Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire vs GeForce GTX 960

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. The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire is positioned at rank #408 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire

#398

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

1448%

#400

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

1312%

#401

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

1309%

#405

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

1190%

#406

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

1182%

#408

Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire

MSRP: $800|Avg: $200

100%

#409

GeForce GTX 285M SLI

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $40

98%

#410

Radeon R7 M260X

MSRP: $139|Avg: $35

97%

#411

Radeon HD 8570D + HD 6570 Dual

MSRP: $120|Avg: $25

96%

#412

Intel UHD Graphics 615

MSRP: $100|Avg: $50

96%

#413

Radeon R7 A365

MSRP: $109|Avg: $55

96%

#414

Radeon 3015e

MSRP: $49|Avg: $49

95%

#415

Radeon HD 7620G

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

95%

#416

Radeon R9 M390X

MSRP: $550|Avg: $120

94%

#417

Arc 8-Core iGPU

MSRP: $503|Avg: $400

93%

#418

Mobility Radeon HD 4670

MSRP: $67|Avg: $20

92%

#419

Radeon HD 8570D + HD 8570 Dual

MSRP: $150|Avg: $15

92%

#420

Radeon R9 M385

MSRP: $300|Avg: $60

92%

#421

Radeon R5 235

MSRP: $49|Avg: $49

91%

#422

Radeon R9 M375X

MSRP: $250|Avg: $50

91%

#423

Radeon HD 6620G

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

91%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce GTX 960 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 M290X Crossfire	GeForce GTX 960
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.2%)	✅Leading raw performance (+2.2%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / GCN (2012−2015))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019))
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 GeForce GTX 960 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 960 holds the technical lead. Priced at $45 (vs $200), it costs 78% less, resulting in a 354.3% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire	GeForce GTX 960
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+354.3%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($200)	✅More affordable ($45)

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.

Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 960 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire and GeForce GTX 960

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.

GeForce GTX 960

The GeForce GTX 960 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 22 2015. It features the Maxwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1127 MHz to 1178 MHz. It has 1024 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 100W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 6,133 points. Launch price was $199.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire scores 6,000 and the GeForce GTX 960 reaches 6,133 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.2% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire is built on GCN while the GeForce GTX 960 uses Maxwell 2.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 2,560 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) vs 1,024 (GeForce GTX 960). Boost clocks: 900 MHz vs 1178 MHz.

Feature	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire	GeForce GTX 960
G3D Mark Score	6,000	6,133+2%
Architecture	GCN	Maxwell 2.0
Process Node	28 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	2560+150%	1024
Boost Clock	900 MHz	1178 MHz+31%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire	GeForce GTX 960
Upscaling Tech	FSR 1.0 (Software)	FSR 2.1 (Compatible)
Frame Generation	Not Supported	FSR 3 (Compatible)
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	AMD Anti-Lag	Standard

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

Both cards feature 4 GB of GDDR5. Memory bandwidth: 307.2 GB/s (Dual) (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) vs 112 GB/s (GeForce GTX 960) — a 174.3% advantage for the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire. Bus width: 512-bit (Dual) vs 128-bit.

Feature	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire	GeForce GTX 960
VRAM Capacity	4 GB	4 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	307.2 GB/s (Dual)+174%	112 GB/s
Bus Width	512-bit (Dual)+300%	128-bit

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) vs 12 (12_1) (GeForce GTX 960). Maximum simultaneous displays: 0 vs 4.

Feature	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire	GeForce GTX 960
DirectX	12	12 (12_1)
Max Displays	0	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: VCE 1.0 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) vs NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce GTX 960). Decoder: UVD 3.1 vs NVDEC (2nd Gen).

Feature	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire	GeForce GTX 960
Encoder	VCE 1.0	NVENC (5th Gen)
Decoder	UVD 3.1	NVDEC (2nd Gen)
Codecs	—	HEVC,H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,VP8

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire draws 200W versus the GeForce GTX 960's 100W — a 66.7% difference. The GeForce GTX 960 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 960). Power connectors: Mobile vs 6-pin. Card length: 1mm vs 241mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots.

Feature	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire	GeForce GTX 960
TDP	200W	100W-50%
Recommended PSU	350W-13%	400W
Power Connector	Mobile	6-pin
Length	1mm	241mm
Height	—	111mm
Slots	0-100%	2
Temp (Load)	—	75 C
Perf/Watt	30.0	61.3+104%

💰

Value Analysis

The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire launched at $800 MSRP and currently averages $200, while the GeForce GTX 960 launched at $199 and now averages $45. The GeForce GTX 960 costs 77.5% less ($155 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 30.0 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) vs 136.3 (GeForce GTX 960) — the GeForce GTX 960 offers 354.3% better value. The GeForce GTX 960 is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2014).

Feature	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire	GeForce GTX 960
MSRP	$800	$199-75%
Avg Price (30d)	$200	$45-78%
Performance per Dollar	30.0	136.3+354%
Codename	Neptune CF	GM206
Release	March 1 2014	January 22 2015
Ranking	#348	#393