GeForce RTX 3070 vs Radeon R9 390X
GeForce RTX 3070
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Radeon R9 390X
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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 3070
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3070 uses modern memory architecture. The GeForce RTX 3070 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The Radeon R9 390X lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 3070 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 139% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon R9 390X.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3070 | Radeon R9 390X |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+139%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-139%) |
| Longevity | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / GCN 2.0 (2013−2017)) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (8 GB) | ✅ More VRAM (+0%) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | Standard Size (277mm) |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon R9 390X offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $70 versus $200 for the GeForce RTX 3070, it costs 65% less. While it maintains significantly lower raw performance, this results in a 19.6% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3070 | Radeon R9 390X |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+19.6%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($200) | ✅More affordable ($70) |
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 3070 and Radeon R9 390X
GeForce RTX 3070
The GeForce RTX 3070 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 1 2020. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1500 MHz to 1725 MHz. It has 5888 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 220W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 46 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 22,172 points. Launch price was $499.
Radeon R9 390X
The Radeon R9 390X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in June 18 2015. It features the GCN 2.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1050 MHz. It has 2816 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 275W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 9,278 points. Launch price was $429.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3070 scores 22,172 versus the Radeon R9 390X's 9,278 — the GeForce RTX 3070 leads by 139%. The GeForce RTX 3070 is built on Ampere while the Radeon R9 390X uses GCN 2.0, both on 8 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 5,888 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 2,816 (Radeon R9 390X). Raw compute: 20.31 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 5.914 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 390X). Boost clocks: 1725 MHz vs 1050 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3070 | Radeon R9 390X |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 22,172+139% | 9,278 |
| Architecture | Ampere | GCN 2.0 |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 5888+109% | 2816 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 20.31 TFLOPS+243% | 5.914 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1725 MHz+64% | 1050 MHz |
| ROPs | 96+50% | 64 |
| TMUs | 184+5% | 176 |
| L1 Cache | 5.8 MB+741% | 0.69 MB |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB+300% | 1 MB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
The GeForce RTX 3070 gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The Radeon R9 390X relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3070 | Radeon R9 390X |
|---|---|---|
| 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)
Both cards feature 8 GB of video memory. Memory bandwidth: 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 384 GB/s (Radeon R9 390X) — a 16.7% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3070. Bus width: 256-bit vs 512-bit. L2 Cache: 4 MB (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 1 MB (Radeon R9 390X) — the GeForce RTX 3070 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3070 | Radeon R9 390X |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 448 GB/s+17% | 384 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 256-bit | 512-bit+100% |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB+300% | 1 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 12 (12_0) (Radeon R9 390X). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3070 | Radeon R9 390X |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate | 12 (12_0) |
| Vulkan | 1.4+17% | 1.2 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3070) vs VCE 2.0 (Radeon R9 390X). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs UVD 4.2. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (Radeon R9 390X).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3070 | Radeon R9 390X |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 7th gen | VCE 2.0 |
| Decoder | NVDEC 5th gen | UVD 4.2 |
| Codecs | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 | H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3070 draws 220W versus the Radeon R9 390X's 275W — a 22.2% difference. The GeForce RTX 3070 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 650W (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 750W (Radeon R9 390X). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 6-pin + 8-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 277mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 80.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3070 | Radeon R9 390X |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 220W-20% | 275W |
| Recommended PSU | 650W-13% | 750W |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | 6-pin + 8-pin |
| Length | 242mm | 277mm |
| Height | 112mm | 129mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 75°C-6% | 80 |
| Perf/Watt | 100.8+199% | 33.7 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3070 launched at $499 MSRP and currently averages $200, while the Radeon R9 390X launched at $429 and now averages $70. The Radeon R9 390X costs 65% less ($130 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 110.9 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 132.5 (Radeon R9 390X) — the Radeon R9 390X offers 19.5% better value. The GeForce RTX 3070 is the newer GPU (2020 vs 2015).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3070 | Radeon R9 390X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $499 | $429-14% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $200 | $70-65% |
| Performance per Dollar | 110.9 | 132.5+19% |
| Codename | GA104 | Grenada |
| Release | September 1 2020 | June 18 2015 |
| Ranking | #63 | #287 |
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