Radeon RX 5500M vs Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
Radeon RX 5500M
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Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
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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 RX 5500M is positioned at rank 46 and the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire is on rank 408, so the Radeon RX 5500M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Radeon RX 5500M
Performance Per Dollar Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The Radeon RX 5500M uses modern memory architecture. The Radeon RX 5500M likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.8% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon RX 5500M.
| Insight | Radeon RX 5500M | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.8%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+0.8%) |
| Longevity | RDNA 1.0 (2019−2020) (7nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / GCN (2012−2015)) |
| 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 5500M offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $100 versus $200 for the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire, it costs 50% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 98.5% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon RX 5500M | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+98.5%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($100) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($200) |
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 RX 5500M and Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
Radeon RX 5500M
The Radeon RX 5500M is manufactured by AMD. It was released in October 7 2019. It features the RDNA 1.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1375 MHz to 1645 MHz. It has 1408 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 85W. Manufactured using 7 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,954 points.
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.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon RX 5500M scores 5,954 and the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire reaches 6,000 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.8% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon RX 5500M is built on RDNA 1.0 while the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire uses GCN, both on 7 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 1,408 (Radeon RX 5500M) vs 2,560 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire). Boost clocks: 1645 MHz vs 900 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon RX 5500M | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 5,954 | 6,000 |
| Architecture | RDNA 1.0 | GCN |
| Process Node | 7 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 1408 | 2560+82% |
| Boost Clock | 1645 MHz+83% | 900 MHz |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon RX 5500M | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| 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 video memory. Memory bandwidth: 224 GB/s (Radeon RX 5500M) vs 307.2 GB/s (Dual) (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) — a 37.1% advantage for the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire. Bus width: 128-bit vs 512-bit (Dual).
| Feature | Radeon RX 5500M | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 224 GB/s | 307.2 GB/s (Dual)+37% |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 512-bit (Dual)+300% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (Radeon RX 5500M) vs 12 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire). Maximum simultaneous displays: 3 vs 0.
| Feature | Radeon RX 5500M | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 | 12 |
| Max Displays | 3 | 0 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: VCN 2.0 (Radeon RX 5500M) vs VCE 1.0 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire). Decoder: VCN 2.0 vs UVD 3.1.
| Feature | Radeon RX 5500M | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | VCN 2.0 | VCE 1.0 |
| Decoder | VCN 2.0 | UVD 3.1 |
| Codecs | H.264,H.265/HEVC,VP9 | — |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon RX 5500M draws 85W versus the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire's 200W — a 80.7% difference. The Radeon RX 5500M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon RX 5500M) vs 350W (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs Mobile. Card length: 0mm vs 1mm, occupying 0 vs 0 slots.
| Feature | Radeon RX 5500M | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 85W-57% | 200W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | PCIe-powered | Mobile |
| Length | 0mm | 1mm |
| Slots | 0 | 0 |
| Temp (Load) | 75°C | — |
| Perf/Watt | 70.0+133% | 30.0 |
Value Analysis
The Radeon RX 5500M costs 50% less ($100 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 59.5 (Radeon RX 5500M) vs 30.0 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) — the Radeon RX 5500M offers 98.3% better value. The Radeon RX 5500M is the newer GPU (2019 vs 2014).
| Feature | Radeon RX 5500M | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | $800 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $100-50% | $200 |
| Performance per Dollar | 59.5+98% | 30.0 |
| Codename | Navi 14 | Neptune CF |
| Release | October 7 2019 | March 1 2014 |
| Ranking | #400 | #348 |
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The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
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