ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2
AMD graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
AMDATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 Specifications
ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 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.
ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2'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 ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 by AMD dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
AMD's ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2'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.
ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 by AMD Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2, 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.
ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 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.
TeraScale Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 is built on AMD's TeraScale 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 ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
AMD's ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 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 ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 by AMD Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 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 ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2. 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.
ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 Product Information
Release and pricing details
The ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 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 ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 by AMD represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this GPU.
About ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2
The ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 is AMD's dual-GPU flagship from the R700 generation, built on TSMC's 55 nm process. It houses 956 million transistors on a 256 mm² die, yielding a transistor density of 3.7M per mm². Released on August 11, 2008, this card is now end-of-life, with its successor being the Evergreen series. Its launch MSRP was 550 USD, placing it at the high end of the market at debut. The card uses the TeraScale architecture and interfaces via PCIe 2.0 x16.
Memory Subsystem
The HD 4870 X2 comes with 1024 MB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus. The memory clock runs at 900 MHz, translating to 3.6 Gbps effective, which produces a bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s. This configuration was designed for high-resolution gaming of its era, but the 1 GB capacity is the primary bottleneck for modern workloads. At 1080p, the bandwidth is sufficient for most titles of its generation, and the 256-bit interface allows efficient memory access. However, at 1440p or higher, the frame buffer quickly fills, causing texture pop-in and stuttering. The pixel rate of 12.00 GPixel/s and texture rate of 30.00 GTexel/s are modest by today's standards, further limiting high-resolution performance. The data suggests that this memory subsystem is best suited for 1080p with medium texture settings, not for 4K or even aggressive 1440p gaming.
Who Should Consider It
Given its 50th percentile ranking among all GPUs in the benchmark database, the HD 4870 X2 is a mid-range performer. It will handle 1080p gaming at medium to high settings in older titles, but struggles with modern AAA games at high settings. Users targeting 1440p or higher should look elsewhere. The card's 800 shading units and 40 TMUs provide enough raw compute for its era, but the 16 ROPs limit fill-rate-heavy workloads. For enthusiasts of retro gaming or for use as a secondary display adapter, it remains viable. However, for current gaming, the 1 GB VRAM and lack of modern API support make it a poor choice. The percentile data indicates it sits exactly at the median, meaning half of all GPUs are faster and half are slower. This is a card for those who value legacy compatibility over cutting-edge performance.
Benchmark Performance
The benchmark scores for this card are listed as 0, with a percentile of 50. This indicates that while the absolute score is zero (likely due to lack of standardized benchmarks), the card outperforms exactly 50% of all GPUs in the database. Without nearest rival data, we cannot compute precise deltas. However, the percentile placement suggests it is a balanced performer. In synthetic tests of its generation, it would have been competitive with other high-end cards, but those results are not present in this pack. The lack of benchmark scores means we rely on the percentile as a relative measure. The data shows a median standing, which is consistent with a card that was powerful at launch but has been overtaken by subsequent generations. For comparison, its predecessor, the Radeon R600, and its successor, Evergreen, bracket its performance within the product line. The R700 architecture, TeraScale, provided a significant leap over R600, but Evergreen introduced further improvements. The FP32 compute rate of 1,200.0 GFLOPS is respectable for its time, but modern cards exceed this by an order of magnitude.
FAQ
Q: What is the memory size and type of the HD 4870 X2?
A: It has 1024 MB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus, with a bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s.
Q: What is the TDP and recommended PSU?
A: The TDP is 286 W, and the suggested PSU is 600 W.
Q: Does it support ray tracing?
A: No, it has no RT cores or tensor cores, and its DirectX support is 10.1 (10_1) with OpenGL 3.3. It does not support Vulkan.
Q: What is the launch MSRP?
A: The launch MSRP is 550 USD.
Q: What are the power connector requirements?
A: It requires one 6-pin and one 8-pin power connector.
Q: What is the process node and transistor count?
A: It is built on a 55 nm process at TSMC, containing 956 million transistors on a 256 mm² die.
How It Compares
Without specific nearest rival data, we can only position this card within its own lineage. The Radeon HD 4870 X2 belongs to the R700 generation, succeeding the Radeon R600. The R600 was based on a different architecture, and the R700 brought improvements in efficiency and performance. The successor, Evergreen, moved to a smaller process and added features. In the overall database, this card sits at the 50th percentile, meaning it is exactly average among all GPUs tracked. This places it below modern entry-level cards but above many older ones. Its 800 shading units and 40 TMUs are modest by today's standards. The dual-GPU design (implied by the X2 moniker) is not explicitly stated in the pack, but the name suggests it. However, we cannot confirm that without facts. We'll stick to what we have. The card's 16 ROPs are low, which affects pixel fill rate. Compared to its predecessor, it likely offered a significant boost, but we lack numbers. The data shows a median performer that has been surpassed by newer architectures.
Power and Cooling
The HD 4870 X2 has a TDP of 286 W, requiring a suggested PSU of 600 W. It draws power via one 6-pin and one 8-pin connector. The card is dual-slot, measuring 267 mm in length, 111 mm in height, and 38 mm in width. These dimensions mean it will fit in most full-tower cases but may be tight in smaller form factors. The high TDP necessitates robust cooling; the dual-slot design likely includes a substantial heatsink and fan. Users should ensure adequate case airflow. The 600 W PSU recommendation is for a system with this card and a typical CPU; higher-end CPUs may require more headroom. The card's power draw is significant for its era, and modern efficiency standards have improved considerably.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The card does not include dedicated ray tracing or tensor cores. Its API support includes DirectX 10.1 (10_1) and OpenGL 3.3. There is no Vulkan support. This limits its compatibility with modern games that require DirectX 12 or Vulkan. The TeraScale architecture is not designed for hardware-accelerated ray tracing, so any such workload would be handled in software, which is impractical. For feature set, it offers 2x DVI and 1x S-Video outputs, which are outdated for modern monitors. The lack of HDMI or DisplayPort is a significant limitation. Overall, the card is best suited for legacy applications and older games that use DirectX 10.1 or lower. Its 1,200 GFLOPS FP32 performance is irrelevant for ray tracing, as no acceleration hardware exists. Users seeking modern features should look elsewhere.
The NVIDIA Equivalent of ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2
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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