GeForce RTX 4060 vs Radeon R9 290 / 390
GeForce RTX 4060
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Radeon R9 290 / 390
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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 4060
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 4060 is significantly newer (2023 vs 2015). The GeForce RTX 4060 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The Radeon R9 290 / 390 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 4060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 139.9% 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 / 390.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 4060 | Radeon R9 290 / 390 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+139.9%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-139.9%) |
| Longevity | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) / 5nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / 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 / 390 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $65 versus $299 for the GeForce RTX 4060, it costs 78% less. While it maintains significantly lower raw performance, this results in a 91.8% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 4060 | Radeon R9 290 / 390 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+91.8%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($299) | ✅More affordable ($65) |
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 4060 and Radeon R9 290 / 390
GeForce RTX 4060
The GeForce RTX 4060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 18 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 1830 MHz to 2460 MHz. It has 3072 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 115W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 24 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 19,548 points. Launch price was $299.
Radeon R9 290 / 390
The Radeon R9 290 / 390 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in June 18 2015. It features the GCN 2.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1000 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 300W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 8,150 points. Launch price was $329.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 4060 scores 19,548 versus the Radeon R9 290 / 390's 8,150 — the GeForce RTX 4060 leads by 139.9%. The GeForce RTX 4060 is built on Ada Lovelace while the Radeon R9 290 / 390 uses GCN 2.0, both on 5 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 3,072 (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 2,560 (Radeon R9 290 / 390). Raw compute: 15.11 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 5.12 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 290 / 390). Boost clocks: 2460 MHz vs 1000 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4060 | Radeon R9 290 / 390 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 19,548+140% | 8,150 |
| Architecture | Ada Lovelace | GCN 2.0 |
| Process Node | 5 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 3072+20% | 2560 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 15.11 TFLOPS+195% | 5.12 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 2460 MHz+146% | 1000 MHz |
| ROPs | 48 | 64+33% |
| TMUs | 96 | 160+67% |
| L1 Cache | 3 MB+376% | 0.63 MB |
| L2 Cache | 24 MB+2300% | 1 MB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
A critical advantage for the GeForce RTX 4060 is support for DLSS 3 Frame Gen. This allows it to generate entire frames using AI/Algorithms, essentially doubling the frame rate in CPU-bound scenarios or heavy ray-tracing titles. The Radeon R9 290 / 390 lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.The GeForce RTX 4060 gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The Radeon R9 290 / 390 relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4060 | Radeon R9 290 / 390 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | DLSS 3.5 | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | DLSS 3.0 (Native) | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | Yes (DLSS 3.5) | No |
| Low Latency | NVIDIA Reflex | AMD Anti-Lag |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce RTX 4060 comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon R9 290 / 390 has 4 GB. The GeForce RTX 4060 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 272 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 320 GB/s (Radeon R9 290 / 390) — a 17.6% advantage for the Radeon R9 290 / 390. Bus width: 128-bit vs 512-bit. L2 Cache: 24 MB (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 1 MB (Radeon R9 290 / 390) — the GeForce RTX 4060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4060 | Radeon R9 290 / 390 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB+100% | 4 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 272 GB/s | 320 GB/s+18% |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 512-bit+300% |
| L2 Cache | 24 MB+2300% | 1 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 12.0 (Radeon R9 290 / 390). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 6.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4060 | Radeon R9 290 / 390 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 8th gen (GeForce RTX 4060) vs VCE 2.0 (Radeon R9 290 / 390). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs UVD 4.2. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4060) vs MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 (Radeon R9 290 / 390).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4060 | Radeon R9 290 / 390 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 8th gen | VCE 2.0 |
| Decoder | NVDEC 5th gen | UVD 4.2 |
| Codecs | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 | MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 4060 draws 115W versus the Radeon R9 290 / 390's 300W — a 89.2% difference. The GeForce RTX 4060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 750W (Radeon R9 290 / 390). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 6-pin + 8-pin. Card length: 240mm vs 275mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 73°C vs 95°C.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4060 | Radeon R9 290 / 390 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 115W-62% | 300W |
| Recommended PSU | 550W-27% | 750W |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | 6-pin + 8-pin |
| Length | 240mm | 275mm |
| Height | 111mm | 109mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 73°C-23% | 95°C |
| Perf/Watt | 170.0+525% | 27.2 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 4060 launched at $299 MSRP and currently averages $299, while the Radeon R9 290 / 390 launched at $329 and now averages $65. The Radeon R9 290 / 390 costs 78.3% less ($234 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 65.4 (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 125.4 (Radeon R9 290 / 390) — the Radeon R9 290 / 390 offers 91.7% better value. The GeForce RTX 4060 is the newer GPU (2023 vs 2015).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4060 | Radeon R9 290 / 390 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $299-9% | $329 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $299 | $65-78% |
| Performance per Dollar | 65.4 | 125.4+92% |
| Codename | AD107 | Grenada |
| Release | May 18 2023 | June 18 2015 |
| Ranking | #84 | #296 |
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