consumption across workloads
48Better
44
Head to Head scoreOverall catalog score
45
45
Specifications
The better numeric value is highlighted in green, taking the metric direction into account.
HDMI
DisplayPort
Device class
Max monitors
Max resolution
USB Type-C
TFLOPSBetter
DirectX
Vulkan
OpenGL
Power consumptionBetter
Clock speedBetter
Memory type
Power connector
Release date
ArchitectureBetter
Thickness
Compute API
Launch priceBetter
Shader units / coresBetter
Base clockBetter
Boost clockBetter
VRAMBetter
Memory frequencyBetter
Memory busBetter
Memory bandwidthBetter
Interface
Power consumptionBetter
Process node
Recommended PSUBetter
Length
Die sizeBetter
Memory cache
Transistor countBetter
Upscaling
Gaming FPS
Available results are shown separately; missing data is not treated as zero.
The Gaming FPS section compares HD 7970 and R9 290X 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 7970R9 290X
Verified externalEstimatedSources ↗
Counter-Strike 2
1080p High
179 FPS
185 FPS
1080p Ultra
126 FPS
130 FPS
1440p Ultra
74 FPS
81 FPS
4K Ultra
25 FPS
28 FPS
Counter-Strike 2HD 7970179 FPSR9 290X185 FPSHD 7970126 FPSR9 290X130 FPSHD 797074 FPSR9 290X81 FPSHD 797025 FPSR9 290X28 FPS
Cyberpunk 2077HD 7970116 FPSR9 290X119 FPSHD 7970100 FPSR9 290X103 FPSHD 797054 FPSR9 290X58 FPSHD 797017 FPSR9 290X19 FPS
Forza Horizon 5HD 7970146 FPSR9 290X150 FPSHD 797095 FPSR9 290X97 FPSHD 797067 FPSR9 290X73 FPSHD 797037 FPSR9 290X41 FPS
Hogwarts LegacyHD 797095 FPSR9 290X97 FPSHD 797079 FPSR9 290X81 FPSHD 797048 FPSR9 290X52 FPSHD 797017 FPSR9 290X19 FPS
H2H workload indices
Comparable internal indices on a fixed 0–100 scale.
H2H Raster IndexH2H Index / 10036385%
H2H Compute IndexH2H Index / 10038405%
H2H Rendering IndexH2H Index / 10042432%
H2H Memory Workload IndexH2H Index / 10056560%
H2H Efficiency IndexH2H Index / 10048449%
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 / 10045462%
H2H ML Training IndexH2H Index / 10044452%
H2H Inference IndexH2H Index / 10042432%
H2H Local LLM IndexH2H Index / 10047482%
H2H Computer Vision IndexH2H Index / 10042432%
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
DirectX11.112.0
Vulkan1.21.2
OpenGL4.64.6
UpscalingNot supportedNot supported
Compute APIOpenCL 1.2OpenCL 2.1
Architecture and release
ArchitectureGCN 1.0GCN 2.0Better
Process node28 nm28 nm
Release date20112013
Device classDesktopDesktop
GPU cores, die and clocks
Transistor count4313 million6200 millionBetter
Die size352 mm²Better438 mm²
Shader units / cores20482816Better
Base clock925 MHz1000 MHzBetter
Boost clock925 MHz1000 MHzBetter
Board size, power and compatibility
InterfacePCIe 3x16PCIe 3x16
Length275 mmVaries by board
ThicknessDual-slotTriple-slot
Recommended PSU600 WBetter950 W
Power connector6+8 pin6+8 pin
Display outputs and limits
HDMIHDMI 1.4aHDMI 1.4a
DisplayPortmini-DisplayPort 1.2DisplayPort 1.2
USB Type-CNoNo
Max monitors44
Max resolution4096 × 21604096 × 2160
Memory and compute throughput
VRAM3 GB GDDR54 GB GDDR5Better
Memory typeGDDR5GDDR5
Memory bus384 bit512 bitBetter
TFLOPS3.7895.632Better
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 7970 or R9 290X?+
HD 7970 has the higher overall gaming score, while HD 7970 offers the better price-to-performance ratio. The final choice depends on resolution and settings.
02Which is better for streaming?+
HD 7970 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 7970 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 7970 offers more overall performance, while HD 7970 offers more memory headroom. Codecs, hardware encoders, and editor optimization can change the result.
05Which is better for neural networks and AI?+
HD 7970 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 7970 is the most rational 1080p choice, where high frame rates and cost per frame matter most.
07Which is better for 1440p?+
HD 7970 leads in combined 1440p performance. HD 7970 can be preferable for heavy textures and games with high VRAM usage.
08Which is better for 4K?+
HD 7970 is preferable for 4K, where total performance, memory bandwidth, and VRAM capacity have the greatest impact.
09Which is better for a quiet PC?+
HD 7970 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 7970 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 7970 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.