AMD Radeon 760M vs NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 Comparison

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 and the AMD Radeon 760M represent two very different approaches to graphics processing. The GTX 970 is a dedicated, end-of-life discrete card from 2014, while the 760M is a modern integrated graphics processor (IGP) built into AMD's Phoenix chips. The benchmark data reveals a clear split: the older discrete GPU dominates in raw compute and legacy DirectX workloads, while the newer IGP shows surprising strength in modern API and 2D tests. This analysis will break down the recorded scores to help determine which processor fits specific use cases.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive victory for the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 comes in the Passmark G3D test, where it scores 9638 against the Radeon 760M's 5310. This is a massive 81.5% advantage, indicating a substantial lead in overall 3D graphics performance. This is the flagship benchmark for gaming and 3D rendering, and the data shows the GTX 970 is in a different class here.

The GTX 970 also wins decisively in legacy DirectX tests. In Passmark DirectX 9, it scores 143 versus 65, a 120% advantage. The gap narrows but remains significant in DirectX 10, where the GTX 970 scores 46 against the 760M's 19, a 142.1% delta. In DirectX 11, the GTX 970 leads with 71 points over 52, a 36.5% advantage. These results show the older architecture is far more efficient at handling older graphics APIs.

In compute workloads, the GTX 970 maintains its lead. Geekbench OpenCL shows the GTX 970 scoring 29982, which is 48% higher than the 760M's 20255. Passmark GPU Compute also favors the GTX 970, with a score of 4073 versus 2840, a 43.4% delta. The GTX 970 also wins in Passmark DirectX 12, scoring 41 against the 760M's 25, a 64% advantage.

However, the AMD Radeon 760M has its own victories. The most striking is in Geekbench Vulkan, where it scores 30336 against the GTX 970's 20005. This is a 34.1% lead for the 760M, showing a significant advantage in this modern, low-level API. The 760M also wins in the 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 test, scoring 400 versus 369, a 7.7% delta. Finally, it wins in Passmark G2D, with a score of 890 versus 764, a 14.2% advantage, indicating better 2D desktop performance.

Overall, the GTX 970 wins 7 of the 10 head-to-head benchmarks, while the 760M wins 3. The GTX 970's average benchmark score is 7157, placing it in the 39th percentile of all GPUs. The 760M's average score is 6019, putting it in the 35th percentile. The GTX 970's nearest rivals include the Intel Iris Pro Graphics P580 and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750, while the 760M sits close to the AMD Radeon RX 6400 and the NVIDIA Quadro P2000.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures and process nodes. The GTX 970 uses the GM204 chip based on the Maxwell 2.0 architecture, manufactured on a 28 nm process at TSMC. It packs 5,200 million transistors on a 398 mm² die, resulting in a transistor density of 13.1M per mm². In contrast, the Radeon 760M uses the Phoenix chip based on RDNA 3.0, also built by TSMC, but on a much smaller 4 nm process. This allows for 25,390 million transistors on a 178 mm² die, a density of 142.6M per mm².

The core configurations differ drastically. The GTX 970 features 1664 shading units, 104 texture mapping units (TMUs), and 56 raster output units (ROPs). The Radeon 760M has only 512 shading units, 32 TMUs, and 16 ROPs. However, the 760M includes 8 ray tracing cores, a feature the Maxwell-based GTX 970 lacks entirely. Clock speeds also differ: the GTX 970 has a base clock of 1050 MHz and a boost of 1178 MHz, while the 760M has a lower base of 800 MHz but a much higher boost of 2599 MHz.

Memory is another key differentiator. The GTX 970 uses 4 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus, delivering 224.4 GB/s of bandwidth. The Radeon 760M uses System Shared memory, meaning its bandwidth is System Dependent. This is a critical architectural difference, as the dedicated GDDR5 memory gives the GTX 970 a massive bandwidth advantage for texture-heavy workloads.

The feature sets also differ. The GTX 970 supports DirectX 12 (12_1), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4. The Radeon 760M supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4, which indicates support for more advanced DirectX 12 features. The power characteristics are starkly different: the GTX 970 has a TDP of 148 W and requires a dual-slot cooler with 2x 6-pin power connectors, while the 760M is an IGP with a 15 W TDP and no power connectors.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear verdict based on workload. For traditional gaming and 3D rendering, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 is the superior choice. Its wins in Passmark G3D (81.5% ahead) and legacy DirectX tests are decisive. The GTX 970's dedicated 4 GB GDDR5 memory and higher ROP count give it a significant edge in fill-rate and bandwidth-bound scenarios. Its average benchmark score of 7157, which is 18.9% higher than the 760M's 6019, reflects this overall performance advantage.

For modern API workloads and efficient integration, the AMD Radeon 760M is the better option. Its 34.1% lead in Geekbench Vulkan and its win in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 show that the RDNA 3.0 architecture is better optimized for current low-level APIs. The 760M also wins in Passmark G2D, indicating snappier 2D desktop performance. Its 15 W TDP makes it suitable for systems where power consumption is a primary concern, whereas the GTX 970 requires a 300 W suggested PSU.

The choice is not about which is "better" overall, but which fits the use case. The GTX 970 is for users who need maximum raw 3D performance and are willing to use a dedicated card with higher power draw. The Radeon 760M is for users building a compact, power-efficient system that can handle modern APIs reasonably well and does not require a discrete GPU. The GTX 970's 39th percentile ranking versus the 760M's 35th percentile confirms the GTX 970 is generally faster, but the 760M's specific wins in Vulkan and G2D should not be ignored.

Specification Differences

The following table highlights the key specification differences between the two processors, based only on the recorded data.

| Field | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 | AMD Radeon 760M |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Architecture | Maxwell 2.0 | RDNA 3.0 |

| Process Node | 28 nm | 4 nm |

| Transistors | 5,200 million | 25,390 million |

| Die Size | 398 mm² | 178 mm² |

| Transistor Density | 13.1M / mm² | 142.6M / mm² |

| Base Clock | 1050 MHz | 800 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 1178 MHz | 2599 MHz |

| Memory | 4 GB GDDR5, 256-bit | System Shared |

| Memory Bandwidth | 224.4 GB/s | System Dependent |

| Shading Units | 1664 | 512 |

| TMUs | 104 | 32 |

| ROPs | 56 | 16 |

| RT Cores | None | 8 |

| Pixel Rate | 65.97 GPixel/s | 41.58 GPixel/s |

| Texture Rate | 122.5 GTexel/s | 83.17 GTexel/s |

| FP32 | 3.920 TFLOPS | 5.323 TFLOPS |

| FP16 | None | 5.323 TFLOPS (1:1) |

| TDP | 148 W | 15 W |

| Slot Width | Dual-slot | IGP |

| Power Connectors | 2x 6-pin | None |

| Suggested PSU | 300 W | None |

| Bus Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x8 |

| DirectX | 12 (12_1) | 12 Ultimate (12_2) |

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

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 has a higher average benchmark score of 7157, compared to the AMD Radeon 760M's 6019.

Q: In which benchmark does the AMD Radeon 760M have its largest win?

A: The Radeon 760M wins in Geekbench Vulkan by 34.1%, scoring 30336 against the GTX 970's 20005.

Q: How much faster is the GTX 970 in the Passmark G3D test?

A: The GTX 970 scores 9638 in Passmark G3D, which is 81.5% higher than the Radeon 760M's 5310.

Q: Does the AMD Radeon 760M support ray tracing?

A: Yes, the Radeon 760M has 8 ray tracing cores, while the GTX 970 has none.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The GTX 970 has a TDP of 148 W, while the Radeon 760M has a much lower TDP of 15 W.

Q: Which GPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Radeon 760M has a significantly higher boost clock of 2599 MHz, compared to the GTX 970's 1178 MHz.

Where Each One Wins

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 is the clear winner in scenarios that demand raw 3D rendering power. Its 81.5% lead in Passmark G3D makes it the go-to choice for gaming at higher resolutions and detail settings, where fill rate and memory bandwidth are critical. The GTX 970's dominance in DirectX 9 (120% lead), DirectX 10 (142.1% lead), and DirectX 11 (36.5% lead) means it is better suited for older game titles and applications that rely on these APIs. Its 48% lead in Geekbench OpenCL and 43.4% lead in Passmark GPU Compute also make it the better option for general-purpose GPU compute tasks like video encoding or scientific simulations. The GTX 970 also wins in DirectX 12, with a 64% advantage, showing it can handle modern APIs, albeit less efficiently than the 760M handles Vulkan.

The AMD Radeon 760M is the winner in specific, modern workloads. Its 34.1% lead in Geekbench Vulkan is a major advantage for games and applications built on this low-overhead API, which is becoming more common. The 760M's win in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12, albeit by a narrow 7.7%, indicates it is competitive in this particular modern DX12 test. Its 14.2% lead in Passmark G2D makes it a better choice for 2D desktop environments, office productivity, and other tasks that are not GPU-intensive. Finally, its extremely low 15 W TDP makes it the only viable choice for ultra-portable laptops and fanless designs where power efficiency is paramount. The GTX 970's 148 W TDP and dual-slot requirement make it unsuitable for such compact systems.