Radeon R9 290 vs Radeon R9 290X
Radeon R9 290
Popular choices:
Radeon R9 290X
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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
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% 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.
| Insight | Radeon R9 290 | Radeon R9 290X |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-3%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+3%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / 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 | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (275mm) | Standard Size (275mm) |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon R9 290 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Radeon R9 290 holds the technical lead. Priced at $50 (vs $60), it costs 17% less, resulting in a 16.6% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon R9 290 | Radeon R9 290X |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+16.6%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($50) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Radeon R9 290 and Radeon R9 290X
Radeon R9 290
The Radeon R9 290 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in November 5 2013. It features the GCN 2.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 947 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 275W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 8,184 points. Launch price was $399.
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 scores 8,184 and the Radeon R9 290X reaches 8,426 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 3% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon R9 290 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) vs 2,816 (Radeon R9 290X). Raw compute: 4.849 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 290) vs 5.632 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 290X).
| Feature | Radeon R9 290 | Radeon R9 290X |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 8,184 | 8,426+3% |
| Architecture | GCN 2.0 | GCN 2.0 |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 2560 | 2816+10% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 4.849 TFLOPS | 5.632 TFLOPS+16% |
| 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 | 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 | 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) 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 | 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) 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) vs MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 (Radeon R9 290X).
| Feature | Radeon R9 290 | 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 draws 275W versus the Radeon R9 290X's 350W — a 24% difference. The Radeon R9 290 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 750W (Radeon R9 290) 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 | Radeon R9 290X |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 275W-21% | 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 | 29.8+24% | 24.1 |
Value Analysis
The Radeon R9 290 launched at $399 MSRP and currently averages $50, while the Radeon R9 290X launched at $549 and now averages $60. The Radeon R9 290 costs 16.7% less ($10 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 163.7 (Radeon R9 290) vs 140.4 (Radeon R9 290X) — the Radeon R9 290 offers 16.6% better value.
| Feature | Radeon R9 290 | Radeon R9 290X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $399-27% | $549 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $50-17% | $60 |
| Performance per Dollar | 163.7+17% | 140.4 |
| Codename | Hawaii | Hawaii |
| Release | November 5 2013 | October 24 2013 |
| Ranking | #316 | #342 |
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