What To Know
- While the HD 7870 was a formidable performer in its time, the R7 240 emerged as a budget-friendly option with its focus on power efficiency.
- The HD 7870 is a mid-range graphics card that offers excellent performance for its time, while the R7 240 is a budget-friendly option that prioritizes power efficiency.
- The HD 7870 delivers superior performance but at a higher power consumption, while the R7 240 offers a more power-efficient experience with modest performance.
In the ever-evolving world of graphics cards, the AMD Radeon HD 7870 and R7 240 represent two distinct generations of technology. While the HD 7870 was a formidable performer in its time, the R7 240 emerged as a budget-friendly option with its focus on power efficiency. In this blog post, we will delve into a comprehensive comparison of the AMD Radeon HD 7870 vs. R7 240, examining their specifications, performance, and overall value proposition.
Specifications
| Feature | AMD Radeon HD 7870 | AMD R7 240 |
| — | — | — |
| Architecture | Graphics Core Next (GCN) 1.0 | Graphics Core Next (GCN) 1.1 |
| Process Technology | 28nm | 28nm |
| Transistors Count | 2.8 billion | 1.3 billion |
| Core Configuration | 1280 stream processors, 80 texture units, 32 ROPs | 320 stream processors, 20 texture units, 8 ROPs |
| Clock Speed | 860 MHz (core), 1000 MHz (memory) | 730 MHz (core), 925 MHz (memory) |
| Memory Interface | 256-bit GDDR5 | 128-bit GDDR5 |
| Memory Capacity | 2GB | 1GB |
| TDP | 175W | 55W |
Performance
In terms of performance, the AMD Radeon HD 7870 significantly outperforms the R7 240. The HD 7870 boasts a higher core count, texture units, and memory bandwidth, which translates to better frame rates in games. According to various benchmarks, the HD 7870 delivers approximately 2-3 times the performance of the R7 240 at 1080p resolution.
Features
Both the AMD Radeon HD 7870 and R7 240 support DirectX 11.1 and OpenGL 4.2. However, the HD 7870 offers additional features such as:
- Eyefinity: Supports multi-monitor setups with up to six displays.
- PowerTune: Dynamically adjusts the graphics card’s power consumption based on workload.
- ZeroCore Power: Reduces power consumption to near zero when the system is idle.
Power Consumption
The AMD R7 240 has a clear advantage in terms of power consumption. With a TDP of only 55W, it is significantly more power-efficient than the HD 7870, which has a TDP of 175W. This makes the R7 240 a more suitable choice for budget-oriented systems or compact builds.
Value Proposition
The AMD Radeon HD 7870 and R7 240 target different market segments. The HD 7870 is a mid-range graphics card that offers excellent performance for its time, while the R7 240 is a budget-friendly option that prioritizes power efficiency.
For gamers who demand high frame rates and visual quality, the HD 7870 is a better choice. However, if power consumption and cost are major concerns, the R7 240 is a solid option for basic gaming and multimedia tasks.
Key Points: A Matter of Priorities
The AMD Radeon HD 7870 and R7 240 represent two distinct approaches to graphics performance. The HD 7870 delivers superior performance but at a higher power consumption, while the R7 240 offers a more power-efficient experience with modest performance. Ultimately, the best choice depends on individual priorities and budget constraints.
Basics You Wanted To Know
Q: Which graphics card is better for gaming, the HD 7870 or R7 240?
A: The HD 7870 offers significantly better gaming performance than the R7 240.
Q: Which graphics card is more power-efficient?
A: The R7 240 is much more power-efficient than the HD 7870.
Q: Can I use multiple R7 240 graphics cards in CrossFire?
A: No, the R7 240 does not support CrossFire.
