Radeon HD 8990 vs GeForce GTX 1050 3GB

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

⚠️ Generational Difference

The GeForce GTX 1050 3GB uses modern memory architecture. The GeForce GTX 1050 3GB likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The Radeon HD 8990 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.

🚀 Performance Leadership

The Radeon HD 8990 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.9% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 1050 3GB.

Insight	Radeon HD 8990	GeForce GTX 1050 3GB
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+1.9%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.9%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2018 / Pascal (2016−2021))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+0%)
Efficiency	⚡ Higher Power Consumption	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
Case Fit	—	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 1050 3GB offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $60 versus $999 for the Radeon HD 8990, it costs 94% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 1533.7% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	Radeon HD 8990	GeForce GTX 1050 3GB
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+1533.7%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($999)	✅More affordable ($60)

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 8990 Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 1050 3GB Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Radeon HD 8990 and GeForce GTX 1050 3GB

Radeon HD 8990

The Radeon HD 8990 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: 5,214 points. Launch price was $999.

GeForce GTX 1050 3GB

The GeForce GTX 1050 3GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 21 2018. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1392 MHz to 1518 MHz. It has 768 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,116 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The Radeon HD 8990 scores 5,214 and the GeForce GTX 1050 3GB reaches 5,116 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.9% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon HD 8990 is built on GCN 1.0 while the GeForce GTX 1050 3GB uses Pascal, both on 28 nm vs 14 nm. Shader units: 2,048 (Radeon HD 8990) vs 768 (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB). Raw compute: 4.096 TFLOPS ×2 (Radeon HD 8990) vs 2.332 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB). Boost clocks: 1000 MHz vs 1518 MHz.

Feature	Radeon HD 8990	GeForce GTX 1050 3GB
G3D Mark Score	5,214+2%	5,116
Architecture	GCN 1.0	Pascal
Process Node	28 nm	14 nm
Shading Units	2048 ×2+167%	768
Compute (TFLOPS)	4.096 TFLOPS ×2+76%	2.332 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1000 MHz	1518 MHz+52%
ROPs	32 ×2+33%	24
TMUs	128 ×2+167%	48
L1 Cache	512 KB+78%	288 KB
L2 Cache	768 KB	768 KB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	Radeon HD 8990	GeForce GTX 1050 3GB
Upscaling Tech	FSR 1.0 (Software)	FSR 2.1 (Compatible)
Frame Generation	Not Supported	FSR 3 (Compatible)
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	AMD Anti-Lag	Standard

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

Both cards feature 3 GB of GDDR5. Memory bandwidth: 288 GB/s x2 (Radeon HD 8990) vs 84 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB) — a 3331% advantage for the Radeon HD 8990. Bus width: 384-bit x2 vs 96-bit.

Feature	Radeon HD 8990	GeForce GTX 1050 3GB
VRAM Capacity	3 GB	3 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	288 GB/s x2+243%	84 GB/s
Bus Width	384-bit x2+300%	96-bit
L2 Cache	768 KB	768 KB

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Radeon HD 8990 draws 375W versus the GeForce GTX 1050 3GB's 75W — a 133.3% difference. The GeForce GTX 1050 3GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 750W (Radeon HD 8990) vs 300W (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB). Power connectors: 2x 8-pin vs None.

Feature	Radeon HD 8990	GeForce GTX 1050 3GB
TDP	375W	75W-80%
Recommended PSU	750W	300W-60%
Power Connector	2x 8-pin	None
Length	—	145mm
Height	—	111mm
Slots	—	2
Temp (Load)	—	65
Perf/Watt	13.9	68.2+391%

💰

Value Analysis

The Radeon HD 8990 launched at $999 MSRP and currently averages $999, while the GeForce GTX 1050 3GB launched at $129 and now averages $60. The GeForce GTX 1050 3GB costs 94% less ($939 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 5.2 (Radeon HD 8990) vs 85.3 (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB) — the GeForce GTX 1050 3GB offers 1540.4% better value. The GeForce GTX 1050 3GB is the newer GPU (2018 vs 2013).