Radeon R9 M290X vs GeForce GTX 680M
Radeon R9 M290X
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GeForce GTX 680M
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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. The Radeon R9 M290X is positioned at rank 399 and the GeForce GTX 680M is on rank 105, so the GeForce GTX 680M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Radeon R9 M290X
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GTX 680M
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GTX 680M is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.8% 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.
| Insight | Radeon R9 M290X | GeForce GTX 680M |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.8%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.8%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / Kepler (2012−2018)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+0%) |
| Efficiency | Normal Efficiency | Normal Efficiency |
| Case Fit | — | — |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GTX 680M offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 680M holds the technical lead. Priced at $50 (vs $60), it costs 17% less, resulting in a 22.2% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon R9 M290X | GeForce GTX 680M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+22.2%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($60) | ✅More affordable ($50) |
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 and GeForce GTX 680M
Radeon R9 M290X
The Radeon R9 M290X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in January 9 2014. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 850 MHz to 900 MHz. It has 1280 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 100W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,218 points.
GeForce GTX 680M
The GeForce GTX 680M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in June 4 2012. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 719 MHz to 758 MHz. It has 1344 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 100W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,277 points. Launch price was $310.50.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon R9 M290X scores 3,218 and the GeForce GTX 680M reaches 3,277 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.8% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon R9 M290X is built on GCN 1.0 while the GeForce GTX 680M uses Kepler, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 1,280 (Radeon R9 M290X) vs 1,344 (GeForce GTX 680M). Raw compute: 2.304 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 M290X) vs 2.038 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 680M). Boost clocks: 900 MHz vs 758 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon R9 M290X | GeForce GTX 680M |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 3,218 | 3,277+2% |
| Architecture | GCN 1.0 | Kepler |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 1280 | 1344+5% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 2.304 TFLOPS+13% | 2.038 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 900 MHz+19% | 758 MHz |
| ROPs | 32 | 32 |
| TMUs | 80 | 112+40% |
| L1 Cache | 320 KB+186% | 112 KB |
| L2 Cache | 512 KB | 512 KB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon R9 M290X | GeForce GTX 680M |
|---|---|---|
| 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. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit.
| Feature | Radeon R9 M290X | GeForce GTX 680M |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 512 KB | 512 KB |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon R9 M290X draws 100W versus the GeForce GTX 680M's 100W — a 0% difference. The GeForce GTX 680M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon R9 M290X) vs 350W (GeForce GTX 680M). Power connectors: Mobile vs 1x 6-pin.
| Feature | Radeon R9 M290X | GeForce GTX 680M |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 100W | 100W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | Mobile | 1x 6-pin |
| Slots | — | 0 |
| Temp (Load) | — | 81°C |
| Perf/Watt | 32.2 | 32.8+2% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 680M costs 16.7% less ($10 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 53.6 (Radeon R9 M290X) vs 65.5 (GeForce GTX 680M) — the GeForce GTX 680M offers 22.2% better value. The Radeon R9 M290X is the newer GPU (2014 vs 2012).
| Feature | Radeon R9 M290X | GeForce GTX 680M |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $400 | — |
| Avg Price (30d) | $60 | $50-17% |
| Performance per Dollar | 53.6 | 65.5+22% |
| Codename | Neptune | GK104 |
| Release | January 9 2014 | June 4 2012 |
| Ranking | #566 | #561 |
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
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