Radeon R9 390 vs GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
Radeon R9 390
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GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
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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 GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is significantly newer (2022 vs 2015). The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB 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 GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 41.6% 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 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-41.6%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+41.6%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / GCN 2.0 (2013−2017)) | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | 🎮 High Capacity (8 GB) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (275mm) | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon R9 390 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $65 versus $209 for the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB, it costs 69% less. While it maintains lower overall performance, this results in a 127.1% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon R9 390 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+127.1%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($65) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($209) |
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 GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
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.
GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 4 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1552 MHz to 1777 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 130W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 20 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 12,535 points. Launch price was $249.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the Radeon R9 390 scores 8,855 versus the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB's 12,535 — the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB leads by 41.6%. The Radeon R9 390 is built on GCN 2.0 while the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB uses Ampere, both on 28 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (Radeon R9 390) vs 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB). Raw compute: 5.12 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 390) vs 9.098 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB). Boost clocks: 1000 MHz vs 1777 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon R9 390 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 8,855 | 12,535+42% |
| Architecture | GCN 2.0 | Ampere |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 2560 | 2560 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 5.12 TFLOPS | 9.098 TFLOPS+78% |
| Boost Clock | 1000 MHz | 1777 MHz+78% |
| ROPs | 64+100% | 32 |
| TMUs | 160+100% | 80 |
| L1 Cache | 0.63 MB | 2.5 MB+297% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 2 MB+100% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon R9 390 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | DLSS 2.0 |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | AMD Anti-Lag | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
Both cards feature 8 GB of video memory. Memory bandwidth: 320 GB/s (Radeon R9 390) vs 224 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) — a 42.9% advantage for the Radeon R9 390. Bus width: 512-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 1 MB (Radeon R9 390) vs 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) — the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | Radeon R9 390 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 320 GB/s+43% | 224 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 512-bit+300% | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 2 MB+100% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12.0 (Radeon R9 390) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 6 vs 4.
| Feature | Radeon R9 390 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12.0 | 12 Ultimate |
| Vulkan | 1.2 | 1.4+17% |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 6+50% | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: VCE 2.0 (Radeon R9 390) vs NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB). Decoder: UVD 4.2 vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 (Radeon R9 390) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB).
| Feature | Radeon R9 390 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | VCE 2.0 | NVENC 7th gen |
| Decoder | UVD 4.2 | NVDEC 5th gen |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon R9 390 draws 300W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB's 130W — a 79.1% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 750W (Radeon R9 390) vs 450W (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 275mm vs 242mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 95°C vs 66°C.
| Feature | Radeon R9 390 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 300W | 130W-57% |
| Recommended PSU | 750W | 450W-40% |
| Power Connector | 6-pin + 8-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 275mm | 242mm |
| Height | 109mm | 112mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 95°C | 66°C-31% |
| Perf/Watt | 29.5 | 96.4+227% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon R9 390 launched at $329 MSRP and currently averages $65, while the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB launched at $249 and now averages $209. The Radeon R9 390 costs 68.9% less ($144 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 136.2 (Radeon R9 390) vs 60.0 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) — the Radeon R9 390 offers 127% better value. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2015).
| Feature | Radeon R9 390 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $329 | $249-24% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $65-69% | $209 |
| Performance per Dollar | 136.2+127% | 60.0 |
| Codename | Grenada | GA106 |
| Release | June 18 2015 | January 4 2022 |
| Ranking | #296 | #211 |
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