GeForce RTX 3050 8GB vs Radeon R9 290

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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3050 8GB

#8

Radeon RX 9060 XT

MSRP: $299|Avg: $299

112%

#9

Radeon RX 9060 XT 8GB

MSRP: $299|Avg: $299

111%

#10

Radeon RX 7600

MSRP: $269|Avg: $250

111%

#11

Radeon RX 6600

MSRP: $329|Avg: $180

109%

#12

GeForce RTX 4060

MSRP: $299|Avg: $299

109%

#13

Arc B570

MSRP: $219|Avg: $219

107%

#14

Arc B580

MSRP: $249|Avg: $249

107%

#15

Radeon RX 6500 XT

MSRP: $199|Avg: $150

107%

#16

GeForce RTX 3070

MSRP: $499|Avg: $200

106%

#17

Radeon RX 6700

MSRP: $379|Avg: $300

105%

#18

Radeon RX 6600 XT

MSRP: $379|Avg: $170

103%

#19

Radeon RX590 GME

MSRP: $173|Avg: $115

103%

#20

Radeon RX 6650 XT

MSRP: $399|Avg: $230

102%

#21

GeForce RTX 5060 Ti

MSRP: $379|Avg: $379

101%

#22

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

MSRP: $169|Avg: $179

100%

#23

GeForce RTX 3050 8GB

MSRP: $249|Avg: $209

100%

#24

Radeon RX 6600 LE

MSRP: $329|Avg: $160

100%

#25

GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB

MSRP: $379|Avg: $379

99%

#26

Radeon RX 7700 XT

MSRP: $449|Avg: $380

99%

#27

GeForce RTX 4060 Ti

MSRP: $399|Avg: $380

99%

#28

Radeon RX 6750 GRE 10GB

MSRP: $269|Avg: $318

98%

#29

Radeon RX 6700 XT

MSRP: $479|Avg: $230

98%

#30

GeForce RTX 3060

MSRP: $329|Avg: $289

98%

#31

Radeon RX 7400

MSRP: $199|Avg: $199

98%

#32

Radeon RX 9060 XT 16 GB

MSRP: $349|Avg: $349

97%

#33

Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB

MSRP: $349|Avg: $349

96%

#34

Radeon RX 5300

MSRP: $129|Avg: $50

94%

#35

GeForce GTX 1650 Ti

MSRP: $150|Avg: $77

93%

#36

Radeon RX 6400

MSRP: $159|Avg: $139

93%

#37

GeForce RTX 3070 Ti

MSRP: $599|Avg: $330

93%

#38

Arc A750

MSRP: $289|Avg: $229

92%

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 3050 8GB is significantly newer (2022 vs 2013). The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The Radeon R9 290 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 53.2% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (8 GB vs 4 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon R9 290.

Insight	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	Radeon R9 290
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+53.2%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-53.2%)
Longevity	🏆Elite Architecture (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm)	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / GCN 2.0 (2013−2017))
Ecosystem	✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	🎮 High Capacity (8 GB)	❌ Less VRAM capacity
Efficiency	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt	⚡ Higher Power Consumption
Case Fit	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly	Standard Size (275mm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Radeon R9 290 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $50 versus $209 for the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB, it costs 76% less. While it maintains lower overall performance, this results in a 172.9% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	Radeon R9 290
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+172.9%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($209)	✅More affordable ($50)

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.

GeForce RTX 3050 8GB Benchmark Check

Radeon R9 290 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3050 8GB and Radeon R9 290

GeForce RTX 3050 8GB

The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 4 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1552 MHz to 1777 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 130W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 20 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 12,535 points. Launch price was $249.

Radeon R9 290

The Radeon R9 290 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in November 5 2013. It features the GCN 2.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 947 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 275W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 8,184 points. Launch price was $399.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB scores 12,535 versus the Radeon R9 290's 8,184 — the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB leads by 53.2%. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is built on Ampere while the Radeon R9 290 uses GCN 2.0, both on 8 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 2,560 (Radeon R9 290). Raw compute: 9.098 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 4.849 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 290).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	Radeon R9 290
G3D Mark Score	12,535+53%	8,184
Architecture	Ampere	GCN 2.0
Process Node	8 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	2560	2560
Compute (TFLOPS)	9.098 TFLOPS+88%	4.849 TFLOPS
ROPs	32	64+100%
TMUs	80	160+100%
L1 Cache	2.5 MB+297%	0.63 MB
L2 Cache	2 MB+100%	1 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The Radeon R9 290 relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	Radeon R9 290
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2.0	FSR 1.0 (Software)
Frame Generation	FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible)	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	AMD Anti-Lag

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon R9 290 has 4 GB. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 224 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 320 GB/s (Radeon R9 290) — a 42.9% advantage for the Radeon R9 290. Bus width: 128-bit vs 512-bit. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 1 MB (Radeon R9 290) — the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	Radeon R9 290
VRAM Capacity	8 GB+100%	4 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	224 GB/s	320 GB/s+43%
Bus Width	128-bit	512-bit+300%
L2 Cache	2 MB+100%	1 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 12.0 (Radeon R9 290). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 6.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	Radeon R9 290
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12.0
Vulkan	1.4+17%	1.2
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	6+50%

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs VCE 2.0 (Radeon R9 290). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs UVD 4.2. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 (Radeon R9 290).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	Radeon R9 290
Encoder	NVENC 7th gen	VCE 2.0
Decoder	NVDEC 5th gen	UVD 4.2
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9	MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB draws 130W versus the Radeon R9 290's 275W — a 71.6% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 750W (Radeon R9 290). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 6-pin + 8-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 275mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 66°C vs 95°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	Radeon R9 290
TDP	130W-53%	275W
Recommended PSU	450W-40%	750W
Power Connector	8-pin	6-pin + 8-pin
Length	242mm	275mm
Height	112mm	109mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	66°C-31%	95°C
Perf/Watt	96.4+223%	29.8

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB launched at $249 MSRP and currently averages $209, while the Radeon R9 290 launched at $399 and now averages $50. The Radeon R9 290 costs 76.1% less ($159 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 60.0 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 163.7 (Radeon R9 290) — the Radeon R9 290 offers 172.8% better value. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2013).