Radeon R9 290X / 390X vs Radeon R9 295X2
Radeon R9 290X / 390X
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Radeon R9 295X2
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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 295X2 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 4.2% 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 290X / 390X.
| Insight | Radeon R9 290X / 390X | Radeon R9 295X2 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-4.2%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+4.2%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / GCN 2.0 (2013−2017)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / GCN 2.0 (2013−2017)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+100%) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (275mm) | Standard Size (307mm) |
💎 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 $200), it costs 70% less, resulting in a 219.8% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon R9 290X / 390X | Radeon R9 295X2 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+219.8%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($60) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($200) |
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 Radeon R9 295X2
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.
Radeon R9 295X2
The Radeon R9 295X2 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in April 29 2014. It features the GCN 2.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1018 MHz. It has 2816 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 500W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 8,734 points. Launch price was $1,499.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon R9 290X / 390X scores 8,380 and the Radeon R9 295X2 reaches 8,734 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 4.2% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon R9 290X / 390X is built on GCN 2.0 while the Radeon R9 295X2 uses GCN 2.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 2,816 (Radeon R9 290X / 390X) vs 2,816 (Radeon R9 295X2). Raw compute: 5.914 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 290X / 390X) vs 5.733 TFLOPS ×2 (Radeon R9 295X2). Boost clocks: 1050 MHz vs 1018 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X / 390X | Radeon R9 295X2 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 8,380 | 8,734+4% |
| Architecture | GCN 2.0 | GCN 2.0 |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 2816 | 2816 ×2 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 5.914 TFLOPS+3% | 5.733 TFLOPS ×2 |
| Boost Clock | 1050 MHz+3% | 1018 MHz |
| ROPs | 64 | 64 ×2 |
| TMUs | 176 | 176 ×2 |
| L1 Cache | 704 KB | 704 KB |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 1 MB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X / 390X | Radeon R9 295X2 |
|---|---|---|
| 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)
The Radeon R9 290X / 390X comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon R9 295X2 has 8 GB. The Radeon R9 295X2 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 320 GB/s (Radeon R9 290X / 390X) vs 320 GB/s x2 (Radeon R9 295X2) — a 900.6% advantage for the Radeon R9 295X2. Bus width: 512-bit vs 512-bit x2.
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X / 390X | Radeon R9 295X2 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 8 GB+100% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 320 GB/s | 320 GB/s x2 |
| Bus Width | 512-bit | 512-bit x2 |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 1 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12.0 (Radeon R9 290X / 390X) vs 12.0 (Radeon R9 295X2). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.1. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 6 vs 6.
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X / 390X | Radeon R9 295X2 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Vulkan | 1.1 | 1.1 |
| OpenGL | 4.6+7% | 4.3 |
| Max Displays | 6 | 6 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: VCE 2.0 (Radeon R9 290X / 390X) vs VCE 2.0 (Radeon R9 295X2). Decoder: UVD 4.2 vs UVD 4.2. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 (Radeon R9 290X / 390X) vs MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 (Radeon R9 295X2).
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X / 390X | Radeon R9 295X2 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 290X / 390X draws 275W versus the Radeon R9 295X2's 500W — a 58.1% difference. The Radeon R9 290X / 390X is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 750W (Radeon R9 290X / 390X) vs 1000W (Radeon R9 295X2). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs 2x 8-pin. Card length: 275mm vs 307mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 95°C vs 65°C.
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X / 390X | Radeon R9 295X2 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 275W-45% | 500W |
| Recommended PSU | 750W-25% | 1000W |
| Power Connector | 6-pin + 8-pin | 2x 8-pin |
| Length | 275mm | 307mm |
| Height | 109mm | 114mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 95°C | 65°C-32% |
| Perf/Watt | 30.5+74% | 17.5 |
Value Analysis
The Radeon R9 290X / 390X launched at $549 MSRP and currently averages $60, while the Radeon R9 295X2 launched at $1499 and now averages $200. The Radeon R9 290X / 390X costs 70% less ($140 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 139.7 (Radeon R9 290X / 390X) vs 43.7 (Radeon R9 295X2) — the Radeon R9 290X / 390X offers 219.7% better value. The Radeon R9 290X / 390X is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2014).
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X / 390X | Radeon R9 295X2 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $549-63% | $1499 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $60-70% | $200 |
| Performance per Dollar | 139.7+220% | 43.7 |
| Codename | Grenada | Vesuvius |
| Release | June 18 2015 | April 29 2014 |
| Ranking | #287 | #303 |
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