AMD Radeon HD 6490
AMD graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
AMDAMD Radeon HD 6490 Specifications
Radeon HD 6490 GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The AMD Radeon HD 6490 GPU core specifications define its raw processing power for graphics and compute workloads. Shading units (also called CUDA cores, stream processors, or execution units depending on manufacturer) handle the parallel calculations required for rendering. TMUs (Texture Mapping Units) process texture data, while ROPs (Render Output Units) handle final pixel output. Higher shader counts generally translate to better GPU benchmark performance, especially in demanding games and 3D applications.
HD 6490 Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the Radeon HD 6490's performance in GPU benchmarks and real-world gaming. The base clock represents the minimum guaranteed frequency, while the boost clock indicates peak performance under optimal thermal conditions. Memory clock speed affects texture loading and frame buffer operations. The Radeon HD 6490 by AMD dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
AMD's Radeon HD 6490 Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The Radeon HD 6490's memory capacity determines how well it handles high-resolution textures and multiple displays. Memory bandwidth, measured in GB/s, affects how quickly data moves between the GPU and VRAM. Higher bandwidth improves performance in memory-intensive scenarios like 4K gaming. The memory bus width and type (GDDR6, GDDR6X, HBM) significantly influence overall GPU benchmark scores.
Radeon HD 6490 by AMD Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the HD 6490, reducing the need to fetch data from slower VRAM. L1 and L2 caches store frequently accessed data close to the compute units. AMD's Infinity Cache (L3) dramatically increases effective bandwidth, improving GPU benchmark performance without requiring wider memory buses. Larger cache sizes help maintain high frame rates in memory-bound scenarios and reduce power consumption by minimizing VRAM accesses.
HD 6490 Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the AMD Radeon HD 6490 against other graphics cards. FP32 (single-precision) performance, measured in TFLOPS, indicates compute capability for gaming and general GPU workloads. FP64 (double-precision) matters for scientific computing. Pixel and texture fill rates determine how quickly the GPU can render complex scenes. While real-world GPU benchmark results depend on many factors, these specifications help predict relative performance levels.
TeraScale 2 Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The AMD Radeon HD 6490 is built on AMD's TeraScale 2 architecture, which defines how the GPU processes graphics and compute workloads. The manufacturing process node affects power efficiency, thermal characteristics, and maximum clock speeds. Smaller process nodes pack more transistors into the same die area, enabling higher performance per watt. Understanding the architecture helps predict how the HD 6490 will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
AMD's Radeon HD 6490 Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the AMD Radeon HD 6490 determine PSU requirements and thermal management needs. TDP (Thermal Design Power) indicates the heat output under typical loads, guiding cooler selection. Power connector requirements ensure adequate power delivery for stable operation during demanding GPU benchmarks. The suggested PSU wattage accounts for the entire system, not just the graphics card. Efficient power delivery enables the Radeon HD 6490 to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
Radeon HD 6490 by AMD Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the AMD Radeon HD 6490 are critical for case compatibility. Card length, height, and slot width determine whether it fits in your chassis. The PCIe interface version affects bandwidth for communication with the CPU. Display outputs define monitor connectivity options, with modern cards supporting multiple high-resolution displays simultaneously. Verify these specifications against your case and motherboard before purchasing to ensure a proper fit.
AMD API Support
Graphics and compute APIs
API support determines which games and applications can fully utilize the AMD Radeon HD 6490. DirectX 12 Ultimate enables advanced features like ray tracing and variable rate shading. Vulkan provides cross-platform graphics capabilities with low-level hardware access. OpenGL remains important for professional applications and older games. CUDA (NVIDIA) and OpenCL enable GPU compute for video editing, 3D rendering, and scientific applications. Higher API versions unlock newer graphical features in GPU benchmarks and games.
Radeon HD 6490 Product Information
Release and pricing details
The AMD Radeon HD 6490 is manufactured by AMD as part of their graphics card lineup. Release date and launch pricing provide context for comparing GPU benchmark results with competing products from the same era. Understanding the product lifecycle helps evaluate whether the Radeon HD 6490 by AMD represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
Radeon HD 6490 Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this GPU.
About AMD Radeon HD 6490
The AMD Radeon HD 6490 is a Northern Islands generation GPU built on the TeraScale 2 architecture, fabricated by TSMC on a 40 nm process. The chip, codenamed Redwood, integrates 627 million transistors on a 104 mm² die, yielding a transistor density of 6.0M per mm². Released on July 3, 2011, this end-of-life product sits at the 50th percentile in the database, yet its average benchmark score is 0, indicating that no measured performance data points exist in the current suite. With 320 shading units, 16 texture mapping units, and 8 ROPs, the card delivers a theoretical FP32 throughput of 352.0 GFLOPS, a texture rate of 8.800 GTexel/s, and a pixel rate of 4.400 GPixel/s.
How It Compares
The nearestRivals array for the Radeon HD 6490 is empty, so there are no direct rival entries with names, scores, or deltaPct values to analyze. This absence means the card's relative standing must be inferred from the global percentile. The percentileVsAllGpus of 50 places this GPU exactly at the median of all tracked GPUs, implying it outperforms half of the database and underperforms the other half. However, the average benchmark score of 0 reveals that this ranking is speculative, derived from specifications rather than actual test runs. The predecessor is Evergreen, and the successor is Southern Islands, but the data provides no comparative scores for either. Without rival deltas, the intrinsic specifications become the only basis for positioning. The 352.0 GFLOPS FP32 rate, combined with the 16.00 GB/s memory bandwidth, suggests a card aimed at entry-level tasks rather than competitive gaming. The 50th percentile placement is neutral, indicating a balance of capabilities that neither excels nor falls behind in the aggregate database.
Power and Cooling
The Radeon HD 6490 has a TDP of 39 W, which is exceptionally low for a discrete GPU. The suggested PSU is 200 W, meaning even a modest power supply can drive this card without strain. It requires no power connectors, drawing all its power from the PCIe 2.0 x16 slot. The card is single-slot, making it easy to fit in compact or legacy systems. The 40 nm process node contributes to this efficiency, allowing 627 million transistors to operate within the 39 W envelope. The die size of 104 mm² is small, further reducing thermal output and simplifying cooling requirements. Given the absence of external power connectors, the card's power delivery is entirely dependent on the motherboard slot, which is a reliable design for low-power parts. The low TDP also implies that a basic heatsink is sufficient; the card's length of 165 mm (6.5 inches) suggests a standard-sized board that will fit in most chassis. The data shows no requirement for auxiliary cooling beyond the slot's capabilities, making it a quiet and cool-running option for its intended use.
Who Should Consider It
Given the average benchmark score of 0, there are no measured frames per second to cite. However, the specifications paint a clear picture of the card's intended audience. The 1024 MB of DDR2 memory on a 128-bit bus yields a bandwidth of 16.00 GB/s, which is a severe constraint for high-resolution textures. The 352.0 GFLOPS FP32 throughput is sufficient for older or less demanding titles at low resolutions and modest settings. The 8 ROPs and 4.400 GPixel/s pixel rate limit fill-rate-heavy workloads. This card is best suited for users running legacy operating systems or playing games from the era of its release, such as titles that do not require advanced shader models. It is not a candidate for high-resolution gaming or modern AAA titles, as the memory bandwidth and compute power are simply too limited. The 50th percentile placement suggests it is a middle-of-the-road part, but the zero benchmark score indicates it is not a performance part. For a system that requires basic 2D acceleration, video playback, or light 3D workloads, this card could suffice, particularly in a secondary machine or a retro build.
FAQ
Q: What is the TDP of the AMD Radeon HD 6490?
A: The TDP is 39 W.
Q: Does the card require external power connectors?
A: No, it has no power connectors and draws power solely from the PCIe 2.0 x16 slot.
Q: What is the memory configuration?
A: It has 1024 MB of DDR2 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing 16.00 GB/s of bandwidth.
Q: What is the suggested power supply wattage?
A: The suggested PSU is 200 W.
Q: What APIs does it support?
A: It supports DirectX 11.2 (11_0) and OpenGL 4.4. It does not support Vulkan.
Q: What is the release date?
A: It was released on July 3, 2011.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The FACT PACK lists rtCores as null and tensorCores as null, meaning this GPU has no dedicated ray tracing or tensor cores. This is expected for a TeraScale 2 architecture from the Northern Islands generation. The API support includes DirectX 11.2 (11_0) and OpenGL 4.4, but Vulkan is listed as null, so it does not expose a Vulkan driver. The 320 shading units are the core compute resource, delivering 352.0 GFLOPS of FP32 performance. The feature set is thus limited to the DirectX 11 feature level, which was current at the time of release. Without RT cores, any ray tracing workload would have to be computed on the shading units, which is impractical given the low compute throughput. The card does support 1x DVI, 1x HDMI 1.3a, and 1x VGA outputs, allowing connection to a variety of displays. The absence of tensor cores means no hardware acceleration for AI-based features. Overall, the feature set is strictly traditional rasterization, with no modern acceleration technologies.
Memory Subsystem
The memory subsystem consists of 1024 MB of DDR2 memory, connected via a 128-bit bus. The memory clock is 500 MHz, translating to an effective data rate of 1000 Mbps. The resulting bandwidth is 16.00 GB/s. This is a very low figure, and it directly impacts performance at high resolutions. For a card with 352.0 GFLOPS of compute, the memory bandwidth is the limiting factor. At high resolutions, the frame buffer must be accessed more frequently, and the 16.00 GB/s bandwidth will throttle the GPU's ability to feed the shading units. The 128-bit bus width is modest, and DDR2 memory is slower than other memory types available at the time. The 1024 MB capacity is adequate for the era, but the low bandwidth means that texture-heavy scenes will suffer. The pixel rate of 4.400 GPixel/s and texture rate of 8.800 GTexel/s further illustrate the memory-bound nature of this card. For any resolution above modest settings, the memory subsystem will be the bottleneck, preventing the GPU from reaching its theoretical compute potential.
Benchmark Performance
The average benchmark score for the Radeon HD 6490 is 0, and the percentileVsAllGpus is 50. The zero score indicates that no benchmarks have been successfully run or recorded in the database, which is common for end-of-life products. The 50th percentile suggests that if it were scored, it would land in the middle of the distribution. Without rival data, the analysis must rely on raw specifications. The FP32 throughput of 352.0 GFLOPS is the theoretical peak. The texture rate of 8.800 GTexel/s and pixel rate of 4.400 GPixel/s are derived from the 16 TMUs and 8 ROPs respectively. Compared to higher-tier GPUs, these numbers are minuscule, but the card's position at the 50th percentile implies that the database contains many older or weaker parts. The lack of rivals in the nearestRivals array means there are no deltaPct values to cite. The card's performance is best understood as a baseline for entry-level tasks. The 39 W TDP and 200 W PSU requirement further confirm its low-power design, which trades performance for efficiency. In essence, the benchmark performance is undefined by measurements, but the theoretical numbers place it firmly in the low-end segment of the database, with the 50th percentile serving as a neutral marker of its standing.
The NVIDIA Equivalent of Radeon HD 6490
Looking for a similar graphics card from NVIDIA? The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 offers comparable performance and features in the NVIDIA lineup.
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