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AMD Radeon HD 6990M vs AMD Radeon HD 6950M

AMD Radeon HD 6990M

► remove from comparison AMD Radeon HD 6990M

The AMD Mobility Radeon HD 6990M (or sometimes called ATI Mobility Radeon HD 6990) is a high-end graphics card for large laptops (17" and up). It is based on the desktop HD 6870 graphics card and there supports UVD3 decoding and Eyefinity+, albeit with overall reduced clock rates.

The 1120 Stream processors are still based on the "old" 5D architecture similar to the 5000 series. Therefore, the number of shaders is not comparable to the 1D cores of current Nvidia GPUs. The Tessellation performance should be improved (like the desktop 6800 series) with the new cards. The Stream processors can be used with DirectX 11, OpenGL 4.1, DirectCompute 11 and OpenCL. In particular, DirectCompute 11 and OpenCL can both allow the cores to be used for general computations like video transcoding.

The 3D performance should be similar to the Nvidia GeForce GTX 580M in the high end class of notebook graphics cards. Therefore, as of 2011, most modern and demanding games should run in full HD with highest settings fluently. Only Metro 2033 and Crysis (DX11) may need reduced detail settings.

The new UVD3 video decoder supports the decoding of MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, VC-1, MPEG-2, Flash and now also Multi-View Codec (MVC) and MPEG-4 part 2 (DivX, xVid) HD videos on the graphics card.

Furthermore, the HD 6900M series integrates an HD audio controller to transmit HD Audio (TrueHD or DTS Master Audio) over HDMI and DisplayPort (e.g. für Blu-Ray videos).

The AMD HD3D Technology offers support for Blu-Ray 3D and 3D displays (integrated and external). However, the solution is not as mature as Nvidia's 3D Vision.

Thanks to Eyefinity, the graphics chip is able to theoretically drive up to 6 monitors simultaneously. However, this only works if the laptop features enough DisplayPort outputs.

The high power consumption of the chip limits its use only in large laptops with good cooling solutions (e.g. Alienware M18x or Clevo X7200).

AMD Radeon HD 6950M

► remove from comparison AMD Radeon HD 6950M

The AMD Mobility Radeon HD 6950M (or sometimes called ATI Mobility Radeon HD 6950) is a high-end graphics card generally used for big and heavy laptops. It is based on the desktop HD 6850 graphics card and therefore features the new UVD3 video processor, increased Tessellation performance and Eyefinity+. The codename of this GPU is Blackcomb Pro and it should have similar power consumption as the GeForce GTX 470M. Compared to the faster HD 6970M, the 6950M's core is clocked slower by at least 100 MHz.

The 960 Stream processors should be still based on the "old" 5D architecture, similar to the 5000 series. Therefore, the number of shaders in the 6950M is not comparable to the 1D cores of current Nvidia GPUs. The Tessellation performance, however, should be improved (like the desktop 6800 series) with the new cards. The Stream processors can be used with DirectX 11, OpenGL 4.1, DirectCompute 11 and OpenCL. With the latter two, the cores of the 6950M can also be used for general computations like video transcoding.

The 3D performance is on par with the GeForce GTX 470M in the high end class of notebook graphic cards. For gamers, this means that the Radeon HD 6950M is able to fluently play most modern games (as of 2011) in high detail settings. Only Crysis and Metro 2033 will stutter in the highest detail settings at 1920x1080 resolution (see below).

The new UVD3 video decoder supports the decoding of MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, VC-1, MPEG-2, Flash and now also Multi-View Codec (MVC) and MPEG-4 part 2 (DivX, xVid) HD videos on the graphics card.

Furthermore, the HD 6900M series integrates an HD audio controller to transmit HD Audio (TrueHD or DTS Master Audio) over HDMI and DisplayPort (e.g., for Blu-Ray videos).

The AMD HD3D Technology offers support for Blu-Ray 3D and 3D displays (integrated and external). However, the solution is not as mature as Nvidia's 3D Vision.

Thanks to Eyefinity, the graphics chip is able to theoretically drive up to 6 monitors simultaneously provided that the notebook itself has enough video-out ports.

The power consumption of the 6950M should be similar to the Nvidia GeForce GTX470M and is therefore only suited for medium to large laptops with good cooling solutions.

AMD Radeon HD 6990MAMD Radeon HD 6950M
Radeon HD 6900M Series
Radeon HD 6990M Crossfire compare 2240 @ 0.72 GHz256 Bit @ 900 MHz
Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire compare 1920 @ 0.68 GHz256 Bit @ 900 MHz
Radeon HD 6990M 1120 @ 0.72 GHz256 Bit @ 900 MHz
Radeon HD 6970M compare 960 @ 0.68 GHz256 Bit @ 900 MHz
Radeon HD 6950M 960 @ 0.58 GHz256 Bit @ 900 MHz
Radeon HD 6990M Crossfire compare 2240 @ 0.72 GHz256 Bit @ 900 MHz
Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire compare 1920 @ 0.68 GHz256 Bit @ 900 MHz
Radeon HD 6990M 1120 @ 0.72 GHz256 Bit @ 900 MHz
Radeon HD 6970M compare 960 @ 0.68 GHz256 Bit @ 900 MHz
Radeon HD 6950M 960 @ 0.58 GHz256 Bit @ 900 MHz
CodenameBlackcomb XTXBlackcomb Pro
ArchitectureTerascale 2Terascale 2
Pipelines1120 - unified960 - unified
Core Speed715 MHz580 MHz
Memory Speed900 MHz900 MHz
Memory Bus Width256 Bit256 Bit
Memory TypeGDDR5GDDR5
Max. Amount of Memory2048 MB2048 MB
Shared Memorynono
APIDirectX 11, Shader 5.0DirectX 11, Shader 5.0
Transistors1.7 Billion1.7 Billion
technology40 nm40 nm
Notebook Sizelargelarge
Date of Announcement12.07.2011 06.01.2011
Link to Manufacturer Pagewww.amd.comwww.amd.com

Benchmarks

3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Score
min: 3529     avg: 3572     median: 3535 (5%)     max: 3653 Points
2643 Points (4%)
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance GPU
min: 3179     avg: 3238     median: 3227 (3%)     max: 3309 Points
2452 Points (2%)
3DMark Vantage
3DM Vant. Perf. total + AMD Radeon HD 6990M
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. total
min: 14349     avg: 15072     median: 15113 (4%)     max: 15754 Points
3DM Vant. Perf. total + AMD Radeon HD 6950M
10122 Points (3%)
3DM Vant. Perf. GPU no PhysX + AMD Radeon HD 6990M
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. GPU no PhysX
min: 13046     avg: 13341     median: 13480 (8%)     max: 13497 Points
3DM Vant. Perf. GPU no PhysX + AMD Radeon HD 6950M
9694 Points (5%)
3DMark 2001SE - 3DMark 2001 - Standard
59748 Points (62%)
3DMark 03 - 3DMark 03 - Standard
min: 62353     avg: 64035     median: 62835 (33%)     max: 66916 Points
49088 Points (26%)
3DMark 05 - 3DMark 05 - Standard
min: 26106     avg: 26943     median: 26622 (29%)     max: 28100 Points
18466 Points (20%)
3DMark 06 3DMark 06 - Standard 1280x1024 + AMD Radeon HD 6990M
3DMark 06
min: 20744     avg: 21305     median: 21082 (28%)     max: 22090 Points
3DMark 06 - Standard 1280x1024 + AMD Radeon HD 6950M
13719 Points (18%)
Unigine Heaven 2.1 - Heaven 2.1 high
min: 36.6     avg: 41.9     median: 37.2 (7%)     max: 51.8 fps
SPECviewperf 11
specvp11 snx-01 + AMD Radeon HD 6990M
SPECviewperf 11 - specvp11 snx-01
10.2 fps (6%)
specvp11 tcvis-02 + AMD Radeon HD 6990M
SPECviewperf 11 - specvp11 tcvis-02
2.1 fps (1%)
specvp11 sw-02 + AMD Radeon HD 6990M
SPECviewperf 11 - specvp11 sw-02
12.3 fps (9%)
specvp11 proe-05 + AMD Radeon HD 6990M
SPECviewperf 11 - specvp11 proe-05
2.1 fps (2%)
specvp11 maya-03 + AMD Radeon HD 6990M
SPECviewperf 11 - specvp11 maya-03
4 fps (3%)
specvp11 lightwave-01 + AMD Radeon HD 6990M
SPECviewperf 11 - specvp11 lightwave-01
12.9 fps (14%)
specvp11 ensight-04 + AMD Radeon HD 6990M
SPECviewperf 11 - specvp11 ensight-04
21.7 fps (10%)
specvp11 catia-03 + AMD Radeon HD 6990M
SPECviewperf 11 - specvp11 catia-03
4.9 fps (3%)
Windows 7 Experience Index - Win7 Gaming graphics
min: 7.6     avg: 7.7     median: 7.7 (97%)     max: 7.7 Points
Windows 7 Experience Index - Win7 Graphics
min: 7.6     avg: 7.7     median: 7.7 (97%)     max: 7.7 Points
Cinebench R10 Cinebench R10 Shading (32bit) + AMD Radeon HD 6990M
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Shading (32bit)
min: 7359     avg: 8395     median: 8394.5 (6%)     max: 9430 Points
Cinebench R11.5 Cinebench R11.5 OpenGL 64 Bit + AMD Radeon HD 6990M
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 OpenGL 64 Bit
min: 63.3     avg: 64.2     median: 64.2 (22%)     max: 65.1 fps

Average Benchmarks AMD Radeon HD 6990M → 100% n=7

Average Benchmarks AMD Radeon HD 6950M → 72% n=7

- Range of benchmark values for this graphics card
- Average benchmark values for this graphics card
* Smaller numbers mean a higher performance
1 This benchmark is not used for the average calculation

Game Benchmarks

The following benchmarks stem from our benchmarks of review laptops. The performance depends on the used graphics memory, clock rate, processor, system settings, drivers, and operating systems. So the results don't have to be representative for all laptops with this GPU. For detailed information on the benchmark results, click on the fps number.

F1 2012

F1 2012

2012
ultra 1920x1080
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
59  fps
low 1024x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
58.3  fps
med. 1366x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
65.1  fps
high 1366x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
38.4  fps
ultra 1920x1080
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
29.2  fps
low 1024x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
81.4  fps
med. 1366x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
62.7  fps
high 1366x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
60.1  fps
ultra 1920x1080
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
35.7  fps
low 1024x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
210.2  fps
med. 1366x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
145  fps
high 1366x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
97.1  fps
ultra 1920x1080
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
73  fps
low 1024x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
98  fps
med. 1366x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
78.7  fps
high 1366x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
59.1  fps
ultra 1920x1080
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
27.9  fps
low 1280x720
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
60  fps
high 1366x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
59.4  fps
ultra 1920x1080
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
56.4  fps
Alan Wake

Alan Wake

2012
low 1024x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
92.7  fps
med. 1366x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
59.4  fps
ultra 1920x1080
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
30.6  fps
Star Wars: The Old Republic

Star Wars: The Old Republic

2011
low 1024x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
75.5  fps
high 1366x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
52.8  fps
ultra 1920x1080
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
46.3  fps
Anno 2070

Anno 2070

2011
low 1024x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
220.2  fps
med. 1366x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
108  fps
high 1366x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
65.1  fps
ultra 1920x1080
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
34.2  fps
low 1280x720
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
56.1  fps
med. 1366x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
52.3  fps
high 1366x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
43.7  fps
ultra 1920x1080
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
34.3  fps
low 1024x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
250  fps
med. 1366x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
144.7  fps
high 1366x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
104.2  fps
ultra 1920x1080
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
69.8  fps
low 1024x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
93.5  fps
med. 1366x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
66.6  fps
high 1366x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
52.1  fps
ultra 1920x1080
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
21.9  fps
Fifa 12

Fifa 12

2011
low 800x600
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
471.1  fps
med. 1024x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
265.8  fps
high 1360x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
217.1  fps
ultra 1920x1080
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
156.1  fps
F1 2011

F1 2011

2011
low 800x600
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
127  fps
med. 1024x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
83  fps
high 1366x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
77  fps
ultra 1920x1080
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
48  fps
low 1024x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
205.7  fps
high 1366x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
110.6  fps
ultra 1920x1080
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
50.6  fps
Dirt 3

Dirt 3

2011
low 800x600
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
209.5  fps
med. 1024x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
96.1  fps
high 1360x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
75.6 107.1 ~ 91 fps
ultra 1920x1080
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
35.3 39.4 40.4 ~ 38 fps
Crysis 2

Crysis 2

2011
low 800x600
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
186.4  fps
med. 1024x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
134.3  fps
high 1366x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
94.3 102 103 ~ 100 fps
ultra 1920x1080
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
33 34 35 ~ 34 fps
low 800x600
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
131.4  fps
med. 1024x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
91.9  fps
high 1360x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
86.4 112.6 ~ 100 fps
ultra 1920x1080
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
70.1 74.1 84 90.2 ~ 80 fps
Fifa 11

Fifa 11

2010
low 800x600
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
605  fps
med. 1024x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
414.6  fps
high 1360x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
324.9 336.1 ~ 331 fps
ultra 1920x1080
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
202.3 210 212.7 ~ 208 fps
Mafia 2

Mafia 2

2010
low 800x600
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
102.9  fps
med. 1024x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
93.1  fps
high 1360x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
85.1 89.5 ~ 87 fps
ultra 1920x1080
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
60.3 62 79.6 ~ 67 fps
low 1024x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
338.1  fps
med. 1360x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
113.3  fps
high 1360x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
83 94 ~ 89 fps
ultra 1920x1080
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
55.7 63.5 67 ~ 62 fps
low 800x600
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
139.7  fps
med. 1360x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
86  fps
high 1600x900
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
53.5 54 58 ~ 55 fps
ultra 1920x1080
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
19.1 19.6 20 ~ 20 fps
low 1024x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
165.2  fps
med. 1366x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
133.4  fps
high 1366x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
96.2 99.5 ~ 98 fps
ultra 1920x1080
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
54.8 56.1 59 ~ 57 fps
low 800x600
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
136  fps
med. 1024x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
61.1  fps
high 1366x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
56.2 112.7 ~ 84 fps
ultra 1920x1080
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
48.1 82.4 88 ~ 73 fps
Risen

Risen

2009
low 800x600
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
157.5  fps
med. 1024x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
96.3  fps
high 1366x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
70.6 71.6 ~ 71 fps
ultra 1920x1080
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
51.8 52.3 54.4 58 ~ 54 fps
Resident Evil 5

Resident Evil 5

2009
low 800x600
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
201.6  fps
high 1360x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
118.6 130.1 ~ 124 fps
ultra 1920x1080
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
84.2 90.7 92.2 ~ 89 fps
Need for Speed Shift

Need for Speed Shift

2009
med. 1024x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
105.3  fps
high 1366x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
86.8 91.7 ~ 89 fps
ultra 1920x1080
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
68.8 74.7 ~ 72 fps
Far Cry 2

Far Cry 2

2008
ultra 1920x1080
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
77.7  fps
Crysis Warhead

Crysis Warhead

2008
ultra 1024x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
42.7  fps
Trackmania Nations Forever

Trackmania Nations Forever

2008
ultra 1920x1080
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
68.5  fps
Supreme Commander - FA Bench

Supreme Commander - FA Bench

2007
ultra 1920x1080
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
54.1  fps
Crysis - GPU Benchmark

Crysis - GPU Benchmark

2007
high 1024x768
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
94.5  fps
ultra 1920x1080
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
30.7  fps
World in Conflict - Benchmark

World in Conflict - Benchmark

2007
ultra 1920x1080
100%
Radeon HD 6990M:
51  fps

Average Gaming AMD Radeon HD 6990M → 100%

Average Gaming 30-70 fps → 100%

AMD Radeon HD 6990Mlowmed.highultraQHD4K
F1 201259
Max Payne 358.365.138.429.2
Dirt Showdown81.462.760.135.7
Diablo III210.214597.173
Risen 2: Dark Waters9878.759.127.9
Mass Effect 36059.456.4
Alan Wake92.759.430.6
Star Wars: The Old Republic75.552.846.3
Anno 2070220.210865.134.2
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim56.152.343.734.3
CoD: Modern Warfare 3250144.7104.269.8
Battlefield 393.566.652.121.9
Fifa 12471.1265.8217.1156.1
F1 2011127837748
Deus Ex Human Revolution205.7110.650.6
Dirt 3209.596.19138
Crysis 2186.4134.310034
Call of Duty: Black Ops131.491.910080
Fifa 11605414.6331208
Mafia 2102.993.18767
StarCraft 2338.1113.38962
Metro 2033139.7865520
Battlefield: Bad Company 2165.2133.49857
CoD Modern Warfare 213661.18473
Risen157.596.37154
Resident Evil 5201.612489
Need for Speed Shift105.38972
Far Cry 277.7
Crysis Warhead42.7
Trackmania Nations Forever68.5
Supreme Commander - FA Bench54.1
Crysis - GPU Benchmark94.530.7
World in Conflict - Benchmark51
< 30 fps
< 60 fps
< 120 fps
≥ 120 fps

2
7
16

2
14
6

7
16
3
4
17
10
2






For more games that might be playable and a list of all games and graphics cards visit our Gaming List

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v1.26
log 28. 18:02:14

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#3 did not recreate cache, as it is less than 5 days old! Created at Thu, 28 Mar 2024 05:37:00 +0100 +0.001s ... 0.001s

#4 composed specs +0.11s ... 0.111s

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#6 start showIntegratedCPUs +0s ... 0.111s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 2685 +0.023s ... 0.134s

#8 got single benchmarks 2685 +0.016s ... 0.15s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 2073 +0.002s ... 0.152s

#10 got single benchmarks 2073 +0.005s ... 0.156s

#11 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.156s

#12 min, max, avg, median took s +0.115s ... 0.272s

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#17 benchmarks composed for output. +0.076s ... 0.376s

#18 calculated avg scores. +0s ... 0.376s

#19 return log +0.048s ... 0.424s

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Redaktion, 2017-09- 8 (Update: 2023-07- 1)