AMD Radeon HD 8870M vs NVIDIA Quadro K1200 Comparison

The AMD Radeon HD 8870M and NVIDIA Quadro K1200 are both end-of-life mobile and workstation graphics solutions, respectively, built on the same 28 nm TSMC process. Benchmark data shows the two GPUs are extremely close in raw compute, with the Quadro K1200 edging ahead in the single available OpenCL test, but their architectural and feature differences dictate very different use cases. The data indicates the Quadro K1200 is the stronger choice for compute workloads and multi-display professional setups, while the Radeon HD 8870M offers a more modern API feature set despite its lower raw score.

The Verdict

The benchmark results point to a narrow but clear victory for the NVIDIA Quadro K1200 in raw OpenCL compute performance. It scores 8831 in Geekbench OpenCL, which is 4.2% higher than the AMD Radeon HD 8870M’s 8462. This places the Quadro in the 43rd percentile of all GPUs, identical to the Radeon’s percentile ranking, but its average benchmark score of 8265 is slightly lower than the Radeon’s 8462 average due to the inclusion of a Vulkan test where it scores 7698.

For users prioritizing pure compute throughput in OpenCL applications, the Quadro K1200 is the data-backed winner. It also offers double the memory capacity (4 GB versus 2 GB) and higher memory bandwidth (80.19 GB/s versus 72.00 GB/s), which is critical for larger datasets. However, the Radeon HD 8870M is not without merit; its newer DirectX 12 (11_1) support and higher Vulkan version (1.2.170 versus 1.4 on the Quadro) may appeal to those targeting broader API compatibility. Ultimately, the Quadro K1200 wins on performance and memory, while the Radeon HD 8870M holds a niche for those needing specific API features.

Where Each One Wins

The NVIDIA Quadro K1200 wins the only head-to-head benchmark available, the Geekbench OpenCL test, with a score of 8831 versus 8462 for the AMD Radeon HD 8870M. This 4.2% advantage is modest but consistent, and it is reinforced by the Quadro’s superior memory subsystem. The Quadro’s 4 GB GDDR5 frame buffer is double the Radeon’s 2 GB, and its 80.19 GB/s bandwidth provides a 11.4% bandwidth advantage over the Radeon’s 72.00 GB/s. These factors make the Quadro K1200 the better choice for memory-intensive compute tasks and professional visualization workloads where larger textures or datasets are common.

The AMD Radeon HD 8870M wins in the domain of API modernity. It supports DirectX 12 (11_1) and Vulkan 1.2.170, whereas the Quadro K1200 only supports DirectX 12 (11_0) and Vulkan 1.4. For software that relies on newer DirectX 12 features, the Radeon has a clear compatibility edge. Additionally, the Radeon’s higher shading unit count (640 versus 512) and texture mapping units (40 versus 32) suggest it may have an advantage in certain geometry-heavy workloads, although the raw benchmark data does not confirm this. The Radeon also has a higher boost clock relative to its base (775 MHz versus 725 MHz), indicating a more aggressive boost behavior.

Architecture Differences

The two GPUs are built on fundamentally different architectures. The AMD Radeon HD 8870M uses the Venus chip based on GCN 1.0 architecture, while the NVIDIA Quadro K1200 uses the GM107 chip based on Maxwell architecture. Both are fabricated by TSMC on a 28 nm process, but the transistor counts differ significantly: the Quadro has 1,870 million transistors on a 148 mm² die, while the Radeon has 1,500 million transistors on a 123 mm² die. This gives the Quadro a slightly higher transistor density of 12.6M per mm² compared to the Radeon’s 12.2M per mm².

The shader configuration is a key differentiator. The Radeon HD 8870M packs 640 shading units, 40 TMUs, and 16 ROPs, whereas the Quadro K1200 has 512 shading units, 32 TMUs, and 16 ROPs. Despite having fewer shaders, the Quadro achieves higher fill rates: its pixel rate is 16.53 GPixel/s versus 12.40 GPixel/s for the Radeon, and its texture rate is 33.06 GTexel/s versus 31.00 GTexel/s. This is driven by the Quadro’s much higher clock speeds — a base of 954 MHz and boost of 1033 MHz, compared to the Radeon’s 725 MHz base and 775 MHz boost. The Quadro’s FP32 throughput of 1,057.8 GFLOPS also exceeds the Radeon’s 992.0 GFLOPS.

Memory configurations diverge as well. The Radeon uses 2 GB of GDDR5 on a 128-bit bus at an effective 4.5 Gbps, yielding 72.00 GB/s. The Quadro uses 4 GB of GDDR5 on the same 128-bit bus but at 5 Gbps effective, yielding 80.19 GB/s. The Quadro also has specific professional features: it is a single-slot card measuring 160 mm by 69 mm, requires no power connectors, has a 45 W TDP, and suggests a 200 W PSU. It outputs to four mini-DisplayPort 1.2 connections. The Radeon’s TDP, slot width, and display outputs are not specified in the data. The Quadro’s bus interface is PCIe 2.0 x16, while the Radeon uses PCIe 3.0 x16.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has higher raw compute performance?

A: The NVIDIA Quadro K1200, based on the Geekbench OpenCL score of 8831 versus 8462 for the AMD Radeon HD 8870M, a 4.2% difference.

Q: Does the AMD Radeon HD 8870M have any memory advantage?

A: No. The Quadro K1200 has double the memory (4 GB versus 2 GB) and higher bandwidth (80.19 GB/s versus 72.00 GB/s).

Q: Which GPU supports newer graphics APIs?

A: The AMD Radeon HD 8870M supports DirectX 12 (11_1) and Vulkan 1.2.170, while the Quadro K1200 supports DirectX 12 (11_0) and Vulkan 1.4. The Radeon’s DirectX 12 feature level is higher.

Q: How do their clock speeds compare?

A: The Quadro K1200 runs at a base clock of 954 MHz and boost of 1033 MHz, significantly higher than the Radeon HD 8870M’s 725 MHz base and 775 MHz boost.

Q: Are they similar in physical size and power requirements?

A: The Quadro K1200 is a single-slot card (160 mm x 69 mm) with a 45 W TDP and no power connectors; the Radeon HD 8870M’s dimensions and TDP are not listed in the data.

Q: What are their production statuses?

A: Both GPUs are end-of-life. The Radeon HD 8870M was released in 2013, and the Quadro K1200 was released in 2015.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The sole head-to-head benchmark result is the Geekbench OpenCL test, where the NVIDIA Quadro K1200 outperforms the AMD Radeon HD 8870M. The Quadro scores 8831 against the Radeon’s 8462, a delta of -4.2% from the Radeon’s perspective. This is a narrow margin, but it reflects the Quadro’s higher FP32 throughput (1,057.8 GFLOPS versus 992.0 GFLOPS) and superior memory bandwidth (80.19 GB/s versus 72.00 GB/s). The Quadro’s higher clock speeds (1033 MHz boost versus 775 MHz) and larger frame buffer (4 GB versus 2 GB) contribute to this win.

Looking at the broader benchmark context, the Radeon HD 8870M’s average score of 8462 is actually higher than the Quadro’s average of 8265. This is because the Quadro’s average includes a second Geekbench Vulkan test where it scores only 7698, dragging down its mean. However, the head-to-head comparison only uses the OpenCL test, which is the metric where the Quadro wins. The Radeon’s nearest rivals include the NVIDIA GeForce MX330 (8458, 0.1% behind) and the AMD Radeon 880M (8436, 0.3% behind), showing it sits in a very tight performance cluster. The Quadro’s rivals include the AMD Radeon R9 M375X (8325, 0.7% behind) and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 (8167, 1.2% ahead), indicating it punches slightly above its weight class. In the only direct duel, the Quadro K1200 takes the win, but the Radeon HD 8870M remains competitive within 5% in the same test.