Radeon R9 290 / 390 vs Radeon R9 290X

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 R9 290X is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 3.4% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon R9 290 / 390.

Insight	Radeon R9 290 / 390	Radeon R9 290X
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-3.4%)	✅Leading raw performance (+3.4%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / GCN 2.0 (2013−2017))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / GCN 2.0 (2013−2017))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+0%)
Efficiency	Normal Efficiency	Normal Efficiency
Case Fit	Standard Size (275mm)	Standard Size (275mm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Radeon R9 290X offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Radeon R9 290X holds the technical lead. Priced at $60 (vs $65), it costs 8% less, resulting in a 12% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	Radeon R9 290 / 390	Radeon R9 290X
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+12%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($65)	✅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 R9 290 / 390 Benchmark Check

Radeon R9 290X Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

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

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.

Radeon R9 290X

The Radeon R9 290X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in October 24 2013. It features the GCN 2.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 947 MHz. It has 2816 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 350W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 8,426 points. Launch price was $549.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The Radeon R9 290 / 390 scores 8,150 and the Radeon R9 290X reaches 8,426 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 3.4% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon R9 290 / 390 is built on GCN 2.0 while the Radeon R9 290X uses GCN 2.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 2,560 (Radeon R9 290 / 390) vs 2,816 (Radeon R9 290X). Raw compute: 5.12 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 290 / 390) vs 5.632 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 290X). Boost clocks: 1000 MHz vs 947 MHz.

Feature	Radeon R9 290 / 390	Radeon R9 290X
G3D Mark Score	8,150	8,426+3%
Architecture	GCN 2.0	GCN 2.0
Process Node	28 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	2560	2816+10%
Compute (TFLOPS)	5.12 TFLOPS	5.632 TFLOPS+10%
Boost Clock	1000 MHz+6%	947 MHz
ROPs	64	64
TMUs	160	176+10%
L1 Cache	640 KB	704 KB+10%
L2 Cache	1 MB	1 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	Radeon R9 290 / 390	Radeon R9 290X
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 GDDR5. Bus width: 512-bit vs 512-bit.

Feature	Radeon R9 290 / 390	Radeon R9 290X
VRAM Capacity	4 GB	4 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	320 GB/s	320 GB/s
Bus Width	512-bit	512-bit
L2 Cache	1 MB	1 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

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

Feature	Radeon R9 290 / 390	Radeon R9 290X
DirectX	12.0	12.0
Vulkan	1.2+9%	1.1
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	6	6

🎬

Media & Encoding

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

Feature	Radeon R9 290 / 390	Radeon R9 290X
Encoder	VCE 2.0	VCE 2.0
Decoder	UVD 4.2	UVD 4.2
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1	MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Radeon R9 290 / 390 draws 300W versus the Radeon R9 290X's 350W — a 15.4% difference. The Radeon R9 290 / 390 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 750W (Radeon R9 290 / 390) vs 750W (Radeon R9 290X). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs 6-pin + 8-pin. Card length: 275mm vs 275mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 95°C vs 95°C.

Feature	Radeon R9 290 / 390	Radeon R9 290X
TDP	300W-14%	350W
Recommended PSU	750W	750W
Power Connector	6-pin + 8-pin	6-pin + 8-pin
Length	275mm	275mm
Height	109mm	109mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	95°C	95°C
Perf/Watt	27.2+13%	24.1

💰

Value Analysis

The Radeon R9 290 / 390 launched at $329 MSRP and currently averages $65, while the Radeon R9 290X launched at $549 and now averages $60. The Radeon R9 290X costs 7.7% less ($5 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 125.4 (Radeon R9 290 / 390) vs 140.4 (Radeon R9 290X) — the Radeon R9 290X offers 12% better value. The Radeon R9 290 / 390 is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2013).