AMD
Radeon RX 7800 XT vs Radeon HD 7970
Full comparison of specs, performance and benchmarks
AMD
HD 7970
Aggregate performance score
We've compared RX 7800 XT and HD 7970 across specs and all relevant benchmarks.
↗RX 7800 XT outperforms HD 7970 by ~83% on the catalog index; this is not a measured FPS gain.+83%
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 RX 7800 XT (~49%)
The score difference is not a measured FPS improvement.
Reasons to consider RX 7800 XT
- Higher catalog performance index
- More graphics memory
- Recorded feature support: OpenCL 2.2 · FSR
Reasons to consider HD 7970
- Lower stated power consumption
- Lower recorded market price
- Higher catalog value index
- 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
6636
8448
69100
8856
Graphics card ranking
Positions 31–36of 321
Which should you choose?
Two practical conclusions based on community votes and gaming value.
Radeon RX 7800 XT
69 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
66Better
36
Professional applications3D modeling, video editing, and rendering
54Better
32
AI and machine learningMachine-learning and AI capabilities
52Better
30
Power efficiencyPower consumption across workloads
84Better
48
Head to Head scoreOverall catalog score
67Better
45
Specifications
The better numeric value is highlighted in green, taking the metric direction into account.
DisplayPort
HDMI
Device class
Upscaling
Max monitors
Max resolution
USB Type-C
DirectX
Vulkan
OpenGL
TFLOPSBetter
Power consumptionBetter
Launch priceBetter
Shader units / coresBetter
Thickness
Power connector
Memory type
Release date
ArchitectureBetter
Compute API
VRAMBetter
Clock speedBetter
Power consumptionBetter
Die sizeBetter
Base clockBetter
Boost clockBetter
LengthBetter
Memory busBetter
Memory bandwidthBetter
Memory cache
Memory frequencyBetter
Interface
Process nodeBetter
Recommended PSU
Transistor countBetter
Gaming FPS
Available results are shown separately; missing data is not treated as zero.
The Gaming FPS section compares RX 7800 XT and HD 7970 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.
RX 7800 XTHD 7970
Verified externalEstimatedSources ↗
Counter-Strike 2
1080p High
271 FPS
179 FPS
1080p Ultra
190 FPS
126 FPS
1440p Ultra
148 FPS
74 FPS
4K Ultra
73 FPS
25 FPS
Counter-Strike 2RX 7800 XT271 FPSHD 7970179 FPSRX 7800 XT190 FPSHD 7970126 FPSRX 7800 XT148 FPSHD 797074 FPSRX 7800 XT73 FPSHD 797025 FPS
Cyberpunk 2077RX 7800 XT175 FPSHD 7970116 FPSRX 7800 XT150 FPSHD 7970100 FPSRX 7800 XT107 FPSHD 797054 FPSRX 7800 XT49 FPSHD 797017 FPS
Forza Horizon 5RX 7800 XT220 FPSHD 7970146 FPSRX 7800 XT143 FPSHD 797095 FPSRX 7800 XT133 FPSHD 797067 FPSRX 7800 XT108 FPSHD 797037 FPS
Hogwarts LegacyRX 7800 XT143 FPSHD 797095 FPSRX 7800 XT119 FPSHD 797079 FPSRX 7800 XT96 FPSHD 797048 FPSRX 7800 XT50 FPSHD 797017 FPS
H2H workload indices
Comparable internal indices on a fixed 0–100 scale.
H2H Raster IndexH2H Index / 100663659%
H2H Compute IndexH2H Index / 100723862%
H2H Rendering IndexH2H Index / 100724253%
H2H Memory Workload IndexH2H Index / 100885644%
H2H Efficiency IndexH2H Index / 100844855%
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 / 100764551%
H2H ML Training IndexH2H Index / 100754452%
H2H Inference IndexH2H Index / 100724253%
H2H Local LLM IndexH2H Index / 100784750%
H2H Computer Vision IndexH2H Index / 100734254%
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
DirectX12.211.1
Vulkan1.41.2
OpenGL4.64.6
UpscalingFSRNot supported
Compute APIOpenCL 2.2OpenCL 1.2
Architecture and release
ArchitectureRDNA 3.0BetterGCN 1.0
Process node5 nmBetter28 nm
Release date20232011
Device classDesktopDesktop
GPU cores, die and clocks
Transistor count28100 millionBetter4313 million
Die size346 mm²Better352 mm²
Shader units / cores3840Better2048
Base clock1295 MHzBetter925 MHz
Boost clock2430 MHzBetter925 MHz
Board size, power and compatibility
InterfacePCIe 4x16PCIe 3x16
Length267 mmBetter275 mm
ThicknessDual-slotDual-slot
Recommended PSU600 W600 W
Power connector8+8 pin6+8 pin
Display outputs and limits
HDMIHDMI 2.1aHDMI 1.4a
DisplayPortDisplayPort 2.1mini-DisplayPort 1.2
USB Type-CNoNo
Max monitors44
Max resolution7680 × 43204096 × 2160
Memory and compute throughput
VRAM16 GB GDDR6Better3 GB GDDR5
Memory typeGDDR6GDDR5
Memory bus256 bit384 bitBetter
TFLOPS37.32Better3.789
Other comparisons
RTX 5060 Ti 16GBNVIDIAReviews 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 (3)
- · 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: RX 7800 XT or HD 7970?+
RX 7800 XT 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?+
RX 7800 XT 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?+
RX 7800 XT is generally the better option for Blender and GPU rendering. Rendering-engine support and available VRAM also matter.
04Which is better for video editing?+
RX 7800 XT offers more overall performance, while RX 7800 XT offers more memory headroom. Codecs, hardware encoders, and editor optimization can change the result.
05Which is better for neural networks and AI?+
RX 7800 XT 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?+
RX 7800 XT leads in combined 1440p performance. RX 7800 XT can be preferable for heavy textures and games with high VRAM usage.
08Which is better for 4K?+
RX 7800 XT 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 RX 7800 XT 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.