Radeon HD 7990 vs Radeon R9 280

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

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The Radeon HD 7990 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.6% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon R9 280.

Insight	Radeon HD 7990	Radeon R9 280
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+0.6%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.6%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+0%)
Efficiency	⚡ Higher Power Consumption	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
Case Fit	Standard Size (305mm)	—

💎 Value Proposition

The Radeon R9 280 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Radeon R9 280 holds the technical lead. Priced at $40 (vs $999), it costs 96% less, resulting in a 2382.2% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	Radeon HD 7990	Radeon R9 280
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+2382.2%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($999)	✅More affordable ($40)

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.

Radeon HD 7990 Benchmark Check

Radeon R9 280 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Radeon HD 7990 and Radeon R9 280

Radeon HD 7990

The Radeon HD 7990 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in April 24 2013. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 950 MHz to 1000 MHz. It has 2048 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 375W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,566 points. Launch price was $999.

Radeon R9 280

The Radeon R9 280 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in March 4 2014. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 933 MHz. It has 1792 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 200W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,532 points. Launch price was $279.

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Graphics Performance

The Radeon HD 7990 scores 5,566 and the Radeon R9 280 reaches 5,532 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.6% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon HD 7990 is built on GCN 1.0 while the Radeon R9 280 uses GCN 1.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 2,048 (Radeon HD 7990) vs 1,792 (Radeon R9 280). Raw compute: 4.096 TFLOPS ×2 (Radeon HD 7990) vs 3.344 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 280). Boost clocks: 1000 MHz vs 933 MHz.

Feature	Radeon HD 7990	Radeon R9 280
G3D Mark Score	5,566	5,532
Architecture	GCN 1.0	GCN 1.0
Process Node	28 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	2048 ×2+14%	1792
Compute (TFLOPS)	4.096 TFLOPS ×2+22%	3.344 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1000 MHz+7%	933 MHz
ROPs	32 ×2	32
TMUs	128 ×2+14%	112
L1 Cache	512 KB+14%	448 KB
L2 Cache	768 KB	768 KB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	Radeon HD 7990	Radeon R9 280
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	AMD Anti-Lag

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

Both cards feature 3 GB of GDDR5. Memory bandwidth: 288 GB/s x2 (Radeon HD 7990) vs 240 GB/s (Radeon R9 280) — a 1100.8% advantage for the Radeon HD 7990. Bus width: 384-bit x2 vs 384-bit.

Feature	Radeon HD 7990	Radeon R9 280
VRAM Capacity	3 GB	3 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	288 GB/s x2+20%	240 GB/s
Bus Width	384-bit x2	384-bit
L2 Cache	768 KB	768 KB

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Radeon HD 7990 draws 375W versus the Radeon R9 280's 200W — a 60.9% difference. The Radeon R9 280 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 750W (Radeon HD 7990) vs 500W (Radeon R9 280). Power connectors: 2x 8-pin vs 6-pin + 8-pin.

Feature	Radeon HD 7990	Radeon R9 280
TDP	375W	200W-47%
Recommended PSU	750W	500W-33%
Power Connector	2x 8-pin	6-pin + 8-pin
Length	305mm	—
Height	111mm	—
Slots	2	—
Temp (Load)	85	—
Perf/Watt	14.8	27.7+87%

💰

Value Analysis

The Radeon HD 7990 launched at $999 MSRP and currently averages $999, while the Radeon R9 280 launched at $279 and now averages $40. The Radeon R9 280 costs 96% less ($959 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 5.6 (Radeon HD 7990) vs 138.3 (Radeon R9 280) — the Radeon R9 280 offers 2369.6% better value. The Radeon R9 280 is the newer GPU (2014 vs 2013).