Radeon R9 290 / 390 vs Radeon RX590 GME
Radeon R9 290 / 390
Popular choices:
Radeon RX590 GME
Popular choices:
Performance Spectrum - GPU
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. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Per Dollar Radeon RX590 GME
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The Radeon RX590 GME uses modern memory architecture. The Radeon RX590 GME 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 RX590 GME is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.4% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (8 GB vs 4 GB). 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 RX590 GME |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.4%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+2.4%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / GCN 2.0 (2013−2017)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2018 / GCN 4.0 (2016−2020)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+100%) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (275mm) | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon R9 290 / 390 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $65 versus $115 for the Radeon RX590 GME, it costs 43% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 72.7% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon R9 290 / 390 | Radeon RX590 GME |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+72.7%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($65) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($115) |
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Radeon R9 290 / 390 and Radeon RX590 GME
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 RX590 GME
The Radeon RX590 GME is manufactured by AMD. It was released in November 15 2018. It features the GCN 4.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1469 MHz to 1545 MHz. It has 2304 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 175W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 8,349 points. Launch price was $279.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon R9 290 / 390 scores 8,150 and the Radeon RX590 GME reaches 8,349 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.4% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon R9 290 / 390 is built on GCN 2.0 while the Radeon RX590 GME uses GCN 4.0, both on 28 nm vs 12 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (Radeon R9 290 / 390) vs 2,304 (Radeon RX590 GME). Raw compute: 5.12 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 290 / 390) vs 7.119 TFLOPS (Radeon RX590 GME). Boost clocks: 1000 MHz vs 1545 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon R9 290 / 390 | Radeon RX590 GME |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 8,150 | 8,349+2% |
| Architecture | GCN 2.0 | GCN 4.0 |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 12 nm |
| Shading Units | 2560+11% | 2304 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 5.12 TFLOPS | 7.119 TFLOPS+39% |
| Boost Clock | 1000 MHz | 1545 MHz+55% |
| ROPs | 64+100% | 32 |
| TMUs | 160+11% | 144 |
| L1 Cache | 640 KB+11% | 576 KB |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 2 MB+100% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon R9 290 / 390 | Radeon RX590 GME |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | FSR 2.1 |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | FSR 3 (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | AMD Anti-Lag | AMD Anti-Lag |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The Radeon R9 290 / 390 comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon RX590 GME has 8 GB. The Radeon RX590 GME offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 512-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 1 MB (Radeon R9 290 / 390) vs 2 MB (Radeon RX590 GME) — the Radeon RX590 GME has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | Radeon R9 290 / 390 | Radeon RX590 GME |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 8 GB+100% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Bus Width | 512-bit+300% | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 2 MB+100% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12.0 (Radeon R9 290 / 390) vs 12.0 (Radeon RX590 GME). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 6 vs 4.
| Feature | Radeon R9 290 / 390 | Radeon RX590 GME |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Vulkan | 1.2 | 1.3+8% |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 6+50% | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: VCE 2.0 (Radeon R9 290 / 390) vs VCE 3.4 (Radeon RX590 GME). Decoder: UVD 4.2 vs UVD 6.3. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 (Radeon R9 290 / 390) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (Radeon RX590 GME).
| Feature | Radeon R9 290 / 390 | Radeon RX590 GME |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | VCE 2.0 | VCE 3.4 |
| Decoder | UVD 4.2 | UVD 6.3 |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon R9 290 / 390 draws 300W versus the Radeon RX590 GME's 175W — a 52.6% difference. The Radeon RX590 GME is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 750W (Radeon R9 290 / 390) vs 500W (Radeon RX590 GME). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 275mm vs 241mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 95°C vs 80°C.
| Feature | Radeon R9 290 / 390 | Radeon RX590 GME |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 300W | 175W-42% |
| Recommended PSU | 750W | 500W-33% |
| Power Connector | 6-pin + 8-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 275mm | 241mm |
| Height | 109mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 95°C | 80°C-16% |
| Perf/Watt | 27.2 | 47.7+75% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon R9 290 / 390 launched at $329 MSRP and currently averages $65, while the Radeon RX590 GME launched at $173 and now averages $115. The Radeon R9 290 / 390 costs 43.5% less ($50 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 125.4 (Radeon R9 290 / 390) vs 72.6 (Radeon RX590 GME) — the Radeon R9 290 / 390 offers 72.7% better value. The Radeon RX590 GME is the newer GPU (2018 vs 2015).
| Feature | Radeon R9 290 / 390 | Radeon RX590 GME |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $329 | $173-47% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $65-43% | $115 |
| Performance per Dollar | 125.4+73% | 72.6 |
| Codename | Grenada | Polaris 30 |
| Release | June 18 2015 | November 15 2018 |
| Ranking | #296 | #285 |
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar GPU comparisons based on Radeon R9 290 / 390 and Radeon RX590 GME
