GeForce GTX 780 vs Radeon R9 290 / 390

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 R9 290 / 390 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.4% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce GTX 780 offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.

Insight	GeForce GTX 780	Radeon R9 290 / 390
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.4%)	✅Leading raw performance (+2.4%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / Kepler (2012−2018))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / GCN 2.0 (2013−2017))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	✅ More VRAM (+50%)	❌ Less VRAM capacity
Efficiency	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt	Normal Efficiency
Case Fit	Standard Size (267mm)	Standard Size (275mm)

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 780 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 780 holds the technical lead. Priced at $35 (vs $65), it costs 46% less, resulting in a 81.3% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 780	Radeon R9 290 / 390
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+81.3%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($35)	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($65)

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 780 Benchmark Check

Radeon R9 290 / 390 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 780 and Radeon R9 290 / 390

GeForce GTX 780

The GeForce GTX 780 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 23 2013. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 863 MHz to 900 MHz. It has 2304 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 250W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 7,957 points. Launch price was $649.

Radeon R9 290 / 390

The Radeon R9 290 / 390 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in June 18 2015. It features the GCN 2.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1000 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 300W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 8,150 points. Launch price was $329.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 780 scores 7,957 and the Radeon R9 290 / 390 reaches 8,150 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.4% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 780 is built on Kepler while the Radeon R9 290 / 390 uses GCN 2.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 2,304 (GeForce GTX 780) vs 2,560 (Radeon R9 290 / 390). Raw compute: 4.156 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 780) vs 5.12 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 290 / 390). Boost clocks: 900 MHz vs 1000 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 780	Radeon R9 290 / 390
G3D Mark Score	7,957	8,150+2%
Architecture	Kepler	GCN 2.0
Process Node	28 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	2304	2560+11%
Compute (TFLOPS)	4.156 TFLOPS	5.12 TFLOPS+23%
Boost Clock	900 MHz	1000 MHz+11%
ROPs	48	64+33%
TMUs	192+20%	160
L1 Cache	192 KB	640 KB+233%
L2 Cache	1.5 MB+50%	1 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 780	Radeon R9 290 / 390
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 780 comes with 6 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon R9 290 / 390 has 4 GB. The GeForce GTX 780 offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 288 GB/s (GeForce GTX 780) vs 320 GB/s (Radeon R9 290 / 390) — a 11.1% advantage for the Radeon R9 290 / 390. Bus width: 384-bit vs 512-bit. L2 Cache: 1.5 MB (GeForce GTX 780) vs 1 MB (Radeon R9 290 / 390) — the GeForce GTX 780 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 780	Radeon R9 290 / 390
VRAM Capacity	6 GB+50%	4 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	288 GB/s	320 GB/s+11%
Bus Width	384-bit	512-bit+33%
L2 Cache	1.5 MB+50%	1 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 780) vs 12.0 (Radeon R9 290 / 390). Vulkan: 1.0 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 6.

Feature	GeForce GTX 780	Radeon R9 290 / 390
DirectX	12 (11_0)	12.0
Vulkan	1.0	1.2+20%
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	6+50%

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 1st Gen (GeForce GTX 780) vs VCE 2.0 (Radeon R9 290 / 390). Decoder: NVDEC 1st Gen vs UVD 4.2. Supported codecs: H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GeForce GTX 780) vs MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 (Radeon R9 290 / 390).

Feature	GeForce GTX 780	Radeon R9 290 / 390
Encoder	NVENC 1st Gen	VCE 2.0
Decoder	NVDEC 1st Gen	UVD 4.2
Codecs	H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1	MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 780 draws 250W versus the Radeon R9 290 / 390's 300W — a 18.2% difference. The GeForce GTX 780 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 600W (GeForce GTX 780) vs 750W (Radeon R9 290 / 390). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs 6-pin + 8-pin. Card length: 267mm vs 275mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80 vs 95°C.

Feature	GeForce GTX 780	Radeon R9 290 / 390
TDP	250W-17%	300W
Recommended PSU	600W-20%	750W
Power Connector	6-pin + 8-pin	6-pin + 8-pin
Length	267mm	275mm
Height	111mm	109mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	80-16%	95°C
Perf/Watt	31.8+17%	27.2

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 780 launched at $499 MSRP and currently averages $35, while the Radeon R9 290 / 390 launched at $329 and now averages $65. The GeForce GTX 780 costs 46.2% less ($30 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 227.3 (GeForce GTX 780) vs 125.4 (Radeon R9 290 / 390) — the GeForce GTX 780 offers 81.3% better value. The Radeon R9 290 / 390 is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2013).