GeForce RTX 3060 Ti vs Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
Popular choices:
Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
Popular choices:
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
Performance Per Dollar Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is significantly newer (2020 vs 2014). The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti 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 GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 238.5% 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 M290X Crossfire.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+238.5%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-238.5%) |
| Longevity | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / GCN (2012−2015)) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (8 GB) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Although it costs $280 (vs $200), its significant performance lead justifies the premium, offering 141.8% better value per dollar than the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+141.8%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($280) | ✅More affordable ($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 GeForce RTX 3060 Ti and Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in December 1 2020. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1410 MHz to 1665 MHz. It has 4864 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 200W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 38 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 20,312 points. Launch price was $399.
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
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti scores 20,312 versus the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire's 6,000 — the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti leads by 238.5%. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is built on Ampere while the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire uses GCN, both on 8 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 4,864 (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs 2,560 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire). Boost clocks: 1665 MHz vs 900 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 20,312+239% | 6,000 |
| Architecture | Ampere | GCN |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 4864+90% | 2560 |
| Boost Clock | 1665 MHz+85% | 900 MHz |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| 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 3060 Ti comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire has 4 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs 307.2 GB/s (Dual) (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) — a 45.8% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti. Bus width: 256-bit vs 512-bit (Dual).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB+100% | 4 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 448 GB/s+46% | 307.2 GB/s (Dual) |
| Bus Width | 256-bit | 512-bit (Dual)+100% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (12_2) (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs 12 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire). Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 0.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate (12_2) | 12 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 0 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC (Ampere) (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs VCE 1.0 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire). Decoder: NVDEC (Ampere) vs UVD 3.1.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC (Ampere) | VCE 1.0 |
| Decoder | NVDEC (Ampere) | UVD 3.1 |
| Codecs | H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1 | — |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti draws 200W versus the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire's 200W — a 0% difference. The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 600W (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs 350W (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire). Power connectors: 8-pin vs Mobile. Card length: 242mm vs 1mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 200W | 200W |
| Recommended PSU | 600W | 350W-42% |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | Mobile |
| Length | 242mm | 1mm |
| Height | 112mm | — |
| Slots | 2 | 0-100% |
| Temp (Load) | 75 | — |
| Perf/Watt | 101.6+239% | 30.0 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti launched at $399 MSRP and currently averages $280, while the Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire launched at $800 and now averages $200. The Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire costs 28.6% less ($80 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 72.5 (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs 30.0 (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire) — the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti offers 141.7% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is the newer GPU (2020 vs 2014).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti | Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $399-50% | $800 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $280 | $200-29% |
| Performance per Dollar | 72.5+142% | 30.0 |
| Codename | GA104 | Neptune CF |
| Release | December 1 2020 | March 1 2014 |
| Ranking | #73 | #348 |
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar GPU comparisons based on GeForce RTX 3060 Ti and Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire
