Radeon R9 M290X vs Radeon R7 260X

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

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

1223%

#391

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

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

Radeon RX Vega 10 Ryzen 7 3700C

MSRP: $150|Avg: $50

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

Radeon HD 8570D + HD 6570 Dual

MSRP: $120|Avg: $25

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

🚀 Performance Leadership

The Radeon R9 M290X is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.6% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (4 GB vs 2 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon R7 260X.

Insight	Radeon R9 M290X	Radeon R7 260X
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+0.6%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.6%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / GCN 2.0 (2013−2017))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	✅ More VRAM (+100%)	❌ Less VRAM capacity
Efficiency	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt	Normal Efficiency
Case Fit	—	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The Radeon R9 M290X offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Radeon R9 M290X holds the technical lead. Priced at $60 (vs $150), it costs 60% less, resulting in a 151.6% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	Radeon R9 M290X	Radeon R7 260X
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+151.6%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($60)	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($150)

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 Benchmark Check

Radeon R7 260X Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Radeon R9 M290X and Radeon R7 260X

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.

Radeon R7 260X

The Radeon R7 260X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in October 8 2013. It features the GCN 2.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1000 MHz. It has 896 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 115W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,198 points. Launch price was $139.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The Radeon R9 M290X scores 3,218 and the Radeon R7 260X reaches 3,198 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.6% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon R9 M290X is built on GCN 1.0 while the Radeon R7 260X uses GCN 2.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 1,280 (Radeon R9 M290X) vs 896 (Radeon R7 260X). Raw compute: 2.304 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 M290X) vs 1.971 TFLOPS (Radeon R7 260X). Boost clocks: 900 MHz vs 1000 MHz.

Feature	Radeon R9 M290X	Radeon R7 260X
G3D Mark Score	3,218	3,198
Architecture	GCN 1.0	GCN 2.0
Process Node	28 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	1280+43%	896
Compute (TFLOPS)	2.304 TFLOPS+17%	1.971 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	900 MHz	1000 MHz+11%
ROPs	32+100%	16
TMUs	80+43%	56
L1 Cache	320 KB+43%	224 KB
L2 Cache	512 KB+100%	256 KB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	Radeon R9 M290X	Radeon R7 260X
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 comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon R7 260X has 2 GB. The Radeon R9 M290X offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 512 KB (Radeon R9 M290X) vs 256 KB (Radeon R7 260X) — the Radeon R9 M290X has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	Radeon R9 M290X	Radeon R7 260X
VRAM Capacity	4 GB+100%	2 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	104 GB/s
Bus Width	128-bit	128-bit
L2 Cache	512 KB+100%	256 KB

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Radeon R9 M290X draws 100W versus the Radeon R7 260X's 115W — a 14% difference. The Radeon R9 M290X is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon R9 M290X) vs 500W (Radeon R7 260X). Power connectors: Mobile vs 1x 6-pin.

Feature	Radeon R9 M290X	Radeon R7 260X
TDP	100W-13%	115W
Recommended PSU	350W-30%	500W
Power Connector	Mobile	1x 6-pin
Length	—	170mm
Height	—	111mm
Slots	—	2
Temp (Load)	—	80
Perf/Watt	32.2+16%	27.8

💰

Value Analysis

The Radeon R9 M290X launched at $400 MSRP and currently averages $60, while the Radeon R7 260X launched at $139 and now averages $150. The Radeon R9 M290X costs 60% less ($90 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 53.6 (Radeon R9 M290X) vs 21.3 (Radeon R7 260X) — the Radeon R9 M290X offers 151.6% better value. The Radeon R9 M290X is the newer GPU (2014 vs 2013).