AMD Radeon 780M vs AMD Radeon HD 7790 Comparison

The AMD Radeon HD 7790 and the AMD Radeon 780M occupy the same performance tier according to aggregate data, yet they are separated by a decade of architectural evolution and serve fundamentally different physical roles. The HD 7790 is a 2013 discrete add-in board, while the 780M is a 2024 integrated graphics processor (IGP) embedded within a mobile CPU package. Benchmark results place them within 0.4% of each other in average score, making their performance equivalence the central finding, but the underlying specifications and system implications diverge dramatically.

The Verdict

The data presents a unique scenario: a decade-old discrete GPU matching a modern integrated solution in raw compute benchmarks. The HD 7790 scores 17,666 in Geekbench Metal, while the 780M averages 17,588 across its benchmark suite, a delta of only 0.4%. This places both at the 61st percentile of all GPUs, meaning they outperform roughly 60% of the database entries. For a user with an existing desktop system and a PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, the HD 7790 remains a viable legacy option, though its end-of-life production status limits its future relevance. The 780M, conversely, offers this performance level without any discrete graphics card, drawing power from the host system and requiring no additional power connectors, making it the clear choice for compact or integrated builds where a dedicated card is impractical. The RTX 4060 scores 17,639, a mere 0.2% above the HD 7790 and 0.3% above the 780M, underscoring how close this performance cluster is. The data suggests that for new systems, the 780M’s integration and active production status make it the more sensible option, while the HD 7790 serves only as a historical or budget salvage part, with the caveat that its 1024 MB memory and 96.00 GB/s bandwidth may limit modern workloads.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two parts is stark. The HD 7790 uses the Bonaire chip built on GCN 2.0 architecture, fabricated on a 28 nm process at TSMC. The 780M uses the Phoenix chip built on RDNA 3.0, fabricated on a 4 nm process, also at TSMC. The transistor counts reflect this generational leap: the HD 7790 contains 2,080 million transistors on a 160 mm² die, yielding a transistor density of 13.0M / mm². The 780M contains 25,390 million transistors on a 178 mm² die, achieving a density of 142.6M / mm² — over ten times higher. This density advantage allows the 780M to pack more computational resources into a similar physical footprint. The 780M features 12 ray tracing cores, a capability entirely absent from the HD 7790, which predates hardware ray tracing. The 780M also supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), while the HD 7790 only reaches DirectX 12 (12_0). Vulkan support differs as well, with the 780M at version 1.4 versus the HD 7790’s 1.2.170. The 780M’s FP16 throughput is listed as 8.909 TFLOPS (1:1) with its FP32, indicating a 1:1 ratio, whereas the HD 7790 has no listed FP16 capability. The 780M’s generation is listed as “Navi III IGP (Phoenix),” while the HD 7790 belongs to the “Southern Islands (HD 7700)” generation, with its predecessor being “Northern Islands” and successor “Sea Islands.” The 780M’s predecessor is “Navi II IGP” and successor “Navi III IGP,” highlighting the continuous evolution of integrated graphics.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

Direct head-to-head benchmark data is unavailable, but the aggregate scores provide a basis for comparison. The HD 7790’s single Geekbench Metal score of 17,666 stands alone, while the 780M has three benchmark entries: 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 at 480, Geekbench OpenCL at 18,602, and Geekbench Vulkan at 33,683. The average benchmark score for the 780M is 17,588, which is 0.4% lower than the HD 7790’s 17,666. This near-tie is reinforced by the rival data: the HD 7790’s closest rival is the RTX 4060 at 17,639 (0.2% higher), and the 780M’s closest rival is the Radeon Pro 560 at 17,551 (0.2% lower). The Quadro RTX 4000 sits above both at 17,789, 0.7% higher than the HD 7790. The 780M’s Vulkan score of 33,683 suggests significant API-level optimization, but this is not directly comparable to the HD 7790’s Metal score. The 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 480 is a separate metric, likely reflecting a specific modern workload. The data indicates that the 780M’s peak OpenCL performance (18,602) exceeds the HD 7790’s Metal score (17,666) by roughly 5.3%, suggesting that under certain compute APIs, the newer architecture has an edge. Conversely, the HD 7790’s Metal score edges out the 780M’s average, implying that Metal-specific workloads may favor the older card. The FP32 throughput tells a different story: the 780M’s 8.909 TFLOPS is nearly five times the HD 7790’s 1.792 TFLOPS, indicating that synthetic peak compute does not translate directly to real-world benchmark parity.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets reveal profound differences beyond raw performance. The HD 7790 has 896 shading units, 56 TMUs, and 16 ROPs, while the 780M has 768 shading units, 48 TMUs, and 32 ROPs. This means the 780M has fewer shaders and TMUs but double the ROPs, which explains its higher pixel rate of 92.80 GPixel/s versus the HD 7790’s 16.00 GPixel/s. The texture rate also favors the 780M at 139.2 GTexel/s versus 56.00 GTexel/s. Memory configuration is a major divergence: the HD 7790 uses 1024 MB of GDDR5 on a 128-bit bus with 96.00 GB/s bandwidth, while the 780M uses System Shared memory with System Dependent bandwidth and bus width. The 780M’s clock speeds are listed as 800 MHz base and 2900 MHz boost, while the HD 7790’s memory clock is 1500 MHz (6 Gbps effective), with no base or boost clock specified. Power consumption differs by a factor of over five: the HD 7790 has a TDP of 85 W and requires a 1x 6-pin power connector with a suggested 250 W PSU, while the 780M has a TDP of 15 W, uses no power connectors, and requires no separate PSU suggestion. The HD 7790 is a dual-slot card measuring 183 mm (7.2 inches) in length, whereas the 780M is an IGP with no dimensions. The bus interface differs: PCIe 3.0 x16 for the HD 7790, PCIe 4.0 x8 for the 780M. Display outputs on the HD 7790 include 1x DVI, 1x HDMI 1.4a, and 2x mini-DisplayPort 1.2, while the 780M’s outputs are Motherboard Dependent. The HD 7790 has a launch MSRP of 149 USD, while the 780M has no launch MSRP listed. Production status differs: the HD 7790 is End-of-life, while the 780M is Active. Release dates are 2013-03-21 for the HD 7790 and 2024-01-30 for the 780M.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has higher raw compute throughput?

A: The AMD Radeon 780M has significantly higher FP32 throughput at 8.909 TFLOPS, compared to the HD 7790’s 1.792 TFLOPS, a gap of nearly five times.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The HD 7790 averages 17,666, while the 780M averages 17,588, placing the HD 7790 0.4% ahead. Both sit at the 61st percentile of all GPUs.

Q: What are the memory configurations?

A: The HD 7790 uses 1024 MB of GDDR5 on a 128-bit bus with 96.00 GB/s bandwidth, while the 780M uses System Shared memory with System Dependent bandwidth and bus width.

Q: Which GPU supports hardware ray tracing?

A: Only the AMD Radeon 780M, which features 12 ray tracing cores and DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2) support. The HD 7790 lacks ray tracing cores and only supports DirectX 12 (12_0).

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The HD 7790 has a TDP of 85 W and requires a 1x 6-pin power connector with a 250 W suggested PSU. The 780M has a TDP of 15 W, uses no power connectors, and has no suggested PSU.

Q: Which GPU has a higher pixel fill rate?

A: The 780M achieves 92.80 GPixel/s, which is 5.8 times higher than the HD 7790’s 16.00 GPixel/s, due to its 32 ROPs versus 16.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Radeon HD 7790 wins in scenarios requiring a dedicated, self-contained graphics solution. Its discrete card format with dual-slot cooling and 1x 6-pin power connector suits desktop systems with available PCIe slots. The 1024 MB of dedicated GDDR5 memory ensures local memory bandwidth is not shared with the system, which can be an advantage in memory-sensitive legacy workloads. Its Geekbench Metal score of 17,666 is the highest single benchmark among the two, suggesting an edge in Metal-based applications. The 149 USD launch MSRP, while historical, indicates it was positioned as an entry-level discrete option. Its End-of-life status means it is only relevant for existing systems or second-hand builds, but within that context, it offers a performance tier that matches modern integrated graphics.

The AMD Radeon 780M wins in efficiency and integration. Its 15 W TDP is a fraction of the HD 7790’s 85 W, making it suitable for thin-and-light laptops or compact desktops where power and space are constrained. The absence of power connectors and motherboard-dependent display outputs simplify system design. Its 32 ROPs and 92.80 GPixel/s pixel rate indicate superior fill-rate performance, which benefits 2D and light 3D workloads. The 12 ray tracing cores and DirectX 12 Ultimate support provide features that the HD 7790 cannot offer, positioning the 780M for modern gaming and graphics APIs. The 780M’s Geekbench Vulkan score of 33,683 and OpenCL score of 18,602 demonstrate strength in compute-heavy tasks, outpacing the HD 7790’s Metal score in those APIs. Its Active production status and 2024 release date ensure ongoing driver support and availability in current systems. The 780M also boasts a higher texture rate of 139.2 GTexel/s and nearly five times the FP32 throughput, indicating headroom for future software optimization. For users prioritizing portability, energy efficiency, or modern feature support, the 780M is the clear beneficiary of the data.