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.

Radeon 3020e vs Radeon HD 3850 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 9800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Radeon 3020e vs Radeon HD 3850: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

Radeon 3020e

2019

Why buy it

✅+25.9% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Radeon HD 3850 is already obsolete for modern gaming, so Radeon 3020e is the less risky modern option long term.
✅Draws 50W instead of 130W, a 80W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than Radeon HD 3850 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 512 MB vs 1 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2019 hardware with 512 MB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 2.2 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $179 MSRP).

Radeon HD 3850

2012

Why buy it

✅3.1% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 2.2 vs 0 G3D/$ ($179 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (1 GB vs 512 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (401 vs 505).
❌2012 hardware with 1 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌160% higher power demand at 130W vs 50W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

Radeon HD 3850 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 3.1% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. PassMark G3D leans toward Radeon 3020e instead at 505 vs 401, so for this question the real-game FPS result matters more than the synthetic split.

Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?

Radeon 3020e is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a 14nm process instead of 28nm and a newer 2019 generation instead of 2012. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

Radeon HD 3850 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, Radeon HD 3850 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, Radeon 3020e has the stronger long-term case.

Radeon 3020e vs Radeon HD 3850 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

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.

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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
Frame Generation	FSR upscaling	FSR upscaling

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Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	Radeon 3020e	Radeon HD 3850
Upscaling Tech	FSR Upscaling / FSR 4	FSR Upscaling / FSR 4
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	AMD Anti-Lag	AMD Anti-Lag

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Video Memory (VRAM)

The Radeon 3020e has 512 MB of VRAM, while the Radeon HD 3850 carries 1 GB. Radeon HD 3850 gives you 100% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 64-bit on the Radeon 3020e and 128-bit on the Radeon HD 3850.

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

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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

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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

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Radeon 3020e came in at $0, while the Radeon HD 3850 launched at $179. On MSRP, Radeon 3020e was 100+% cheaper ($179 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): Infinity (Radeon 3020e) vs 2.2 (Radeon HD 3850) — the Radeon 3020e offers Infinity% better value. The newer card here is Radeon 3020e (2019 vs 2012).

Feature	Radeon 3020e	Radeon HD 3850
MSRP	$0-100%	$179
Performance per Dollar	Infinity	2.2
Codename	Polaris 23	Pitcairn
Release	May 13 2019	March 5 2012
Ranking	#757	#503

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