Radeon 3020e vs Radeon HD 3850

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.

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

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar Radeon HD 3850

#1

GeForce RTX 3060 Ti

MSRP: $399|Avg: $280

3238%

#2

GeForce RTX 5060

MSRP: $299|Avg: $299

3111%

#3

Radeon RX 5600 XT

MSRP: $279|Avg: $180

3075%

#4

Radeon RX 9060

MSRP: $249|Avg: $249

3070%

#5

GeForce RTX 5050

MSRP: $249|Avg: $249

3063%

#6

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

MSRP: $249|Avg: $150

3046%

#7

Arc A580

MSRP: $179|Avg: $179

3008%

#8

Radeon RX 9060 XT

MSRP: $299|Avg: $299

2996%

#9

Radeon RX 9060 XT 8GB

MSRP: $299|Avg: $299

2969%

#10

Radeon RX 7600

MSRP: $269|Avg: $250

2961%

#11

Radeon RX 6600

MSRP: $329|Avg: $180

2925%

#12

GeForce RTX 4060

MSRP: $299|Avg: $299

2919%

#13

Arc B570

MSRP: $219|Avg: $219

2866%

#14

Arc B580

MSRP: $249|Avg: $249

2864%

#292

Radeon R5 430 OEM

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $13

3571%

#307

Radeon HD 4200

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

100%

#308

Radeon HD 3850

MSRP: $179|Avg: $179

100%

#310

Radeon HD 4270

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

98%

#311

Radeon E6460

MSRP: $150|Avg: $40

96%

#312

Radeon HD 6290

MSRP: $50|Avg: $50

94%

#313

GeForce GTX 280

MSRP: $649|Avg: $649

88%

#314

Radeon HD 3470

MSRP: $60|Avg: $15

87%

#315

Radeon HD 3000

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

86%

#316

Radeon HD 6250

MSRP: $50|Avg: $50

84%

#317

GeForce GT 120

MSRP: $100|Avg: $40

84%

#318

GeForce 6600 LE

MSRP: $30|Avg: $30

76%

#319

Radeon HD 3670

MSRP: $100|Avg: $15

75%

#320

Radeon HD 3200

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

73%

#321

Radeon HD 2350

MSRP: $50|Avg: $48

69%

#322

Radeon HD 2400

MSRP: $79|Avg: $10

68%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

⚠️ Generational Difference

The Radeon 3020e is significantly newer (2019 vs 2012). The Radeon 3020e likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The Radeon HD 3850 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.

🚀 Performance Leadership

The Radeon 3020e is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 25.9% higher G3D Mark score. However, the Radeon HD 3850 offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.

Insight	Radeon 3020e	Radeon HD 3850
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+25.9%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-25.9%)
Longevity	GCN 4.0 (2016−2020) (14nm)	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+100%)
Efficiency	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt	⚡ Higher Power Consumption
Case Fit	—	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The Radeon 3020e offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $49 versus $179 for the Radeon HD 3850, it costs 73% less. While it maintains basic entry-level capabilities, this results in a 360% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	Radeon 3020e	Radeon HD 3850
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+360%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($49)	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($179)

Performance Check

Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 7800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.

Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.

Radeon 3020e Benchmark Check

Radeon HD 3850 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Radeon 3020e and Radeon HD 3850

Radeon 3020e

The Radeon 3020e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in May 13 2019. It features the GCN 4.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1082 MHz to 1218 MHz. It has 512 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 50W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 505 points.

Radeon HD 3850

The Radeon HD 3850 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in March 5 2012. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1000 MHz. It has 1024 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 130W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 401 points. Launch price was $249.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the Radeon 3020e scores 505 versus the Radeon HD 3850's 401 — the Radeon 3020e leads by 25.9%. The Radeon 3020e is built on GCN 4.0 while the Radeon HD 3850 uses GCN 1.0, both on 14 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 512 (Radeon 3020e) vs 1,024 (Radeon HD 3850). Raw compute: 1.247 TFLOPS (Radeon 3020e) vs 1.761 TFLOPS (Radeon HD 3850). Boost clocks: 1218 MHz vs 1000 MHz.

Feature	Radeon 3020e	Radeon HD 3850
G3D Mark Score	505+26%	401
Architecture	GCN 4.0	GCN 1.0
Process Node	14 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	512	1024+100%
Compute (TFLOPS)	1.247 TFLOPS	1.761 TFLOPS+41%
Boost Clock	1218 MHz+22%	1000 MHz
ROPs	16	32+100%
TMUs	32	64+100%
L1 Cache	128 KB	256 KB+100%
L2 Cache	512 KB	512 KB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	Radeon 3020e	Radeon HD 3850
Upscaling Tech	FSR 1.0 (Software)	FSR 1.0 (Software)
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	AMD Anti-Lag	AMD Anti-Lag

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The Radeon 3020e comes with 512 MB of VRAM, while the Radeon HD 3850 has 1 GB. The Radeon HD 3850 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 64-bit vs 128-bit.

Feature	Radeon 3020e	Radeon HD 3850
VRAM Capacity	0.5 GB	1 GB+100%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Bus Width	64-bit	128-bit+100%
L2 Cache	512 KB	512 KB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (12_1) (Radeon 3020e) vs 10.1 (Radeon HD 3850). OpenGL: 4.6 vs 3.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 3 vs 2.

Feature	Radeon 3020e	Radeon HD 3850
DirectX	12 (12_1)+19%	10.1
OpenGL	4.6+39%	3.3
Max Displays	3+50%	2

🎬

Media & Encoding

Decoder: VCN 1.0 vs UVD+. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265,VP9 (Radeon 3020e) vs H.264,VC-1,DivX,MPEG-1,MPEG-2 (Radeon HD 3850).

Feature	Radeon 3020e	Radeon HD 3850
Encoder	VCN 1.0	—
Decoder	VCN 1.0	UVD+
Codecs	H.264,H.265,VP9	H.264,VC-1,DivX,MPEG-1,MPEG-2

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Radeon 3020e draws 50W versus the Radeon HD 3850's 130W — a 88.9% difference. The Radeon 3020e is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon 3020e) vs 450W (Radeon HD 3850). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 1x 6-pin.

Feature	Radeon 3020e	Radeon HD 3850
TDP	50W-62%	130W
Recommended PSU	350W-22%	450W
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	1x 6-pin
Length	—	208mm
Slots	—	1
Temp (Load)	—	80°C
Perf/Watt	10.1+226%	3.1

💰

Value Analysis

The Radeon 3020e launched at $0 MSRP and currently averages $49, while the Radeon HD 3850 launched at $179 and now averages $179. The Radeon 3020e costs 72.6% less ($130 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 10.3 (Radeon 3020e) vs 2.2 (Radeon HD 3850) — the Radeon 3020e offers 368.2% better value. The Radeon 3020e is the newer GPU (2019 vs 2012).