Radeon RX 540 vs Radeon R9 M385

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 RX 540 is positioned at rank 235 and the Radeon R9 M385 is on rank 420, so the Radeon RX 540 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

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 RX 540

#54

Radeon RX 6800S

MSRP: $800|Avg: $800

92%

#225

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

504%

#227

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

456%

#228

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

455%

#232

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

414%

#233

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

411%

#235

Radeon RX 540

MSRP: $99|Avg: $40

100%

#236

Radeon HD 6750M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $60

99%

#237

Radeon HD 7570M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $15

98%

#239

Arc Graphics 130T

MSRP: $300|Avg: $250

96%

#240

GeForce MX570 A

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

96%

#242

GeForce GT 645

MSRP: $99|Avg: $15

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar Radeon R9 M385

#410

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

1580%

#412

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

1433%

#413

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

1429%

#417

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

1299%

#418

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

1290%

#420

Radeon R9 M385

MSRP: $300|Avg: $60

100%

#421

Radeon R5 235

MSRP: $49|Avg: $49

100%

#422

Radeon R9 M375X

MSRP: $250|Avg: $50

100%

#423

Radeon HD 6620G

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

99%

#424

Radeon R5 310

MSRP: $49|Avg: $15

99%

#425

Radeon HD 7690M XT

MSRP: $150|Avg: $40

98%

#426

Radeon HD 7600G

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

97%

#427

Radeon R7 A265

MSRP: $149|Avg: $149

97%

#428

Radeon R9 M470

MSRP: $350|Avg: $80

97%

#429

Radeon R9 M385X

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

97%

#431

Radeon R5 M430

MSRP: $99|Avg: $20

95%

#432

Mobility Radeon HD 5570

MSRP: $80|Avg: $20

95%

#433

GeForce 810A

MSRP: $100|Avg: $20

95%

#434

GeForce GT 520MX

MSRP: $45|Avg: $10

94%

#435

Radeon R5 330

MSRP: $81|Avg: $45

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The Radeon RX 540 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 3.5% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon R9 M385.

Insight	Radeon RX 540	Radeon R9 M385
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+3.5%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-3.5%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2017 / GCN 4.0 (2016−2020))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / GCN 2.0 (2013−2017))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+0%)
Efficiency	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt	⚡ Higher Power Consumption
Case Fit	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly	—

💎 Value Proposition

The Radeon RX 540 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Radeon RX 540 holds the technical lead. Priced at $40 (vs $60), it costs 33% less, resulting in a 55.3% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	Radeon RX 540	Radeon R9 M385
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+55.3%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($40)	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($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 RX 540 Benchmark Check

Radeon R9 M385 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Radeon RX 540 and Radeon R9 M385

Radeon RX 540

The Radeon RX 540 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in November 11 2017. It features the GCN 4.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1124 MHz to 1219 MHz. It has 512 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 50W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,134 points.

Radeon R9 M385

The Radeon R9 M385 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in May 5 2015. It features the GCN 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 900 MHz to 1100 MHz. It has 896 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,061 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The Radeon RX 540 scores 2,134 and the Radeon R9 M385 reaches 2,061 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 3.5% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon RX 540 is built on GCN 4.0 while the Radeon R9 M385 uses GCN 2.0, both on 14 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 512 (Radeon RX 540) vs 896 (Radeon R9 M385). Raw compute: 1.248 TFLOPS (Radeon RX 540) vs 1.792 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 M385). Boost clocks: 1219 MHz vs 1100 MHz.

Feature	Radeon RX 540	Radeon R9 M385
G3D Mark Score	2,134+4%	2,061
Architecture	GCN 4.0	GCN 2.0
Process Node	14 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	512	896+75%
Compute (TFLOPS)	1.248 TFLOPS	1.792 TFLOPS+44%
Boost Clock	1219 MHz+11%	1100 MHz
ROPs	16	16
TMUs	32	56+75%
L1 Cache	128 KB	224 KB+75%
L2 Cache	512 KB+100%	256 KB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	Radeon RX 540	Radeon R9 M385
Upscaling Tech	FSR 2.1	FSR 1.0 (Software)
Frame Generation	FSR 3 (Compatible)	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	AMD Anti-Lag	AMD Anti-Lag

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

Both cards feature 4 GB of GDDR5. Memory bandwidth: 80 GB/s (Radeon RX 540) vs 96 GB/s (Radeon R9 M385) — a 20% advantage for the Radeon R9 M385. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 512 KB (Radeon RX 540) vs 256 KB (Radeon R9 M385) — the Radeon RX 540 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	Radeon RX 540	Radeon R9 M385
VRAM Capacity	4 GB	4 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	80 GB/s	96 GB/s+20%
Bus Width	128-bit	128-bit
L2 Cache	512 KB+100%	256 KB

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Radeon RX 540 draws 50W versus the Radeon R9 M385's 75W — a 40% difference. The Radeon RX 540 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon RX 540) vs 350W (Radeon R9 M385). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs Mobile.

Feature	Radeon RX 540	Radeon R9 M385
TDP	50W-33%	75W
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	Mobile
Length	1mm	—
Slots	0	—
Perf/Watt	42.7+55%	27.5

💰

Value Analysis

The Radeon RX 540 launched at $99 MSRP and currently averages $40, while the Radeon R9 M385 launched at $300 and now averages $60. The Radeon RX 540 costs 33.3% less ($20 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 53.4 (Radeon RX 540) vs 34.4 (Radeon R9 M385) — the Radeon RX 540 offers 55.2% better value. The Radeon RX 540 is the newer GPU (2017 vs 2015).