AMD Radeon R7 Graphics vs NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970M Comparison

The AMD Radeon R7 Graphics and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970M represent two vastly different approaches to mobile graphics, separated by more than just brand loyalty. The data places the GTX 970M as the clear performance leader, but the R7 Graphics holds its own as an integrated solution with distinct advantages in power and system integration. This analysis breaks down the benchmark results, architectural differences, and practical implications for each part.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data is unambiguous in its verdict. Across the two common tests, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970M wins both, leaving the AMD Radeon R7 Graphics with zero victories. The most lopsided result comes from the Geekbench OpenCL test, where the GTX 970M scores 18,946 against the R7’s 4,015. This represents a delta of -78.8% for the AMD part, meaning the NVIDIA solution delivers nearly five times the raw compute performance in this workload. Such a wide margin is not a marginal difference; it is a generational and architectural chasm.

The Geekbench Vulkan test narrows the gap slightly but still favors NVIDIA decisively. The GTX 970M posts 18,292 points, while the R7 Graphics manages 5,980. The delta here is -67.3%, still a massive shortfall for the integrated AMD chip. While Vulkan’s lower overhead can sometimes favor simpler architectures, the sheer compute throughput of the GTX 970M overwhelms the R7’s capabilities. The data shows no scenario where the AMD part closes the gap to within a competitive range.

Looking at the broader benchmark picture, the GTX 970M’s average benchmark score of 4,628 across all tests is actually lower than its head-to-head Geekbench numbers might suggest, due to inclusion of other tests. Its Passmark G3D score of 5,704 and Geekbench OpenCL score of 18,946 are standout results. The R7 Graphics, with an average score of 4,998, actually has a higher average than the GTX 970M’s 4,628, but this is misleading. The GTX 970M’s average is dragged down by low Passmark DirectX scores (28 for DX10, 42 for DX11, 24 for DX12), which likely reflect driver or test-scenario quirks rather than true performance. The R7’s average is derived from just two Geekbench tests, both of which are far lower than the GTX 970M’s corresponding scores.

Architecture Differences

The underlying architectures could not be more different. The AMD Radeon R7 Graphics is built on the GCN 2.0 architecture, specifically the Spectre Lite chip, fabricated on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries. This is an integrated graphics processor (IGP) designed for the Kaveri APU generation. It packs 2,410 million transistors onto a 245 mm² die, yielding a transistor density of 9.8M per mm². The R7 features 384 shading units, 24 texture mapping units, and only 8 raster operation pipelines. Its pixel rate is 5.760 GPixel/s, and its texture rate is 17.28 GTexel/s, with FP32 compute rated at 553.0 GFLOPS.

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970M, by contrast, is a discrete mobile GPU based on the Maxwell 2.0 architecture. It uses the GM204 chip, built on the same 28 nm process but at TSMC. The transistor count is more than double at 5,200 million, spread across a larger 398 mm² die, giving a higher density of 13.1M per mm². The GTX 970M is equipped with 1,280 shading units, 80 TMUs, and 48 ROPs. Its pixel rate is 49.82 GPixel/s, texture rate is 83.04 GTexel/s, and FP32 compute reaches 2.657 TFLOPS. Every one of these compute metrics is several multiples higher than the R7’s.

Memory architecture is another fundamental divider. The R7 Graphics uses system-shared memory, with its size, type, bus width, and bandwidth all dependent on the host system. The GTX 970M has a dedicated 6 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 192-bit bus, delivering 120.3 GB/s of bandwidth. The R7’s memory clock is listed as "System Shared" and its bandwidth as "System Dependent," meaning its performance is tied to whatever RAM is installed in the laptop. The GTX 970M’s fixed memory setup provides predictable, high-bandwidth access that an IGP cannot match.

Process node, foundry, and transistor counts paint a clear picture: the GTX 970M is a much larger, more complex chip. The R7’s 25 W TDP, however, is notably low, while the GTX 970M’s TDP is not listed in the data. The R7 is an IGP, meaning it is integrated into the CPU package and uses no separate slot width, while the GTX 970M is an MXM module with its own slot interface (MXM-B 3.0) and no external power connectors required.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has higher raw compute performance?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970M. Its FP32 compute is 2.657 TFLOPS, compared to the AMD Radeon R7 Graphics’ 553.0 GFLOPS. In Geekbench OpenCL, the GTX 970M scores 18,946 versus the R7’s 4,015, a -78.8% delta.

Q: Can the AMD Radeon R7 Graphics be used for gaming?

A: Yes, but with severe limitations. Its Geekbench Vulkan score of 5,980 and OpenCL score of 4,015 are low, and its 8 ROPs and 17.28 GTexel/s texture rate suggest it will struggle with modern titles at high settings. It is an integrated solution with system-shared memory, so performance is further constrained by system RAM.

Q: Does the GTX 970M support newer graphics APIs?

A: The GTX 970M supports DirectX 12 (12_1), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4. The R7 Graphics supports DirectX 12 (12_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.170. The NVIDIA part has a higher DirectX feature level (12_1 vs 12_0) and a newer Vulkan version.

Q: What is the memory configuration of each GPU?

A: The GTX 970M has 6 GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory on a 192-bit bus with 120.3 GB/s bandwidth. The R7 Graphics uses system-shared memory with no dedicated VRAM; its bus width and bandwidth are "System Shared" or "System Dependent."

Q: Which GPU has a higher transistor count?

A: The GTX 970M has 5,200 million transistors, while the R7 Graphics has 2,410 million. The GTX 970M’s die size is also larger at 398 mm² versus 245 mm².

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The R7 Graphics has an average benchmark score of 4,998, slightly higher than the GTX 970M’s 4,628. However, the GTX 970M’s average is pulled down by low Passmark DirectX scores; in head-to-head tests, it wins both Geekbench OpenCL and Vulkan by wide margins.

The Verdict

The data is unequivocal: for any workload requiring compute performance, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970M is the superior choice. It wins both head-to-head benchmarks, delivering 78.8% more OpenCL performance and 67.3% more Vulkan performance than the AMD Radeon R7 Graphics. Its 1,280 shading units, 48 ROPs, and 2.657 TFLOPS FP32 throughput represent a completely different performance class. The GTX 970M is also better equipped for modern API support, with DirectX 12 (12_1) and Vulkan 1.4.

The AMD Radeon R7 Graphics, however, is not without purpose. Its 25 W TDP and IGP form factor make it suitable for low-power, compact systems where a discrete GPU is not an option. It carries no dedicated memory, relying on system RAM, which simplifies design but limits performance. Its OpenGL 4.6 support matches the GTX 970M, and its Vulkan 1.2.170 support is functional, though older. For basic display output and light 2D workloads, it is adequate; for gaming or compute, it is far outclassed. The GTX 970M is the pick for anyone needing real graphics horsepower, while the R7 Graphics is a fallback for integrated-only scenarios.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Radeon R7 Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970M |

|---|---|---|

| Chip | Spectre Lite | GM204 |

| Architecture | GCN 2.0 | Maxwell 2.0 |

| Process Node | 28 nm | 28 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | TSMC |

| Transistors | 2,410 million | 5,200 million |

| Die Size | 245 mm² | 398 mm² |

| Transistor Density | 9.8M / mm² | 13.1M / mm² |

| Shading Units | 384 | 1,280 |

| TMUs | 24 | 80 |

| ROPs | 8 | 48 |

| Pixel Rate | 5.760 GPixel/s | 49.82 GPixel/s |

| Texture Rate | 17.28 GTexel/s | 83.04 GTexel/s |

| FP32 | 553.0 GFLOPS | 2.657 TFLOPS |

| Memory Size | System Shared | 6 GB |

| Memory Type | System Shared | GDDR5 |

| Memory Bus Width | System Shared | 192 bit |

| Memory Bandwidth | System Dependent | 120.3 GB/s |

| Memory Clock | System Shared | 1253 MHz (5 Gbps effective) |

| TDP | 25 W | Not listed |

| Slot Width | IGP | MXM Module |

| Bus Interface | IGP | MXM-B (3.0) |

| DirectX | 12 (12_0) | 12 (12_1) |

| Vulkan | 1.2.170 | 1.4 |

| Release Date | 2014-02-16 | 2014-10-06 |

| Production Status | End-of-life | End-of-life |

Where Each One Wins

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970M — Discrete Performance Leader

The GTX 970M wins every benchmark category where the two overlap. Its Geekbench OpenCL score of 18,946 is 4.7 times higher than the R7’s 4,015, and its Vulkan score of 18,292 is over three times the R7’s 5,980. It offers 6 GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory, which is essential for modern game textures and compute workloads. With 48 ROPs and a 49.82 GPixel/s pixel rate, it handles high-resolution rendering far better. Its DirectX 12 (12_1) and Vulkan 1.4 support provide a more future-proof API foundation. Any user needing playable frame rates in 3D games or GPU-accelerated compute should choose this part.

AMD Radeon R7 Graphics — Integrated Efficiency

The R7 Graphics wins on power efficiency, with a 25 W TDP compared to the GTX 970M’s unlisted but certainly higher power draw. As an IGP, it requires no separate slot, no MXM module, and no dedicated memory, making it simpler and cheaper to integrate into a motherboard. Its system-shared memory approach means the system can allocate RAM as needed, though this is a double-edged sword. Its lower transistor count (2,410 million vs 5,200 million) and smaller die (245 mm² vs 398 mm²) indicate a less complex, potentially more affordable part to produce. For basic desktop tasks, 2D acceleration, and light media playback, the R7 is sufficient. It is also the only choice in systems where a discrete GPU is physically impossible or undesirable.