Radeon Pro V520 vs Radeon R9 290 / 390

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. The Radeon Pro V520 is positioned at rank #139 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. 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 Radeon Pro V520

#70

Radeon PRO W6800

MSRP: $2249|Avg: $2249

90%

#124

Tesla K20m

MSRP: $3199|Avg: $55

1477%

#139

Radeon Pro V520

MSRP: $800|Avg: $300

100%

#140

Quadro T1000 (móvel)

MSRP: $500|Avg: $120

100%

#141

Quadro M5500

MSRP: $800|Avg: $200

99%

#142

Quadro K1200

MSRP: $300|Avg: $184

99%

#143

Quadro P400

MSRP: $169|Avg: $60

98%

#144

Radeon Pro WX 7100

MSRP: $799|Avg: $180

96%

#145

Quadro M520

MSRP: $200|Avg: $50

96%

#146

Radeon Sky 500

MSRP: $500|Avg: $500

95%

#147

Quadro M5000

MSRP: $999|Avg: $120

94%

#148

Radeon Pro WX 4100

MSRP: $399|Avg: $85

92%

#149

Quadro P4000 (móvel)

MSRP: $819|Avg: $290

92%

#151

FirePro M40003

MSRP: $150|Avg: $72

91%

#152

Radeon Pro 465

MSRP: $500|Avg: $150

91%

#154

Tesla P4

MSRP: $1000|Avg: $190

90%

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 Radeon Pro V520 uses modern memory architecture. The Radeon Pro V520 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The Radeon R9 290 / 390 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.

🚀 Performance Leadership

The Radeon R9 290 / 390 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 Radeon Pro V520.

Insight	Radeon Pro V520	Radeon R9 290 / 390
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.9%)	✅Leading raw performance (+1.9%)
Longevity	RDNA 1.0 (2019−2020) (7nm)	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / GCN 2.0 (2013−2017))
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)	Standard Size (275mm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Radeon R9 290 / 390 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $65 versus $300 for the Radeon Pro V520, it costs 78% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 370.2% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	Radeon Pro V520	Radeon R9 290 / 390
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+370.2%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($300)	✅More affordable ($65)

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 Pro V520 Benchmark Check

Radeon R9 290 / 390 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Radeon Pro V520 and Radeon R9 290 / 390

Radeon Pro V520

The Radeon Pro V520 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in December 1 2020. It features the RDNA 1.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1000 MHz to 1600 MHz. It has 2304 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 225W. Manufactured using 7 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 8,000 points.

Radeon R9 290 / 390

The Radeon R9 290 / 390 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in June 18 2015. It features the GCN 2.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1000 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 300W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 8,150 points. Launch price was $329.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The Radeon Pro V520 scores 8,000 and the Radeon R9 290 / 390 reaches 8,150 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.9% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon Pro V520 is built on RDNA 1.0 while the Radeon R9 290 / 390 uses GCN 2.0, both on 7 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 2,304 (Radeon Pro V520) vs 2,560 (Radeon R9 290 / 390). Raw compute: 7.373 TFLOPS (Radeon Pro V520) vs 5.12 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 290 / 390). Boost clocks: 1600 MHz vs 1000 MHz.

Feature	Radeon Pro V520	Radeon R9 290 / 390
G3D Mark Score	8,000	8,150+2%
Architecture	RDNA 1.0	GCN 2.0
Process Node	7 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	2304	2560+11%
Compute (TFLOPS)	7.373 TFLOPS+44%	5.12 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1600 MHz+60%	1000 MHz
ROPs	64	64
TMUs	144	160+11%
L2 Cache	4 MB+300%	1 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	Radeon Pro V520	Radeon R9 290 / 390
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 4 GB of video memory. Bus width: 128-bit vs 512-bit. L2 Cache: 4 MB (Radeon Pro V520) vs 1 MB (Radeon R9 290 / 390) — the Radeon Pro V520 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	Radeon Pro V520	Radeon R9 290 / 390
VRAM Capacity	4 GB	4 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR5
Bus Width	128-bit	512-bit+300%
L2 Cache	4 MB+300%	1 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.1 (Radeon Pro V520) vs 12.0 (Radeon R9 290 / 390). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 0 vs 6.

Feature	Radeon Pro V520	Radeon R9 290 / 390
DirectX	12.1	12.0
Vulkan	1.1	1.2+9%
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	0	6

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: VCN 2.0 (Radeon Pro V520) vs VCE 2.0 (Radeon R9 290 / 390). Decoder: VCN 2.0 vs UVD 4.2. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265,VP9 (Radeon Pro V520) vs MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 (Radeon R9 290 / 390).

Feature	Radeon Pro V520	Radeon R9 290 / 390
Encoder	VCN 2.0	VCE 2.0
Decoder	VCN 2.0	UVD 4.2
Codecs	H.264,H.265,VP9	MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Radeon Pro V520 draws 225W versus the Radeon R9 290 / 390's 300W — a 28.6% difference. The Radeon Pro V520 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon Pro V520) vs 750W (Radeon R9 290 / 390). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 6-pin + 8-pin. Card length: 267mm vs 275mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 95°C.

Feature	Radeon Pro V520	Radeon R9 290 / 390
TDP	225W-25%	300W
Recommended PSU	350W-53%	750W
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	6-pin + 8-pin
Length	267mm	275mm
Height	111mm	109mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	85°C-11%	95°C
Perf/Watt	35.6+31%	27.2

💰

Value Analysis

The Radeon Pro V520 launched at $800 MSRP and currently averages $300, while the Radeon R9 290 / 390 launched at $329 and now averages $65. The Radeon R9 290 / 390 costs 78.3% less ($235 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 26.7 (Radeon Pro V520) vs 125.4 (Radeon R9 290 / 390) — the Radeon R9 290 / 390 offers 369.7% better value. The Radeon Pro V520 is the newer GPU (2020 vs 2015).