GeForce GTX 680 vs Radeon HD 7990
GeForce GTX 680
Popular choices:
Radeon HD 7990
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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. 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
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GTX 680 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.8% higher G3D Mark score and 33.3% more VRAM (4 GB vs 3 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon HD 7990.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 680 | Radeon HD 7990 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+0.8%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.8%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / Kepler (2012−2018)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ✅ More VRAM (+33.3%) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (256mm) | Standard Size (305mm) |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GTX 680 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 680 holds the technical lead. Priced at $40 (vs $999), it costs 96% less, resulting in a 2416.8% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 680 | Radeon HD 7990 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+2416.8%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($40) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($999) |
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 GeForce GTX 680 and Radeon HD 7990
GeForce GTX 680
The GeForce GTX 680 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 22 2012. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 1006 MHz to 1058 MHz. It has 1536 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 195W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,609 points. Launch price was $499.
Radeon HD 7990
The Radeon HD 7990 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in April 24 2013. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 950 MHz to 1000 MHz. It has 2048 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 375W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,566 points. Launch price was $999.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GTX 680 scores 5,609 and the Radeon HD 7990 reaches 5,566 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.8% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 680 is built on Kepler while the Radeon HD 7990 uses GCN 1.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 1,536 (GeForce GTX 680) vs 2,048 (Radeon HD 7990). Raw compute: 3.25 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 680) vs 4.096 TFLOPS ×2 (Radeon HD 7990). Boost clocks: 1058 MHz vs 1000 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 680 | Radeon HD 7990 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 5,609 | 5,566 |
| Architecture | Kepler | GCN 1.0 |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 1536 | 2048 ×2+33% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 3.25 TFLOPS | 4.096 TFLOPS ×2+26% |
| Boost Clock | 1058 MHz+6% | 1000 MHz |
| ROPs | 32 | 32 ×2 |
| TMUs | 128 | 128 ×2 |
| L1 Cache | 128 KB | 512 KB+300% |
| L2 Cache | 512 KB | 768 KB+50% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 680 | Radeon HD 7990 |
|---|---|---|
| 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)
The GeForce GTX 680 comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon HD 7990 has 3 GB. The GeForce GTX 680 offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 192.2 GB/s (GeForce GTX 680) vs 288 GB/s x2 (Radeon HD 7990) — a 1399.5% advantage for the Radeon HD 7990. Bus width: 256-bit vs 384-bit x2. L2 Cache: 512 KB (GeForce GTX 680) vs 768 KB (Radeon HD 7990) — the Radeon HD 7990 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 680 | Radeon HD 7990 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB+33% | 3 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 192.2 GB/s | 288 GB/s x2+50% |
| Bus Width | 256-bit | 384-bit x2+50% |
| L2 Cache | 512 KB | 768 KB+50% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (FL 11_0) (GeForce GTX 680) vs 12 (11_1) (Radeon HD 7990). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 5.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 680 | Radeon HD 7990 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (FL 11_0) | 12 (11_1) |
| Vulkan | 1.1 | 1.2+9% |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 5+25% |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 1st gen (GeForce GTX 680) vs VCE 1.0 (Radeon HD 7990). Decoder: PureVideo VP5 vs UVD 3.2. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 680) vs H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (Radeon HD 7990).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 680 | Radeon HD 7990 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 1st gen | VCE 1.0 |
| Decoder | PureVideo VP5 | UVD 3.2 |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 | H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 680 draws 195W versus the Radeon HD 7990's 375W — a 63.2% difference. The GeForce GTX 680 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce GTX 680) vs 750W (Radeon HD 7990). Power connectors: 2x 6-pin vs 2x 8-pin. Card length: 256mm vs 305mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 98°C vs 85.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 680 | Radeon HD 7990 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 195W-48% | 375W |
| Recommended PSU | 550W-27% | 750W |
| Power Connector | 2x 6-pin | 2x 8-pin |
| Length | 256mm | 305mm |
| Height | 111mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 98°C | 85-13% |
| Perf/Watt | 28.8+95% | 14.8 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 680 launched at $499 MSRP and currently averages $40, while the Radeon HD 7990 launched at $999 and now averages $999. The GeForce GTX 680 costs 96% less ($959 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 140.2 (GeForce GTX 680) vs 5.6 (Radeon HD 7990) — the GeForce GTX 680 offers 2403.6% better value. The Radeon HD 7990 is the newer GPU (2013 vs 2012).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 680 | Radeon HD 7990 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $499-50% | $999 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $40-96% | $999 |
| Performance per Dollar | 140.2+2404% | 5.6 |
| Codename | GK104 | Malta |
| Release | March 22 2012 | April 24 2013 |
| Ranking | #410 | #412 |
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
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