Radeon R9 380X vs Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
Radeon R9 380X
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Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
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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 R9 M290X Crossfire
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Radeon R9 380X is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.2% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire.
| Insight | Radeon R9 380X | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+2.2%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.2%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / GCN 3.0 (2014−2019)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / GCN (2012−2015)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+0%) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon R9 380X offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Radeon R9 380X holds the technical lead. Priced at $58 (vs $200), it costs 71% less, resulting in a 252.4% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon R9 380X | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+252.4%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($58) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($200) |
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 380X and Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
Radeon R9 380X
The Radeon R9 380X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in November 19 2015. It features the GCN 3.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 970 MHz. It has 2048 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 250W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 6,131 points. Launch price was $229.
Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire is manufactured by AMD. It was released in March 1 2014. It features the GCN architecture. The core clock ranges from 850 MHz to 900 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 200W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 6,000 points.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon R9 380X scores 6,131 and the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire reaches 6,000 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.2% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon R9 380X is built on GCN 3.0 while the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire uses GCN, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 2,048 (Radeon R9 380X) vs 2,560 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire). Boost clocks: 970 MHz vs 900 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon R9 380X | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 6,131+2% | 6,000 |
| Architecture | GCN 3.0 | GCN |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 2048 | 2560+25% |
| Boost Clock | 970 MHz+8% | 900 MHz |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon R9 380X | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| 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. Memory bandwidth: 106 GB/s (Radeon R9 380X) vs 307.2 GB/s (Dual) (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) — a 189.8% advantage for the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire. Bus width: 128-bit vs 512-bit (Dual).
| Feature | Radeon R9 380X | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 106 GB/s | 307.2 GB/s (Dual)+190% |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 512-bit (Dual)+300% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (12_0) (Radeon R9 380X) vs 12 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire). Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 0.
| Feature | Radeon R9 380X | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (12_0) | 12 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 0 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: VCE 3.0 (Radeon R9 380X) vs VCE 1.0 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire). Decoder: UVD 6.0 vs UVD 3.1.
| Feature | Radeon R9 380X | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | VCE 3.0 | VCE 1.0 |
| Decoder | UVD 6.0 | UVD 3.1 |
| Codecs | H.264,H.265,MPEG-2,MPEG-4,VC-1 | — |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon R9 380X draws 250W versus the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire's 200W — a 22.2% difference. The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (Radeon R9 380X) vs 350W (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire). Power connectors: 2x 6-pin vs Mobile. Card length: 221mm vs 1mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots.
| Feature | Radeon R9 380X | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 250W | 200W-20% |
| Recommended PSU | 500W | 350W-30% |
| Power Connector | 2x 6-pin | Mobile |
| Length | 221mm | 1mm |
| Height | 111mm | — |
| Slots | 2 | 0-100% |
| Temp (Load) | 75 | — |
| Perf/Watt | 24.5 | 30.0+22% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon R9 380X launched at $229 MSRP and currently averages $58, while the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire launched at $800 and now averages $200. The Radeon R9 380X costs 71% less ($142 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 105.7 (Radeon R9 380X) vs 30.0 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) — the Radeon R9 380X offers 252.3% better value. The Radeon R9 380X is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2014).
| Feature | Radeon R9 380X | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $229-71% | $800 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $58-71% | $200 |
| Performance per Dollar | 105.7+252% | 30.0 |
| Codename | Antigua | Neptune CF |
| Release | November 19 2015 | March 1 2014 |
| Ranking | #394 | #348 |
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