Radeon RX 7600 vs Radeon R9 290
Radeon RX 7600
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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 Radeon RX 7600
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The Radeon RX 7600 is significantly newer (2023 vs 2013). The Radeon RX 7600 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 Radeon RX 7600 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 102.6% 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.
| Insight | Radeon RX 7600 | Radeon R9 290 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+102.6%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-102.6%) |
| Longevity | 🏆Elite Architecture (RDNA 3.0 (2022−2026) / 6nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / GCN 2.0 (2013−2017)) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ FSR 3 / AFMF 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 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $50 versus $250 for the Radeon RX 7600, it costs 80% less. While it maintains significantly lower raw performance, this results in a 146.8% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon RX 7600 | Radeon R9 290 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+146.8%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($250) | ✅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 Radeon RX 7600 and Radeon R9 290
Radeon RX 7600
The Radeon RX 7600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in May 24 2023. It features the RDNA 3.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1720 MHz to 2655 MHz. It has 2048 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 165W. Manufactured using 6 nm process technology. It features 32 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 16,581 points. Launch price was $269.
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 Radeon RX 7600 scores 16,581 versus the Radeon R9 290's 8,184 — the Radeon RX 7600 leads by 102.6%. The Radeon RX 7600 is built on RDNA 3.0 while the Radeon R9 290 uses GCN 2.0, both on 6 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 2,048 (Radeon RX 7600) vs 2,560 (Radeon R9 290). Raw compute: 21.75 TFLOPS (Radeon RX 7600) vs 4.849 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 290).
| Feature | Radeon RX 7600 | Radeon R9 290 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 16,581+103% | 8,184 |
| Architecture | RDNA 3.0 | GCN 2.0 |
| Process Node | 6 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 2048 | 2560+25% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 21.75 TFLOPS+349% | 4.849 TFLOPS |
| ROPs | 64 | 64 |
| TMUs | 128 | 160+25% |
| L1 Cache | 512 KB | 640 KB+25% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB+100% | 1 MB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
A critical advantage for the Radeon RX 7600 is support for FSR 3 / AFMF. 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 lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.
| Feature | Radeon RX 7600 | Radeon R9 290 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 3 (Native) | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 / AFMF (Driver) | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | AMD Anti-Lag | AMD Anti-Lag |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The Radeon RX 7600 comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon R9 290 has 4 GB. The Radeon RX 7600 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 288 GB/s (Radeon RX 7600) vs 320 GB/s (Radeon R9 290) — a 11.1% advantage for the Radeon R9 290. Bus width: 128-bit vs 512-bit. L2 Cache: 2 MB (Radeon RX 7600) vs 1 MB (Radeon R9 290) — the Radeon RX 7600 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | Radeon RX 7600 | Radeon R9 290 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB+100% | 4 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 288 GB/s | 320 GB/s+11% |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 512-bit+300% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB+100% | 1 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12.2 (Radeon RX 7600) 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 | Radeon RX 7600 | Radeon R9 290 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12.2+2% | 12.0 |
| Vulkan | 1.3+8% | 1.2 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 6+50% |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: VCN 4.0 (Radeon RX 7600) vs VCE 2.0 (Radeon R9 290). Decoder: VCN 4.0 vs UVD 4.2. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Radeon RX 7600) vs MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 (Radeon R9 290).
| Feature | Radeon RX 7600 | Radeon R9 290 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | VCN 4.0 | VCE 2.0 |
| Decoder | VCN 4.0 | UVD 4.2 |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 | MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon RX 7600 draws 165W versus the Radeon R9 290's 275W — a 50% difference. The Radeon RX 7600 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (Radeon RX 7600) vs 750W (Radeon R9 290). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 6-pin + 8-pin. Card length: 240mm vs 275mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 95°C.
| Feature | Radeon RX 7600 | Radeon R9 290 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 165W-40% | 275W |
| Recommended PSU | 550W-27% | 750W |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | 6-pin + 8-pin |
| Length | 240mm | 275mm |
| Height | 111mm | 109mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 75°C-21% | 95°C |
| Perf/Watt | 100.5+237% | 29.8 |
Value Analysis
The Radeon RX 7600 launched at $269 MSRP and currently averages $250, while the Radeon R9 290 launched at $399 and now averages $50. The Radeon R9 290 costs 80% less ($200 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 66.3 (Radeon RX 7600) vs 163.7 (Radeon R9 290) — the Radeon R9 290 offers 146.9% better value. The Radeon RX 7600 is the newer GPU (2023 vs 2013).
| Feature | Radeon RX 7600 | Radeon R9 290 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $269-33% | $399 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $250 | $50-80% |
| Performance per Dollar | 66.3 | 163.7+147% |
| Codename | Navi 33 | Hawaii |
| Release | May 24 2023 | November 5 2013 |
| Ranking | #118 | #316 |
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