Radeon R9 M290X
VS
GeForce RTX 2060

Radeon R9 M290X vs GeForce RTX 2060

AMD

Radeon R9 M290X

2014Core: 850 MHzBoost: 900 MHz
VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 2060

2019Core: 1365 MHzBoost: 1680 MHz

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 is positioned at rank #399 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

#388
Radeon RX 550X (móvel)
MSRP: $35|Avg: $35
1349%
#390
1223%
#391
1219%
#395
GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50
1109%
#396
Radeon RX 6300
MSRP: $60|Avg: $40
1101%
#399
Radeon R9 M290X
MSRP: $400|Avg: $60
100%
#400
Radeon HD 7670
MSRP: $100|Avg: $25
100%
#401
Radeon HD 8550G + 8750M Dual
MSRP: $100|Avg: $100
99%
#402
Mobility Radeon HD 5000
MSRP: $99|Avg: $20
97%
#403
Iris Pro Graphics 5200
MSRP: $150|Avg: $40
97%
#405
97%
#406
Radeon HD 8650G + 7700M Dual
MSRP: $150|Avg: $30
93%
#407
Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
MSRP: $800|Avg: $200
93%
#408
GeForce GTX 285M SLI
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $40
91%
#409
Radeon R7 M260X
MSRP: $139|Avg: $35
91%
#410
90%
#411
Intel UHD Graphics 615
MSRP: $100|Avg: $50
89%
#412
Radeon R7 A365
MSRP: $109|Avg: $55
89%
#413
Radeon 3015e
MSRP: $49|Avg: $49
89%
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

⚠️ Generational Difference

The GeForce RTX 2060 uses modern memory architecture. The GeForce RTX 2060 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The Radeon R9 M290X lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce RTX 2060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 338.6% higher G3D Mark score and 50% more VRAM (6 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.

InsightRadeon R9 M290XGeForce RTX 2060
Performance
Lower raw frame rates (-338.6%)
Leading raw performance (+338.6%)
Longevity
🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020))
Turing (2018−2022) (12nm)
Ecosystem
Supports FSR Upscaling
✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling
VRAM
❌ Less VRAM capacity
🎮 High Capacity (6 GB)
Efficiency
⚡ Higher Power Consumption
💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
Case Fit
📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce RTX 2060 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Although it costs $120 (vs $60), its significant performance lead justifies the premium, offering 119.3% better value per dollar than the Radeon R9 M290X.

InsightRadeon R9 M290XGeForce RTX 2060
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Better overall value (+119.3%)
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($60)
⚠️Higher upfront cost ($120)

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 RTX 2060

AMD

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.

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 2060

The GeForce RTX 2060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 7 2019. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 1365 MHz to 1680 MHz. It has 1920 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 160W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. It features 30 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 14,114 points. Launch price was $349.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the Radeon R9 M290X scores 3,218 versus the GeForce RTX 2060's 14,114 — the GeForce RTX 2060 leads by 338.6%. The Radeon R9 M290X is built on GCN 1.0 while the GeForce RTX 2060 uses Turing, both on 28 nm vs 12 nm. Shader units: 1,280 (Radeon R9 M290X) vs 1,920 (GeForce RTX 2060). Raw compute: 2.304 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 M290X) vs 6.451 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 2060). Boost clocks: 900 MHz vs 1680 MHz.

FeatureRadeon R9 M290XGeForce RTX 2060
G3D Mark Score
3,218
14,114+339%
Architecture
GCN 1.0
Turing
Process Node
28 nm
12 nm
Shading Units
1280
1920+50%
Compute (TFLOPS)
2.304 TFLOPS
6.451 TFLOPS+180%
Boost Clock
900 MHz
1680 MHz+87%
ROPs
32
48+50%
TMUs
80
120+50%
L1 Cache
0.31 MB
1.9 MB+513%
L2 Cache
0.5 MB
3 MB+500%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureRadeon R9 M290XGeForce RTX 2060
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 comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 2060 has 6 GB. The GeForce RTX 2060 offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 0.5 MB (Radeon R9 M290X) vs 3 MB (GeForce RTX 2060) — the GeForce RTX 2060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureRadeon R9 M290XGeForce RTX 2060
VRAM Capacity
4 GB
6 GB+50%
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth
Unknown
336 GB/s
Bus Width
128-bit
192-bit+50%
L2 Cache
0.5 MB
3 MB+500%
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Radeon R9 M290X draws 100W versus the GeForce RTX 2060's 160W — a 46.2% difference. The Radeon R9 M290X is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon R9 M290X) vs 500W (GeForce RTX 2060). Power connectors: Mobile vs 8-pin.

FeatureRadeon R9 M290XGeForce RTX 2060
TDP
100W-38%
160W
Recommended PSU
350W-30%
500W
Power Connector
Mobile
8-pin
Length
229mm
Height
113mm
Slots
2
Temp (Load)
72
Perf/Watt
32.2
88.2+174%
💰

Value Analysis

The Radeon R9 M290X launched at $400 MSRP and currently averages $60, while the GeForce RTX 2060 launched at $349 and now averages $120. The Radeon R9 M290X costs 50% less ($60 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 53.6 (Radeon R9 M290X) vs 117.6 (GeForce RTX 2060) — the GeForce RTX 2060 offers 119.4% better value. The GeForce RTX 2060 is the newer GPU (2019 vs 2014).

FeatureRadeon R9 M290XGeForce RTX 2060
MSRP
$400
$349-13%
Avg Price (30d)
$60-50%
$120
Performance per Dollar
53.6
117.6+119%
Codename
Neptune
TU106
Release
January 9 2014
January 7 2019
Ranking
#566
#168