Radeon R9 290 / 390 vs GeForce RTX 4060
Radeon R9 290 / 390
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GeForce RTX 4060
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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 GeForce RTX 4060
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 4060 is significantly newer (2023 vs 2015). The GeForce RTX 4060 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 GeForce RTX 4060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 139.9% 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 | GeForce RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-139.9%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+139.9%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / GCN 2.0 (2013−2017)) | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) / 5nm) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | 🎮 High Capacity (8 GB) |
| 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 $299 for the GeForce RTX 4060, it costs 78% less. While it maintains significantly lower raw performance, this results in a 91.8% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon R9 290 / 390 | GeForce RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+91.8%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($65) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($299) |
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 GeForce RTX 4060
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.
GeForce RTX 4060
The GeForce RTX 4060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 18 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 1830 MHz to 2460 MHz. It has 3072 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 115W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 24 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 19,548 points. Launch price was $299.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the Radeon R9 290 / 390 scores 8,150 versus the GeForce RTX 4060's 19,548 — the GeForce RTX 4060 leads by 139.9%. The Radeon R9 290 / 390 is built on GCN 2.0 while the GeForce RTX 4060 uses Ada Lovelace, both on 28 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (Radeon R9 290 / 390) vs 3,072 (GeForce RTX 4060). Raw compute: 5.12 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 290 / 390) vs 15.11 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4060). Boost clocks: 1000 MHz vs 2460 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon R9 290 / 390 | GeForce RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 8,150 | 19,548+140% |
| Architecture | GCN 2.0 | Ada Lovelace |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 5 nm |
| Shading Units | 2560 | 3072+20% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 5.12 TFLOPS | 15.11 TFLOPS+195% |
| Boost Clock | 1000 MHz | 2460 MHz+146% |
| ROPs | 64+33% | 48 |
| TMUs | 160+67% | 96 |
| L1 Cache | 0.63 MB | 3 MB+376% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 24 MB+2300% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
A critical advantage for the GeForce RTX 4060 is support for DLSS 3 Frame Gen. This allows it to generate entire frames using AI/Algorithms, essentially doubling the frame rate in CPU-bound scenarios or heavy ray-tracing titles. The Radeon R9 290 / 390 lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.
| Feature | Radeon R9 290 / 390 | GeForce RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | DLSS 3.5 |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | DLSS 3.0 (Native) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | Yes (DLSS 3.5) |
| Low Latency | AMD Anti-Lag | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The Radeon R9 290 / 390 comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 4060 has 8 GB. The GeForce RTX 4060 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 320 GB/s (Radeon R9 290 / 390) vs 272 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4060) — a 17.6% advantage for the Radeon R9 290 / 390. Bus width: 512-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 1 MB (Radeon R9 290 / 390) vs 24 MB (GeForce RTX 4060) — the GeForce RTX 4060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | Radeon R9 290 / 390 | GeForce RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 8 GB+100% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 320 GB/s+18% | 272 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 512-bit+300% | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 24 MB+2300% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12.0 (Radeon R9 290 / 390) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 4060). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 6 vs 4.
| Feature | Radeon R9 290 / 390 | GeForce RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12.0 | 12 Ultimate |
| 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 NVENC 8th gen (GeForce RTX 4060). Decoder: UVD 4.2 vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 (Radeon R9 290 / 390) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4060).
| Feature | Radeon R9 290 / 390 | GeForce RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | VCE 2.0 | NVENC 8th gen |
| Decoder | UVD 4.2 | NVDEC 5th gen |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon R9 290 / 390 draws 300W versus the GeForce RTX 4060's 115W — a 89.2% difference. The GeForce RTX 4060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 750W (Radeon R9 290 / 390) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 4060). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 275mm vs 240mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 95°C vs 73°C.
| Feature | Radeon R9 290 / 390 | GeForce RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 300W | 115W-62% |
| Recommended PSU | 750W | 550W-27% |
| Power Connector | 6-pin + 8-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 275mm | 240mm |
| Height | 109mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 95°C | 73°C-23% |
| Perf/Watt | 27.2 | 170.0+525% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon R9 290 / 390 launched at $329 MSRP and currently averages $65, while the GeForce RTX 4060 launched at $299 and now averages $299. The Radeon R9 290 / 390 costs 78.3% less ($234 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 125.4 (Radeon R9 290 / 390) vs 65.4 (GeForce RTX 4060) — the Radeon R9 290 / 390 offers 91.7% better value. The GeForce RTX 4060 is the newer GPU (2023 vs 2015).
| Feature | Radeon R9 290 / 390 | GeForce RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $329 | $299-9% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $65-78% | $299 |
| Performance per Dollar | 125.4+92% | 65.4 |
| Codename | Grenada | AD107 |
| Release | June 18 2015 | May 18 2023 |
| Ranking | #296 | #84 |
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The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
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