Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire vs GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
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GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
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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 Ti
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is significantly newer (2020 vs 2014). The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti 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 Ti is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 238.5% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (8 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 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-238.5%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+238.5%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / GCN (2012−2015)) | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | 🎮 High Capacity (8 GB) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Although it costs $280 (vs $200), its significant performance lead justifies the premium, offering 141.8% better value per dollar than the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire.
| Insight | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+141.8%) |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($200) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($280) |
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 Ti
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 Ti
The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in December 1 2020. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1410 MHz to 1665 MHz. It has 4864 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 200W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 38 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 20,312 points. Launch price was $399.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire scores 6,000 versus the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti's 20,312 — the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti leads by 238.5%. The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire is built on GCN while the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti uses Ampere, both on 28 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) vs 4,864 (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti). Boost clocks: 900 MHz vs 1665 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 6,000 | 20,312+239% |
| Architecture | GCN | Ampere |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 2560 | 4864+90% |
| Boost Clock | 900 MHz | 1665 MHz+85% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Ti has 8 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 307.2 GB/s (Dual) (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) vs 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) — a 45.8% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti. Bus width: 512-bit (Dual) vs 256-bit.
| Feature | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 8 GB+100% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 307.2 GB/s (Dual) | 448 GB/s+46% |
| Bus Width | 512-bit (Dual)+100% | 256-bit |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) vs 12 Ultimate (12_2) (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti). Maximum simultaneous displays: 0 vs 4.
| Feature | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 | 12 Ultimate (12_2) |
| Max Displays | 0 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: VCE 1.0 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) vs NVENC (Ampere) (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti). Decoder: UVD 3.1 vs NVDEC (Ampere).
| Feature | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | VCE 1.0 | NVENC (Ampere) |
| Decoder | UVD 3.1 | NVDEC (Ampere) |
| Codecs | — | H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1 |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire draws 200W versus the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti's 200W — a 0% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) vs 600W (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti). Power connectors: Mobile vs 8-pin. Card length: 1mm vs 242mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots.
| Feature | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 200W | 200W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W-42% | 600W |
| Power Connector | Mobile | 8-pin |
| Length | 1mm | 242mm |
| Height | — | 112mm |
| Slots | 0-100% | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | — | 75 |
| Perf/Watt | 30.0 | 101.6+239% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire launched at $800 MSRP and currently averages $200, while the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti launched at $399 and now averages $280. The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire costs 28.6% less ($80 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 30.0 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) vs 72.5 (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) — the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti offers 141.7% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is the newer GPU (2020 vs 2014).
| Feature | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $800 | $399-50% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $200-29% | $280 |
| Performance per Dollar | 30.0 | 72.5+142% |
| Codename | Neptune CF | GA104 |
| Release | March 1 2014 | December 1 2020 |
| Ranking | #348 | #73 |
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