Radeon R5 230 vs Radeon R3E

CPU

GPU

Radeon R5 230

2017Core: 730 MHzBoost: 1024 MHz

Radeon R3E

2019Core: 1082 MHzBoost: 1218 MHz

Performance Spectrum - GPU

Radeon R5 230

222

0.0%

Radeon HD 7290M

Mobility Radeon HD 4350

225

+1.4%

Radeon HD 7290M

Radeon HD 3650 AGP

Mobility Radeon HD 530v

Mobility Radeon HD 545v

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. The Radeon R5 230 is positioned at rank #500 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 R5 230

#490

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

2445%

#492

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

2217%

#493

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

2211%

#497

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

2010%

#498

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

1997%

#500

Radeon R5 230

MSRP: $50|Avg: $25

100%

#501

GeForce 9300 GE

MSRP: $23|Avg: $25

100%

#502

Mobility Radeon HD 5450

MSRP: $49|Avg: $15

98%

#503

Radeon HD 8650G + 8570M Dual

MSRP: $150|Avg: $30

98%

#504

Mobility Radeon HD 4850

MSRP: $199|Avg: $20

98%

#505

GeForce 800A

MSRP: $100|Avg: $30

98%

#506

Radeon HD 7520G + HD 8750M Dual

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

98%

#507

Radeon HD 8610G + HD 8500M Dual

MSRP: $150|Avg: $30

97%

#508

Radeon R7 M460

MSRP: $250|Avg: $250

96%

#509

Mobility Radeon HD 3870

MSRP: $129|Avg: $15

96%

#510

GeForce 9800 S

MSRP: $150|Avg: $40

95%

#511

Radeon HD 8650G + HD 7670M Dual

MSRP: $150|Avg: $40

95%

#512

Radeon HD 8650G + 8670M Dual

MSRP: $150|Avg: $30

95%

#513

Radeon HD 8510G + HD 8500M Dual

MSRP: $150|Avg: $30

95%

#514

Radeon HD 7660D

MSRP: $122|Avg: $15

95%

#515

Radeon HD 8650G + 8500M Dual

MSRP: $150|Avg: $30

94%

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 R3E uses modern memory architecture. The Radeon R3E likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The Radeon R5 230 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.

🚀 Performance Leadership

The Radeon R3E is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.4% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon R5 230.

Insight	Radeon R5 230	Radeon R3E
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.4%)	✅Leading raw performance (+1.4%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2017 / GCN 3.0 (2014−2019))	GCN 4.0 (2016−2020) (14nm)
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+0%)
Efficiency	Normal Efficiency	Normal Efficiency
Case Fit	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The Radeon R5 230 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $25 versus $49 for the Radeon R3E, it costs 49% less. While it maintains basic entry-level capabilities, this results in a 93.4% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	Radeon R5 230	Radeon R3E
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+93.4%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($25)	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($49)

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 R5 230 Benchmark Check

Radeon R3E Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

No prediction data available

Valorant

No prediction data available

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Radeon R5 230 and Radeon R3E

Radeon R5 230

The Radeon R5 230 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in April 18 2017. It features the GCN 3.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 730 MHz to 1024 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 50W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 222 points.

Radeon R3E

The Radeon R3E is manufactured by AMD. It was released in May 13 2019. It features the GCN 4.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1082 MHz to 1218 MHz. It has 512 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 50W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 225 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The Radeon R5 230 scores 222 and the Radeon R3E reaches 225 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.4% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon R5 230 is built on GCN 3.0 while the Radeon R3E uses GCN 4.0, both on 28 nm vs 14 nm. Shader units: 384 (Radeon R5 230) vs 512 (Radeon R3E). Raw compute: 0.7864 TFLOPS (Radeon R5 230) vs 1.247 TFLOPS (Radeon R3E). Boost clocks: 1024 MHz vs 1218 MHz.

Feature	Radeon R5 230	Radeon R3E
G3D Mark Score	222	225+1%
Architecture	GCN 3.0	GCN 4.0
Process Node	28 nm	14 nm
Shading Units	384	512+33%
Compute (TFLOPS)	0.7864 TFLOPS	1.247 TFLOPS+59%
Boost Clock	1024 MHz	1218 MHz+19%
ROPs	8	16+100%
TMUs	24	32+33%
L1 Cache	96 KB	128 KB+33%
L2 Cache	128 KB	512 KB+300%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	Radeon R5 230	Radeon R3E
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 512 MB of GDDR5. Bus width: 128-bit vs 64-bit. L2 Cache: 128 KB (Radeon R5 230) vs 512 KB (Radeon R3E) — the Radeon R3E has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	Radeon R5 230	Radeon R3E
VRAM Capacity	0.5 GB	0.5 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Bus Width	128-bit+100%	64-bit
L2 Cache	128 KB	512 KB+300%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 11.2 (Radeon R5 230) vs 12_0 (Radeon R3E). Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 0.

Feature	Radeon R5 230	Radeon R3E
DirectX	11.2	12_0+7%
Max Displays	2	0

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: UVD 2.2 (Radeon R5 230) vs VCE 2.0 (Radeon R3E). Decoder: UVD 2.2 vs UVD 4.2.

Feature	Radeon R5 230	Radeon R3E
Encoder	UVD 2.2	VCE 2.0
Decoder	UVD 2.2	UVD 4.2

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Radeon R5 230 draws 50W versus the Radeon R3E's 50W — a 0% difference. The Radeon R3E is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon R5 230) vs 350W (Radeon R3E). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 168mm vs 1mm, occupying 1 vs 0 slots.

Feature	Radeon R5 230	Radeon R3E
TDP	50W	50W
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	PCIe-powered
Length	168mm	1mm
Slots	1	0-100%
Perf/Watt	4.4	4.5+2%

💰

Value Analysis

The Radeon R5 230 launched at $50 MSRP and currently averages $25, while the Radeon R3E launched at $0 and now averages $49. The Radeon R5 230 costs 49% less ($24 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 8.9 (Radeon R5 230) vs 4.6 (Radeon R3E) — the Radeon R5 230 offers 93.5% better value. The Radeon R3E is the newer GPU (2019 vs 2017).