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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, raw graphics performance, VRAM, feature set, power efficiency, pricing context, and long-term value so you can see which GPU actually makes more sense.

GeForce RTX 4070

2023

Why buy it

✅+348.6% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Costs $201 less on MSRP ($599 MSRP vs $800 MSRP).
✅Delivers 499.2% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 44.9 vs 7.5 G3D/$ ($599 MSRP vs $800 MSRP).
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 4 GB).

Trade-offs

❌30300% longer card at 304mm vs 1mm.

Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire

2014

Why buy it

✅Measures 1mm instead of 304mm, a 303mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (6,000 vs 26,919).
❌Less VRAM, with 4 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
❌Poor future-proofing: 2014-era hardware with 4 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.
❌
33.6% HIGHER MSRP
$800 MSRPvs$599 MSRP

GeForce RTX 4070

2023

Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire

2014

Why buy it

✅+348.6% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Costs $201 less on MSRP ($599 MSRP vs $800 MSRP).
✅Delivers 499.2% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 44.9 vs 7.5 G3D/$ ($599 MSRP vs $800 MSRP).
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 4 GB).

Why buy it

✅Measures 1mm instead of 304mm, a 303mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌30300% longer card at 304mm vs 1mm.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (6,000 vs 26,919).
❌Less VRAM, with 4 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
❌Poor future-proofing: 2014-era hardware with 4 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.
❌
33.6% HIGHER MSRP
$800 MSRPvs$599 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 4070 better than Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire?

Yes. GeForce RTX 4070 is clearly the better overall GPU here. You are also looking at 26,919 vs 6,000 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 4070 is a 2023 card with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation, while Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire is a 2014 model from an older generation with FSR upscaling. So this is not really a tight same-tier comparison. It is more a modern card against an older, weaker alternative.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce RTX 4070 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2023 generation instead of 2014, 348.6% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 12 GB instead of 4 GB, and better frame-generation support with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023) instead of FSR upscaling. That leaves it with more room for heavier textures, tougher ray tracing loads, and higher-end 1440p or 4K gaming over the next few years.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?

GeForce RTX 4070 is the smarter buy today, but it is not as lopsided as a simple winner label makes it sound. GeForce RTX 4070 is about $201 cheaper on MSRP at $599 MSRP versus $800 MSRP, and you are getting 348.6% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 499.2%. That is why the better overall card still comes out as the smarter buy today, not just the faster one.

Is Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

Yes. Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire is still a strong modern gaming GPU: it is still comfortable for 1080p and decent for 1440p, though 4K is more situational. It remains a good buy when you can get it meaningfully cheaper than the alternative around $800 MSRP, even if GeForce RTX 4070 is still the cleaner recommendation on overall value today.

Games Benchmarks

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 9800X3D 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 RTX 4070 Benchmark Check

Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 4070	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
1080p
low	183 FPS	38 FPS
medium	167 FPS	32 FPS
high	151 FPS	22 FPS
ultra	131 FPS	14 FPS
1440p
low	150 FPS	31 FPS
medium	124 FPS	24 FPS
high	110 FPS	15 FPS
ultra	101 FPS	9 FPS
4K
low	92 FPS	11 FPS
medium	78 FPS	9 FPS
high	65 FPS	6 FPS
ultra	58 FPS	5 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 4070 Open Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 4070	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
1080p
low	544 FPS	103 FPS
medium	454 FPS	74 FPS
high	353 FPS	53 FPS
ultra	299 FPS	35 FPS
1440p
low	351 FPS	56 FPS
medium	288 FPS	34 FPS
high	235 FPS	23 FPS
ultra	197 FPS	17 FPS
4K
low	172 FPS	20 FPS
medium	144 FPS	13 FPS
high	125 FPS	10 FPS
ultra	101 FPS	8 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 4070 Open Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 4070	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
1080p
low	884 FPS	270 FPS
medium	713 FPS	216 FPS
high	643 FPS	180 FPS
ultra	569 FPS	135 FPS
1440p
low	684 FPS	202 FPS
medium	549 FPS	162 FPS
high	483 FPS	135 FPS
ultra	424 FPS	101 FPS
4K
low	467 FPS	135 FPS
medium	373 FPS	108 FPS
high	326 FPS	90 FPS
ultra	277 FPS	68 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 4070 Open Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 4070	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
1080p
low	751 FPS	118 FPS
medium	612 FPS	92 FPS
high	536 FPS	63 FPS
ultra	497 FPS	42 FPS
1440p
low	615 FPS	72 FPS
medium	500 FPS	52 FPS
high	433 FPS	39 FPS
ultra	395 FPS	27 FPS
4K
low	384 FPS	38 FPS
medium	324 FPS	27 FPS
high	301 FPS	20 FPS
ultra	272 FPS	14 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 4070 Open Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 4070 and Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire

GeForce RTX 4070

The GeForce RTX 4070 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in April 12 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 1920 MHz to 2475 MHz. It has 5888 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 200W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 46 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 26,919 points. Launch price was $599.

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

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 4070 scores 26,919 versus the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire's 6,000 — the GeForce RTX 4070 leads by 348.6%. The GeForce RTX 4070 is built on Ada Lovelace while the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire uses GCN, both on 5 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 5,888 (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 2,560 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire). Boost clocks: 2475 MHz vs 900 MHz.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4070	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
G3D Mark Score	26,919+349%	6,000
Architecture	Ada Lovelace	GCN
Process Node	5 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	5888+130%	2560
Boost Clock	2475 MHz+175%	900 MHz

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

A critical advantage for the GeForce RTX 4070 is support for DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation. This allows it to generate entire frames using AI/Algorithms, essentially doubling the frame rate in CPU-bound scenarios or heavy ray-tracing titles. The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.The GeForce RTX 4070 gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4070	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution	FSR Upscaling / FSR 4
Frame Generation	DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	Yes (DLSS 3.5)	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	AMD Anti-Lag

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 4070 comes with 12 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire has 4 GB. The GeForce RTX 4070 offers 200% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 504 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 307.2 GB/s (Dual) (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) — a 64.1% advantage for the GeForce RTX 4070. Bus width: 192-bit vs 512-bit (Dual).

Feature	GeForce RTX 4070	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
VRAM Capacity	12 GB+200%	4 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6X	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	504 GB/s+64%	307.2 GB/s (Dual)
Bus Width	192-bit	512-bit (Dual)+167%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.2 (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 12 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire). Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 0.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4070	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
DirectX	12.2+2%	12
Max Displays	4	0

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: 8th Gen NVENC (2x) (GeForce RTX 4070) vs VCE 1.0 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire). Decoder: 5th Gen NVDEC vs UVD 3.1.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4070	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
Encoder	8th Gen NVENC (2x)	VCE 1.0
Decoder	5th Gen NVDEC	UVD 3.1
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1	—

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 4070 draws 200W versus the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire's 200W — a 0% difference. The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 650W (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 350W (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire). Power connectors: 8-pin vs Mobile. Card length: 304mm vs 1mm, occupying 3 vs 0 slots.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4070	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
TDP	200W	200W
Recommended PSU	650W	350W-46%
Power Connector	8-pin	Mobile
Length	304mm	1mm
Height	137mm	—
Slots	3	0-100%
Temp (Load)	80°C	—
Perf/Watt	134.6+349%	30.0

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 4070 launched at $599 MSRP, while the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire launched at $800. The GeForce RTX 4070 costs 25.1% less ($201 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 44.9 (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 7.5 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) — the GeForce RTX 4070 offers 498.7% better value. The GeForce RTX 4070 is the newer GPU (2023 vs 2014).