Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire vs GeForce RTX 3060
Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
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GeForce RTX 3060
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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. 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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3060
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3060 is significantly newer (2021 vs 2014). The GeForce RTX 3060 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 3060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 183.3% higher G3D Mark score and 200% more VRAM (12 GB vs 4 GB). 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 RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-183.3%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+183.3%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / GCN (2012−2015)) | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere / 8nm) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | 🎮 High Capacity (12 GB) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce RTX 3060 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Although it costs $289 (vs $200), its significant performance lead justifies the premium, offering 96% better value per dollar than the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire.
| Insight | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+96%) |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($200) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($289) |
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 M290X Crossfire and GeForce RTX 3060
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 RTX 3060
The GeForce RTX 3060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 12 2021. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1320 MHz to 1777 MHz. It has 3584 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 170W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 28 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 16,995 points. Launch price was $329.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire scores 6,000 versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 16,995 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 183.3%. The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire is built on GCN while the GeForce RTX 3060 uses Ampere, both on 28 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060). Boost clocks: 900 MHz vs 1777 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 6,000 | 16,995+183% |
| Architecture | GCN | Ampere |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 2560 | 3584+40% |
| Boost Clock | 900 MHz | 1777 MHz+97% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| 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)
The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 has 12 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 200% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 307.2 GB/s (Dual) (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) vs 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) — a 17.2% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060. Bus width: 512-bit (Dual) vs 192-bit.
| Feature | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 12 GB+200% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 307.2 GB/s (Dual) | 360 GB/s+17% |
| Bus Width | 512-bit (Dual)+167% | 192-bit |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060). Maximum simultaneous displays: 0 vs 4.
| Feature | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 | 12 Ultimate |
| Max Displays | 0 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: VCE 1.0 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) vs NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060). Decoder: UVD 3.1 vs NVDEC 5th Gen.
| Feature | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | VCE 1.0 | NVENC 7th Gen |
| Decoder | UVD 3.1 | NVDEC 5th Gen |
| Codecs | — | AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire draws 200W versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 170W — a 16.2% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 3060). Power connectors: Mobile vs 8-pin. Card length: 1mm vs 242mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots.
| Feature | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 200W | 170W-15% |
| Recommended PSU | 350W-36% | 550W |
| Power Connector | Mobile | 8-pin |
| Length | 1mm | 242mm |
| Height | — | 112mm |
| Slots | 0-100% | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | — | 75 |
| Perf/Watt | 30.0 | 100.0+233% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire launched at $800 MSRP and currently averages $200, while the GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329 and now averages $289. The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire costs 30.8% less ($89 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 30.0 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) vs 58.8 (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 96% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2014).
| Feature | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $800 | $329-59% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $200-31% | $289 |
| Performance per Dollar | 30.0 | 58.8+96% |
| Codename | Neptune CF | GA106 |
| Release | March 1 2014 | January 12 2021 |
| Ranking | #348 | #114 |
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