GeForce GTX 960 vs Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire

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 Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire

#398

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

1448%

#400

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

1312%

#401

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

1309%

#405

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

1190%

#406

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

1182%

#408

Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire

MSRP: $800|Avg: $200

100%

#409

GeForce GTX 285M SLI

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $40

98%

#410

Radeon R7 M260X

MSRP: $139|Avg: $35

97%

#411

Radeon HD 8570D + HD 6570 Dual

MSRP: $120|Avg: $25

96%

#412

Intel UHD Graphics 615

MSRP: $100|Avg: $50

96%

#413

Radeon R7 A365

MSRP: $109|Avg: $55

96%

#414

Radeon 3015e

MSRP: $49|Avg: $49

95%

#415

Radeon HD 7620G

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

95%

#416

Radeon R9 M390X

MSRP: $550|Avg: $120

94%

#417

Arc 8-Core iGPU

MSRP: $503|Avg: $400

93%

#418

Mobility Radeon HD 4670

MSRP: $67|Avg: $20

92%

#419

Radeon HD 8570D + HD 8570 Dual

MSRP: $150|Avg: $15

92%

#420

Radeon R9 M385

MSRP: $300|Avg: $60

92%

#421

Radeon R5 235

MSRP: $49|Avg: $49

91%

#422

Radeon R9 M375X

MSRP: $250|Avg: $50

91%

#423

Radeon HD 6620G

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

91%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce GTX 960 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.2% 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 Crossfire.

Insight	GeForce GTX 960	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+2.2%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.2%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / GCN (2012−2015))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+0%)
Efficiency	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt	⚡ Higher Power Consumption
Case Fit	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 960 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 960 holds the technical lead. Priced at $45 (vs $200), it costs 78% less, resulting in a 354.3% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 960	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+354.3%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($45)	⚠️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.

GeForce GTX 960 Benchmark Check

Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 960 and Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire

GeForce GTX 960

The GeForce GTX 960 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 22 2015. It features the Maxwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1127 MHz to 1178 MHz. It has 1024 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 100W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 6,133 points. Launch price was $199.

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 960 scores 6,133 and the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire reaches 6,000 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.2% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 960 is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire uses GCN, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 1,024 (GeForce GTX 960) vs 2,560 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire). Boost clocks: 1178 MHz vs 900 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 960	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
G3D Mark Score	6,133+2%	6,000
Architecture	Maxwell 2.0	GCN
Process Node	28 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	1024	2560+150%
Boost Clock	1178 MHz+31%	900 MHz

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 960	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: 112 GB/s (GeForce GTX 960) vs 307.2 GB/s (Dual) (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) — a 174.3% advantage for the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire. Bus width: 128-bit vs 512-bit (Dual).

Feature	GeForce GTX 960	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
VRAM Capacity	4 GB	4 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	112 GB/s	307.2 GB/s (Dual)+174%
Bus Width	128-bit	512-bit (Dual)+300%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (12_1) (GeForce GTX 960) vs 12 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire). Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 0.

Feature	GeForce GTX 960	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
DirectX	12 (12_1)	12
Max Displays	4	0

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce GTX 960) vs VCE 1.0 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire). Decoder: NVDEC (2nd Gen) vs UVD 3.1.

Feature	GeForce GTX 960	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
Encoder	NVENC (5th Gen)	VCE 1.0
Decoder	NVDEC (2nd Gen)	UVD 3.1
Codecs	HEVC,H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,VP8	—

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 960 draws 100W versus the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire's 200W — a 66.7% difference. The GeForce GTX 960 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 960) vs 350W (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire). Power connectors: 6-pin vs Mobile. Card length: 241mm vs 1mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots.

Feature	GeForce GTX 960	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
TDP	100W-50%	200W
Recommended PSU	400W	350W-13%
Power Connector	6-pin	Mobile
Length	241mm	1mm
Height	111mm	—
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	75 C	—
Perf/Watt	61.3+104%	30.0

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 960 launched at $199 MSRP and currently averages $45, while the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire launched at $800 and now averages $200. The GeForce GTX 960 costs 77.5% less ($155 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 136.3 (GeForce GTX 960) vs 30.0 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) — the GeForce GTX 960 offers 354.3% better value. The GeForce GTX 960 is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2014).

Feature	GeForce GTX 960	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
MSRP	$199-75%	$800
Avg Price (30d)	$45-78%	$200
Performance per Dollar	136.3+354%	30.0
Codename	GM206	Neptune CF
Release	January 22 2015	March 1 2014
Ranking	#393	#348