Radeon R9 290X vs Radeon R9 290
Radeon R9 290X
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Radeon R9 290
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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 290X | Radeon R9 290 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+3%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-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 | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| 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 290X | Radeon R9 290 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+16.6%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($60) | ✅More affordable ($50) |
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 R9 290
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 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.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon R9 290X scores 8,426 and the Radeon R9 290 reaches 8,184 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 3% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon R9 290X is built on GCN 2.0 while the Radeon R9 290 uses GCN 2.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 2,816 (Radeon R9 290X) vs 2,560 (Radeon R9 290). Raw compute: 5.632 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 290X) vs 4.849 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 290).
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X | Radeon R9 290 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 8,426+3% | 8,184 |
| Architecture | GCN 2.0 | GCN 2.0 |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 2816+10% | 2560 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 5.632 TFLOPS+16% | 4.849 TFLOPS |
| ROPs | 64 | 64 |
| TMUs | 176+10% | 160 |
| L1 Cache | 704 KB+10% | 640 KB |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 1 MB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X | Radeon R9 290 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 290X | Radeon R9 290 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 290X) vs 12.0 (Radeon R9 290). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 6 vs 6.
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X | Radeon R9 290 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Vulkan | 1.1 | 1.2+9% |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 6 | 6 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: VCE 2.0 (Radeon R9 290X) vs VCE 2.0 (Radeon R9 290). Decoder: UVD 4.2 vs UVD 4.2. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 (Radeon R9 290X) vs MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 (Radeon R9 290).
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X | Radeon R9 290 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 draws 350W versus the Radeon R9 290's 275W — a 24% difference. The Radeon R9 290 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 750W (Radeon R9 290X) vs 750W (Radeon R9 290). 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 290X | Radeon R9 290 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 350W | 275W-21% |
| 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 | 24.1 | 29.8+24% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon R9 290X launched at $549 MSRP and currently averages $60, while the Radeon R9 290 launched at $399 and now averages $50. The Radeon R9 290 costs 16.7% less ($10 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 140.4 (Radeon R9 290X) vs 163.7 (Radeon R9 290) — the Radeon R9 290 offers 16.6% better value.
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X | Radeon R9 290 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $549 | $399-27% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $60 | $50-17% |
| Performance per Dollar | 140.4 | 163.7+17% |
| Codename | Hawaii | Hawaii |
| Release | October 24 2013 | November 5 2013 |
| Ranking | #342 | #316 |
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