Radeon R9 270X
GPU·Budget

Radeon R9 270X

AMD

G3D Mark

4,874

MSRP

$199

AVG Price

$40

October 8 2013
180 Watt
GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)

Performance Spectrum - GPU

About G3D Mark

G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.

Overview

The Radeon R9 270X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in October 8 2013. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1050 MHz. It has 1280 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 180W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 4,874 points. Launch price was $199.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Radeon R9 270X

#110
GeForce GTX 980 Ti
MSRP: $649|Avg: $100
113%
#111
GeForce GTX 960
MSRP: $199|Avg: $45
112%
#112
Radeon R9 390
MSRP: $329|Avg: $65
112%
#113
Radeon HD 7950 / R9 280
MSRP: $279|Avg: $35
112%
#114
GeForce RTX 2060 12GB
MSRP: $470|Avg: $120
109%
#115
Radeon R9 390X
MSRP: $429|Avg: $70
109%
#116
Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X
MSRP: $299|Avg: $40
108%
#117
GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
MSRP: $699|Avg: $145
105%
#118
Radeon RX 580 2048SP
MSRP: $229|Avg: $60
104%
#119
GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER
MSRP: $159|Avg: $81
103%
#120
Radeon R9 290 / 390
MSRP: $329|Avg: $65
103%
#121
TITAN Xp
MSRP: $1199|Avg: $150
103%
#122
Radeon RX 580X
MSRP: $229|Avg: $60
103%
#123
GeForce GTX 690
MSRP: $999|Avg: $45
101%
#124
GeForce GTX 570 Rev. 2
MSRP: $349|Avg: $45
100%
#125
Radeon R9 270X
MSRP: $199|Avg: $40
100%
#126
Radeon R9 Fury + Fury X
MSRP: $649|Avg: $80
100%
#127
Radeon R9 380
MSRP: $199|Avg: $50
98%
#128
GeForce RTX 2060
MSRP: $349|Avg: $120
97%
#129
Radeon R9 Fury X
MSRP: $649|Avg: $80
96%
#130
Radeon RX 460
MSRP: $110|Avg: $35
96%
#131
GeForce GTX Titan
MSRP: $999|Avg: $70
96%
#132
GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER
MSRP: $229|Avg: $110
95%
#133
GeForce GTX 1050
MSRP: $110|Avg: $45
92%
#134
GeForce GTX 950
MSRP: $159|Avg: $48
92%
#135
GeForce GTX 1070 SLI
MSRP: $758|Avg: $160
91%
#136
GeForce GTS 450 Rev. 2
MSRP: $129|Avg: $30
91%
#137
GeForce RTX 3070
MSRP: $499|Avg: $200
91%
#138
GeForce GTX 780 Rev. 2
MSRP: $649|Avg: $60
89%
#139
Radeon R9 380X
MSRP: $229|Avg: $58
87%
#140
GeForce GTX TITAN X
MSRP: $999|Avg: $120
86%
Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Technical Analysis

Detailed breakdown of Radeon R9 270X specifications and capabilities.

Graphics Performance

The Radeon R9 270X scores 4,874 in the G3D Mark benchmark (the standard measure of rasterization GPU performance), placing it in the Budget tier as a Legacy generation graphics card. It is built on the GCN 1.0 (2012−2020) architecture (codename: Curacao), manufactured on a 28 nm process— smaller process nodes improve power efficiency and transistor density. It packs 1280 shader units (the primary compute units for rendering pixels), 80 TMUs (texture mapping units), and 32 ROPs (render output units that handle final pixel output). Raw FP32 compute power: 2.688 TFLOPS — this measures the theoretical peak floating-point performance. Boost clock reaches 1050 MHz.

SpecificationRadeon R9 270X
G3D MarkPassMark 3D graphics benchmark score4,874
ArchitectureGPU microarchitecture generationGCN 1.0 (2012−2020)
CodenameInternal GPU die codenameCuracao
Manufacturing ProcessFabrication node — smaller = more efficient28 nm
Shader UnitsCore compute units for rendering/compute1280
TMUsTexture Mapping Units — handle texture sampling80
ROPsRender Output Units — final pixel/color blending32
Boost ClockMaximum GPU frequency under load1050 MHz
Compute (FP32)Peak single-precision floating-point performance2.688 TFLOPS
Texture Fill RateTextures processed per second84.00 GTexel/s
PCIe InterfaceCPU↔GPU data link generationPCIe 3.0 x16
Transistor Count2,800 million
Performance RankPosition in global GPU performance ranking#448
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The Radeon R9 270X is equipped with 4 GB of GDDR5 video memory connected via a 256-bit memory bus, delivering 179.2 GB/s of bandwidth. Memory operates at 8 Gbps effective speed.

SpecificationRadeon R9 270X
VRAM SizeVideo memory capacity — more = better for high-res textures4 GB
VRAM TypeMemory technology generationGDDR5
Memory BusWidth of data path — wider = more bandwidth256-bit
Memory SpeedEffective memory data rate8 Gbps
BandwidthMaximum data throughput between GPU and VRAM179.2 GB/s
L1 Cache320 kB
L2 Cache512 kB

Advanced Features & APIs

The Radeon R9 270X supports modern upscaling and frame generation technologies: FidelityFX Super Resolution — these can dramatically boost effective FPS by generating intermediate frames or upscaling from lower internal resolution. Graphics API support: DirectX 12 (11_1), Vulkan 1.2, OpenGL 4.6— latest API versions enable the most advanced rendering features like ray tracing and mesh shaders.

SpecificationRadeon R9 270X
FSR Frame Generation❌ Not Supported
AMD Fluid Motion Frames❌ Not Supported
FidelityFX Super Resolution✅ Supported
DirectXMicrosoft graphics API version12 (11_1)
VulkanCross-platform graphics API1.2
OpenGLLegacy graphics API4.6
Compute APIGPGPU framework (CUDA/ROCm/OpenCL)OpenCL 1.2
Multi-GPUSLI/CrossFire/NVLink support2-way CrossFire
🖥️

Display & Media

Display outputs: DVI-Ix 0, DVI-Dx 1, HDMI 1.4ax 2, DisplayPort 1.2x 3 — supports up to 4 simultaneous displays. Hardware encoder: VCE 1.0, decoder: UVD 4.2— dedicated hardware for video encoding/decoding accelerates streaming, recording, and video playback. Supported codecs: H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,MPEG-4.

SpecificationRadeon R9 270X
0 PortsNumber of 0 display connectorsDVI-Ix
1 PortsNumber of 1 display connectorsDVI-Dx
2 PortsNumber of 2 display connectorsHDMI 1.4ax
3 PortsNumber of 3 display connectorsDisplayPort 1.2x
Max DisplaysMaximum simultaneously connected monitors4
Hardware EncoderVideo encoding engine versionVCE 1.0
Hardware DecoderVideo decoding engine versionUVD 4.2
CodecsSupported video compression formatsH.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,MPEG-4
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Radeon R9 270X draws 180 Watt under load (TDP) — a 500W PSU minimum is recommended. Power connector: 2x 6-pin. Physical size: 241mm long, 109mm tall, occupying 2 expansion slots, weighing 757g— verify your case has clearance before purchasing. Typical temperatures: 35 C at idle, 80 C under load.

SpecificationRadeon R9 270X
TDPPower consumption under load180 Watt
Recommended PSUMinimum power supply wattage500W
Power ConnectorRequired PCIe power cable type2x 6-pin
Card LengthGPU card length — check case clearance241mm
Card Height109mm
Slot WidthExpansion slots occupied2-slot
Weight757g
Idle TemperatureTypical temperature at desktop idle35 C
Load TemperatureTypical temperature under gaming load80 C
💰

Value Analysis

At an average price of $40 (MSRP: $199), the Radeon R9 270X delivers 122 G3D Mark points per dollar. Overall performance ranking position: #448 among all indexed GPUs.

SpecificationRadeon R9 270X
MSRPManufacturer's Suggested Retail Price$199
Avg Price (30d)Average market price over the last 30 days$40
Performance RankPosition in global GPU performance ranking#448
Release DateOctober 8 2013
Release Year2013

Similar Performance

Graphics cards with benchmark scores closest to the current hardware, grouped by manufacturer.

Our Recommendation for Radeon R9 270X

Suggested pairings based on performance balance

Compare Radeon R9 270X

See how this GPU stacks up against similar alternatives

Compare with other GPUs