ATI Radeon HD 4870 vs GeForce GTX 970M
Aggregate performance score
We've compared GeForce GTX 970M with Radeon HD 4870, including specs and performance data.
970M outperforms HD 4870 by a whopping 312% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Contents
Primary details
GPU architecture, market segment, value for money and other general parameters compared.
| Place in the ranking | 407 | 782 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | 0.55 | 0.27 |
| Power efficiency | 12.94 | 1.69 |
| Architecture | Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019) | TeraScale (2005−2013) |
| GPU code name | GM204 | RV770 |
| Market segment | Laptop | Desktop |
| Release date | 7 October 2014 (11 years ago) | 25 June 2008 (17 years ago) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | $2,560.89 | $299 |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
The higher the ratio, the better. We use the manufacturer's recommended prices.
GTX 970M has 104% better value for money than ATI HD 4870.
Performance to price scatter graph
Detailed specifications
General parameters such as number of shaders, GPU core base clock and boost clock speeds, manufacturing process, texturing and calculation speed. Note that power consumption of some graphics cards can well exceed their nominal TDP, especially when overclocked.
| Pipelines / CUDA cores | 1280 | 800 |
| Core clock speed | 924 MHz | 750 MHz |
| Boost clock speed | 1038 MHz | no data |
| Number of transistors | 5,200 million | 956 million |
| Manufacturing process technology | 28 nm | 55 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | unknown | 150 Watt |
| Texture fill rate | 83.04 | 30.00 |
| Floating-point processing power | 2.657 TFLOPS | 1.2 TFLOPS |
| ROPs | 48 | 16 |
| TMUs | 80 | 40 |
| L1 Cache | 480 KB | 160 KB |
| L2 Cache | 1536 KB | 256 KB |
Form factor & compatibility
Information on compatibility with other computer components. Useful when choosing a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. For desktop graphics cards it's interface and bus (motherboard compatibility), additional power connectors (power supply compatibility).
| Laptop size | large | no data |
| Bus support | PCI Express 3.0 | no data |
| Interface | MXM-B (3.0) | PCIe 2.0 x16 |
| Length | no data | 250 mm |
| Width | no data | 2-slot |
| Supplementary power connectors | None | 2x 6-pin |
| SLI options | + | - |
VRAM capacity and type
Parameters of VRAM installed: its type, size, bus, clock and resulting bandwidth. Integrated GPUs have no dedicated video RAM and use a shared part of system RAM.
| Memory type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Maximum RAM amount | 3 GB | 1 GB |
| Memory bus width | 192 Bit | 256 Bit |
| Memory clock speed | 2500 MHz | 900 MHz |
| Memory bandwidth | 120 GB/s | 115.2 GB/s |
| Shared memory | - | - |
Connectivity and outputs
This section shows the types and number of video connectors on each GPU. The data applies specifically to desktop reference models (for example, NVIDIA’s Founders Edition). OEM partners often modify both the number and types of ports. On notebook GPUs, video‐output options are determined by the laptop’s design rather than the graphics chip itself.
| Display Connectors | No outputs | 2x DVI, 1x S-Video |
| VGA аnalog display support | + | no data |
| DisplayPort Multimode (DP++) support | + | no data |
| HDMI | + | - |
| G-SYNC support | + | - |
Supported technologies
Supported technological solutions. This information will prove useful if you need some particular technology for your purposes.
| GameStream | + | - |
| GeForce ShadowPlay | + | - |
| GPU Boost | 2.0 | no data |
| GameWorks | + | - |
| H.264, VC1, MPEG2 1080p video decoder | + | - |
| Optimus | + | - |
| BatteryBoost | + | - |
| Ansel | + | - |
API and SDK support
List of supported 3D and general-purpose computing APIs, including their specific versions.
| DirectX | 12 (12_1) | 10.1 (10_1) |
| Shader Model | 6.4 | 4.1 |
| OpenGL | 4.5 | 3.3 |
| OpenCL | 1.1 | 1.1 |
| Vulkan | 1.1.126 | N/A |
| CUDA | + | - |
Synthetic benchmarks
Non-gaming benchmark results comparison. The combined score is measured on a 0-100 point scale.
Combined synthetic benchmark score
This is our combined benchmark score.
Passmark
This is the most ubiquitous GPU benchmark. It gives the graphics card a thorough evaluation under various types of load, providing four separate benchmarks for Direct3D versions 9, 10, 11 and 12 (the last being done in 4K resolution if possible), and few more tests engaging DirectCompute capabilities.
Gaming performance
Let's see how good the compared graphics cards are for gaming. Particular gaming benchmark results are measured in FPS.
Average FPS across all PC games
Here are the average frames per second in a large set of popular games across different resolutions:
| 900p | 136
+353%
| 30−35
−353%
|
| Full HD | 58
+314%
| 14−16
−314%
|
| 1440p | 27
+350%
| 6−7
−350%
|
| 4K | 21
+320%
| 5−6
−320%
|
Cost per frame, $
| 1080p | 44.15
−107%
| 21.36
+107%
|
| 1440p | 94.85
−90.3%
| 49.83
+90.3%
|
| 4K | 121.95
−104%
| 59.80
+104%
|
- ATI HD 4870 has 107% lower cost per frame in 1080p
- ATI HD 4870 has 90% lower cost per frame in 1440p
- ATI HD 4870 has 104% lower cost per frame in 4K
FPS performance in popular games
Full HD
Low
| Counter-Strike 2 | 75−80
+333%
|
18−20
−333%
|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 27−30
+314%
|
7−8
−314%
|
| Hogwarts Legacy | 24−27
+317%
|
6−7
−317%
|
Full HD
Medium
| Battlefield 5 | 66
+313%
|
16−18
−313%
|
| Counter-Strike 2 | 75−80
+333%
|
18−20
−333%
|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 27−30
+314%
|
7−8
−314%
|
| Far Cry 5 | 46
+360%
|
10−11
−360%
|
| Fortnite | 163
+366%
|
35−40
−366%
|
| Forza Horizon 4 | 61
+336%
|
14−16
−336%
|
| Forza Horizon 5 | 40−45
+330%
|
10−11
−330%
|
| Hogwarts Legacy | 24−27
+317%
|
6−7
−317%
|
| PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS | 60
+329%
|
14−16
−329%
|
| Valorant | 110−120
+333%
|
27−30
−333%
|
Full HD
High
| Battlefield 5 | 54
+350%
|
12−14
−350%
|
| Counter-Strike 2 | 75−80
+333%
|
18−20
−333%
|
| Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | 190−200
+322%
|
45−50
−322%
|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 27−30
+314%
|
7−8
−314%
|
| Dota 2 | 90−95
+329%
|
21−24
−329%
|
| Far Cry 5 | 43
+330%
|
10−11
−330%
|
| Fortnite | 65
+364%
|
14−16
−364%
|
| Forza Horizon 4 | 53
+342%
|
12−14
−342%
|
| Forza Horizon 5 | 40−45
+330%
|
10−11
−330%
|
| Grand Theft Auto V | 49
+390%
|
10−11
−390%
|
| Hogwarts Legacy | 24−27
+317%
|
6−7
−317%
|
| Metro Exodus | 24
+380%
|
5−6
−380%
|
| PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS | 49
+390%
|
10−11
−390%
|
| The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | 45
+350%
|
10−11
−350%
|
| Valorant | 110−120
+333%
|
27−30
−333%
|
Full HD
Ultra
| Battlefield 5 | 49
+390%
|
10−11
−390%
|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 27−30
+314%
|
7−8
−314%
|
| Dota 2 | 90−95
+329%
|
21−24
−329%
|
| Far Cry 5 | 39
+333%
|
9−10
−333%
|
| Forza Horizon 4 | 36
+350%
|
8−9
−350%
|
| Hogwarts Legacy | 24−27
+317%
|
6−7
−317%
|
| PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS | 33
+313%
|
8−9
−313%
|
| The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | 26
+333%
|
6−7
−333%
|
| Valorant | 110−120
+333%
|
27−30
−333%
|
Full HD
Epic
| Fortnite | 49
+390%
|
10−11
−390%
|
1440p
High
| Counter-Strike 2 | 27−30
+350%
|
6−7
−350%
|
| Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | 100−110
+333%
|
24−27
−333%
|
| Grand Theft Auto V | 21−24
+340%
|
5−6
−340%
|
| Metro Exodus | 14
+367%
|
3−4
−367%
|
| PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS | 120−130
+327%
|
30−33
−327%
|
| Valorant | 140−150
+380%
|
30−33
−380%
|
1440p
Ultra
| Battlefield 5 | 33
+313%
|
8−9
−313%
|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 12−14
+500%
|
2−3
−500%
|
| Far Cry 5 | 27
+350%
|
6−7
−350%
|
| Forza Horizon 4 | 23
+360%
|
5−6
−360%
|
| Hogwarts Legacy | 14−16
+400%
|
3−4
−400%
|
| The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | 20−22
+400%
|
4−5
−400%
|
1440p
Epic
| Fortnite | 31
+343%
|
7−8
−343%
|
4K
High
| Counter-Strike 2 | 10−11
+400%
|
2−3
−400%
|
| Grand Theft Auto V | 33
+313%
|
8−9
−313%
|
| Hogwarts Legacy | 8−9
+700%
|
1−2
−700%
|
| Metro Exodus | 7
+600%
|
1−2
−600%
|
| The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | 16
+433%
|
3−4
−433%
|
| Valorant | 75−80
+322%
|
18−20
−322%
|
4K
Ultra
| Battlefield 5 | 15
+400%
|
3−4
−400%
|
| Counter-Strike 2 | 10−11
+400%
|
2−3
−400%
|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 5−6
+400%
|
1−2
−400%
|
| Dota 2 | 50−55
+317%
|
12−14
−317%
|
| Far Cry 5 | 13
+333%
|
3−4
−333%
|
| Forza Horizon 4 | 6
+500%
|
1−2
−500%
|
| Hogwarts Legacy | 8−9
+700%
|
1−2
−700%
|
| PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS | 12
+500%
|
2−3
−500%
|
4K
Epic
| Fortnite | 14
+367%
|
3−4
−367%
|
This is how GTX 970M and ATI HD 4870 compete in popular games:
- GTX 970M is 353% faster in 900p
- GTX 970M is 314% faster in 1080p
- GTX 970M is 350% faster in 1440p
- GTX 970M is 320% faster in 4K
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 13.65 | 3.31 |
| Recency | 7 October 2014 | 25 June 2008 |
| Maximum RAM amount | 3 GB | 1 GB |
| Chip lithography | 28 nm | 55 nm |
GTX 970M has a 312.4% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 6 years, a 200% higher maximum VRAM amount, and a 96.4% more advanced lithography process.
The GeForce GTX 970M is our recommended choice as it beats the Radeon HD 4870 in performance tests.
Be aware that GeForce GTX 970M is a notebook graphics card while Radeon HD 4870 is a desktop one.
Other comparisons
We selected several comparisons of graphics cards with performance close to those reviewed, providing you with more options to consider.
