Radeon R9 290X / 390X vs GeForce GTX TITAN Z
Radeon R9 290X / 390X
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GeForce GTX TITAN Z
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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 GeForce GTX TITAN Z is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 5.1% higher G3D Mark score and 200% more VRAM (12 GB vs 4 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon R9 290X / 390X.
| Insight | Radeon R9 290X / 390X | GeForce GTX TITAN Z |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-5.1%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+5.1%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / GCN 2.0 (2013−2017)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Kepler (2012−2018)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+200%) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (275mm) | Standard Size (267mm) |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon R9 290X / 390X offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Radeon R9 290X / 390X holds the technical lead. Priced at $60 (vs $400), it costs 85% less, resulting in a 534.1% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon R9 290X / 390X | GeForce GTX TITAN Z |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+534.1%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($60) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($400) |
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 290X / 390X and GeForce GTX TITAN Z
Radeon R9 290X / 390X
The Radeon R9 290X / 390X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in June 18 2015. It features the GCN 2.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1050 MHz. It has 2816 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 275W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 8,380 points. Launch price was $429.
GeForce GTX TITAN Z
The GeForce GTX TITAN Z is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 28 2014. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 705 MHz to 876 MHz. It has 5760 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 375W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 8,811 points. Launch price was $2,999.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the Radeon R9 290X / 390X scores 8,380 versus the GeForce GTX TITAN Z's 8,811 — the GeForce GTX TITAN Z leads by 5.1%. The Radeon R9 290X / 390X is built on GCN 2.0 while the GeForce GTX TITAN Z uses Kepler, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 2,816 (Radeon R9 290X / 390X) vs 5,760 (GeForce GTX TITAN Z). Raw compute: 5.914 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 290X / 390X) vs 5.046 TFLOPS ×2 (GeForce GTX TITAN Z). Boost clocks: 1050 MHz vs 876 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X / 390X | GeForce GTX TITAN Z |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 8,380 | 8,811+5% |
| Architecture | GCN 2.0 | Kepler |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 2816 | 5760 ×2+105% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 5.914 TFLOPS+17% | 5.046 TFLOPS ×2 |
| Boost Clock | 1050 MHz+20% | 876 MHz |
| ROPs | 64+33% | 48 ×2 |
| TMUs | 176 | 240 ×2+36% |
| L1 Cache | 704 KB+193% | 240 KB |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 1.5 MB+50% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X / 390X | GeForce GTX TITAN Z |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | FSR 3 (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | AMD Anti-Lag | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The Radeon R9 290X / 390X comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX TITAN Z has 12 GB. The GeForce GTX TITAN Z offers 200% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 320 GB/s (Radeon R9 290X / 390X) vs 336 GB/s x2 (GeForce GTX TITAN Z) — a 950.6% advantage for the GeForce GTX TITAN Z. Bus width: 512-bit vs 384-bit x2. L2 Cache: 1 MB (Radeon R9 290X / 390X) vs 1.5 MB (GeForce GTX TITAN Z) — the GeForce GTX TITAN Z has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X / 390X | GeForce GTX TITAN Z |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 12 GB+200% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 320 GB/s | 336 GB/s x2+5% |
| Bus Width | 512-bit+33% | 384-bit x2 |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 1.5 MB+50% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12.0 (Radeon R9 290X / 390X) vs 12 (GeForce GTX TITAN Z). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.0. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 6 vs 4.
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X / 390X | GeForce GTX TITAN Z |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12.0 | 12 |
| Vulkan | 1.1+10% | 1.0 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 6+50% | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: VCE 2.0 (Radeon R9 290X / 390X) vs NVENC 1st gen (GeForce GTX TITAN Z). Decoder: UVD 4.2 vs NVDEC 1st gen. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 (Radeon R9 290X / 390X) vs H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GeForce GTX TITAN Z).
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X / 390X | GeForce GTX TITAN Z |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | VCE 2.0 | NVENC 1st gen |
| Decoder | UVD 4.2 | NVDEC 1st gen |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 | H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon R9 290X / 390X draws 275W versus the GeForce GTX TITAN Z's 375W — a 30.8% difference. The Radeon R9 290X / 390X is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 750W (Radeon R9 290X / 390X) vs 700W (GeForce GTX TITAN Z). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs 2x 8-pin. Card length: 275mm vs 267mm, occupying 2 vs 3 slots. Typical load temperature: 95°C vs 80°C.
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X / 390X | GeForce GTX TITAN Z |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 275W-27% | 375W |
| Recommended PSU | 750W | 700W-7% |
| Power Connector | 6-pin + 8-pin | 2x 8-pin |
| Length | 275mm | 267mm |
| Height | 109mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 2-33% | 3 |
| Temp (Load) | 95°C | 80°C-16% |
| Perf/Watt | 30.5+30% | 23.5 |
Value Analysis
The Radeon R9 290X / 390X launched at $549 MSRP and currently averages $60, while the GeForce GTX TITAN Z launched at $2999 and now averages $400. The Radeon R9 290X / 390X costs 85% less ($340 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 139.7 (Radeon R9 290X / 390X) vs 22.0 (GeForce GTX TITAN Z) — the Radeon R9 290X / 390X offers 535% better value. The Radeon R9 290X / 390X is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2014).
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X / 390X | GeForce GTX TITAN Z |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $549-82% | $2999 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $60-85% | $400 |
| Performance per Dollar | 139.7+535% | 22.0 |
| Codename | Grenada | GK110B |
| Release | June 18 2015 | May 28 2014 |
| Ranking | #287 | #300 |
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