Radeon R9 390 vs Radeon RX 590
Radeon R9 390
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Radeon RX 590
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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
⚠️ Generational Difference
The Radeon RX 590 uses modern memory architecture. The Radeon RX 590 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The Radeon R9 390 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Radeon RX 590 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 5.2% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon R9 390.
| Insight | Radeon R9 390 | Radeon RX 590 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-5.2%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+5.2%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / GCN 2.0 (2013−2017)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2018 / GCN 4.0 (2016−2020)) |
| 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) | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon RX 590 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Although it costs $65 (vs $65), its significant performance lead justifies the premium, offering 5.2% better value per dollar than the Radeon R9 390.
| Insight | Radeon R9 390 | Radeon RX 590 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+5.2%) |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 390 and Radeon RX 590
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.
Radeon RX 590
The Radeon RX 590 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in November 15 2018. It features the GCN 4.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1469 MHz to 1545 MHz. It has 2304 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 175W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 9,315 points. Launch price was $279.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the Radeon R9 390 scores 8,855 versus the Radeon RX 590's 9,315 — the Radeon RX 590 leads by 5.2%. The Radeon R9 390 is built on GCN 2.0 while the Radeon RX 590 uses GCN 4.0, both on 28 nm vs 12 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (Radeon R9 390) vs 2,304 (Radeon RX 590). Raw compute: 5.12 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 390) vs 7.119 TFLOPS (Radeon RX 590). Boost clocks: 1000 MHz vs 1545 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon R9 390 | Radeon RX 590 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 8,855 | 9,315+5% |
| Architecture | GCN 2.0 | GCN 4.0 |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 12 nm |
| Shading Units | 2560+11% | 2304 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 5.12 TFLOPS | 7.119 TFLOPS+39% |
| Boost Clock | 1000 MHz | 1545 MHz+55% |
| ROPs | 64+100% | 32 |
| TMUs | 160+11% | 144 |
| L1 Cache | 640 KB+11% | 576 KB |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 2 MB+100% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon R9 390 | Radeon RX 590 |
|---|---|---|
| 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)
Both cards feature 8 GB of GDDR5. Memory bandwidth: 320 GB/s (Radeon R9 390) vs 256 GB/s (Radeon RX 590) — a 25% advantage for the Radeon R9 390. Bus width: 512-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 1 MB (Radeon R9 390) vs 2 MB (Radeon RX 590) — the Radeon RX 590 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | Radeon R9 390 | Radeon RX 590 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| 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 390) vs 12.0 (Radeon RX 590). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 6 vs 4.
| Feature | Radeon R9 390 | Radeon RX 590 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Vulkan | 1.2 | 1.2 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 6+50% | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: VCE 2.0 (Radeon R9 390) vs VCE 3.4 (Radeon RX 590). Decoder: UVD 4.2 vs UVD 6.3. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 (Radeon R9 390) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (Radeon RX 590).
| Feature | Radeon R9 390 | Radeon RX 590 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 390 draws 300W versus the Radeon RX 590's 175W — a 52.6% difference. The Radeon RX 590 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 750W (Radeon R9 390) vs 500W (Radeon RX 590). 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 80°C.
| Feature | Radeon R9 390 | Radeon RX 590 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 300W | 175W-42% |
| Recommended PSU | 750W | 500W-33% |
| Power Connector | 6-pin + 8-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 275mm | 241mm |
| Height | 109mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 95°C | 80°C-16% |
| Perf/Watt | 29.5 | 53.2+80% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon R9 390 launched at $329 MSRP and currently averages $65, while the Radeon RX 590 launched at $279 and now averages $65. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 136.2 (Radeon R9 390) vs 143.3 (Radeon RX 590) — the Radeon RX 590 offers 5.2% better value. The Radeon RX 590 is the newer GPU (2018 vs 2015).
| Feature | Radeon R9 390 | Radeon RX 590 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $329 | $279-15% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $65 | $65 |
| Performance per Dollar | 136.2 | 143.3+5% |
| Codename | Grenada | Polaris 30 |
| Release | June 18 2015 | November 15 2018 |
| Ranking | #296 | #285 |
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