AMD Radeon HD 8870M vs NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950M Comparison

# Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The single available head-to-head benchmark decisively favors the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950M. In Geekbench OpenCL, the GTX 950M scores 9,745 points against the AMD Radeon HD 8870M's 8,462 points, a 13.2% advantage. This is not a marginal gap; it represents a clear performance tier separation between the two mobile graphics processors. The delta is substantial enough that in any OpenCL compute workload, the NVIDIA part will complete tasks noticeably faster.

Looking at the broader benchmark context, the GTX 950M's OpenCL score places it in the 42nd percentile of all GPUs, while the HD 8870M sits marginally higher at the 43rd percentile. This creates an interesting paradox: the HD 8870M has a slightly better percentile ranking despite losing the direct comparison by 13.2%. The explanation lies in the averaging methodology. The GTX 950M's average benchmark score across all tests is 8,135, which is actually lower than its OpenCL result of 9,745. This is because the GTX 950M also has a Geekbench Vulkan score of 6,525, which drags down its average. The HD 8870M has only a single OpenCL benchmark recorded, so its average equals its OpenCL score of 8,462.

The NVIDIA GPU's nearest rival data reinforces its positioning. The GTX 950M's average score of 8,135 is nearly identical to the AMD Radeon R9 M360 (8,129, a 0.1% delta), while it trails the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 (8,167) by only 0.4% and leads the NVIDIA GeForce 945M (8,099) by 0.4%. For the AMD HD 8870M, its average of 8,462 puts it within 0.1% of the NVIDIA GeForce MX330 (8,458) and 0.3% of the AMD Radeon 880M (8,436), while the Intel Arc A380 (8,558) is 1.1% ahead. These rival comparisons show that both GPUs sit in a tightly contested mid-range cluster, but the direct head-to-head result gives the GTX 950M the definitive edge in raw OpenCL compute.

# FAQ

Q: Which GPU wins the direct benchmark comparison?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950M wins the only head-to-head test (Geekbench OpenCL) with a score of 9,745 versus 8,462 for the AMD Radeon HD 8870M, a 13.2% advantage.

Q: Why does the AMD GPU have a higher percentile ranking despite losing the direct comparison?

A: The HD 8870M sits at the 43rd percentile versus the GTX 950M's 42nd percentile because the GTX 950M's average score (8,135) is pulled down by its additional Vulkan benchmark result of 6,525, while the HD 8870M has only one recorded benchmark.

Q: How does each GPU compare to its nearest competitors?

A: The GTX 950M's average score places it within 0.1% of the AMD Radeon R9 M360, 0.4% behind the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980, and 0.4% ahead of the NVIDIA GeForce 945M. The HD 8870M sits within 0.1% of the NVIDIA GeForce MX330, 0.3% of the AMD Radeon 880M, and 1.1% behind the Intel Arc A380.

Q: What is the memory configuration difference between the two?

A: The HD 8870M uses 2 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 128-bit bus with 72.00 GB/s bandwidth, while the GTX 950M uses 4 GB of DDR3 memory on a 128-bit bus with only 28.80 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Which GPU has a higher clock speed?

A: The GTX 950M has a base clock of 993 MHz and a boost clock of 1,124 MHz, while the HD 8870M has a base clock of 725 MHz and a boost clock of 775 MHz.

Q: What are the API support differences?

A: The HD 8870M supports DirectX 12 (11_1), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.170. The GTX 950M supports DirectX 12 (11_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4.

# Architecture Differences

The two GPUs represent fundamentally different architectural generations from their respective manufacturers. The AMD Radeon HD 8870M is built on the GCN 1.0 architecture using the Venus chip, belonging to the Solar System generation (HD 8800M series). The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950M utilizes the Maxwell architecture with the GM107 chip, part of the GeForce 900M generation. Both are fabricated on the 28 nm process node at TSMC, but the transistor counts differ notably: the HD 8870M packs 1,500 million transistors on a 123 mm² die, while the GTX 950M contains 1,870 million transistors on a larger 148 mm² die. This gives the NVIDIA chip a slightly higher transistor density of 12.6M per mm² compared to AMD's 12.2M per mm².

Clock speeds show a significant divergence. The HD 8870M operates at a base clock of 725 MHz with a 775 MHz boost, while the GTX 950M runs at 993 MHz base and 1,124 MHz boost. The NVIDIA GPU's higher clocks contribute directly to its superior fill rates: the GTX 950M achieves 17.98 GPixel/s pixel rate and 44.96 GTexel/s texture rate, versus the HD 8870M's 12.40 GPixel/s and 31.00 GTexel/s. In raw compute throughput, the GTX 950M delivers 1,438.7 GFLOPS FP32 performance, substantially ahead of the HD 8870M's 992.0 GFLOPS.

Memory subsystems differ dramatically in type but not width. Both use a 128-bit bus, but the HD 8870M employs GDDR5 memory running at 1,125 MHz (4.5 Gbps effective), yielding 72.00 GB/s of bandwidth. The GTX 950M uses DDR3 memory at 900 MHz (1,800 Mbps effective), delivering only 28.80 GB/s. However, the GTX 950M compensates with double the capacity: 4 GB versus 2 GB. The bus interface also differs, with the HD 8870M using PCIe 3.0 x16 while the GTX 950M uses PCIe 3.0 x8.

The GTX 950M carries a 75 W TDP rating and is classified as an IGP (integrated graphics processor) with no power connectors, indicating it is designed for laptop integration. Its display outputs are listed as "portable device dependent." The HD 8870M does not have TDP, slot width, or power connector information listed. Both GPUs share identical shading unit counts (640), TMUs (40), and ROPs (16), meaning the architectural differences manifest primarily through clock speeds and memory configuration.

# The Verdict

The benchmark data provides a clear verdict: the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950M is the superior performer for OpenCL compute workloads, winning the only direct comparison by 13.2%. The GTX 950M's advantage stems from its significantly higher clock speeds (993 MHz base versus 725 MHz base) and nearly 45% higher FP32 throughput (1,438.7 GFLOPS versus 992.0 GFLOPS). Despite the HD 8870M's superior memory bandwidth (72.00 GB/s versus 28.80 GB/s), the NVIDIA GPU's compute advantages prove decisive in the OpenCL test.

However, the data also reveals nuance. The HD 8870M's average benchmark score of 8,462 actually exceeds the GTX 950M's average of 8,135, because the GTX 950M's Vulkan score of 6,525 pulls its average down. This means that in Vulkan-specific workloads, the GTX 950M would likely underperform relative to its OpenCL showing. The HD 8870M also offers higher memory bandwidth, which could benefit memory-intensive applications despite the lower overall compute performance.

For users prioritizing OpenCL compute tasks, the GTX 950M is the clear choice. For those concerned with average performance across multiple API types, the HD 8870M's single-score profile looks better, but this is partly an artifact of incomplete benchmark data. The GTX 950M's dual-API testing provides a more complete picture, and its OpenCL dominance suggests it is the more capable all-around GPU. The GTX 950M also offers twice the memory capacity (4 GB versus 2 GB), which matters for larger datasets and textures, even if the memory type is slower.

# Specification Differences

Process Node: Both are 28 nm (TSMC), but the GTX 950M uses 1,870 million transistors on a 148 mm² die versus the HD 8870M's 1,500 million on 123 mm².

Clock Speeds: The GTX 950M runs at 993 MHz base and 1,124 MHz boost, versus the HD 8870M's 725 MHz base and 775 MHz boost.

Memory: The HD 8870M has 2 GB GDDR5 at 1,125 MHz (4.5 Gbps effective) with 72.00 GB/s bandwidth. The GTX 950M has 4 GB DDR3 at 900 MHz (1,800 Mbps effective) with 28.80 GB/s bandwidth.

Compute Rates: The GTX 950M achieves 17.98 GPixel/s and 44.96 GTexel/s, versus the HD 8870M's 12.40 GPixel/s and 31.00 GTexel/s. FP32 performance is 1,438.7 GFLOPS versus 992.0 GFLOPS.

Bus Interface: The HD 8870M uses PCIe 3.0 x16; the GTX 950M uses PCIe 3.0 x8.

TDP and Power: The GTX 950M is rated at 75 W TDP, classified as IGP, with no power connectors. The HD 8870M has no listed TDP or power specifications.

API Support: The HD 8870M supports DirectX 12 (11_1) and Vulkan 1.2.170; the GTX 950M supports DirectX 12 (11_0) and Vulkan 1.4. Both support OpenGL 4.6.

Release Date: The HD 8870M was released on March 31, 2013; the GTX 950M on March 12, 2015.

# Where Each One Wins

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950M wins decisively in raw compute performance. Its OpenCL score of 9,745 versus 8,462 represents a 13.2% advantage that translates to faster execution of compute-heavy tasks such as video encoding, 3D rendering, and scientific calculations. The GTX 950M also wins on pixel and texture fill rates (17.98 GPixel/s and 44.96 GTexel/s versus 12.40 GPixel/s and 31.00 GTexel/s), making it better suited for high-resolution gaming and texture-heavy workloads. Its 4 GB memory capacity provides more headroom for large assets, and its higher clock speeds (993 MHz base versus 725 MHz base) indicate better sustained performance under load. The GTX 950M also supports Vulkan 1.4, a newer API version than the HD 8870M's Vulkan 1.2.170.

The AMD Radeon HD 8870M wins on memory bandwidth by a wide margin: 72.00 GB/s versus 28.80 GB/s. This advantage benefits memory-bandwidth-bound workloads where data throughput matters more than compute throughput. The HD 8870M also has a higher average benchmark score (8,462 versus 8,135) and a marginally better percentile ranking (43rd versus 42nd), though this is influenced by the GTX 950M's additional Vulkan benchmark. The HD 8870M supports DirectX 12 (11_1) versus the GTX 950M's DirectX 12 (11_0), a minor API feature advantage. Its PCIe 3.0 x16 interface offers double the bus bandwidth of the GTX 950M's x8 connection, which could reduce transfer bottlenecks in some scenarios. For users running only OpenCL workloads and prioritizing memory throughput, the HD 8870M remains competitive despite its compute deficit.