Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire vs Radeon R9 280X

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 Radeon R9 280X is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.7% higher G3D Mark score. However, the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.

Insight	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire	Radeon R9 280X
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.7%)	✅Leading raw performance (+1.7%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / GCN (2012−2015))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	✅ More VRAM (+33.3%)	❌ Less VRAM capacity
Efficiency	Normal Efficiency	Normal Efficiency
Case Fit	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly	—

💎 Value Proposition

The Radeon R9 280X offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Radeon R9 280X holds the technical lead. Priced at $60 (vs $200), it costs 70% less, resulting in a 238.9% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire	Radeon R9 280X
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+238.9%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($200)	✅More affordable ($60)

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

Radeon R9 280X Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire and Radeon R9 280X

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.

Radeon R9 280X

The Radeon R9 280X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in October 8 2013. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1000 MHz. It has 2048 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 200W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 6,100 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire scores 6,000 and the Radeon R9 280X reaches 6,100 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.7% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire is built on GCN while the Radeon R9 280X uses GCN 1.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 2,560 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) vs 2,048 (Radeon R9 280X). Boost clocks: 900 MHz vs 1000 MHz.

Feature	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire	Radeon R9 280X
G3D Mark Score	6,000	6,100+2%
Architecture	GCN	GCN 1.0
Process Node	28 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	2560+25%	2048
Boost Clock	900 MHz	1000 MHz+11%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire	Radeon R9 280X
Upscaling Tech	FSR 1.0 (Software)	FSR 1.0 (Software)
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	AMD Anti-Lag	AMD Anti-Lag

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon R9 280X has 3 GB. The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 307.2 GB/s (Dual) (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) vs 288 GB/s (Radeon R9 280X) — a 6.7% advantage for the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire. Bus width: 512-bit (Dual) vs 384-bit.

Feature	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire	Radeon R9 280X
VRAM Capacity	4 GB+33%	3 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	307.2 GB/s (Dual)+7%	288 GB/s
Bus Width	512-bit (Dual)+33%	384-bit

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) vs 12 (11_1) (Radeon R9 280X). Maximum simultaneous displays: 0 vs 3.

Feature	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire	Radeon R9 280X
DirectX	12	12 (11_1)
Max Displays	0	3

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: VCE 1.0 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) vs VCE 2.0 (Radeon R9 280X). Decoder: UVD 3.1 vs UVD 4.2.

Feature	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire	Radeon R9 280X
Encoder	VCE 1.0	VCE 2.0
Decoder	UVD 3.1	UVD 4.2
Codecs	—	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire draws 200W versus the Radeon R9 280X's 200W — a 0% difference. The Radeon R9 280X is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) vs 500W (Radeon R9 280X). Power connectors: Mobile vs 6-pin + 8-pin.

Feature	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire	Radeon R9 280X
TDP	200W	200W
Recommended PSU	350W-30%	500W
Power Connector	Mobile	6-pin + 8-pin
Length	1mm	—
Slots	0-100%	2
Temp (Load)	—	75°C
Perf/Watt	30.0	30.5+2%

💰

Value Analysis

The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire launched at $800 MSRP and currently averages $200, while the Radeon R9 280X launched at $299 and now averages $60. The Radeon R9 280X costs 70% less ($140 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 30.0 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) vs 101.7 (Radeon R9 280X) — the Radeon R9 280X offers 239% better value. The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire is the newer GPU (2014 vs 2013).

Feature	Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire	Radeon R9 280X
MSRP	$800	$299-63%
Avg Price (30d)	$200	$60-70%
Performance per Dollar	30.0	101.7+239%
Codename	Neptune CF	Tahiti
Release	March 1 2014	October 8 2013
Ranking	#348	#404