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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, raw graphics performance, VRAM, feature set, power efficiency, pricing context, and long-term value so you can see which GPU actually makes more sense.

GeForce GTX 1650

2019

Why buy it

✅+294.6% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Costs $151 less on MSRP ($149 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
✅Delivers 694.6% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 52.8 vs 6.6 G3D/$ ($149 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
✅700% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (4 GB vs 512 MB).
✅Less risky long-term buy than Radeon R9 M385X: it remains the more sensible modern option while Radeon R9 M385X is already obsolete for modern gaming.

Trade-offs

❌Limited future-proofing: older hardware, 4 GB of VRAM, and weaker feature support mean it will age faster in upcoming AAA games.

Radeon R9 M385X

2015

Why buy it

✅Competitive enough if your priority is price, power, or specific feature preference.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (1,994 vs 7,869).
❌Less VRAM, with 512 MB vs 4 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Very weak future-proofing: 2015-era hardware with 512 MB of VRAM is already obsolete for modern gaming and is hard to recommend today.
❌
101.3% HIGHER MSRP
$300 MSRPvs$149 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 6.6 vs 52.8 G3D/$ ($300 MSRP vs $149 MSRP).

GeForce GTX 1650

2019

Radeon R9 M385X

2015

Why buy it

✅+294.6% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Costs $151 less on MSRP ($149 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
✅Delivers 694.6% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 52.8 vs 6.6 G3D/$ ($149 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
✅700% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (4 GB vs 512 MB).
✅Less risky long-term buy than Radeon R9 M385X: it remains the more sensible modern option while Radeon R9 M385X is already obsolete for modern gaming.

Why buy it

✅Competitive enough if your priority is price, power, or specific feature preference.

Trade-offs

❌Limited future-proofing: older hardware, 4 GB of VRAM, and weaker feature support mean it will age faster in upcoming AAA games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (1,994 vs 7,869).
❌Less VRAM, with 512 MB vs 4 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Very weak future-proofing: 2015-era hardware with 512 MB of VRAM is already obsolete for modern gaming and is hard to recommend today.
❌
101.3% HIGHER MSRP
$300 MSRPvs$149 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 6.6 vs 52.8 G3D/$ ($300 MSRP vs $149 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce GTX 1650 better than Radeon R9 M385X?

Yes. GeForce GTX 1650 is clearly the better overall GPU here. You are also looking at 7,869 vs 1,994 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce GTX 1650 is a 2019 card with no meaningful modern upscaling stack, while Radeon R9 M385X is a 2015 model from an older generation with FSR upscaling. So this is not really a tight same-tier comparison. It is more a modern card against an older, weaker alternative.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce GTX 1650 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2019 generation instead of 2015, 294.6% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 4 GB instead of 512 MB, and the stronger feature stack with no meaningful modern upscaling stack instead of FSR upscaling. That leaves it with more room for heavier textures, tougher ray tracing loads, and higher-end 1440p or 4K gaming over the next few years.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?

GeForce GTX 1650 is the smarter buy today, but it is not as lopsided as a simple winner label makes it sound. GeForce GTX 1650 is about $151 cheaper on MSRP at $149 MSRP versus $300 MSRP, and you are getting 294.6% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 694.6%. That is why the better overall card still comes out as the smarter buy today, not just the faster one.

Is Radeon R9 M385X still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

Yes. Radeon R9 M385X is still a strong modern gaming GPU: it is still comfortable for 1080p and decent for 1440p, though 4K is more situational. It remains a good buy when you can get it meaningfully cheaper than the alternative around $300 MSRP, even if GeForce GTX 1650 is still the cleaner recommendation on overall value today.

Games Benchmarks

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 9800X3D 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 1650 Benchmark Check

Radeon R9 M385X Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce GTX 1650	Radeon R9 M385X
1080p
low	94 FPS	36 FPS
medium	83 FPS	22 FPS
high	70 FPS	15 FPS
ultra	58 FPS	8 FPS
1440p
low	87 FPS	24 FPS
medium	74 FPS	14 FPS
high	60 FPS	7 FPS
ultra	50 FPS	4 FPS
4K
low	41 FPS	9 FPS
medium	39 FPS	6 FPS
high	27 FPS	4 FPS
ultra	24 FPS	3 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1650 Open Radeon R9 M385X

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce GTX 1650	Radeon R9 M385X
1080p
low	136 FPS	53 FPS
medium	113 FPS	29 FPS
high	94 FPS	21 FPS
ultra	71 FPS	14 FPS
1440p
low	79 FPS	26 FPS
medium	62 FPS	15 FPS
high	44 FPS	9 FPS
ultra	35 FPS	7 FPS
4K
low	36 FPS	7 FPS
medium	27 FPS	4 FPS
high	21 FPS	4 FPS
ultra	15 FPS	3 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1650 Open Radeon R9 M385X

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce GTX 1650	Radeon R9 M385X
1080p
low	323 FPS	90 FPS
medium	283 FPS	72 FPS
high	205 FPS	60 FPS
ultra	169 FPS	45 FPS
1440p
low	225 FPS	67 FPS
medium	202 FPS	54 FPS
high	151 FPS	45 FPS
ultra	117 FPS	34 FPS
4K
low	130 FPS	45 FPS
medium	117 FPS	36 FPS
high	79 FPS	30 FPS
ultra	50 FPS	22 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1650 Open Radeon R9 M385X

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce GTX 1650	Radeon R9 M385X
1080p
low	261 FPS	63 FPS
medium	211 FPS	52 FPS
high	191 FPS	39 FPS
ultra	166 FPS	32 FPS
1440p
low	201 FPS	37 FPS
medium	158 FPS	31 FPS
high	135 FPS	26 FPS
ultra	113 FPS	21 FPS
4K
low	99 FPS	25 FPS
medium	74 FPS	20 FPS
high	65 FPS	16 FPS
ultra	51 FPS	12 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1650 Open Radeon R9 M385X

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 1650 and Radeon R9 M385X

GeForce GTX 1650

The GeForce GTX 1650 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in April 23 2019. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 1485 MHz to 1665 MHz. It has 896 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 7,869 points. Launch price was $149.

Radeon R9 M385X

The Radeon R9 M385X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in May 5 2015. It features the GCN 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1000 MHz to 1100 MHz. It has 896 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,994 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1650 scores 7,869 versus the Radeon R9 M385X's 1,994 — the GeForce GTX 1650 leads by 294.6%. The GeForce GTX 1650 is built on Turing while the Radeon R9 M385X uses GCN 2.0, both on 12 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 896 (GeForce GTX 1650) vs 896 (Radeon R9 M385X). Raw compute: 2.984 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1650) vs 1.971 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 M385X). Boost clocks: 1665 MHz vs 1100 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1650	Radeon R9 M385X
G3D Mark Score	7,869+295%	1,994
Architecture	Turing	GCN 2.0
Process Node	12 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	896	896
Compute (TFLOPS)	2.984 TFLOPS+51%	1.971 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1665 MHz+51%	1100 MHz
ROPs	32+100%	16
TMUs	56	56
L1 Cache	896 KB+300%	224 KB
L2 Cache	1 MB+300%	0.25 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce GTX 1650 gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The Radeon R9 M385X relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1650	Radeon R9 M385X
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	FSR Upscaling / FSR 4
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	AMD Anti-Lag

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 1650 comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon R9 M385X has 512 MB. The GeForce GTX 1650 offers 700% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 1 MB (GeForce GTX 1650) vs 0.25 MB (Radeon R9 M385X) — the GeForce GTX 1650 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1650	Radeon R9 M385X
VRAM Capacity	4 GB+700%	0.5 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	128 GB/s	Unknown
Bus Width	128-bit	128-bit
L2 Cache	1 MB+300%	0.25 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (GeForce GTX 1650) vs 12 (12_0) (Radeon R9 M385X). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 3 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1650	Radeon R9 M385X
DirectX	12	12 (12_0)
Vulkan	1.4+17%	1.2
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	3	4+33%

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 5th gen (Volta) (GeForce GTX 1650) vs VCE 2.0 (Radeon R9 M385X). Decoder: NVDEC 4th gen vs UVD 4.2. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,VP8,VP9 (GeForce GTX 1650) vs H.264,MPEG-4,VC-1,MPEG-2 (Radeon R9 M385X).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1650	Radeon R9 M385X
Encoder	NVENC 5th gen (Volta)	VCE 2.0
Decoder	NVDEC 4th gen	UVD 4.2
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC,VP8,VP9	H.264,MPEG-4,VC-1,MPEG-2

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1650 draws 75W versus the Radeon R9 M385X's 75W — a 0% difference. The Radeon R9 M385X is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 300W (GeForce GTX 1650) vs 350W (Radeon R9 M385X). Power connectors: None vs Mobile. Card length: 229mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 70°C vs 85.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1650	Radeon R9 M385X
TDP	75W	75W
Recommended PSU	300W-14%	350W
Power Connector	None	Mobile
Length	229mm	0mm
Height	111mm	0mm
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	70°C-18%	85
Perf/Watt	104.9+294%	26.6

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 1650 launched at $149 MSRP, while the Radeon R9 M385X launched at $300. The GeForce GTX 1650 costs 50.3% less ($151 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 52.8 (GeForce GTX 1650) vs 6.6 (Radeon R9 M385X) — the GeForce GTX 1650 offers 700% better value. The GeForce GTX 1650 is the newer GPU (2019 vs 2015).