Radeon RX 780 vs Radeon RX 580 2048SP
Radeon RX 780
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Radeon RX 580 2048SP
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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. The Radeon RX 780 is positioned at rank #296 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Radeon RX 780
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The Radeon RX 780 is significantly newer (2024 vs 2018). The Radeon RX 780 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The Radeon RX 580 2048SP lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Radeon RX 780 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.3% higher G3D Mark score. However, the Radeon RX 580 2048SP offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | Radeon RX 780 | Radeon RX 580 2048SP |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+0.3%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.3%) |
| Longevity | 🏆Elite Architecture (RDNA 3.0 (2022−2026) / 5nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2018 / GCN 4.0 (2016−2020)) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ FSR 3 / AFMF Support | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+300%) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | — | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon RX 580 2048SP offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $60 versus $721 for the Radeon RX 780, it costs 92% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 1097.7% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon RX 780 | Radeon RX 580 2048SP |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+1097.7%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($721) | ✅More affordable ($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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Radeon RX 780 and Radeon RX 580 2048SP
Radeon RX 780
The Radeon RX 780 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in September 11 2024. It features the RDNA 3.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1295 MHz to 2335 MHz. It has 3840 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 180W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 60 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 7,658 points.
Radeon RX 580 2048SP
The Radeon RX 580 2048SP is manufactured by AMD. It was released in October 15 2018. It features the GCN 4.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1168 MHz to 1284 MHz. It has 2048 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 7,633 points.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon RX 780 scores 7,658 and the Radeon RX 580 2048SP reaches 7,633 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.3% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon RX 780 is built on RDNA 3.0 while the Radeon RX 580 2048SP uses GCN 4.0, both on 5 nm vs 14 nm. Shader units: 3,840 (Radeon RX 780) vs 2,048 (Radeon RX 580 2048SP). Raw compute: 35.87 TFLOPS (Radeon RX 780) vs 5.259 TFLOPS (Radeon RX 580 2048SP). Boost clocks: 2335 MHz vs 1284 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon RX 780 | Radeon RX 580 2048SP |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 7,658 | 7,633 |
| Architecture | RDNA 3.0 | GCN 4.0 |
| Process Node | 5 nm | 14 nm |
| Shading Units | 3840+88% | 2048 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 35.87 TFLOPS+582% | 5.259 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 2335 MHz+82% | 1284 MHz |
| ROPs | 96+200% | 32 |
| TMUs | 240+88% | 128 |
| L1 Cache | 768 KB+50% | 512 KB |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB+100% | 2 MB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
A critical advantage for the Radeon RX 780 is support for FSR 3 / AFMF. This allows it to generate entire frames using AI/Algorithms, essentially doubling the frame rate in CPU-bound scenarios or heavy ray-tracing titles. The Radeon RX 580 2048SP lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.
| Feature | Radeon RX 780 | Radeon RX 580 2048SP |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 3 (Native) | FSR 2.1 |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 / AFMF (Driver) | FSR 3 (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | AMD Anti-Lag | AMD Anti-Lag |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The Radeon RX 780 comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon RX 580 2048SP has 16 GB. The Radeon RX 580 2048SP offers 300% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: System vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 4 MB (Radeon RX 780) vs 2 MB (Radeon RX 580 2048SP) — the Radeon RX 780 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | Radeon RX 780 | Radeon RX 580 2048SP |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 16 GB+300% |
| Memory Type | Shared | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | System | 224 GB/s |
| Bus Width | System | 256-bit |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB+100% | 2 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (12_2) (Radeon RX 780) vs 12 (Radeon RX 580 2048SP). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | Radeon RX 780 | Radeon RX 580 2048SP |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (12_2) | 12 |
| Vulkan | 1.4+8% | 1.3 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: RDNA 3 Dual Media Engine (Radeon RX 780) vs VCE 3.4 (Radeon RX 580 2048SP). Decoder: VCN 4.0 vs UVD 6.3. Supported codecs: H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Radeon RX 780) vs H.264,HEVC,VP9 (Radeon RX 580 2048SP).
| Feature | Radeon RX 780 | Radeon RX 580 2048SP |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | RDNA 3 Dual Media Engine | VCE 3.4 |
| Decoder | VCN 4.0 | UVD 6.3 |
| Codecs | H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 | H.264,HEVC,VP9 |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon RX 780 draws 180W versus the Radeon RX 580 2048SP's 150W — a 18.2% difference. The Radeon RX 580 2048SP is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon RX 780) vs 450W (Radeon RX 580 2048SP). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 8-pin. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 75°C.
| Feature | Radeon RX 780 | Radeon RX 580 2048SP |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 180W | 150W-17% |
| Recommended PSU | 350W-22% | 450W |
| Power Connector | PCIe-powered | 8-pin |
| Length | — | 241mm |
| Slots | 0-100% | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 85°C | 75°C-12% |
| Perf/Watt | 42.5 | 50.9+20% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon RX 780 launched at $499 MSRP and currently averages $721, while the Radeon RX 580 2048SP launched at $229 and now averages $60. The Radeon RX 580 2048SP costs 91.7% less ($661 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 10.6 (Radeon RX 780) vs 127.2 (Radeon RX 580 2048SP) — the Radeon RX 580 2048SP offers 1100% better value. The Radeon RX 780 is the newer GPU (2024 vs 2018).
| Feature | Radeon RX 780 | Radeon RX 580 2048SP |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $499 | $229-54% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $721 | $60-92% |
| Performance per Dollar | 10.6 | 127.2+1100% |
| Codename | Navi 32 | Polaris 20 |
| Release | September 11 2024 | October 15 2018 |
| Ranking | #131 | #334 |
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