Radeon R9 290X vs Radeon Pro Duo
Radeon R9 290X
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Radeon Pro Duo
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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 Radeon Pro Duo
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Radeon R9 290X is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.5% higher G3D Mark score. However, the Radeon Pro Duo offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | Radeon R9 290X | Radeon Pro Duo |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.5%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.5%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / GCN 2.0 (2013−2017)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / GCN 3.0 (2014−2019)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+100%) |
| Efficiency | Normal Efficiency | Normal Efficiency |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (275mm) | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon R9 290X offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Radeon R9 290X holds the technical lead. Priced at $60 (vs $799), it costs 92% less, resulting in a 1252% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon R9 290X | Radeon Pro Duo |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+1252%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($60) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($799) |
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 Radeon Pro Duo
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.
Radeon Pro Duo
The Radeon Pro Duo is manufactured by AMD. It was released in April 26 2016. It features the GCN 3.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1000 MHz. It has 4096 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 350W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 8,299 points. Launch price was $1,499.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon R9 290X scores 8,426 and the Radeon Pro Duo reaches 8,299 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.5% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon R9 290X is built on GCN 2.0 while the Radeon Pro Duo uses GCN 3.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 2,816 (Radeon R9 290X) vs 4,096 (Radeon Pro Duo). Raw compute: 5.632 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 290X) vs 8.192 TFLOPS ×2 (Radeon Pro Duo). Boost clocks: 947 MHz vs 1000 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X | Radeon Pro Duo |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 8,426+2% | 8,299 |
| Architecture | GCN 2.0 | GCN 3.0 |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 2816 | 4096 ×2+45% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 5.632 TFLOPS | 8.192 TFLOPS ×2+45% |
| Boost Clock | 947 MHz | 1000 MHz+6% |
| ROPs | 64 | 64 ×2 |
| TMUs | 176 | 256 ×2+45% |
| L1 Cache | 0.69 MB | 1 MB+45% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 2 MB+100% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X | Radeon Pro Duo |
|---|---|---|
| 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 comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon Pro Duo has 8 GB. The Radeon Pro Duo offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 512-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 1 MB (Radeon R9 290X) vs 2 MB (Radeon Pro Duo) — the Radeon Pro Duo has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X | Radeon Pro Duo |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 8 GB+100% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Bus Width | 512-bit+300% | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 2 MB+100% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12.0 (Radeon R9 290X) vs 12.0 (Radeon Pro Duo). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.1. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 6 vs 4.
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X | Radeon Pro Duo |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Vulkan | 1.1 | 1.1 |
| OpenGL | 4.6+2% | 4.5 |
| Max Displays | 6+50% | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: VCE 2.0 (Radeon R9 290X) vs VCE 3.4 (Radeon Pro Duo). Decoder: UVD 4.2 vs UVD 6.3. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 (Radeon R9 290X) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (Radeon Pro Duo).
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X | Radeon Pro Duo |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | VCE 2.0 | VCE 3.4 |
| Decoder | UVD 4.2 | UVD 6.3 |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon R9 290X draws 350W versus the Radeon Pro Duo's 350W — a 0% difference. The Radeon Pro Duo is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 750W (Radeon R9 290X) vs 500W (Radeon Pro Duo). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 275mm vs 240mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 95°C vs 75°C.
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X | Radeon Pro Duo |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 350W | 350W |
| Recommended PSU | 750W | 500W-33% |
| Power Connector | 6-pin + 8-pin | PCIe-powered |
| Length | 275mm | 240mm |
| Height | 109mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 95°C | 75°C-21% |
| Perf/Watt | 24.1+2% | 23.7 |
Value Analysis
The Radeon R9 290X launched at $549 MSRP and currently averages $60, while the Radeon Pro Duo launched at $1499 and now averages $799. The Radeon R9 290X costs 92.5% less ($739 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 140.4 (Radeon R9 290X) vs 10.4 (Radeon Pro Duo) — the Radeon R9 290X offers 1250% better value. The Radeon Pro Duo is the newer GPU (2016 vs 2013).
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X | Radeon Pro Duo |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $549-63% | $1499 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $60-92% | $799 |
| Performance per Dollar | 140.4+1250% | 10.4 |
| Codename | Hawaii | Capsaicin |
| Release | October 24 2013 | April 26 2016 |
| Ranking | #342 | #309 |
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