GeForce GTX 680 vs Radeon HD 7870 XT

When comparing GeForce GTX 680 and Radeon HD 7870 XT, we look primarily at benchmarks and game tests. But it is not only about the numbers. Often you can find third-party models with higher clock speeds, better cooling, or a customizable RGB lighting. Not all of them will have all the features you need. Another thing to consider is the port selection. Most graphics cards have at least one DisplayPort and HDMI interface, but some monitors require DVI. Before you buy, check the TDP of the graphics card - this characteristic will help you estimate the consumption of the graphics card. You may even have to upgrade your PSU to meet its requirements. An important factor when choosing between GeForce GTX 680 and Radeon HD 7870 XT is the price. Does the additional cost justify the performance hit? Our comparison should help you make the right decision.

Main Specs

  GeForce GTX 680 Radeon HD 7870 XT
Power consumption (TDP) 195 Watt 185 Watt
Interface PCIe 3.0 x16 PCIe 3.0 x16
Supplementary power connectors Two 6-pin 2x 6-pin
Memory type GDDR5 GDDR5
Maximum RAM amount 2048 MB 2 GB
Display Connectors 2x DVI, 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort 1x DVI, 1x HDMI, 2x mini-DisplayPort
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  • GeForce GTX 680 has 5% more power consumption, than Radeon HD 7870 XT.
  • Both video cards are using PCIe 3.0 x16 interface connection to a motherboard.
  • GeForce GTX 680 has 2046 GB more memory, than Radeon HD 7870 XT.
  • Both cards are used in Desktops.
  • GeForce GTX 680 is build with Kepler architecture, and Radeon HD 7870 XT - with GCN 1.0.
  • Core clock speed of GeForce GTX 680 is 81 MHz higher, than Radeon HD 7870 XT.
  • GeForce GTX 680 and Radeon HD 7870 XT are manufactured by 28 nm process technology.
  • Radeon HD 7870 XT is 257 mm longer, than GeForce GTX 680.
  • Memory clock speed of GeForce GTX 680 and Radeon HD 7870 XT is 6000 MHz.

Game benchmarks

high / 1080p 35−40 35−40
ultra / 1080p 21−24 21−24
QHD / 1440p 16−18 16−18
4K / 2160p 10−11 10−11
low / 720p 60−65 60−65
medium / 1080p 40−45 40−45
GeForce GTX 680 and Radeon HD 7870 XT have the same average FPS in Assassin's Creed Odyssey.

Full Specs

  GeForce GTX 680 Radeon HD 7870 XT
Architecture Kepler GCN 1.0
Code name GK104 Tahiti
Type Desktop Desktop
Release date 22 March 2012 19 November 2012
Pipelines 1536 1536
Core clock speed 1006 MHz 925 MHz
Boost Clock 1058 MHz 975 MHz
Transistor count 3,540 million 4,313 million
Manufacturing process technology 28 nm 28 nm
Texture fill rate 128.8 billion/sec 93.60
Floating-point performance 3,090.4 gflops 2,995 gflops
Length 10.0" (25.4 cm) 267 mm
Memory bus width 256-bit GDDR5 256 Bit
Memory clock speed 6000 MHz 6000 MHz
Memory bandwidth 192.2 GB/s 192.0 GB/s
Shared memory -
DirectX 12 (11_0) 12 (11_1)
Shader Model 5.1 5.1
OpenGL 4.2 4.6
OpenCL 1.2 1.2
Vulkan 1.1.126 1.2.131
CUDA +
CUDA cores 1536
Bus support PCI Express 3.0
Height 4.376" (11.1 cm)
SLI options +
Multi monitor support 4 displays
HDMI +
HDCP +
Maximum VGA resolution 2048x1536
Audio input for HDMI Internal
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