GeForce RTX 3060 vs Radeon R9 M290X
GeForce RTX 3060
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Radeon R9 M290X
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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 Radeon R9 M290X
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3060 is significantly newer (2021 vs 2014). 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 M290X 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 428.1% 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 M290X.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3060 | Radeon R9 M290X |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+428.1%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-428.1%) |
| Longevity | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere / 8nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)) |
| 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 | — |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce RTX 3060 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Although it costs $289 (vs $60), its significant performance lead justifies the premium, offering 9.6% better value per dollar than the Radeon R9 M290X.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3060 | Radeon R9 M290X |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+9.6%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($289) | ✅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 GeForce RTX 3060 and Radeon R9 M290X
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 M290X
The Radeon R9 M290X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in January 9 2014. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 850 MHz to 900 MHz. It has 1280 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 100W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,218 points.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the Radeon R9 M290X's 3,218 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 428.1%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the Radeon R9 M290X uses GCN 1.0, both on 8 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 1,280 (Radeon R9 M290X). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 2.304 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 M290X). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 900 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Radeon R9 M290X |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 16,995+428% | 3,218 |
| Architecture | Ampere | GCN 1.0 |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 3584+180% | 1280 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 12.74 TFLOPS+453% | 2.304 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1777 MHz+97% | 900 MHz |
| ROPs | 48+50% | 32 |
| TMUs | 112+40% | 80 |
| L1 Cache | 3.5 MB+1029% | 0.31 MB |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB+500% | 0.5 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 M290X relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Radeon R9 M290X |
|---|---|---|
| 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 M290X has 4 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 200% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 192-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 0.5 MB (Radeon R9 M290X) — the GeForce RTX 3060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Radeon R9 M290X |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB+200% | 4 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 360 GB/s | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 192-bit+50% | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB+500% | 0.5 MB |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the Radeon R9 M290X's 100W — a 51.9% difference. The Radeon R9 M290X is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 350W (Radeon R9 M290X). Power connectors: 8-pin vs Mobile.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Radeon R9 M290X |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 170W | 100W-41% |
| Recommended PSU | 550W | 350W-36% |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | Mobile |
| Length | 242mm | — |
| Height | 112mm | — |
| Slots | 2 | — |
| Temp (Load) | 75 | — |
| Perf/Watt | 100.0+211% | 32.2 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329 MSRP and currently averages $289, while the Radeon R9 M290X launched at $400 and now averages $60. The Radeon R9 M290X costs 79.2% less ($229 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 58.8 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 53.6 (Radeon R9 M290X) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 9.7% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2014).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Radeon R9 M290X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $329-18% | $400 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $289 | $60-79% |
| Performance per Dollar | 58.8+10% | 53.6 |
| Codename | GA106 | Neptune |
| Release | January 12 2021 | January 9 2014 |
| Ranking | #114 | #566 |
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