Radeon R9 290X vs GeForce RTX 2060
Radeon R9 290X
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GeForce RTX 2060
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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
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 2060 is significantly newer (2019 vs 2013). The GeForce RTX 2060 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The Radeon R9 290X lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 2060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 67.5% higher G3D Mark score and 50% more VRAM (6 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.
| Insight | Radeon R9 290X | GeForce RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-67.5%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+67.5%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / GCN 2.0 (2013−2017)) | Turing (2018−2022) (12nm) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | 🎮 High Capacity (6 GB) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (275mm) | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon R9 290X offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $60 versus $120 for the GeForce RTX 2060, it costs 50% less. While it maintains lower overall performance, this results in a 19.4% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon R9 290X | GeForce RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+19.4%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($60) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($120) |
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 and GeForce RTX 2060
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.
GeForce RTX 2060
The GeForce RTX 2060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 7 2019. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 1365 MHz to 1680 MHz. It has 1920 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 160W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. It features 30 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 14,114 points. Launch price was $349.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the Radeon R9 290X scores 8,426 versus the GeForce RTX 2060's 14,114 — the GeForce RTX 2060 leads by 67.5%. The Radeon R9 290X is built on GCN 2.0 while the GeForce RTX 2060 uses Turing, both on 28 nm vs 12 nm. Shader units: 2,816 (Radeon R9 290X) vs 1,920 (GeForce RTX 2060). Raw compute: 5.632 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 290X) vs 6.451 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 2060). Boost clocks: 947 MHz vs 1680 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X | GeForce RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 8,426 | 14,114+68% |
| Architecture | GCN 2.0 | Turing |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 12 nm |
| Shading Units | 2816+47% | 1920 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 5.632 TFLOPS | 6.451 TFLOPS+15% |
| Boost Clock | 947 MHz | 1680 MHz+77% |
| ROPs | 64+33% | 48 |
| TMUs | 176+47% | 120 |
| L1 Cache | 0.69 MB | 1.9 MB+175% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 3 MB+200% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X | GeForce RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | DLSS 2.0 |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | AMD Anti-Lag | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The Radeon R9 290X comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 2060 has 6 GB. The GeForce RTX 2060 offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 320 GB/s (Radeon R9 290X) vs 336 GB/s (GeForce RTX 2060) — a 5% advantage for the GeForce RTX 2060. Bus width: 512-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 1 MB (Radeon R9 290X) vs 3 MB (GeForce RTX 2060) — the GeForce RTX 2060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X | GeForce RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 6 GB+50% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 320 GB/s | 336 GB/s+5% |
| Bus Width | 512-bit+167% | 192-bit |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 3 MB+200% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12.0 (Radeon R9 290X) vs 12 Ultimate (12_2) (GeForce RTX 2060). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 6 vs 4.
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X | GeForce RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12.0 | 12 Ultimate (12_2) |
| Vulkan | 1.1 | 1.3+18% |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 6+50% | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: VCE 2.0 (Radeon R9 290X) vs NVENC (Turing) (GeForce RTX 2060). Decoder: UVD 4.2 vs NVDEC (Turing). Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 (Radeon R9 290X) vs H.264,H.265,VP9,VP8,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GeForce RTX 2060).
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X | GeForce RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | VCE 2.0 | NVENC (Turing) |
| Decoder | UVD 4.2 | NVDEC (Turing) |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 | H.264,H.265,VP9,VP8,MPEG-2,VC-1 |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon R9 290X draws 350W versus the GeForce RTX 2060's 160W — a 74.5% difference. The GeForce RTX 2060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 750W (Radeon R9 290X) vs 500W (GeForce RTX 2060). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 275mm vs 229mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 95°C vs 72.
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X | GeForce RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 350W | 160W-54% |
| Recommended PSU | 750W | 500W-33% |
| Power Connector | 6-pin + 8-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 275mm | 229mm |
| Height | 109mm | 113mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 95°C | 72-24% |
| Perf/Watt | 24.1 | 88.2+266% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon R9 290X launched at $549 MSRP and currently averages $60, while the GeForce RTX 2060 launched at $349 and now averages $120. The Radeon R9 290X costs 50% less ($60 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 140.4 (Radeon R9 290X) vs 117.6 (GeForce RTX 2060) — the Radeon R9 290X offers 19.4% better value. The GeForce RTX 2060 is the newer GPU (2019 vs 2013).
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X | GeForce RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $549 | $349-36% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $60-50% | $120 |
| Performance per Dollar | 140.4+19% | 117.6 |
| Codename | Hawaii | TU106 |
| Release | October 24 2013 | January 7 2019 |
| Ranking | #342 | #168 |
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