AMD Radeon R9 390X
AMD graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
AMDAMD Radeon R9 390X Specifications
Radeon R9 390X GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The AMD Radeon R9 390X 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.
R9 390X Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the Radeon R9 390X'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 R9 390X by AMD dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
AMD's Radeon R9 390X Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The Radeon R9 390X'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 R9 390X by AMD Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the R9 390X, 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.
R9 390X Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the AMD Radeon R9 390X 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.
GCN 2.0 Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The AMD Radeon R9 390X is built on AMD's GCN 2.0 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 R9 390X will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
AMD's Radeon R9 390X Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the AMD Radeon R9 390X 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 R9 390X to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
Radeon R9 390X by AMD Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the AMD Radeon R9 390X 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 R9 390X. 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 R9 390X Product Information
Release and pricing details
The AMD Radeon R9 390X 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 R9 390X by AMD represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
Radeon R9 390X Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this GPU.
About AMD Radeon R9 390X
Benchmark Performance
The AMD Radeon R9 390X occupies a mid-pack position in the database, landing at the 50th percentile of all GPUs tracked. This is a meaningful anchor point: exactly half of the GPUs in the benchmark database score higher, and half score lower. The 390X is not a flagship, nor is it a weak entry — it sits squarely in the middle of the performance distribution, which tells a clear story about its target market.
The raw compute specifications support this positioning. The card delivers 5.914 TFLOPS of FP32 performance, driven by 2,816 shading units operating across 176 texture mapping units and 64 ROPs. The texture rate of 184.8 GTexel/s and pixel rate of 67.20 GPixel/s are consistent with a card designed for 1440p gaming at high settings, rather than 4K ultra or competitive esports at extreme frame rates. The 8 GB GDDR5 memory on a 512-bit bus produces 384.0 GB/s of bandwidth — a configuration that allows high-resolution textures without the stuttering that can plague cards with smaller memory pools or narrower buses.
Since the nearestRivals array is empty in the data, direct percentage comparisons against named competitors cannot be made from the FACT PACK. What can be stated is the relative standing: the 50th percentile score indicates the 390X is within striking distance of many popular cards from its generation, but it does not lead its class. The average benchmark score is listed as 0, which means no aggregated performance figure is available for the card; the percentile rank is the only comparative metric provided. This absence of a concrete score means the analysis must rely on the architectural specifications and the percentile position to characterize performance.
The memory clock is 1500 MHz, translating to 6 Gbps effective. This is a standard figure for GDDR5 of the era, and combined with the 512-bit interface, it yields the 384.0 GB/s bandwidth cited above. The FP32 throughput of 5.914 TFLOPS is the headline compute number; it places the card in a territory where 1080p ultra settings are generally playable, and 1440p high settings are viable, though frame rates will vary by title. The 50th percentile rank reinforces this: the 390X is a solidly average performer, not a standout, not a laggard.
Power and Cooling
The R9 390X carries a TDP of 275 W, a substantial figure that demands attention from anyone planning a system build. This is not a card for a weak power supply or a cramped case with poor airflow. The suggested PSU rating is 600 W, which provides a reasonable buffer for the rest of the system under load. The card draws power through a combination of connectors: one 6-pin and one 8-pin PCIe power connector. This arrangement is typical for high-end cards of this era, but it means the power supply must have both connector types available.
Cooling is handled by a dual-slot design. The card measures 275 mm in length (10.8 inches), 109 mm in height (4.3 inches), and 36 mm in width (1.4 inches). These dimensions are important for case compatibility — a mid-tower with adequate clearance is required, and the dual-slot width means neighboring PCIe slots may be blocked. The 28 nm process node from TSMC, with 6,200 million transistors on a 438 mm² die, explains the high power draw. The transistor density is 14.2 million per square millimeter, which is modest by modern standards but typical for the 2015 era. The Grenada chip is essentially a refined version of the Hawaii die from the previous generation, and the 275 W TDP reflects that heritage.
The 600 W PSU recommendation is not a suggestion but a practical requirement. A system with a modern CPU and several drives could easily exceed 400 W under load, and the 390X alone can draw close to 300 W in peak scenarios. The 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin connector requirement means older power supplies without an 8-pin cable will need an adapter, which is not ideal but workable. The dual-slot cooler is a capable air cooler, but users should expect it to run audibly under sustained gaming loads given the 275 W thermal envelope.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The R9 390X does not include dedicated ray tracing cores or tensor cores. The FACT PACK lists both rtCores and tensorCores as null, which means the card has no hardware acceleration for ray-traced effects or AI-based upscaling. This is expected for a GPU released in mid-2015, before such features became standard in consumer hardware. The architecture is GCN 2.0, which provides compute capabilities but not the specialized units found in later generations.
The API support is solid for the card's era. DirectX 12 (12_0) is fully supported, which allows the 390X to run modern titles that require DX12. OpenGL 4.6 is also supported, covering a wide range of older and cross-platform games. Vulkan support extends to version 1.2.170, which enables compatibility with recent Vulkan-based titles and engines. These API levels mean the card is not obsolete from a software standpoint — it can run nearly any game released today, though performance in newer titles will vary.
The display outputs are 2x DVI, 1x HDMI 1.4a, and 1x DisplayPort 1.2. The HDMI 1.4a port limits 4K output to 30 Hz over HDMI, while the DisplayPort 1.2 connection supports 4K at 60 Hz. Users planning to connect a 4K display should use the DisplayPort connector for the best experience. Multi-monitor setups are possible with the four outputs, but the card's performance ceiling means high-resolution multi-monitor gaming will be challenging.
FAQ
Q: Does the Radeon R9 390X support ray tracing?
A: No. The FACT PACK lists rtCores as null, meaning there is no dedicated ray tracing hardware. The card relies on traditional rasterization for all rendering.
Q: What is the memory configuration of the R9 390X?
A: It has 8 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 512-bit bus, with a memory clock of 1500 MHz (6 Gbps effective), producing 384.0 GB/s of bandwidth.
Q: What power supply is recommended for this card?
A: The suggested PSU rating is 600 W. The card requires one 6-pin and one 8-pin PCIe power connector.
Q: What PCIe interface does the R9 390X use?
A: It uses PCIe 3.0 x16, which is compatible with virtually all motherboards from the past decade.
Q: Is the R9 390X still supported by modern APIs?
A: Yes. It supports DirectX 12 (12_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.170, allowing it to run most modern games.
Q: What is the physical size of the card?
A: It is 275 mm long (10.8 inches), 109 mm tall (4.3 inches), and 36 mm wide (1.4 inches), occupying a dual-slot width.
How It Compares
The nearestRivals array is empty, so no direct rival names or delta percentages are available in the FACT PACK. The only comparative metric is the 50th percentile position among all GPUs. This means the 390X is a median performer — neither at the top nor the bottom. In practice, this places it in the same tier as many mid-range cards from its generation, but without specific rival scores, the analysis cannot quantify the gap. The 275 W TDP is on the higher side for a 50th-percentile card, which suggests the 390X trades efficiency for raw throughput. The 8 GB memory is a strong point; many cards of that era shipped with 4 GB, and the 512-bit bus provides bandwidth that newer cards with narrower buses sometimes lack. The 50th percentile rank, combined with the high power draw and large memory pool, paints a picture of a card that was competitive at launch but has been overtaken by more efficient designs in the intervening years.
Who Should Consider It
The R9 390X is a card for specific use cases, not general-purpose recommendations. The 50th percentile score means it handles 1080p gaming at high-to-ultra settings in most titles, and 1440p at medium-to-high settings in less demanding games. Users with a 1080p monitor and a library of games from 2015-2020 will find it adequate. The 8 GB memory is a genuine asset for texture-heavy mods or games that exceed 4 GB VRAM usage, which some modern titles do at 1440p.
For 4K gaming, the 390X is not well suited. The pixel rate of 67.20 GPixel/s and the 5.914 TFLOPS FP32 throughput are insufficient for consistent 60 FPS at 4K in most modern games. Users with a 4K display should look elsewhere. For esports titles like Counter-Strike or Valorant, the card is more than capable, but it is overkill — a lower-tier GPU would suffice at those frame rates.
The 275 W TDP is a consideration. Users with an existing 600 W PSU and a case that can accommodate a 275 mm dual-slot card can install the 390X without upgrades. Those with smaller power supplies or compact cases will need to plan accordingly. The card is end-of-life, meaning no new drivers or support are planned, but the existing API support (DX12, OpenGL 4.6, Vulkan 1.2.170) ensures compatibility with current software. The launch MSRP was 429 USD, which reflects its original mid-to-high-end positioning; today, it is a used-market option for builders on a tight budget who prioritize memory capacity over raw speed. The 50th percentile rank is the key takeaway: this is a median card, and it performs as such. Buyers should not expect more than that.
The NVIDIA Equivalent of Radeon R9 390X
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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