Contents:HighlightsSummaryGaming PerformanceBenchmark PerformanceTechnical SpecsRelated ComparisonsRelated GPUs
Performance
Radeon R9 290X295% better
16,167.515% of 104,598
Radeon 540X
4,0974% of 104,598
The Radeon R9 290X has 295% better performance than the Radeon 540X for the 3DMark 11 Performance GPU benchmark.
Performance per dollar
Radeon R9 290X
29.4518% of 161.45
Radeon 540X
No data available
The Radeon R9 290X has 18% of the performance per dollar compared to the leader for the 3DMark 11 Performance GPU benchmark: AMD Radeon RX 7600.
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Summary
#
About the AMD Radeon R9 290X GPU
The AMD Radeon R9 290X is an end-of-life desktop graphics card that released in Q4 2013 with a MSRP of $549. It is built on the GCN 2.0 GPU microarchitecture (codename Hawaii) and is manufactured on a 28 nm process.
Memory
The R9 290X has 4 GB of GDDR5 memory, with a 1,250 MHz memory clock and a 512 bit interface. This gives it a memory bandwidth of 320 Gb/s, which affects how fast it can transfer data to and from memory. GPU memory stores temporary data that helps the GPU with complex math and graphics operations. More memory is generally better, as not having enough can cause performance bottlenecks.
Cores and Clock Speeds
The R9 290X includes 2,816 stream processors (SPs), the processing units for handling parallel computing tasks. The GPU operates at a core clock speed of 1,000 MHz. Complementing the processing units are 176 texture mapping units (TMUs) for efficient texture filtering and 64 render output units (ROPs) for pixel processing.
Compatibility & Power Consumption
The R9 290X occupies 2 PCIe expansion slots. It supports DVI, HDMI 1.4a, DisplayPort 1.2 display connections. AMD recommends a power supply of at least 600 W to handle the GPU's thermal design power (TDP) of 290 W.
Benchmark Performance & Value
The R9 290X has the 137th best 3DMark 11 Performance GPU score among the 543 benchmarked GPUs in our database. It achieves 15.46% of the performance of the best benchmarked GPU, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090. Its 16,167.5 score and $549 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 29.45. This is the 80th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Performance GPU benchmark.
About the AMD Radeon 540X GPU
The AMD Radeon 540X is an end-of-life mobile graphics card that released in Q3 2018. It is built on the GCN 4.0 GPU microarchitecture (codename Lexa) and is manufactured on a 14 nm process.
Memory
The 540X has 2 GB of GDDR5 memory, with a 1,500 MHz memory clock and a 64 bit interface. This gives it a memory bandwidth of 48 Gb/s, which affects how fast it can transfer data to and from memory. GPU memory stores temporary data that helps the GPU with complex math and graphics operations. More memory is generally better, as not having enough can cause performance bottlenecks.
Cores and Clock Speeds
The 540X includes 512 stream processors (SPs), the processing units for handling parallel computing tasks. The GPU operates at a core clock speed of 980 MHz and can dynamically boost its clock speed up to 1,046 MHz. Complementing the processing units are 32 texture mapping units (TMUs) for efficient texture filtering and 16 render output units (ROPs) for pixel processing.
Compatibility & Power Consumption
The 540X occupies 2 PCIe expansion slots. The GPU has a thermal design power (TDP) of 50 W. A power supply not strong enough to handle this might result in system crashes and potentially damage your hardware.
Benchmark Performance
The 540X has the 273rd best 3DMark 11 Performance GPU score among the 543 benchmarked GPUs in our database. It achieves 3.92% of the performance of the best benchmarked GPU, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090.
General Info
General overview of the GPU, including details like its manufacturer, release date, launch price, and current production status.
| Info | Radeon R9 290X | Radeon 540X |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | AMD | AMD |
| Architecture | GCN 2.0 | GCN 4.0 |
| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |
| Release Date | Q4 2013 | Q3 2018 |
| Launch Price (MSRP) | $549 | -- |
| Production Status | End-of-life | End-of-life |
| Shop | Check Price | Check Price |
Gaming Performance
#
Select a game to compare FPS metrics
Sons of the Forest
Counter-Strike 2
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
Baldur's Gate 3
F1 23
Riders Republic
Diablo 4
FPS Benchmarks
This table showcases the average frame rate (FPS) achieved both GPUs in at various resolutions. Frame rate is a crucial indicator of how smoothly the GPU can run the game. A higher FPS generally translates to a smoother gameplay experience.
- Frames Per Second
Sons of the Forest | Radeon R9 290X | Radeon 540X |
|---|---|---|
| Low - 1080p | -- | 13 FPS |
| Medium - 1080p | -- | -- |
| High - 1080p | -- | -- |
| Ultra - 1080p | -- | -- |
| QHD - 1440p | -- | -- |
| 4K UHD - 2160p | -- | -- |
FPS Source: Notebookcheck
Compare Frames Per Second (FPS)
The average frame rate (FPS) in can be compared to similar GPUs to assess relative performance. Generally, higher FPS results in a smoother gameplay experience.
Choose Baseline GPU:Radeon R9 290X orRadeon 540X
| GPU | Frames Per Second | |
|---|---|---|
| GeForce GTX 1050 Mobile | 35.8 | +186% |
| GeForce MX350 | 26.2 | +110% |
| Radeon 660M | 24.7 | +98% |
| GeForce MX250 | 20 | +60% |
| Radeon 540X | 12.5 | |
| Radeon RX 550 Mobile | 12.1 | -3% |
| GeForce MX130 | 7.88 | -37% |
Compare Cost Per Frame
The average cost per frame in can be compared to similar GPUs to assess relative value. Generally, a lower cost per frame implies better value for your money.
Choose Baseline GPU:Radeon R9 290X orRadeon 540X
| GPU | Cost Per Frame | |
|---|---|---|
| Our database does not have enough data to compare the FPS per dollar with other GPUs. | ||
Benchmark Performance
#
Performance
Radeon R9 290X295% better
16,167.515% of 104,598
Radeon 540X
4,0974% of 104,598
The Radeon R9 290X has 295% better performance than the Radeon 540X for the 3DMark 11 Performance GPU benchmark.
The Radeon R9 290X is ranked 137th with a score of 16,167.5, and the Radeon 540X is ranked 273rd with a score of 4,097.
Performance per dollar
Radeon R9 290X
29.4518% of 161.45
Radeon 540X
No data available
The Radeon R9 290X has 45% of the performance per dollar compared to the leader for the 3DMark 11 Performance GPU benchmark: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090.
Radeon R9 290X's 29.45 performance per dollar ranks it 80th among the other benchmarked GPUs in our database.
Relative Performance
The average score in the benchmark test can be compared to similar GPUs to assess relative performance. Generally, powerful GPUs tend to have higher scores.
Choose Baseline GPU:Radeon R9 290X or
| GPU | Benchmark Performance | |
|---|---|---|
| GeForce GTX 1060 (6 GB) | 17,401 | +8% |
| Radeon R9 Nano | 17,282 | +7% |
| Radeon R9 290X | 16,167.5 | |
| GeForce GTX 970 | 16,033 | -1% |
| GeForce GTX 780 Ti | 15,619 | -3% |
| FirePro W5170M | 4,197 | -74% |
| Quadro P520 | 4,185.5 | -74% |
| Radeon 540X | 4,097 | -75% |
| GeForce GTX 765M | 4,019 | -75% |
| GeForce GTX 675MX | 3,978.5 | -75% |
Relative Value For Money
The average performance per dollar in the benchmark test can be compared to similar GPUs to assess relative value. A higher score implies a better value for your money.
Choose Baseline GPU:Radeon R9 290X orRadeon 540X
| GPU | Performance Per Dollar | |
|---|---|---|
| Radeon R9 280X | 36.09 | +23% |
| GeForce GTX 980 Ti | 35.53 | +21% |
| GeForce GTX 980 | 32.07 | +9% |
| GeForce GTX 760 | 31.98 | +9% |
| Radeon R9 FURY | 31.95 | +9% |
| Radeon R9 290X | 29.45 | |
| GeForce GTX 660 Ti | 28.14 | -4% |
| Radeon R9 Nano | 26.63 | -10% |
| GeForce GTX 780 Ti | 22.34 | -24% |
| GeForce GTX 680 | 20.47 | -30% |
Benchmark Scores
This table showcases the average performance scores achieved by both GPUs across industry-standard benchmark tests. These scores provide a valuable insight into overall performance. Powerful GPUs tend to have higher scores.
- Popular
| Benchmark | Radeon R9 290X | Radeon 540X |
|---|---|---|
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics | 4,003 (+402.26%) | 797 |
| 3DMark Time Spy Score | 4,114 (+340.71%) | 933.5 |
| 3DMark Cloud Gate Graphics | 73,987 (+387.82%) | 15,167 |
| 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Graphics | 11,717 (+321.63%) | 2,779 |
| 3DMark 11 Performance Score | 13,415 (+219.48%) | 4,199 |
| Cinebench R15 OpenGL 64 Bit | 142 (+113.86%) | 66.4 |
| PassMark G3D Mark | 8,623 (+501.32%) | 1,434 |
| PassMark G2D Mark | 765 (+171.28%) | 282 |
| Unigine Heaven 3.0 DirectX 11 | 140 (+365.12%) | 30.1 |
| Unigine Heaven 3.0 OpenGL | 111 (+347.58%) | 24.8 |
Benchmarks Source: Notebookcheck
Technical Specs
#
Graphics Processor
General information about the graphics processing unit like their architecture, manufacturing process size, and transistor count. Newer GPU architectures generally bring efficiency improvements and may introduce technologies that enhance graphical capabilities.
| Spec | Radeon R9 290X | Radeon 540X |
|---|---|---|
| Codename | Hawaii | Lexa |
| Architecture | GCN 2.0 | GCN 4.0 |
| Process Size | 28 nm | 14 nm |
| Transistors | 6,200 million | 2,200 million |
Memory Details
Memory specifications like their capacity, bandwidth, and clock speeds. GPU memory stores graphics data like frames, textures, and shadows which helps display rendered images. These specs are crucial for graphics-intense applications like gaming and 3D modeling.
| Spec | Radeon R9 290X | Radeon 540X |
|---|---|---|
| Memory Size | 4 GB | 2 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 320 Gb/s | 48 Gb/s |
| Memory Clock | 1,250 MHz | 1,500 MHz |
| Memory Interface | 512 bit | 64 bit |
| L1 Cache | 16 KB | 16 KB |
| L2 Cache | 1,024 KB | 512 KB |
Board Compatibility
Compatibility information like their slot size, bus interface, power consumption, and display support. These specs are useful for verifying compatibility with your motherboard, power supply, and monitor.
| Spec | Radeon R9 290X | Radeon 540X |
|---|---|---|
| Slots | 2 slots | 2 slots |
| Bus Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 3.0 x8 |
| Thermal Design Power (TDP) | 290 W | 50 W |
| Suggested PSU | 600 W | -- |
| Power Connectors | 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin | -- |
| Outputs | DVI, HDMI 1.4a, DisplayPort 1.2 | Device Dependent |
Cores & Clock Speeds
Processing power information like its cores and clock speed. These specs impact how fast they can process graphics. Each type of core or component serves a specific computational purpose.
| Spec | Radeon R9 290X | Radeon 540X |
|---|---|---|
| Stream Processors (SP) | 2,816 | 512 |
| Compute Units (CU) | 44 | 8 |
| Texture Mapping Units (TMU) | 176 | 32 |
| Render Output Units (ROP) | 64 | 16 |
| Core Clock Speed | 1,000 MHz | 980 MHz |
| Core Clock Speed (Boost) | -- | 1,046 MHz |
Theoretical Performance
Theoretical performance numbers derived from the raw specifications of the different components like core count and clock speeds. While these provide a glimpse into peak processing power, they do not represent real-world performance.
| Spec | Radeon R9 290X | Radeon 540X |
|---|---|---|
| Pixel Fill Rate | 64 GPixel/s | 16.74 GPixel/s |
| Texture Fill Rate | 176 GTexel/s | 33.47 GTexel/s |
| FP32 Performance | 5.63 TFLOPS | 1,071 GFLOPS |
| FP64 Performance | 704 GFLOPS | 66.94 GFLOPS |
API Support
Graphics API versions supported by these graphics cards. APIs evolve over time, introducing new features and functionalities. Older GPUs may not support recent versions.
| Spec | Radeon R9 290X | Radeon 540X |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (12_0) | 12 (12_0) |
| OpenCL | 2.1 | 2.1 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Shader Model | 6.5 | 6.7 |
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* Performance rating, performance per dollar, and rankings are based on the 3DMark 11 Performance GPU benchmark and MSRP.