CPU
GPU
Radeon HD 6990M Crossfire
Popular choices:
GRID K520
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 6990M Crossfire is positioned at rank 479 and the GRID K520 is on rank 350, so the GRID K520 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 6990M Crossfire
Performance Per Dollar GRID K520
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GRID K520 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.5% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon HD 6990M Crossfire.
| Insight | Radeon HD 6990M Crossfire | GRID K520 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.5%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+0.5%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2011 / Terascale 2 (2009−2015)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / Kepler (2012−2018)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+0%) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | — | Standard Size (267mm) |
💎 Value Proposition
The GRID K520 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GRID K520 holds the technical lead. Priced at $50 (vs $150), it costs 67% less, resulting in a 201.4% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon HD 6990M Crossfire | GRID K520 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+201.4%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($150) | ✅More affordable ($50) |
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 6990M Crossfire and GRID K520
Radeon HD 6990M Crossfire
The Radeon HD 6990M Crossfire is manufactured by AMD. It was released in July 12 2011. It features the Terascale 2 architecture. The core clock speed is 715 MHz. It has 2240 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 50W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,500 points.
GRID K520
The GRID K520 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in July 23 2013. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock speed is 745 MHz. It has 1536 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 225W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,516 points. Launch price was $3,599.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon HD 6990M Crossfire scores 3,500 and the GRID K520 reaches 3,516 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.5% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon HD 6990M Crossfire is built on Terascale 2 while the GRID K520 uses Kepler, both on 40 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 2,240 (Radeon HD 6990M Crossfire) vs 1,536 (GRID K520).
| Feature | Radeon HD 6990M Crossfire | GRID K520 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 3,500 | 3,516 |
| Architecture | Terascale 2 | Kepler |
| Process Node | 40 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 2240+46% | 1536 ×2 |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon HD 6990M Crossfire | GRID K520 |
|---|---|---|
| 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)
Both cards feature 2 GB of GDDR5. Bus width: 128-bit vs 64-bit.
| Feature | Radeon HD 6990M Crossfire | GRID K520 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 2 GB | 2 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Bus Width | 128-bit+100% | 64-bit |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 11.0 (Radeon HD 6990M Crossfire) vs 12 (11_0) (GRID K520). Vulkan: N/A vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.4 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 6 vs 0.
| Feature | Radeon HD 6990M Crossfire | GRID K520 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 11.0 | 12 (11_0)+9% |
| Vulkan | N/A | 1.2 |
| OpenGL | 4.4 | 4.6+5% |
| Max Displays | 6 | 0 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: None (Radeon HD 6990M Crossfire) vs NVENC 1 (GRID K520). Decoder: UVD 3.0 vs NVDEC 1. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264,MPEG-4,MVC (Radeon HD 6990M Crossfire) vs H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GRID K520).
| Feature | Radeon HD 6990M Crossfire | GRID K520 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | None | NVENC 1 |
| Decoder | UVD 3.0 | NVDEC 1 |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264,MPEG-4,MVC | H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon HD 6990M Crossfire draws 50W versus the GRID K520's 225W — a 127.3% difference. The Radeon HD 6990M Crossfire is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon HD 6990M Crossfire) vs 350W (GRID K520). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 0mm vs 267mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 90 vs 75°C.
| Feature | Radeon HD 6990M Crossfire | GRID K520 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 50W-78% | 225W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | 1x 6-pin | PCIe-powered |
| Length | 0mm | 267mm |
| Height | 0mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 0-100% | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 90 | 75°C-17% |
| Perf/Watt | 70.0+349% | 15.6 |
Value Analysis
The Radeon HD 6990M Crossfire launched at $699 MSRP and currently averages $150, while the GRID K520 launched at $3599 and now averages $50. The GRID K520 costs 66.7% less ($100 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 23.3 (Radeon HD 6990M Crossfire) vs 70.3 (GRID K520) — the GRID K520 offers 201.7% better value. The GRID K520 is the newer GPU (2013 vs 2011).
| Feature | Radeon HD 6990M Crossfire | GRID K520 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $699-81% | $3599 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $150 | $50-67% |
| Performance per Dollar | 23.3 | 70.3+202% |
| Codename | Blackcomb XTX | GK104 |
| Release | July 12 2011 | July 23 2013 |
| Ranking | #517 | #540 |
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