AMD Radeon Pro Vega 20 vs AMD Radeon R9 M290X Comparison

The AMD Radeon Pro Vega 20 and the AMD Radeon R9 M290X are two mobile graphics solutions from different eras of AMD’s GPU architecture. The database records show a clear generational gap between the two, with the newer Pro Vega 20 delivering decisively higher raw performance across all measured benchmarks. While both cards are end-of-life products targeting portable systems, their underlying technology and processing capabilities are markedly different, resulting in distinct performance profiles and feature support.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Radeon Pro Vega 20 has an average benchmark score of 27839, while the AMD Radeon R9 M290X scores 23276. This represents a significant overall performance advantage for the Pro Vega 20.

Q: How do the two compare in Geekbench Metal performance?

A: In the Geekbench Metal test, the AMD Radeon Pro Vega 20 scores 30427, and the AMD Radeon R9 M290X scores 24524. The Pro Vega 20 leads by 24.1%.

Q: What are the process node differences between these two GPUs?

A: The AMD Radeon Pro Vega 20 is built on a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries, while the AMD Radeon R9 M290X uses a larger 28 nm node manufactured by TSMC.

Q: Do both GPUs support the Vulkan API?

A: Yes, both support Vulkan, but at different versions. The Pro Vega 20 supports Vulkan 1.3, and the R9 M290X supports Vulkan 1.2.170.

Q: Which GPU has higher theoretical compute performance?

A: The AMD Radeon Pro Vega 20 offers 3.284 TFLOPS of FP32 compute, whereas the AMD Radeon R9 M290X provides 2.304 TFLOPS, making the Pro Vega 20 approximately 42.5% faster in raw floating-point throughput.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of each card?

A: The Pro Vega 20 achieves 189.4 GB/s via HBM2 memory on a 1024-bit bus, and the R9 M290X delivers 153.6 GB/s using GDDR5 on a 256-bit bus.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Radeon Pro Vega 20 is built on the GCN 5.0 architecture (Vega 12 chip), while the AMD Radeon R9 M290X utilizes the older GCN 1.0 architecture (Neptune chip). This means the Pro Vega 20 benefits from several architectural refinements introduced across four generations of GCN. The Pro Vega 20 is fabricated on a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries, compared to the 28 nm TSMC process for the R9 M290X. The R9 M290X has a listed die size of 212 mm² and contains 2,800 million transistors, resulting in a transistor density of 13.2 million transistors per square millimeter. The Pro Vega 20 does not have its die size or transistor count recorded in the database.

Both GPUs share the same number of shading units (1280), texture mapping units (80), and render output units (32). However, the Pro Vega 20 operates at significantly higher clock speeds, with a base of 815 MHz and a boost of 1283 MHz, whereas the R9 M290X runs at 850 MHz base and 900 MHz boost. The memory subsystems are architecturally different: the Pro Vega 20 uses 4 GB of HBM2 on a 1024-bit bus, while the R9 M290X uses 4 GB of GDDR5 on a 256-bit bus. The Pro Vega 20 supports half-precision FP16 compute at a rate of 6.569 TFLOPS (2:1 ratio), a feature entirely absent from the R9 M290X, which has no listed FP16 capability. API support also differs, with the Pro Vega 20 providing DirectX 12_1 and Vulkan 1.3, while the R9 M290X only supports DirectX 11_1 and Vulkan 1.2.170.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records two benchmark comparisons between these GPUs, and the AMD Radeon Pro Vega 20 wins both tests decisively. In the Geekbench Metal test, the Pro Vega 20 scores 30427 against the R9 M290X’s 24524, a difference of 24.1%. This is the larger margin of victory for the Pro Vega 20 and demonstrates its substantial advantage in Apple’s Metal API, which is particularly relevant given that the Pro Vega 20 is part of the Radeon Pro Mac series. In the Geekbench OpenCL test, the Pro Vega 20 scores 26679 while the R9 M290X manages 22028. The delta here is 21.1%, again favoring the newer card. The R9 M290X does not have a recorded Vulkan benchmark score in the head-to-head data, so no comparison can be made in that API. Across both available tests, the Pro Vega 20 averages a 22.6% lead over the R9 M290X, consistent with its higher overall average benchmark score of 27839 versus 23276 for the older GPU.

Specification Differences

The key specifications where these two GPUs differ are numerous and reflect their generational separation. The AMD Radeon Pro Vega 20 uses the Vega 12 chip on GCN 5.0 architecture, while the R9 M290X uses the Neptune chip on GCN 1.0. The process node differs, 14 nm for the Pro Vega 20 and 28 nm for the R9 M290X, with different foundries (GlobalFoundries versus TSMC). Transistor count and die size are only listed for the R9 M290X (2,800 million and 212 mm²). Clock speeds favor the Pro Vega 20 significantly, with a boost clock of 1283 MHz compared to 900 MHz for the R9 M290X. Memory type is HBM2 versus GDDR5, with bus widths of 1024-bit and 256-bit respectively. Memory bandwidth is higher on the Pro Vega 20 at 189.4 GB/s versus 153.6 GB/s. Pixel fill rate is 41.06 GPixel/s for the Pro Vega 20 and 28.80 GPixel/s for the R9 M290X. Texture fill rate is 102.6 GTexel/s versus 72.00 GTexel/s. FP32 compute is 3.284 TFLOPS against 2.304 TFLOPS. The Pro Vega 20 supports FP16 (6.569 TFLOPS), which the R9 M290X does not. Both are listed at 100 W TDP, though the Pro Vega 20 is noted as an IGP (integrated graphics package) while the R9 M290X is an MXM Module. API support shows the Pro Vega 20 with DirectX 12_1 and Vulkan 1.3 versus DirectX 11_1 and Vulkan 1.2.170 for the R9 M290X.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion: the AMD Radeon Pro Vega 20 is the superior GPU in every measured category. It wins both head-to-head benchmarks by margins exceeding 21%, holds a higher average benchmark score (27839 vs 23276), and sits at a higher overall percentile (73rd vs 68th). The Pro Vega 20 also offers a more modern feature set, including newer API support, higher compute throughput, and substantially faster memory bandwidth. For users who have a choice between these two GPUs, the Pro Vega 20 delivers roughly 20% more performance across the board, along with architectural advantages that are not captured in raw scores alone. The R9 M290X, while adequate for its era, is simply outclassed by the newer architecture and higher clock speeds of the Pro Vega 20. There is no scenario from the recorded data where the R9 M290X would be the better choice from a pure performance standpoint.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the benchmark data, the AMD Radeon Pro Vega 20 wins in both recorded tests. It wins in Geekbench Metal with a 24.1% advantage, making it the stronger choice for workloads that leverage Apple’s Metal API, which is common in macOS-based creative applications and professional software. It also wins in Geekbench OpenCL by 21.1%, demonstrating superiority in general-purpose GPU computing tasks across multiple platforms. The Pro Vega 20’s higher FP32 throughput (3.284 TFLOPS) and greater texture fill rate (102.6 GTexel/s) suggest it will excel in 3D rendering, video processing, and compute-heavy applications.

The AMD Radeon R9 M290X does not record a single win in the database, meaning there is no benchmark result where it outperforms the Pro Vega 20. Its lower scores in both Metal and OpenCL make it less suitable for the same workloads. The R9 M290X’s only potential advantage lies in its MXM form factor, which may offer broader compatibility with older laptop chassis that accept modular MXM graphics cards, whereas the Pro Vega 20 is listed as an IGP form factor, likely integrated into a specific motherboard design. In terms of pure performance and feature support, the R9 M290X is the weaker option across all measured dimensions. Users requiring the highest recorded performance from these two options should select the AMD Radeon Pro Vega 20.