Radeon HD 7870 XT vs Radeon RX 540
When comparing Radeon HD 7870 XT and Radeon RX 540, 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 Radeon HD 7870 XT and Radeon RX 540 is the price. Does the additional cost justify the performance hit? Our comparison should help you make the right decision.
Radeon HD 7870 XT
Radeon RX 540 is a Laptop Graphics Card
Note: Radeon RX 540 is only used in laptop graphics. It has lower GPU clock speed compared to the desktop variant, which results in lower power consumption, but also 10-30% lower gaming performance. Check available laptop models with Radeon RX 540 here:
Main Specs
Radeon HD 7870 XT | Radeon RX 540 | |
Power consumption (TDP) | 185 Watt | 65 Watt |
Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 3.0 x16 |
Supplementary power connectors | 2x 6-pin | 1x 6-pin |
Memory type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
Maximum RAM amount | 2 GB | 4 GB |
Display Connectors | 1x DVI, 1x HDMI, 2x mini-DisplayPort | |
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- Radeon HD 7870 XT has 184% more power consumption, than Radeon RX 540.
- Both video cards are using PCIe 3.0 x16 interface connection to a motherboard.
- Radeon RX 540 has 2 GB more memory, than Radeon HD 7870 XT.
- Radeon HD 7870 XT is used in Desktops, and Radeon RX 540 - in Laptops.
- Radeon HD 7870 XT is build with GCN 1.0 architecture, and Radeon RX 540 - with Polaris.
- Radeon HD 7870 XT is manufactured by 28 nm process technology, and Radeon RX 540 - by 14 nm process technology.
- Memory clock speed of Radeon HD 7870 XT and Radeon RX 540 is 6000 MHz.
Game benchmarks
high / 1080p | 35−40 | 14−16 |
ultra / 1080p | 21−24 | 8−9 |
QHD / 1440p | 16−18 | 3−4 |
4K / 2160p | 10−11 | − |
low / 720p | 60−65 | 30−33 |
medium / 1080p | 40−45 | 18−20 |
The average gaming FPS of Radeon HD 7870 XT in Assassin's Creed Odyssey is 140% more, than Radeon RX 540. | ||
high / 1080p | 55−60 | 21−24 |
ultra / 1080p | 45−50 | 20−22 |
QHD / 1440p | 35−40 | 6−7 |
4K / 2160p | 18−20 | 5−6 |
low / 720p | 100−110 | 45−50 |
medium / 1080p | 60−65 | 24−27 |
The average gaming FPS of Radeon HD 7870 XT in Battlefield 5 is 157% more, than Radeon RX 540. | ||
low / 768p | 50−55 | 45−50 |
QHD / 1440p | 0−1 | 0−1 |
The average gaming FPS of Radeon HD 7870 XT in Call of Duty: Warzone is 10% more, than Radeon RX 540. | ||
low / 768p | 250−260 | 200−210 |
medium / 768p | 220−230 | 170−180 |
ultra / 1080p | 180−190 | 90−95 |
QHD / 1440p | 110−120 | 50−55 |
4K / 2160p | 70−75 | 30−33 |
high / 768p | 210−220 | 130−140 |
The average gaming FPS of Radeon HD 7870 XT in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is 53% more, than Radeon RX 540. | ||
low / 768p | 60−65 | 55−60 |
ultra / 1080p | − | 35−40 |
medium / 1080p | 55−60 | 45−50 |
The average gaming FPS of Radeon HD 7870 XT in Cyberpunk 2077 is 15% more, than Radeon RX 540. | ||
low / 768p | 120−130 | 100−110 |
medium / 768p | 110−120 | 90−95 |
ultra / 1080p | 100−110 | 60−65 |
The average gaming FPS of Radeon HD 7870 XT in Dota 2 is 33% more, than Radeon RX 540. | ||
high / 1080p | 45−50 | 16−18 |
ultra / 1080p | 40−45 | 14−16 |
QHD / 1440p | 27−30 | − |
4K / 2160p | 14−16 | 6−7 |
low / 720p | 80−85 | 35−40 |
medium / 1080p | 45−50 | 18−20 |
The average gaming FPS of Radeon HD 7870 XT in Far Cry 5 is 147% more, than Radeon RX 540. | ||
high / 1080p | 60−65 | 24−27 |
ultra / 1080p | 45−50 | 18−20 |
QHD / 1440p | 27−30 | 16−18 |
4K / 2160p | 27−30 | − |
low / 720p | 180−190 | 95−100 |
medium / 1080p | 110−120 | 50−55 |
The average gaming FPS of Radeon HD 7870 XT in Fortnite is 107% more, than Radeon RX 540. | ||
high / 1080p | 60−65 | 24−27 |
ultra / 1080p | 45−50 | 18−20 |
QHD / 1440p | 30−35 | 8−9 |
4K / 2160p | 24−27 | − |
low / 720p | 100−110 | 50−55 |
medium / 1080p | 65−70 | 27−30 |
The average gaming FPS of Radeon HD 7870 XT in Forza Horizon 4 is 142% more, than Radeon RX 540. | ||
low / 768p | 140−150 | 80−85 |
medium / 768p | 120−130 | 70−75 |
high / 1080p | 70−75 | 27−30 |
ultra / 1080p | 30−35 | 12−14 |
QHD / 1440p | 21−24 | 2−3 |
The average gaming FPS of Radeon HD 7870 XT in Grand Theft Auto V is 102% more, than Radeon RX 540. | ||
high / 1080p | 24−27 | 9−10 |
ultra / 1080p | 20−22 | 7−8 |
QHD / 1440p | 16−18 | − |
4K / 2160p | 8−9 | 2−3 |
low / 720p | 65−70 | 27−30 |
medium / 1080p | 30−35 | 12−14 |
The average gaming FPS of Radeon HD 7870 XT in Metro Exodus is 158% more, than Radeon RX 540. | ||
low / 768p | 130−140 | 110−120 |
ultra / 1080p | − | 100−110 |
medium / 1080p | 120−130 | 100−110 |
The average gaming FPS of Radeon HD 7870 XT in Minecraft is 18% more, than Radeon RX 540. | ||
high / 1080p | − | 21−24 |
ultra / 1080p | 14−16 | 16−18 |
low / 720p | 100−110 | 55−60 |
medium / 1080p | 18−20 | 24−27 |
The average gaming FPS of Radeon HD 7870 XT in PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS is 39% more, than Radeon RX 540. | ||
high / 1080p | 24−27 | 14−16 |
ultra / 1080p | 16−18 | 9−10 |
QHD / 1440p | 10−11 | 0−1 |
4K / 2160p | 7−8 | − |
low / 720p | 65−70 | 27−30 |
medium / 1080p | 35−40 | 16−18 |
The average gaming FPS of Radeon HD 7870 XT in Red Dead Redemption 2 is 111% more, than Radeon RX 540. | ||
low / 768p | 130−140 | 50−55 |
medium / 768p | 85−90 | 30−35 |
high / 1080p | 45−50 | 18−20 |
ultra / 1080p | 24−27 | 10−11 |
4K / 2160p | 16−18 | 8−9 |
The average gaming FPS of Radeon HD 7870 XT in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is 158% more, than Radeon RX 540. | ||
low / 768p | 90−95 | 100−105 |
medium / 768p | 60−65 | 60−65 |
ultra / 1080p | 50−55 | 30−35 |
high / 768p | 60−65 | 50−55 |
The average gaming FPS of Radeon HD 7870 XT in World of Tanks is 8% more, than Radeon RX 540. |
Full Specs
Radeon HD 7870 XT | Radeon RX 540 | |
Architecture | GCN 1.0 | Polaris |
Code name | Tahiti | Polaris 12 |
Type | Desktop | Laptop |
Release date | 19 November 2012 | 21 March 2017 |
Pipelines | 1536 | 512 |
Core clock speed | 925 MHz | |
Boost Clock | 975 MHz | 1219 MHz |
Transistor count | 4,313 million | 1,500 million |
Manufacturing process technology | 28 nm | 14 nm |
Texture fill rate | 93.60 | 39.01 |
Floating-point performance | 2,995 gflops | 1,248 gflops |
Length | 267 mm | |
Memory bus width | 256 Bit | 128 Bit |
Memory clock speed | 6000 MHz | 6000 MHz |
Memory bandwidth | 192.0 GB/s | 96 GB/s |
Shared memory | - | |
DirectX | 12 (11_1) | 12.0 |
Shader Model | 5.1 | 5.0 |
OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
OpenCL | 1.2 | 1.2 |
Vulkan | 1.2.131 | |
FreeSync | + | |
Bitcoin / BTC (SHA256) | 346 Mh/s | |
Laptop size | large | |
Ethereum / ETH (DaggerHashimoto) | 14.5 Mh/s | |
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