AMD
Radeon R9 Nano vs Radeon HD 7870
Full comparison of specs, performance and benchmarks
AMD
HD 7870
Aggregate performance score
We've compared R9 Nano and HD 7870 across specs and all relevant benchmarks.
↗R9 Nano outperforms HD 7870 by ~24% on the catalog index; this is not a measured FPS gain.+24%
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 R9 Nano (~17%)
The score difference is not a measured FPS improvement.
Reasons to consider R9 Nano
- Higher catalog performance index
- Recorded feature support: OpenCL 2.1 · Not supported
Reasons to consider HD 7870
- More graphics memory
- Lower recorded market price
- 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
4133
7863
100100
5056
Graphics card ranking
Positions 117–122of 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
41Better
33
Professional applications3D modeling, video editing, and rendering
36Better
30
AI and machine learningMachine-learning and AI capabilities
34Better
28
Power efficiencyPower consumption across workloads
78Better
63
Head to Head scoreOverall catalog score
54Better
46
Specifications
The better numeric value is highlighted in green, taking the metric direction into account.
DisplayPort
HDMI
Device class
DirectX
Vulkan
OpenGL
TFLOPSBetter
Power consumption
Memory type
Power connector
Release date
ArchitectureBetter
Thickness
Compute API
Launch priceBetter
Shader units / coresBetter
Clock speed
Base clock
Boost clock
VRAMBetter
Memory frequencyBetter
Memory busBetter
Memory bandwidthBetter
Interface
Power consumption
Process nodeBetter
Recommended PSU
Length
Die sizeBetter
Memory cache
Transistor countBetter
Max monitors
Max resolution
USB Type-C
Upscaling
Gaming FPS
Available results are shown separately; missing data is not treated as zero.
The Gaming FPS section compares R9 Nano and HD 7870 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.
R9 NanoHD 7870
Verified externalEstimatedSources ↗
Counter-Strike 2
1080p High
188 FPS
166 FPS
1080p Ultra
132 FPS
113 FPS
1440p Ultra
87 FPS
63 FPS
4K Ultra
35 FPS
23 FPS
Counter-Strike 2R9 Nano188 FPSHD 7870166 FPSR9 Nano132 FPSHD 7870113 FPSR9 Nano87 FPSHD 787063 FPSR9 Nano35 FPSHD 787023 FPS
Cyberpunk 2077R9 Nano122 FPSHD 7870107 FPSR9 Nano105 FPSHD 787090 FPSR9 Nano63 FPSHD 787045 FPSR9 Nano23 FPSHD 787015 FPS
Forza Horizon 5R9 Nano153 FPSHD 7870135 FPSR9 Nano99 FPSHD 787085 FPSR9 Nano78 FPSHD 787056 FPSR9 Nano51 FPSHD 787034 FPS
Hogwarts LegacyR9 Nano99 FPSHD 787087 FPSR9 Nano83 FPSHD 787071 FPSR9 Nano56 FPSHD 787041 FPSR9 Nano24 FPSHD 787016 FPS
H2H workload indices
Comparable internal indices on a fixed 0–100 scale.
H2H Raster IndexH2H Index / 100413322%
H2H Compute IndexH2H Index / 100413613%
H2H Rendering IndexH2H Index / 100443912%
H2H Memory Workload IndexH2H Index / 100505611%
H2H Efficiency IndexH2H Index / 100786321%
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 / 10045435%
H2H ML Training IndexH2H Index / 10045427%
H2H Inference IndexH2H Index / 100443912%
H2H Local LLM IndexH2H Index / 10046452%
H2H Computer Vision IndexH2H Index / 100444010%
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
DirectX12.011.1
Vulkan1.21.2
OpenGL4.64.6
UpscalingNot supportedNot supported
Compute APIOpenCL 2.1OpenCL 1.2
Architecture and release
ArchitectureGCN 3.0BetterGCN 1.0
Process node28 nmBetter40 nm
Release date20152012
Device classDesktopDesktop
GPU cores, die and clocks
Transistor count8900 millionBetter1500 million
Die size596 mm²123 mm²Better
Shader units / cores4096Better640
Base clock1000 MHz1000 MHz
Boost clock1000 MHz1000 MHz
Board size, power and compatibility
InterfacePCIe 3x16PCIe 3x16
Length154 mmVaries by board
ThicknessDual-slotVaries by board
Recommended PSU450 WVaries by board
Power connector8 pin6+6 pin
Display outputs and limits
HDMIHDMI 1.4aBoard dependent
DisplayPortDisplayPort 1.2Board dependent
USB Type-CNoNo
Max monitors4Varies by board
Max resolution4096 × 2160Varies by board
Memory and compute throughput
VRAM4 GB HBMBetter2 GB GDDR5
Memory typeHBMGDDR5
Memory bus4096 bitBetter256 bit
TFLOPS8.192Better1.024
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: R9 Nano or HD 7870?+
R9 Nano has the higher overall gaming score, while R9 Nano offers the better price-to-performance ratio. The final choice depends on resolution and settings.
02Which is better for streaming?+
R9 Nano 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?+
R9 Nano is generally the better option for Blender and GPU rendering. Rendering-engine support and available VRAM also matter.
04Which is better for video editing?+
R9 Nano offers more overall performance, while R9 Nano offers more memory headroom. Codecs, hardware encoders, and editor optimization can change the result.
05Which is better for neural networks and AI?+
R9 Nano is the more practical option for local AI workloads. VRAM capacity, compute libraries, and framework compatibility are especially important.
06Which is better for 1080p?+
R9 Nano is the most rational 1080p choice, where high frame rates and cost per frame matter most.
07Which is better for 1440p?+
R9 Nano leads in combined 1440p performance. R9 Nano can be preferable for heavy textures and games with high VRAM usage.
08Which is better for 4K?+
R9 Nano is preferable for 4K, where total performance, memory bandwidth, and VRAM capacity have the greatest impact.
09Which is better for a quiet PC?+
R9 Nano 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?+
R9 Nano 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 R9 Nano 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.