Radeon HD 3850 vs Radeon 3020e
Radeon HD 3850
Popular choices:
Radeon 3020e
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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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. The Radeon HD 3850 is positioned at rank #308 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Radeon HD 3850
Performance Per Dollar
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 HD 3850 | Radeon 3020e |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-25.9%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+25.9%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)) | GCN 4.0 (2016−2020) (14nm) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ✅ More VRAM (+100%) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| 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 HD 3850 | Radeon 3020e |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+360%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($179) | ✅More affordable ($49) |
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Radeon HD 3850 and Radeon 3020e
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.
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.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the Radeon HD 3850 scores 401 versus the Radeon 3020e's 505 — the Radeon 3020e leads by 25.9%. The Radeon HD 3850 is built on GCN 1.0 while the Radeon 3020e uses GCN 4.0, both on 28 nm vs 14 nm. Shader units: 1,024 (Radeon HD 3850) vs 512 (Radeon 3020e). Raw compute: 1.761 TFLOPS (Radeon HD 3850) vs 1.247 TFLOPS (Radeon 3020e). Boost clocks: 1000 MHz vs 1218 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 | Radeon 3020e |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 401 | 505+26% |
| Architecture | GCN 1.0 | GCN 4.0 |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 14 nm |
| Shading Units | 1024+100% | 512 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 1.761 TFLOPS+41% | 1.247 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1000 MHz | 1218 MHz+22% |
| ROPs | 32+100% | 16 |
| TMUs | 64+100% | 32 |
| L1 Cache | 256 KB+100% | 128 KB |
| L2 Cache | 512 KB | 512 KB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 | Radeon 3020e |
|---|---|---|
| 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 HD 3850 comes with 1 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon 3020e has 512 MB. The Radeon HD 3850 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 64-bit.
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 | Radeon 3020e |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 1 GB+100% | 0.5 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Bus Width | 128-bit+100% | 64-bit |
| L2 Cache | 512 KB | 512 KB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 10.1 (Radeon HD 3850) vs 12 (12_1) (Radeon 3020e). OpenGL: 3.3 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 3.
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 | Radeon 3020e |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 10.1 | 12 (12_1)+19% |
| OpenGL | 3.3 | 4.6+39% |
| Max Displays | 2 | 3+50% |
Media & Encoding
Decoder: UVD+ vs VCN 1.0. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,DivX,MPEG-1,MPEG-2 (Radeon HD 3850) vs H.264,H.265,VP9 (Radeon 3020e).
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 | Radeon 3020e |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | — | VCN 1.0 |
| Decoder | UVD+ | VCN 1.0 |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,DivX,MPEG-1,MPEG-2 | H.264,H.265,VP9 |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon HD 3850 draws 130W versus the Radeon 3020e's 50W — a 88.9% difference. The Radeon 3020e is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (Radeon HD 3850) vs 350W (Radeon 3020e). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs PCIe-powered.
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 | Radeon 3020e |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 130W | 50W-62% |
| Recommended PSU | 450W | 350W-22% |
| Power Connector | 1x 6-pin | PCIe-powered |
| Length | 208mm | — |
| Slots | 1 | — |
| Temp (Load) | 80°C | — |
| Perf/Watt | 3.1 | 10.1+226% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon HD 3850 launched at $179 MSRP and currently averages $179, while the Radeon 3020e launched at $0 and now averages $49. The Radeon 3020e costs 72.6% less ($130 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 2.2 (Radeon HD 3850) vs 10.3 (Radeon 3020e) — the Radeon 3020e offers 368.2% better value. The Radeon 3020e is the newer GPU (2019 vs 2012).
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 | Radeon 3020e |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $179 | $0-100% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $179 | $49-73% |
| Performance per Dollar | 2.2 | 10.3+368% |
| Codename | Pitcairn | Polaris 23 |
| Release | March 5 2012 | May 13 2019 |
| Ranking | #503 | #757 |
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