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AMD Radeon HD 8770M vs AMD Radeon HD 8790M

AMD Radeon HD 8770M

► remove from comparison AMD Radeon HD 8770M

The AMD Radeon HD 8770M (sometimes known as the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 8770) is a DirectX 11.1 graphics card for laptops. It is based on the Mars chip (28nm GCN architecture) with 384 shader cores, 24 TMUs, and 8 ROPs. The core is clocked at 775 MHz (or up to 825 MHz with Boost) with GDDR5 VRAM at 1125 MHz (4500 MHz effective).

The performance of the Radeon HD 8770M is in range of the GeForce GT 730M. Current and demanding games like Far Cry 3 will run fluently in medium resolutions and detail settings (as of 2013).

The 384 shaders can be used with OpenCL 1.2 for general-purpose calculations (as 6 compute units). Compared to old TeraScale 2 chips, the GCN-based Mars architecture offers improved performance in this framework.

Features of the 8770M include video decoding via UVD3 for decoding MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, VC-1, MPEG-2, and Flash directly from the AMD GPU. Multi-View Codec (MVC) and MPEG-4 part 2 (DivX, xVid) HD videos are now compatible as well.

The 8700M series also supports automatic graphics switching between the integrated GPU and discrete GPU. Called Enduro, the technology supersedes AMD's Dynamic Switchable Graphics and is similar to Nvidia's Optimus. Furthermore, the 8770M can directly support up to 2 connected monitors using Eyefinity Technology if Enduro is disabled.

Other features of the 8700M series include ZeroCore for reducing power consumption when the display is turned off and Power Gating to power down areas of the chip that are not used. PowerTune allows automatic overclocking and underclocking of the graphics card as long as the GPU is within its TDP limit. For example, the chip may be underclocked when running FurMark and OCCT, but will overclock in certain games like Lost Planet, Crysis or Resident Evil 5.

The integrated HD audio processor is able to transmit HD Audio (TrueHD or DTS Master Audio) over HDMI and DisplayPort (e.g., for Blu-Ray videos). Additionally, it now allows audio to output simultaneously and in parallel to multiple devices with the new Discrete Digital Multipoint Audio (DDMA) feature.

The power consumption should be similar to the old HD 7670M. As a result, the 8770M is best suited for 13-inch notebooks or larger.

AMD Radeon HD 8790M

► remove from comparison AMD Radeon HD 8790M

The AMD Radeon HD 8790M (sometimes known as the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 8790) is a DirectX 11.1 graphics card for laptops. It is based on the Mars chip (28nm GCN architecture) with 384 shader cores, 24 TMUs, and 8 ROPs. The core is clocked at 850 MHz (900 MHz Boost) with GDDR5 VRAM at 1125 MHz (4500 MHz effective).

The performance of the Radeon HD 8790M is similar to the Nvidia GeForce GTX 660M or GT 750M and therefore in the upper mid-range category. Most games of 2013 can be played fluently in medium or high details and the WXGA resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels.

The 384 shaders can be used with OpenCL 1.2 for general-purpose calculations (as 6 compute units). Compared to old TeraScale 2 chips, the GCN-based Mars architecture offers improved performance in this framework.

Features of the 8790M include video decoding via UVD3 for decoding MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, VC-1, MPEG-2, and Flash directly from the AMD GPU. Multi-View Codec (MVC) and MPEG-4 part 2 (DivX, xVid) HD videos are now compatible as well.

The 8700M series also supports automatic graphics switching between the integrated GPU and discrete GPU. Called Enduro, the technology supersedes AMD's Dynamic Switchable Graphics and is similar to Nvidia's Optimus. Furthermore, the 8790M can directly support up to 2 connected monitors using Eyefinity Technology if Enduro is disabled.

Other features of the 8700M series include ZeroCore for reducing power consumption when the display is turned off and Power Gating to power down areas of the chip that are not used. PowerTune allows automatic overclocking and underclocking of the graphics card as long as the GPU is within its TDP limit. For example, the chip may be underclocked when running FurMark and OCCT, but will overclock in certain games like Lost Planet, Crysis or Resident Evil 5.

The integrated HD audio processor is able to transmit HD Audio (TrueHD or DTS Master Audio) over HDMI and DisplayPort (e.g., for Blu-Ray videos). Additionally, it now allows audio to output simultaneously and in parallel to multiple devices with the new Discrete Digital Multipoint Audio (DDMA) feature.

The power consumption should be slightly higher than the previous 7690M chip when under load (2 Watt difference according to the desktop setup from Techreport). However, the 8790M can potentially draw less power when idle (if not disabled by Enduro). Overall, the 8790M is best suited for 15-inch notebooks or bigger.

AMD Radeon HD 8770MAMD Radeon HD 8790M
Radeon HD 8700M Series
Radeon HD 8790M 384 @ 0.85 GHz128 Bit @ 4500 MHz
Radeon HD 8770M 384 @ 0.78 GHz128 Bit @ 4500 MHz
Radeon HD 8550G + HD 8750M Dual Graphics compare 640 @ 0.72 GHz128 Bit @ 1800 MHz
Radeon HD 8750M compare 384 @ 0.62 - 0.78 GHz128 Bit @ 2000 - 4000 MHz
Radeon HD 8730M compare 384 @ 0.65 GHz128 Bit @ 2000 MHz
Radeon HD 8790M 384 @ 0.85 GHz128 Bit @ 4500 MHz
Radeon HD 8770M 384 @ 0.78 GHz128 Bit @ 4500 MHz
Radeon HD 8550G + HD 8750M Dual Graphics compare 640 @ 0.72 GHz128 Bit @ 1800 MHz
Radeon HD 8750M compare 384 @ 0.62 - 0.78 GHz128 Bit @ 2000 - 4000 MHz
Radeon HD 8730M compare 384 @ 0.65 GHz128 Bit @ 2000 MHz
ArchitectureGCNGCN
Pipelines384 - unified384 - unified
Core Speed775 MHz850 MHz
Memory Speed4500 MHz4500 MHz
Memory Bus Width128 Bit128 Bit
Memory TypeGDDR5GDDR5
Max. Amount of Memory2048 MB2048 MB
Shared Memorynono
APIDirectX 11.1, Shader 5.0DirectX 11.1, Shader 5.0
Transistors900 Million900 Million
technology28 nm28 nm
Notebook Sizemedium sizedmedium sized
Date of Announcement16.11.2012 16.11.2012
CodenameMars XTX
Link to Manufacturer Pagewww.amd.com

Benchmarks

Performance Rating - 3DMark 11 + Fire Strike + Time Spy - Radeon HD 8790M
0.8 pt (2%)
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Extreme Graphics
55919 Points (7%)
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Score
9478 Points (10%)
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Graphics
12049 Points (3%)
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Score
1648 Points (3%)
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Graphics
1727 Points (2%)
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Graphics
69945 Points (8%)
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Score
2206 Points (3%)
min: 2425     avg: 2513     median: 2513 (3%)     max: 2601 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance GPU
1934 Points (2%)
min: 2135     avg: 2187     median: 2186.5 (2%)     max: 2238 Points
3DMark Vantage
3DM Vant. Perf. total + AMD Radeon HD 8770M
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. total
8530 Points (2%)
3DM Vant. Perf. total + AMD Radeon HD 8790M
9835 Points (3%)
3DM Vant. Perf. GPU no PhysX + AMD Radeon HD 8770M
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. GPU no PhysX
7078 Points (4%)
3DM Vant. Perf. GPU no PhysX + AMD Radeon HD 8790M
8407 Points (5%)
3DMark 03 - 3DMark 03 - Standard
27395 Points (14%)
3DMark 05 - 3DMark 05 - Standard
20968 Points (23%)
23810 Points (26%)
3DMark 06 3DMark 06 - Standard 1280x1024 + AMD Radeon HD 8770M
3DMark 06
12680 Points (17%)
3DMark 06 - Standard 1280x1024 + AMD Radeon HD 8790M
13118 Points (17%)
Unigine Heaven 2.1 - Heaven 2.1 high
26 fps (5%)
SPECviewperf 11
specvp11 snx-01 + AMD Radeon HD 8790M
SPECviewperf 11 - specvp11 snx-01
8.4 fps (5%)
specvp11 tcvis-02 + AMD Radeon HD 8790M
SPECviewperf 11 - specvp11 tcvis-02
7.2 fps (4%)
specvp11 sw-02 + AMD Radeon HD 8790M
SPECviewperf 11 - specvp11 sw-02
26 fps (20%)
specvp11 proe-05 + AMD Radeon HD 8790M
SPECviewperf 11 - specvp11 proe-05
4.1 fps (5%)
specvp11 maya-03 + AMD Radeon HD 8790M
SPECviewperf 11 - specvp11 maya-03
16.5 fps (12%)
specvp11 lightwave-01 + AMD Radeon HD 8790M
SPECviewperf 11 - specvp11 lightwave-01
29.9 fps (32%)
specvp11 ensight-04 + AMD Radeon HD 8790M
SPECviewperf 11 - specvp11 ensight-04
23.3 fps (11%)
specvp11 catia-03 + AMD Radeon HD 8790M
SPECviewperf 11 - specvp11 catia-03
10 fps (5%)
Windows 7 Experience Index - Win7 Gaming graphics
6.9 Points (87%)
Windows 7 Experience Index - Win7 Graphics
6.9 Points (87%)
Cinebench R10 Cinebench R10 Shading (32bit) + AMD Radeon HD 8770M
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Shading (32bit)
7033 Points (5%)
Cinebench R10 Shading (32bit) + AMD Radeon HD 8790M
7734 Points (5%)
Cinebench R11.5 Cinebench R11.5 OpenGL 64 Bit + AMD Radeon HD 8770M
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 OpenGL 64 Bit
43.1 fps (15%)
Cinebench R11.5 OpenGL 64 Bit + AMD Radeon HD 8790M
58.1 fps (20%)

Average Benchmarks AMD Radeon HD 8770M → 100% n=8

Average Benchmarks AMD Radeon HD 8790M → 115% n=8

- 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.

low 1024x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
38.9  fps
med. 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
30.7  fps
high 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
17.2  fps
ultra 1920x1080
Radeon HD 8790M:
12.5  fps
GRID 2

GRID 2

2013
low 1024x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
110  fps
med. 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
85  fps
high 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
59  fps
ultra 1920x1080
Radeon HD 8790M:
19  fps
low 1024x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
56  fps
med. 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
40  fps
high 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
22.7  fps
ultra 1920x1080
Radeon HD 8790M:
11.7  fps
low 1280x720
Radeon HD 8790M:
113  fps
med. 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
55  fps
high 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
47  fps
ultra 1920x1080
Radeon HD 8790M:
15.6  fps
SimCity

SimCity

2013
low 1024x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
93  fps
med. 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
38  fps
high 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
29  fps
ultra 1920x1080
Radeon HD 8790M:
16  fps
low 1024x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
127  fps
med. 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
57  fps
high 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
42.5  fps
ultra 1920x1080
Radeon HD 8790M:
19.7  fps
Crysis 3

Crysis 3

2013
low 1024x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
103  fps
med. 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
66  fps
high 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
42  fps
ultra 1920x1080
Radeon HD 8790M:
16  fps
low 1024x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
188  fps
med. 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
80  fps
high 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
58  fps
ultra 1920x1080
Radeon HD 8790M:
36  fps
Far Cry 3

Far Cry 3

2012
low 1024x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
65  fps
med. 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
46  fps
high 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
18  fps
ultra 1920x1080
Radeon HD 8790M:
8  fps
med. 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
37  fps
high 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
32  fps
ultra 1920x1080
Radeon HD 8790M:
11  fps
low 1024x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
49  fps
med. 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
44  fps
high 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
25  fps
ultra 1920x1080
Radeon HD 8790M:
10  fps
low 1024x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
109  fps
med. 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
82  fps
high 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
43  fps
ultra 1920x1080
Radeon HD 8790M:
27.9  fps
low 1024x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
85  fps
med. 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
75  fps
high 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
67  fps
ultra 1920x1080
Radeon HD 8790M:
44  fps
Fifa 13

Fifa 13

2012
low 1024x768
100%
Radeon HD 8770M:
305.5  fps
120%
Radeon HD 8790M:
367  fps
med. 1366x768
100%
Radeon HD 8770M:
185.7  fps
113%
Radeon HD 8790M:
209  fps
high 1366x768
100%
Radeon HD 8770M:
164.6  fps
109%
Radeon HD 8790M:
180  fps
ultra 1920x1080
100%
Radeon HD 8770M:
92.5  fps
130%
Radeon HD 8790M:
120  fps
F1 2012

F1 2012

2012
low 1024x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
112  fps
med. 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
75  fps
high 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
69  fps
ultra 1920x1080
Radeon HD 8790M:
34  fps
med. 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
149  fps
high 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
116  fps
ultra 1920x1080
Radeon HD 8790M:
73  fps
low 1024x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
82  fps
med. 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
47  fps
high 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
27  fps
ultra 1920x1080
Radeon HD 8790M:
19  fps
low 1024x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
97  fps
med. 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
70  fps
high 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
61  fps
ultra 1920x1080
Radeon HD 8790M:
37  fps
low 1024x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
70  fps
med. 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
46  fps
high 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
31  fps
ultra 1920x1080
Radeon HD 8790M:
15  fps
Anno 2070

Anno 2070

2011
low 1024x768
100%
Radeon HD 8770M:
60.2  fps
246%
Radeon HD 8790M:
148  fps
med. 1366x768
100%
Radeon HD 8770M:
49.7  fps
137%
Radeon HD 8790M:
68  fps
high 1366x768
100%
Radeon HD 8770M:
35.6  fps
118%
Radeon HD 8790M:
42  fps
ultra 1920x1080
100%
Radeon HD 8770M:
15.7  fps
121%
Radeon HD 8790M:
19  fps
low 1024x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
78  fps
med. 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
53  fps
high 1366x768
Radeon HD 8790M:
41  fps
ultra 1920x1080
Radeon HD 8790M:
16  fps

Average Gaming AMD Radeon HD 8770M → 100%

Average Gaming 30-70 fps → 100%

Average Gaming AMD Radeon HD 8790M → 137%

Average Gaming 30-70 fps → 127%

AMD Radeon HD 8790Mlowmed.highultraQHD4K
Company of Heroes 238.930.6717.212.52
GRID 2110855919
Metro: Last Light564022.711.7
BioShock Infinite113554715.6
SimCity93382916
Tomb Raider1275742.519.7
Crysis 3103664216
Dead Space 3188805836
Far Cry 36546188
Assassin´s Creed III373211
Hitman: Absolution49442510
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2109824327.9
Dishonored85756744
Fifa 13367209180120
F1 2012112756934
Counter-Strike: GO14911673
Dirt Showdown82472719
Diablo III97706137
Risen 2: Dark Waters70463115
Anno 2070148684219
Battlefield 378534116
< 30 fps
< 60 fps
< 120 fps
≥ 120 fps

3
12
4

11
8
2
6
10
4
1
15
4
1
1






AMD Radeon HD 8770Mlowmed.highultraQHD4K
Fifa 13305.5185.7164.692.5
Anno 207060.249.735.615.7
< 30 fps
< 60 fps
< 120 fps
≥ 120 fps


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