CPU
GPU
Radeon R9 290X
Popular choices:
Radeon RX 580
Popular choices:
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 RX 580 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 4.4% 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.
| Insight | Radeon R9 290X | Radeon RX 580 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-4.4%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+4.4%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / GCN 2.0 (2013−2017)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2017 / GCN 4.0 (2016−2020)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+100%) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (275mm) | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon RX 580 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Radeon RX 580 holds the technical lead. Priced at $59 (vs $60), it costs 2% less, resulting in a 6.2% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon R9 290X | Radeon RX 580 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+6.2%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($60) | ✅More affordable ($59) |
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 RX 580
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 RX 580
The Radeon RX 580 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in April 18 2017. It features the GCN 4.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1257 MHz to 1340 MHz. It has 2304 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 185W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 8,799 points. Launch price was $229.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon R9 290X scores 8,426 and the Radeon RX 580 reaches 8,799 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 4.4% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon R9 290X is built on GCN 2.0 while the Radeon RX 580 uses GCN 4.0, both on 28 nm vs 14 nm. Shader units: 2,816 (Radeon R9 290X) vs 2,304 (Radeon RX 580). Raw compute: 5.632 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 290X) vs 6.175 TFLOPS (Radeon RX 580). Boost clocks: 947 MHz vs 1340 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X | Radeon RX 580 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 8,426 | 8,799+4% |
| Architecture | GCN 2.0 | GCN 4.0 |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 14 nm |
| Shading Units | 2816+22% | 2304 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 5.632 TFLOPS | 6.175 TFLOPS+10% |
| Boost Clock | 947 MHz | 1340 MHz+41% |
| ROPs | 64+100% | 32 |
| TMUs | 176+22% | 144 |
| L1 Cache | 704 KB+22% | 576 KB |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 2 MB+100% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X | Radeon RX 580 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | FSR 2.1 |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | FSR 3 (Compatible) |
| 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 RX 580 has 8 GB. The Radeon RX 580 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 320 GB/s (Radeon R9 290X) vs 256 GB/s (Radeon RX 580) — a 25% advantage for the Radeon R9 290X. Bus width: 512-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 1 MB (Radeon R9 290X) vs 2 MB (Radeon RX 580) — the Radeon RX 580 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X | Radeon RX 580 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 8 GB+100% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 320 GB/s+25% | 256 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 512-bit+100% | 256-bit |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 2 MB+100% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12.0 (Radeon R9 290X) vs 12 (Radeon RX 580). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 6 vs 4.
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X | Radeon RX 580 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12.0 | 12 |
| 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 VCE 3.0 (Radeon RX 580). Decoder: UVD 4.2 vs UVD 6.3. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 (Radeon R9 290X) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,VP9 (Radeon RX 580).
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X | Radeon RX 580 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | VCE 2.0 | VCE 3.0 |
| Decoder | UVD 4.2 | UVD 6.3 |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 | H.264,H.265/HEVC,VP9 |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon R9 290X draws 350W versus the Radeon RX 580's 185W — a 61.7% difference. The Radeon RX 580 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 750W (Radeon R9 290X) vs 500W (Radeon RX 580). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 275mm vs 241mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 95°C vs 75°C.
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X | Radeon RX 580 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 350W | 185W-47% |
| Recommended PSU | 750W | 500W-33% |
| Power Connector | 6-pin + 8-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 275mm | 241mm |
| Height | 109mm | — |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 95°C | 75°C-21% |
| Perf/Watt | 24.1 | 47.6+98% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon R9 290X launched at $549 MSRP and currently averages $60, while the Radeon RX 580 launched at $229 and now averages $59. The Radeon RX 580 costs 1.7% less ($1 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 140.4 (Radeon R9 290X) vs 149.1 (Radeon RX 580) — the Radeon RX 580 offers 6.2% better value. The Radeon RX 580 is the newer GPU (2017 vs 2013).
| Feature | Radeon R9 290X | Radeon RX 580 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $549 | $229-58% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $60 | $59-2% |
| Performance per Dollar | 140.4 | 149.1+6% |
| Codename | Hawaii | Polaris 20 |
| Release | October 24 2013 | April 18 2017 |
| Ranking | #342 | #301 |
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