AMD Radeon HD 4870From real comments

Verdict distilled from 9 mentions across 4 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment25%
PROS 25%
CONS 75%

Rank based on 9 mentions across 4 aspects

View the verdict as

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You expect to run modern or demanding games — commenters report it struggling badly, even at low settings
  • You want strong price-to-performance today — commenters say ~$100 cards later matched or beat it while using less power
  • You already own a newer budget card — several commenters say even their older upgrades outperform the HD 4870

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
PowerColor RX 6800
Cool, quiet cooling performanceSleek, understated build qualityLow power consumptionHigh prices during shortageCoil whine on some unitsFan durability concerns long-term
PowerColor RX 6800
Cool, quiet cooling performance
Sleek, understated build quality
Low power consumption
High prices during shortage
Coil whine on some units
Fan durability concerns long-term
Best value
2Budget
Nvidia GeForce GTX 750 Ti
Exceptional longevitySolid 1080p performanceGood upgrade path from old GPUsLimited to lower/medium settings for demanding gamesNot top-tier performanceFan/cooler reliability over time
Nvidia GeForce GTX 750 Ti
Exceptional longevity
Solid 1080p performance
Good upgrade path from old GPUs
Limited to lower/medium settings for demanding games
Not top-tier performance
Fan/cooler reliability over time
3Premium
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
Exceptional longevityStrong 1440p gaming performanceGreat used market valueEventually needs replacement in demanding gamesLacks modern feature setThermal paste degradation over time
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
Exceptional longevity
Strong 1440p gaming performance
Great used market value
Eventually needs replacement in demanding games
Lacks modern feature set
Thermal paste degradation over time
4Mid
Nvidia GeForce GTX 660
Strong 1080p gaming performanceExcellent value for moneyLong-term reliability and longevityBrand-specific fan noise concernsLimited VRAM versus competitorsOccasional driver/compatibility issues
Nvidia GeForce GTX 660
Strong 1080p gaming performance
Excellent value for money
Long-term reliability and longevity
Brand-specific fan noise concerns
Limited VRAM versus competitors
Occasional driver/compatibility issues
5Mid
Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060
Strong 1080p/1440p performancePerformance comparable to GTX 1070/1070Ti at lower priceLong-term reliability and aging wellHigh price for a mid-range card12GB variant seen as poor value or confusingLimited 6GB VRAM
Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060
Strong 1080p/1440p performance
Performance comparable to GTX 1070/1070Ti at lower price
Long-term reliability and aging well
High price for a mid-range card
12GB variant seen as poor value or confusing
Limited 6GB VRAM
6Budget
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
No external power connector neededGreat for small form factor and HTPC buildsLater became a good value due to shortagesPoor value versus RX 570Overpriced at launchRegional price disparities make it worse value
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
No external power connector needed
Great for small form factor and HTPC builds
Later became a good value due to shortages
Poor value versus RX 570
Overpriced at launch
Regional price disparities make it worse value
7Mid
PNY RTX 5070 Ti
Near-MSRP pricing and dealsCool operating temperaturesQuiet operation for most unitsCoil whine / fan noise on some unitsConfusing naming schemeNew 12-pin power connector adoption concerns
PNY RTX 5070 Ti
Near-MSRP pricing and deals
Cool operating temperatures
Quiet operation for most units
Coil whine / fan noise on some units
Confusing naming scheme
New 12-pin power connector adoption concerns
8Mid
PNY RTX 5070
Frequently available at or near MSRPStrong performance upgrade from older GPUsRuns cool and quiet, undervolts wellCoil whine or fan noise on some units12GB VRAM may limit future-proofingVoltage locked, limiting overclocking on some units
PNY RTX 5070
Frequently available at or near MSRP
Strong performance upgrade from older GPUs
Runs cool and quiet, undervolts well
Coil whine or fan noise on some units
12GB VRAM may limit future-proofing
Voltage locked, limiting overclocking on some units
9Budget
Nvidia GeForce GTX 750
Solid 1080p performanceExcellent budget valueExceptional longevityStruggles with demanding modern gamesCooling wear over yearsDriver instability
Nvidia GeForce GTX 750
Solid 1080p performance
Excellent budget value
Exceptional longevity
Struggles with demanding modern games
Cooling wear over years
Driver instability
10Budget
Zotac GTX 1650
Low power draw
Zotac GTX 1650
Low power draw
You are here
31
AMD Radeon HD 4870
Fondly Remembered by Long-Time OwnersUpgrade Over Older or Mobile GPUsOutclassed by Cheaper, Newer CardsStruggles With Modern or Demanding Games
AMD Radeon HD 4870
Fondly Remembered by Long-Time Owners
Upgrade Over Older or Mobile GPUs
Outclassed by Cheaper, Newer Cards
Struggles With Modern or Demanding Games

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The AMD Radeon HD 4870 draws mixed reactions years after release. One owner of an ASUS HD 4870 calls it simply the best card they ever used, and another says it was a clear upgrade over a mobile Radeon HD 4670 in an all-in-one PC. Most other commenters are harsher: one calls the HD 4000 series horrible for performance by 2014. Another compares it to a weaker Radeon HD 5450 that already struggles with newer titles, implying the 4870 fares no better. A third says their Radeon HD 7750 struggles with modern games yet is still way better than the 4870. One says it cannot run Battlefield on lowest settings above roughly 10fps. Others argue a $100 card later offered better performance and used less power.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?