GeForce RTX 3060 vs Radeon R9 290
GeForce RTX 3060
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Radeon R9 290
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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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3060
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3060 is significantly newer (2021 vs 2013). The GeForce RTX 3060 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 3060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 107.7% higher G3D Mark score and 200% more VRAM (12 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 3060 | Radeon R9 290 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+107.7%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-107.7%) |
| Longevity | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere / 8nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / GCN 2.0 (2013−2017)) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (12 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 $289 for the GeForce RTX 3060, it costs 83% less. While it maintains significantly lower raw performance, this results in a 178.3% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3060 | Radeon R9 290 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+178.3%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($289) | ✅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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 and Radeon R9 290
GeForce RTX 3060
The GeForce RTX 3060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 12 2021. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1320 MHz to 1777 MHz. It has 3584 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 170W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 28 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 16,995 points. Launch price was $329.
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 3060 scores 16,995 versus the Radeon R9 290's 8,184 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 107.7%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the Radeon R9 290 uses GCN 2.0, both on 8 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 2,560 (Radeon R9 290). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 4.849 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 290).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Radeon R9 290 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 16,995+108% | 8,184 |
| Architecture | Ampere | GCN 2.0 |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 3584+40% | 2560 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 12.74 TFLOPS+163% | 4.849 TFLOPS |
| ROPs | 48 | 64+33% |
| TMUs | 112 | 160+43% |
| L1 Cache | 3.5 MB+456% | 0.63 MB |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB+200% | 1 MB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
The GeForce RTX 3060 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 3060 | 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 3060 comes with 12 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon R9 290 has 4 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 200% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 320 GB/s (Radeon R9 290) — a 12.5% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060. Bus width: 192-bit vs 512-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 1 MB (Radeon R9 290) — the GeForce RTX 3060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Radeon R9 290 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB+200% | 4 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 360 GB/s+13% | 320 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 192-bit | 512-bit+167% |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB+200% | 1 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 12.0 (Radeon R9 290). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 6.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Radeon R9 290 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate | 12.0 |
| Vulkan | 1.3+8% | 1.2 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 6+50% |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060) vs VCE 2.0 (Radeon R9 290). Decoder: NVDEC 5th Gen vs UVD 4.2. Supported codecs: AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 (Radeon R9 290).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Radeon R9 290 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 7th Gen | VCE 2.0 |
| Decoder | NVDEC 5th Gen | UVD 4.2 |
| Codecs | AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 | MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the Radeon R9 290's 275W — a 47.2% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) 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: 75 vs 95°C.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Radeon R9 290 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 170W-38% | 275W |
| Recommended PSU | 550W-27% | 750W |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | 6-pin + 8-pin |
| Length | 242mm | 275mm |
| Height | 112mm | 109mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 75-21% | 95°C |
| Perf/Watt | 100.0+236% | 29.8 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329 MSRP and currently averages $289, while the Radeon R9 290 launched at $399 and now averages $50. The Radeon R9 290 costs 82.7% less ($239 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 58.8 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 163.7 (Radeon R9 290) — the Radeon R9 290 offers 178.4% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2013).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Radeon R9 290 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $329-18% | $399 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $289 | $50-83% |
| Performance per Dollar | 58.8 | 163.7+178% |
| Codename | GA106 | Hawaii |
| Release | January 12 2021 | November 5 2013 |
| Ranking | #114 | #316 |
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