
GeForce GTX 770 vs Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire

GeForce GTX 770
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Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
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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 Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.7% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 770.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 770 | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.7%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+0.7%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / Kepler (2012−2018)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / GCN (2012−2015)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+0%) |
| Efficiency | Normal Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (267mm) | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GTX 770 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 770 holds the technical lead. Priced at $40 (vs $200), it costs 80% less, resulting in a 396.8% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 770 | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+396.8%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($40) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($200) |
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 770 and Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire

GeForce GTX 770
The GeForce GTX 770 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 30 2013. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 1046 MHz to 1085 MHz. It has 1536 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 230W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,961 points. Launch price was $399.

Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire is manufactured by AMD. It was released in March 1 2014. It features the GCN architecture. The core clock ranges from 850 MHz to 900 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 200W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 6,000 points.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GTX 770 scores 5,961 and the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire reaches 6,000 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.7% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 770 is built on Kepler while the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire uses GCN, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 1,536 (GeForce GTX 770) vs 2,560 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire). Boost clocks: 1085 MHz vs 900 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 770 | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 5,961 | 6,000 |
| Architecture | Kepler | GCN |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 1536 | 2560+67% |
| Boost Clock | 1085 MHz+21% | 900 MHz |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 770 | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| 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: 224 GB/s (GeForce GTX 770) vs 307.2 GB/s (Dual) (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) — a 37.1% advantage for the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire. Bus width: 256-bit vs 512-bit (Dual).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 770 | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 224 GB/s | 307.2 GB/s (Dual)+37% |
| Bus Width | 256-bit | 512-bit (Dual)+100% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12.0 (GeForce GTX 770) vs 12 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire). Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 0.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 770 | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12.0 | 12 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 0 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 1st gen (GeForce GTX 770) vs VCE 1.0 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire). Decoder: PureVideo VP5 vs UVD 3.1.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 770 | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 1st gen | VCE 1.0 |
| Decoder | PureVideo VP5 | UVD 3.1 |
| Codecs | H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 | — |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 770 draws 230W versus the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire's 200W — a 14% difference. The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 600W (GeForce GTX 770) vs 350W (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs Mobile. Card length: 267mm vs 1mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 770 | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 230W | 200W-13% |
| Recommended PSU | 600W | 350W-42% |
| Power Connector | 6-pin + 8-pin | Mobile |
| Length | 267mm | 1mm |
| Height | 111mm | — |
| Slots | 2 | 0-100% |
| Temp (Load) | 80°C | — |
| Perf/Watt | 25.9 | 30.0+16% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 770 launched at $399 MSRP and currently averages $40, while the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire launched at $800 and now averages $200. The GeForce GTX 770 costs 80% less ($160 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 149.0 (GeForce GTX 770) vs 30.0 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) — the GeForce GTX 770 offers 396.7% better value. The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire is the newer GPU (2014 vs 2013).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 770 | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $399-50% | $800 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $40-80% | $200 |
| Performance per Dollar | 149.0+397% | 30.0 |
| Codename | GK104 | Neptune CF |
| Release | May 30 2013 | March 1 2014 |
| Ranking | #398 | #348 |
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