GeForce GTX 680M vs Radeon R9 M290X
GeForce GTX 680M
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Radeon R9 M290X
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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. The GeForce GTX 680M is positioned at rank 105 and the Radeon R9 M290X is on rank 399, so the GeForce GTX 680M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GTX 680M
Performance Per Dollar Radeon R9 M290X
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GTX 680M is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.8% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon R9 M290X.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 680M | Radeon R9 M290X |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.8%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.8%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / Kepler (2012−2018)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)) |
| 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 680M offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 680M holds the technical lead. Priced at $50 (vs $60), it costs 17% less, resulting in a 22.2% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 680M | Radeon R9 M290X |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+22.2%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($50) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($60) |
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 680M and Radeon R9 M290X
GeForce GTX 680M
The GeForce GTX 680M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in June 4 2012. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 719 MHz to 758 MHz. It has 1344 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 100W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,277 points. Launch price was $310.50.
Radeon R9 M290X
The Radeon R9 M290X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in January 9 2014. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 850 MHz to 900 MHz. It has 1280 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 100W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,218 points.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GTX 680M scores 3,277 and the Radeon R9 M290X reaches 3,218 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.8% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 680M is built on Kepler while the Radeon R9 M290X uses GCN 1.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 1,344 (GeForce GTX 680M) vs 1,280 (Radeon R9 M290X). Raw compute: 2.038 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 680M) vs 2.304 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 M290X). Boost clocks: 758 MHz vs 900 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 680M | Radeon R9 M290X |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 3,277+2% | 3,218 |
| Architecture | Kepler | GCN 1.0 |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 1344+5% | 1280 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 2.038 TFLOPS | 2.304 TFLOPS+13% |
| Boost Clock | 758 MHz | 900 MHz+19% |
| ROPs | 32 | 32 |
| TMUs | 112+40% | 80 |
| L1 Cache | 112 KB | 320 KB+186% |
| L2 Cache | 512 KB | 512 KB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 680M | Radeon R9 M290X |
|---|---|---|
| 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. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 680M | Radeon R9 M290X |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 512 KB | 512 KB |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 680M draws 100W versus the Radeon R9 M290X's 100W — a 0% difference. The Radeon R9 M290X is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 680M) vs 350W (Radeon R9 M290X). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs Mobile.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 680M | Radeon R9 M290X |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 100W | 100W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | 1x 6-pin | Mobile |
| Slots | 0 | — |
| Temp (Load) | 81°C | — |
| Perf/Watt | 32.8+2% | 32.2 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 680M costs 16.7% less ($10 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 65.5 (GeForce GTX 680M) vs 53.6 (Radeon R9 M290X) — the GeForce GTX 680M offers 22.2% better value. The Radeon R9 M290X is the newer GPU (2014 vs 2012).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 680M | Radeon R9 M290X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | $400 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $50-17% | $60 |
| Performance per Dollar | 65.5+22% | 53.6 |
| Codename | GK104 | Neptune |
| Release | June 4 2012 | January 9 2014 |
| Ranking | #561 | #566 |
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
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