Radeon R9 295X2 vs Radeon R9 390
Radeon R9 295X2
Popular choices:
Radeon R9 390
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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 390 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.4% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon R9 295X2.
| Insight | Radeon R9 295X2 | Radeon R9 390 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.4%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.4%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / GCN 2.0 (2013−2017)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / 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 (307mm) | Standard Size (275mm) |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon R9 390 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Radeon R9 390 holds the technical lead. Priced at $65 (vs $200), it costs 68% less, resulting in a 212% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon R9 295X2 | Radeon R9 390 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+212%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($200) | ✅More affordable ($65) |
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 295X2 and Radeon R9 390
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.
Radeon R9 390
The Radeon R9 390 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in June 18 2015. It features the GCN 2.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1000 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 300W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 8,855 points. Launch price was $329.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon R9 295X2 scores 8,734 and the Radeon R9 390 reaches 8,855 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.4% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon R9 295X2 is built on GCN 2.0 while the Radeon R9 390 uses GCN 2.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 2,816 (Radeon R9 295X2) vs 2,560 (Radeon R9 390). Raw compute: 5.733 TFLOPS ×2 (Radeon R9 295X2) vs 5.12 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 390). Boost clocks: 1018 MHz vs 1000 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon R9 295X2 | Radeon R9 390 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 8,734 | 8,855+1% |
| Architecture | GCN 2.0 | GCN 2.0 |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 2816 ×2+10% | 2560 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 5.733 TFLOPS ×2+12% | 5.12 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1018 MHz+2% | 1000 MHz |
| ROPs | 64 ×2 | 64 |
| TMUs | 176 ×2+10% | 160 |
| L1 Cache | 704 KB+10% | 640 KB |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 1 MB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon R9 295X2 | Radeon R9 390 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 8 GB of GDDR5. Memory bandwidth: 320 GB/s x2 (Radeon R9 295X2) vs 320 GB/s (Radeon R9 390) — a 900.6% advantage for the Radeon R9 295X2. Bus width: 512-bit x2 vs 512-bit.
| Feature | Radeon R9 295X2 | Radeon R9 390 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 320 GB/s x2 | 320 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 512-bit x2 | 512-bit |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 1 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12.0 (Radeon R9 295X2) vs 12.0 (Radeon R9 390). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.3 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 6 vs 6.
| Feature | Radeon R9 295X2 | Radeon R9 390 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Vulkan | 1.1 | 1.2+9% |
| OpenGL | 4.3 | 4.6+7% |
| Max Displays | 6 | 6 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: VCE 2.0 (Radeon R9 295X2) vs VCE 2.0 (Radeon R9 390). Decoder: UVD 4.2 vs UVD 4.2. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 (Radeon R9 295X2) vs MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 (Radeon R9 390).
| Feature | Radeon R9 295X2 | Radeon R9 390 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 295X2 draws 500W versus the Radeon R9 390's 300W — a 50% difference. The Radeon R9 390 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 1000W (Radeon R9 295X2) vs 750W (Radeon R9 390). Power connectors: 2x 8-pin vs 6-pin + 8-pin. Card length: 307mm vs 275mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 65°C vs 95°C.
| Feature | Radeon R9 295X2 | Radeon R9 390 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 500W | 300W-40% |
| Recommended PSU | 1000W | 750W-25% |
| Power Connector | 2x 8-pin | 6-pin + 8-pin |
| Length | 307mm | 275mm |
| Height | 114mm | 109mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 65°C-32% | 95°C |
| Perf/Watt | 17.5 | 29.5+69% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon R9 295X2 launched at $1499 MSRP and currently averages $200, while the Radeon R9 390 launched at $329 and now averages $65. The Radeon R9 390 costs 67.5% less ($135 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 43.7 (Radeon R9 295X2) vs 136.2 (Radeon R9 390) — the Radeon R9 390 offers 211.7% better value. The Radeon R9 390 is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2014).
| Feature | Radeon R9 295X2 | Radeon R9 390 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1499 | $329-78% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $200 | $65-68% |
| Performance per Dollar | 43.7 | 136.2+212% |
| Codename | Vesuvius | Grenada |
| Release | April 29 2014 | June 18 2015 |
| Ranking | #303 | #296 |
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