CPU
GPU
Radeon HD 6290
Popular choices:
GeForce 6800
Popular choices:
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. The Radeon HD 6290 is positioned at rank 313 and the GeForce 6800 is on rank 726, so the Radeon HD 6290 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Radeon HD 6290
Performance Per Dollar GeForce 6800
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce 6800 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 7.6% higher G3D Mark score. However, the Radeon HD 6290 offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | Radeon HD 6290 | GeForce 6800 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-7.6%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+7.6%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2011 / TeraScale 3 (2010−2013)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Maxwell (2014−2017)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ✅ More VRAM (+100%) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | — | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce 6800 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce 6800 holds the technical lead. Priced at $50 (vs $50), it costs 0% less, resulting in a 7.6% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon HD 6290 | GeForce 6800 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+7.6%) |
| 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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Radeon HD 6290 and GeForce 6800
Radeon HD 6290
The Radeon HD 6290 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in March 8 2011. It features the TeraScale 3 architecture. The core clock speed is 830 MHz. It has 1536 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 375W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 105 points. Launch price was $699.
GeForce 6800
The GeForce 6800 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in July 22 2014. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 1082 MHz to 1150 MHz. It has 256 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 33W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 113 points.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the Radeon HD 6290 scores 105 versus the GeForce 6800's 113 — the GeForce 6800 leads by 7.6%. The Radeon HD 6290 is built on TeraScale 3 while the GeForce 6800 uses Maxwell, both on 40 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 1,536 (Radeon HD 6290) vs 256 (GeForce 6800). Raw compute: 2.55 TFLOPS ×2 (Radeon HD 6290) vs 0.5888 TFLOPS (GeForce 6800).
| Feature | Radeon HD 6290 | GeForce 6800 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 105 | 113+8% |
| Architecture | TeraScale 3 | Maxwell |
| Process Node | 40 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 1536 ×2+500% | 256 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 2.55 TFLOPS ×2+333% | 0.5888 TFLOPS |
| ROPs | 32 ×2+300% | 8 |
| TMUs | 96 ×2+500% | 16 |
| L1 Cache | 384 KB+200% | 128 KB |
| L2 Cache | 0.5 MB | 1 MB+100% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon HD 6290 | GeForce 6800 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | AMD Anti-Lag | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The Radeon HD 6290 comes with 512 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce 6800 has 256 MB. The Radeon HD 6290 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 0.5 MB (Radeon HD 6290) vs 1 MB (GeForce 6800) — the GeForce 6800 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | Radeon HD 6290 | GeForce 6800 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 0.5 GB+100% | 0.25 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 0.5 MB | 1 MB+100% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 11.2 (Radeon HD 6290) vs 9.0c (GeForce 6800). OpenGL: 4.4 vs 2.1. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.
| Feature | Radeon HD 6290 | GeForce 6800 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 11.2+24% | 9.0c |
| OpenGL | 4.4+110% | 2.1 |
| Max Displays | 2 | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Decoder: UVD 3 vs PureVideo (VP1). Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (Radeon HD 6290) vs MPEG-2,WMV (GeForce 6800).
| Feature | Radeon HD 6290 | GeForce 6800 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | — | None |
| Decoder | UVD 3 | PureVideo (VP1) |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 | MPEG-2,WMV |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon HD 6290 draws 375W versus the GeForce 6800's 33W — a 167.6% difference. The GeForce 6800 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon HD 6290) vs 350W (GeForce 6800). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs Legacy. Typical load temperature: 65°C vs 80.
| Feature | Radeon HD 6290 | GeForce 6800 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 375W | 33W-91% |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | 1x 6-pin | Legacy |
| Length | — | 198mm |
| Height | — | 111mm |
| Slots | — | 1 |
| Temp (Load) | 65°C-19% | 80 |
| Perf/Watt | 0.3 | 3.4+1033% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon HD 6290 launched at $50 MSRP and currently averages $50, while the GeForce 6800 launched at $299 and now averages $50. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 2.1 (Radeon HD 6290) vs 2.3 (GeForce 6800) — the GeForce 6800 offers 9.5% better value. The GeForce 6800 is the newer GPU (2014 vs 2011).
| Feature | Radeon HD 6290 | GeForce 6800 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $50-83% | $299 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $50 | $50 |
| Performance per Dollar | 2.1 | 2.3+10% |
| Codename | Antilles | GM108 |
| Release | March 8 2011 | July 22 2014 |
| Ranking | #583 | #832 |
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