GeForce GTX 690 vs Radeon HD 7990

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.

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

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The Radeon HD 7990 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.5% higher G3D Mark score and 50% more VRAM (3 GB vs 2 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 690.

Insight	GeForce GTX 690	Radeon HD 7990
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.5%)	✅Leading raw performance (+0.5%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / Kepler (2012−2018))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+50%)
Efficiency	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt	⚡ Higher Power Consumption
Case Fit	Standard Size (279mm)	Standard Size (305mm)

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 690 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 690 holds the technical lead. Priced at $45 (vs $999), it costs 95% less, resulting in a 2108% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 690	Radeon HD 7990
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+2108%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($45)	⚠️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.

GeForce GTX 690 Benchmark Check

Radeon HD 7990 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 690 and Radeon HD 7990

GeForce GTX 690

The GeForce GTX 690 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 3 2012. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 915 MHz to 1019 MHz. It has 3072 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 300W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,536 points. Launch price was $999.

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.

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Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 690 scores 5,536 and the Radeon HD 7990 reaches 5,566 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.5% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 690 is built on Kepler while the Radeon HD 7990 uses GCN 1.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 3,072 (GeForce GTX 690) vs 2,048 (Radeon HD 7990). Raw compute: 3.13 TFLOPS ×2 (GeForce GTX 690) vs 4.096 TFLOPS ×2 (Radeon HD 7990). Boost clocks: 1019 MHz vs 1000 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 690	Radeon HD 7990
G3D Mark Score	5,536	5,566
Architecture	Kepler	GCN 1.0
Process Node	28 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	3072 ×2+50%	2048 ×2
Compute (TFLOPS)	3.13 TFLOPS ×2	4.096 TFLOPS ×2+31%
Boost Clock	1019 MHz+2%	1000 MHz
ROPs	32 ×2	32 ×2
TMUs	128 ×2	128 ×2
L1 Cache	128 KB	512 KB+300%
L2 Cache	512 KB	768 KB+50%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 690	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 690 comes with 2 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon HD 7990 has 3 GB. The Radeon HD 7990 offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 192.2 GB/s x2 (GeForce GTX 690) vs 288 GB/s x2 (Radeon HD 7990) — a 1399.3% advantage for the Radeon HD 7990. Bus width: 256-bit x2 vs 384-bit x2. L2 Cache: 512 KB (GeForce GTX 690) vs 768 KB (Radeon HD 7990) — the Radeon HD 7990 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 690	Radeon HD 7990
VRAM Capacity	2 GB	3 GB+50%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	192.2 GB/s x2	288 GB/s x2+50%
Bus Width	256-bit x2	384-bit x2+50%
L2 Cache	512 KB	768 KB+50%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12_0 (GeForce GTX 690) vs 12 (11_1) (Radeon HD 7990). Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 5.

Feature	GeForce GTX 690	Radeon HD 7990
DirectX	12_0	12 (11_1)
Max Displays	4	5+25%

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 1st Gen (GeForce GTX 690) vs VCE 1.0 (Radeon HD 7990). Decoder: VP5 vs UVD 3.2.

Feature	GeForce GTX 690	Radeon HD 7990
Encoder	NVENC 1st Gen	VCE 1.0
Decoder	VP5	UVD 3.2
Codecs	—	H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 690 draws 300W versus the Radeon HD 7990's 375W — a 22.2% difference. The GeForce GTX 690 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 650W (GeForce GTX 690) vs 750W (Radeon HD 7990). Power connectors: 2x 8-pin vs 2x 8-pin. Card length: 279mm vs 305mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots.

Feature	GeForce GTX 690	Radeon HD 7990
TDP	300W-20%	375W
Recommended PSU	650W-13%	750W
Power Connector	2x 8-pin	2x 8-pin
Length	279mm	305mm
Height	—	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	—	85
Perf/Watt	18.5+25%	14.8

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 690 launched at $999 MSRP and currently averages $45, while the Radeon HD 7990 launched at $999 and now averages $999. The GeForce GTX 690 costs 95.5% less ($954 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 123.0 (GeForce GTX 690) vs 5.6 (Radeon HD 7990) — the GeForce GTX 690 offers 2096.4% better value. The Radeon HD 7990 is the newer GPU (2013 vs 2012).