GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design vs Radeon R9 M390X

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. The GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design is positioned at rank 66 and the Radeon R9 M390X is on rank 416, so the GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

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

Performance Per Dollar GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design

#19

Radeon RX 5600

MSRP: $229|Avg: $150

98%

#22

Radeon RX 7700

MSRP: $449|Avg: $399

94%

#56

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

207%

#58

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

188%

#59

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

188%

#63

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

171%

#64

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

169%

#66

GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

100%

#68

GeForce GTX 850M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $40

97%

#78

Radeon HD 8970M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $170

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar Radeon R9 M390X

#406

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

1533%

#408

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

1390%

#409

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

1386%

#413

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

1261%

#414

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

1252%

#416

Radeon R9 M390X

MSRP: $550|Avg: $120

100%

#417

Arc 8-Core iGPU

MSRP: $503|Avg: $400

98%

#418

Mobility Radeon HD 4670

MSRP: $67|Avg: $20

98%

#419

Radeon HD 8570D + HD 8570 Dual

MSRP: $150|Avg: $15

97%

#420

Radeon R9 M385

MSRP: $300|Avg: $60

97%

#421

Radeon R5 235

MSRP: $49|Avg: $49

97%

#422

Radeon R9 M375X

MSRP: $250|Avg: $50

97%

#423

Radeon HD 6620G

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

96%

#424

Radeon R5 310

MSRP: $49|Avg: $15

96%

#425

Radeon HD 7690M XT

MSRP: $150|Avg: $40

95%

#426

Radeon HD 7600G

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

94%

#427

Radeon R7 A265

MSRP: $149|Avg: $149

94%

#428

Radeon R9 M470

MSRP: $350|Avg: $80

94%

#429

Radeon R9 M385X

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

94%

#431

Mobility Radeon HD 5570

MSRP: $80|Avg: $20

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

⚠️ Generational Difference

The GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design uses modern memory architecture. The GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The Radeon R9 M390X lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.8% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon R9 M390X.

Insight	GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design	Radeon R9 M390X
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+0.8%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.8%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2018 / Pascal (2016−2021))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / GCN 3.0 (2014−2019))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+0%)
Efficiency	Normal Efficiency	Normal Efficiency
Case Fit	—	—

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $50 versus $120 for the Radeon R9 M390X, it costs 58% less. While it maintains basic entry-level capabilities, this results in a 141.8% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design	Radeon R9 M390X
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+141.8%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($50)	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($120)

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.

GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design Benchmark Check

Radeon R9 M390X Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design and Radeon R9 M390X

GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design

The GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 3 2018. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1152 MHz to 1417 MHz. It has 768 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,925 points.

Radeon R9 M390X

The Radeon R9 M390X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in May 5 2015. It features the GCN 3.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 723 MHz. It has 2048 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,895 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design scores 3,925 and the Radeon R9 M390X reaches 3,895 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.8% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design is built on Pascal while the Radeon R9 M390X uses GCN 3.0, both on 14 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 768 (GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design) vs 2,048 (Radeon R9 M390X). Raw compute: 2.177 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design) vs 2.961 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 M390X).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design	Radeon R9 M390X
G3D Mark Score	3,925	3,895
Architecture	Pascal	GCN 3.0
Process Node	14 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	768	2048+167%
Compute (TFLOPS)	2.177 TFLOPS	2.961 TFLOPS+36%
ROPs	32	32
TMUs	48	128+167%
L1 Cache	288 KB	512 KB+78%
L2 Cache	1 MB+100%	0.5 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design	Radeon R9 M390X
Upscaling Tech	FSR 2.1 (Compatible)	FSR 1.0 (Software)
Frame Generation	FSR 3 (Compatible)	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	Standard	AMD Anti-Lag

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

Both cards feature 4 GB of GDDR5. Memory bandwidth: 80 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design) vs 160 GB/s (Radeon R9 M390X) — a 100% advantage for the Radeon R9 M390X. Bus width: 128-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 1 MB (GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design) vs 0.5 MB (Radeon R9 M390X) — the GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design	Radeon R9 M390X
VRAM Capacity	4 GB	4 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	80 GB/s	160 GB/s+100%
Bus Width	128-bit	256-bit+100%
L2 Cache	1 MB+100%	0.5 MB

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design draws 75W versus the Radeon R9 M390X's 75W — a 0% difference. The Radeon R9 M390X is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design) vs 350W (Radeon R9 M390X). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs Mobile.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design	Radeon R9 M390X
TDP	75W	75W
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	Mobile
Slots	0	—
Temp (Load)	70°C	—
Perf/Watt	52.3	51.9

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design costs 58.3% less ($70 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 78.5 (GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design) vs 32.5 (Radeon R9 M390X) — the GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design offers 141.5% better value. The GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design is the newer GPU (2018 vs 2015).