AMD Radeon HD 8870M
AMD graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
AMDAMD Radeon HD 8870M Specifications
Radeon HD 8870M GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The AMD Radeon HD 8870M GPU core specifications define its raw processing power for graphics and compute workloads. Shading units (also called CUDA cores, stream processors, or execution units depending on manufacturer) handle the parallel calculations required for rendering. TMUs (Texture Mapping Units) process texture data, while ROPs (Render Output Units) handle final pixel output. Higher shader counts generally translate to better GPU benchmark performance, especially in demanding games and 3D applications.
HD 8870M Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the Radeon HD 8870M's performance in GPU benchmarks and real-world gaming. The base clock represents the minimum guaranteed frequency, while the boost clock indicates peak performance under optimal thermal conditions. Memory clock speed affects texture loading and frame buffer operations. The Radeon HD 8870M by AMD dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
AMD's Radeon HD 8870M Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The Radeon HD 8870M's memory capacity determines how well it handles high-resolution textures and multiple displays. Memory bandwidth, measured in GB/s, affects how quickly data moves between the GPU and VRAM. Higher bandwidth improves performance in memory-intensive scenarios like 4K gaming. The memory bus width and type (GDDR6, GDDR6X, HBM) significantly influence overall GPU benchmark scores.
Radeon HD 8870M by AMD Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the HD 8870M, reducing the need to fetch data from slower VRAM. L1 and L2 caches store frequently accessed data close to the compute units. AMD's Infinity Cache (L3) dramatically increases effective bandwidth, improving GPU benchmark performance without requiring wider memory buses. Larger cache sizes help maintain high frame rates in memory-bound scenarios and reduce power consumption by minimizing VRAM accesses.
HD 8870M Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the AMD Radeon HD 8870M against other graphics cards. FP32 (single-precision) performance, measured in TFLOPS, indicates compute capability for gaming and general GPU workloads. FP64 (double-precision) matters for scientific computing. Pixel and texture fill rates determine how quickly the GPU can render complex scenes. While real-world GPU benchmark results depend on many factors, these specifications help predict relative performance levels.
GCN 1.0 Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The AMD Radeon HD 8870M is built on AMD's GCN 1.0 architecture, which defines how the GPU processes graphics and compute workloads. The manufacturing process node affects power efficiency, thermal characteristics, and maximum clock speeds. Smaller process nodes pack more transistors into the same die area, enabling higher performance per watt. Understanding the architecture helps predict how the HD 8870M will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
AMD's Radeon HD 8870M Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the AMD Radeon HD 8870M determine PSU requirements and thermal management needs. TDP (Thermal Design Power) indicates the heat output under typical loads, guiding cooler selection. Power connector requirements ensure adequate power delivery for stable operation during demanding GPU benchmarks. The suggested PSU wattage accounts for the entire system, not just the graphics card. Efficient power delivery enables the Radeon HD 8870M to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
Radeon HD 8870M by AMD Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the AMD Radeon HD 8870M are critical for case compatibility. Card length, height, and slot width determine whether it fits in your chassis. The PCIe interface version affects bandwidth for communication with the CPU. Display outputs define monitor connectivity options, with modern cards supporting multiple high-resolution displays simultaneously. Verify these specifications against your case and motherboard before purchasing to ensure a proper fit.
AMD API Support
Graphics and compute APIs
API support determines which games and applications can fully utilize the AMD Radeon HD 8870M. DirectX 12 Ultimate enables advanced features like ray tracing and variable rate shading. Vulkan provides cross-platform graphics capabilities with low-level hardware access. OpenGL remains important for professional applications and older games. CUDA (NVIDIA) and OpenCL enable GPU compute for video editing, 3D rendering, and scientific applications. Higher API versions unlock newer graphical features in GPU benchmarks and games.
Radeon HD 8870M Product Information
Release and pricing details
The AMD Radeon HD 8870M is manufactured by AMD as part of their graphics card lineup. Release date and launch pricing provide context for comparing GPU benchmark results with competing products from the same era. Understanding the product lifecycle helps evaluate whether the Radeon HD 8870M by AMD represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
Radeon HD 8870M Benchmark Scores
geekbench_openclSource
Geekbench OpenCL tests GPU compute performance using the cross-platform OpenCL API. This shows how AMD Radeon HD 8870M handles parallel computing tasks like video encoding and scientific simulations. OpenCL is widely supported across different GPU vendors and platforms. Higher scores benefit applications that leverage GPU acceleration for non-graphics workloads.
Top 5 Performers
Top 5 PerformersNearby Performers
Nearby PerformersAbout AMD Radeon HD 8870M
The AMD Radeon HD 8870M is a mobile graphics solution built on the GCN 1.0 architecture, utilizing the Venus chip manufactured on TSMC's 28 nm process. It integrates 1,500 million transistors on a 123 mm² die, resulting in a transistor density of 12.2M per mm². The GPU operates at a base clock of 725 MHz with a boost clock of 775 MHz, and it is paired with 2 GB of GDDR5 memory. Its benchmark data, drawn from a Geekbench OpenCL score of 8462, places it in the 42nd percentile of all GPUs, indicating a performance tier that is competitive with several contemporary mobile and entry-level desktop parts.
Memory Subsystem
The memory configuration of the AMD Radeon HD 8870M consists of 2 GB of GDDR5 memory accessed via a 128-bit bus. The memory clock runs at 1125 MHz, translating to an effective data rate of 4.5 Gbps, which yields a total bandwidth of 72.00 GB/s. This bandwidth figure is a critical determinant of performance at higher resolutions and with demanding texture-heavy workloads.
For a GPU of this class, the 72.00 GB/s bandwidth is a modest figure that directly impacts how the card handles high-resolution gaming. At 1080p, the available bandwidth is generally sufficient for older titles or those with moderate texture detail, but it can become a limiting factor when anti-aliasing is enabled or when games stream large amounts of geometry and texture data. The 128-bit bus width, combined with the effective 4.5 Gbps memory speed, means that the memory subsystem is not designed to feed a massive amount of pixel data simultaneously. Consequently, benchmark results indicate that pushing resolutions beyond 1080p would likely result in a pronounced performance drop, as the memory bandwidth would struggle to keep pace with the demands of higher pixel counts.
The 2 GB capacity, while standard for the era, is adequate for most 1080p scenarios without ultra-high-resolution texture packs. However, the relatively narrow 128-bit interface caps the theoretical throughput, making the 72.00 GB/s figure a bottleneck in scenarios that require rapid, sustained data transfer. In practical terms, this means the GPU is better suited to maintaining smooth frame rates at medium to high settings in less memory-intensive games, rather than excelling in high-fidelity, high-resolution environments.
Who Should Consider It
The AMD Radeon HD 8870M is positioned for users who prioritize 1080p gaming with moderate graphical demands. Its Geekbench OpenCL score of 8462, which sits near the lower end of its immediate rival group, suggests that it can handle esports titles and older AAA games at medium settings without significant issues. For a user targeting a smooth 1080p experience in games that are not excessively VRAM-hungry, this GPU presents a viable option.
Given the 42nd percentile ranking, this is not a card for enthusiasts seeking maximum fidelity or high refresh rates. Instead, it is best suited for a laptop user who plays less demanding titles like multiplayer online battle arenas or older first-person shooters, where the 640 shading units and 16 ROPs can deliver acceptable frame rates. The 31.00 GTexel/s texture fill rate and 12.40 GPixel/s pixel rate further support this assessment, indicating that the card can sustain basic rendering tasks but will falter under heavy fragmentation or complex shader workloads.
At higher resolutions, such as 1440p, the data suggests this GPU would underperform. The memory bandwidth of 72.00 GB/s is simply insufficient to maintain playable frame rates in most modern titles at that resolution, even with reduced settings. Therefore, the recommendation is clear: consider the HD 8870M only for 1080p gaming with settings dialed back to medium or lower, or for non-gaming tasks like basic video playback and light productivity applications where its compute capabilities are sufficient.
Benchmark Performance
The benchmark results for the AMD Radeon HD 8870M show an average score of 8462 on the Geekbench OpenCL test. This score places it in a tightly contested performance band, with its nearest rivals separated by only a few percentage points. The data reveals that the HD 8870M is essentially a peer of the AMD Radeon R9 M375X, which scores 8480, placing the HD 8870M just 0.2% behind. This minuscule delta indicates that in real-world scenarios, the two GPUs would perform nearly identically, with any difference being well within the margin of benchmark variance.
Against the Intel Arc A380, the HD 8870M trails by 1.1%, as the Arc A380 achieves a score of 8558. While the Intel part holds a slight edge, the difference is small enough that the HD 8870M remains competitive in the same performance tier. Conversely, the HD 8870M holds a 1.7% advantage over the AMD Radeon RX 550, which scores 8324. This lead, while modest, is consistent across the benchmark and suggests that the older mobile chip can outperform a newer entry-level desktop card in compute tasks.
The most significant gap in the rival group is with the AMD FirePro W5170M, which scores 8602, putting the HD 8870M 1.6% behind. This delta, while small in absolute terms, is the largest among the four comparisons, indicating that the FirePro part has a slight edge in OpenCL compute workloads, likely due to its professional-grade drivers or minor clock differences. Overall, the HD 8870M sits comfortably in the middle of this cluster, with performance deltas ranging from -1.6% to +1.7% against its closest competitors. The data shows that no single part in this group has a decisive advantage, making the HD 8870M a predictable performer that neither surprises nor disappoints relative to its immediate rivals.
FAQ
Q: What is the average benchmark score for the AMD Radeon HD 8870M?
A: The average benchmark score, based on the Geekbench OpenCL test, is 8462.
Q: How does the HD 8870M compare to the AMD Radeon R9 M375X?
A: The HD 8870M is 0.2% behind the R9 M375X, which scores 8480, indicating nearly identical performance levels.
Q: What memory type and bus width does this GPU use?
A: It uses 2 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 72.00 GB/s.
Q: Is the HD 8870M suitable for high-resolution gaming?
A: The data suggests it is best suited for 1080p gaming; the 72.00 GB/s bandwidth and 42nd percentile ranking indicate it would struggle at resolutions higher than 1080p.
Q: What is the pixel fill rate of this GPU?
A: The pixel rate is 12.40 GPixel/s, with a texture rate of 31.00 GTexel/s.
Q: What is the production status of the AMD Radeon HD 8870M?
A: The production status is listed as End-of-life.
How It Compares
AMD Radeon R9 M375X
The HD 8870M and the R9 M375X are effectively performance twins. The R9 M375X scores 8480, a mere 0.2% higher than the HD 8870M's 8462. In practical terms, this delta is negligible, and users would be hard-pressed to notice any difference in frame rates or compute performance between the two. The benchmark data indicates that these two GPUs are interchangeable in performance, with the R9 M375X holding a razor-thin lead.
Intel Arc A380
The Intel Arc A380 is the strongest competitor in this group, posting a score of 8558. This puts the HD 8870M 1.1% behind the Intel part. While the Arc A380 has a slight edge, the margin is small enough that the HD 8870M remains a viable alternative, especially in scenarios where driver maturity or specific API support might favor AMD's GCN architecture. The 1.1% delta does not represent a significant performance gulf.
AMD Radeon RX 550
The HD 8870M holds a 1.7% lead over the AMD Radeon RX 550, which scores 8324. This is the only rival in the group where the HD 8870M comes out ahead, demonstrating that despite being an older mobile part, it can outpace a newer entry-level desktop card in OpenCL compute tasks. The advantage is modest but consistent, reinforcing the HD 8870M's position as a competent performer in its class.
AMD FirePro W5170M
The FirePro W5170M is the top scorer in this cluster with 8602, placing the HD 8870M 1.6% behind. This is the largest performance gap the HD 8870M faces among its nearest rivals. The FirePro's lead likely stems from its workstation-oriented optimization, which can yield better results in professional compute workloads. Nevertheless, the 1.6% delta is still relatively small, keeping the HD 8870M within striking distance of the best-performing part in this group.
The NVIDIA Equivalent of Radeon HD 8870M
Looking for a similar graphics card from NVIDIA? The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 offers comparable performance and features in the NVIDIA lineup.
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