Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3 vs Radeon R9 M385X

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. The Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3 is positioned at rank 572 and the Radeon R9 M385X is on rank 429, so the Radeon R9 M385X offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

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

Performance Per Dollar Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3

#562

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

3341%

#564

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

3028%

#565

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

3020%

#569

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

2746%

#570

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

2728%

#572

Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3

MSRP: $599|Avg: $300

100%

#573

GeForce 9400 GT

MSRP: $59|Avg: $20

100%

#574

Radeon HD 8610G + HD 8600M Dual

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

99%

#575

GeForce 240M GT

MSRP: $100|Avg: $5

98%

#576

Radeon HD 8450G + HD 8670M Dual

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

98%

#577

GeForce 310

MSRP: $45|Avg: $5

98%

#578

Radeon HD 7640G + HD 8570M Dual

MSRP: $150|Avg: $40

98%

#579

Radeon R5 M320

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

98%

#580

GeForce 9600 GT

MSRP: $149|Avg: $20

98%

#581

Radeon HD 7620G + HD 8600M Dual

MSRP: $140|Avg: $30

97%

#582

Radeon HD 8650G + 8600M Dual

MSRP: $200|Avg: $50

94%

#583

Mobility Radeon HD 4570

MSRP: $49|Avg: $15

94%

#584

Radeon Vega 10

MSRP: $499|Avg: $100

94%

#585

Radeon HD 8450G + HD 8600M Dual

MSRP: $150|Avg: $35

93%

#586

Radeon R7 M440

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

92%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar Radeon R9 M385X

#419

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

1633%

#421

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

1480%

#422

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

1476%

#426

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

1342%

#427

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

1333%

#429

Radeon R9 M385X

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

100%

#431

Radeon R5 M430

MSRP: $99|Avg: $20

99%

#432

Mobility Radeon HD 5570

MSRP: $80|Avg: $20

99%

#433

GeForce 810A

MSRP: $100|Avg: $20

98%

#434

GeForce GT 520MX

MSRP: $45|Avg: $10

97%

#435

Radeon R5 330

MSRP: $81|Avg: $45

97%

#437

Radeon HD 8450G + 8750M Dual

MSRP: $100|Avg: $100

96%

#438

Radeon R3

MSRP: $50|Avg: $50

94%

#439

Radeon HD 7520G + HD 8600/8700M Dual

MSRP: $100|Avg: $100

94%

#441

Radeon HD 8550G + 8600M Dual

MSRP: $100|Avg: $100

93%

#443

Radeon R9 M360

MSRP: $300|Avg: $81

91%

#444

Radeon HD 8550G + 7600M Dual

MSRP: $150|Avg: $50

90%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

⚠️ Generational Difference

The Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3 uses modern memory architecture. The Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The Radeon R9 M385X lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.

🚀 Performance Leadership

The Radeon R9 M385X is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.4% higher G3D Mark score and 100+% more VRAM (512 MB vs 0 MB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3.

Insight	Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3	Radeon R9 M385X
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.4%)	✅Leading raw performance (+2.4%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2018 / Legacy)	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / GCN 2.0 (2013−2017))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+100+%)
Efficiency	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt	⚡ Higher Power Consumption
Case Fit	—	—

💎 Value Proposition

The Radeon R9 M385X offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Although it costs $300 (vs $300), its significant performance lead justifies the premium, offering 2.4% better value per dollar than the Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3.

Insight	Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3	Radeon R9 M385X
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+2.4%)
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

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.

Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3 Benchmark Check

Radeon R9 M385X Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3 and Radeon R9 M385X

Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3

The Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3 is manufactured by Qualcomm. It was released in December 6 2018. The thermal design power (TDP) is 7W. Manufactured using 7 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,947 points.

Radeon R9 M385X

The Radeon R9 M385X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in May 5 2015. It features the GCN 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1000 MHz to 1100 MHz. It has 896 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,994 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3 scores 1,947 and the Radeon R9 M385X reaches 1,994 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.4% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance.

Feature	Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3	Radeon R9 M385X
G3D Mark Score	1,947	1,994+2%
Process Node	7 nm	28 nm

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3	Radeon R9 M385X
Upscaling Tech	FSR 1.0 (Software)	FSR 1.0 (Software)
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	Standard	AMD Anti-Lag

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3 comes with 0 MB of VRAM, while the Radeon R9 M385X has 512 MB. The Radeon R9 M385X offers 100+% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: System vs 128-bit.

Feature	Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3	Radeon R9 M385X
VRAM Capacity	Shared System RAM	0.5 GB
Memory Type	Shared	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	Unknown
Bus Width	System	128-bit

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3 draws 7W versus the Radeon R9 M385X's 75W — a 165.9% difference. The Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 1W (Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3) vs 350W (Radeon R9 M385X). Power connectors: Integrated vs Mobile.

Feature	Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3	Radeon R9 M385X
TDP	7W-91%	75W
Recommended PSU	1W-100%	350W
Power Connector	Integrated	Mobile
Length	—	0mm
Height	—	0mm
Slots	—	0
Temp (Load)	—	85
Perf/Watt	278.1+945%	26.6

💰

Value Analysis

The Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3 launched at $599 MSRP and currently averages $300, while the Radeon R9 M385X launched at $300 and now averages $300. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 6.5 (Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3) vs 6.6 (Radeon R9 M385X) — the Radeon R9 M385X offers 1.5% better value. The Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3 is the newer GPU (2018 vs 2015).