The AMD Radeon R9 390 is a high-end graphics processing unit (GPU) released in 2015, designed to provide exceptional gaming performance and handle demanding graphics workloads. With the ever-evolving landscape of PC gaming, it’s essential to assess whether the R9 390 remains a viable option for gamers seeking a smooth and immersive experience.
Architecture and Specifications
The R9 390 is based on the Graphics Core Next (GCN) 1.1 architecture, which provides a significant boost in performance and power efficiency compared to its predecessors. Here are some key specifications of the R9 390:
- 28nm process node: The R9 390 is manufactured using a 28nm process node, which allows for a higher transistor density and improved power efficiency.
- 2560 stream processors: The GPU features 2560 stream processors, which handle complex graphics calculations and provide a significant boost in performance.
- 8GB GDDR5 memory: The R9 390 comes with 8GB of GDDR5 memory, which provides ample memory bandwidth for demanding games and applications.
- 6GHz memory clock: The memory clock speed of 6GHz ensures that the GPU can handle high-bandwidth workloads with ease.
Performance Comparison
To assess the performance of the R9 390, we’ll compare it to other popular GPUs in its class. Here’s a comparison of the R9 390 with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 and GTX 980:
| GPU | R9 390 | GTX 970 | GTX 980 |
| — | — | — | — |
| Stream Processors | 2560 | 1664 | 2048 |
| Memory | 8GB GDDR5 | 4GB GDDR5 | 4GB GDDR5 |
| Memory Clock | 6GHz | 7GHz | 7GHz |
| Performance (FPS) | 60-80 | 50-70 | 70-90 |
As you can see, the R9 390 offers competitive performance to the GTX 970 and GTX 980, with a slight edge in terms of stream processors and memory bandwidth.
Gaming Performance
The R9 390 is designed to handle demanding games at high resolutions and frame rates. Here are some gaming benchmarks to give you an idea of its performance:
1080p Gaming
At 1080p (1920×1080), the R9 390 can handle most modern games at high frame rates. Here are some benchmarks:
- Assassin’s Creed Odyssey: 60-80 FPS
- The Witcher 3: 50-70 FPS
- Fortnite: 80-100 FPS
1440p Gaming
At 1440p (2560×1440), the R9 390 starts to show some signs of struggle, but it can still handle most games at high frame rates. Here are some benchmarks:
- Assassin’s Creed Odyssey: 40-60 FPS
- The Witcher 3: 30-50 FPS
- Fortnite: 60-80 FPS
4K Gaming
At 4K (3840×2160), the R9 390 starts to struggle, and frame rates take a hit. Here are some benchmarks:
- Assassin’s Creed Odyssey: 20-30 FPS
- The Witcher 3: 15-25 FPS
- Fortnite: 30-40 FPS
Power Consumption and Noise
The R9 390 is a power-hungry GPU, with a TDP of 275W. This means that it requires a significant amount of power to operate, which can increase your electricity bill. Additionally, the R9 390 can get quite loud, especially when under heavy load.
Power Consumption Comparison
Here’s a comparison of the R9 390’s power consumption with other popular GPUs:
| GPU | R9 390 | GTX 970 | GTX 980 |
| — | — | — | — |
| TDP | 275W | 145W | 165W |
As you can see, the R9 390 consumes significantly more power than the GTX 970 and GTX 980.
Conclusion
The AMD Radeon R9 390 is a powerful GPU that can handle demanding games at high resolutions and frame rates. While it may not be the most power-efficient GPU on the market, it offers competitive performance to other high-end GPUs. If you’re looking for a GPU that can handle 1080p and 1440p gaming with ease, the R9 390 is definitely worth considering.
However, if you’re looking for a GPU that can handle 4K gaming or has low power consumption, you may want to consider other options. Additionally, the R9 390 is an older GPU, and newer models may offer better performance and power efficiency.
Recommendation
Based on our review, we recommend the R9 390 for:
- 1080p and 1440p gaming: The R9 390 can handle most modern games at high frame rates at these resolutions.
- Gamers on a budget: The R9 390 is an older GPU, which means it’s often available at a lower price point than newer models.
- Those who want a powerful GPU: The R9 390 offers competitive performance to other high-end GPUs, making it a great option for those who want a powerful GPU.
However, we do not recommend the R9 390 for:
- 4K gaming: The R9 390 struggles at 4K resolutions, and frame rates take a hit.
- Those who want low power consumption: The R9 390 consumes significantly more power than other GPUs on the market.
- Those who want the latest and greatest technology: The R9 390 is an older GPU, and newer models may offer better performance and power efficiency.
Is the R9 390 suitable for 1080p gaming?
The R9 390 is more than capable of handling 1080p gaming, offering smooth performance and high frame rates in most modern games. With its 8 GB of GDDR5 memory and 2560 stream processors, this GPU can easily handle the demands of 1080p gaming, making it an excellent choice for those looking to play games at this resolution.
In fact, the R9 390 can often deliver frame rates above 60 FPS in popular games like Fortnite, League of Legends, and Overwatch, even with graphics settings turned up to high or ultra. However, it’s worth noting that the GPU’s performance may vary depending on the specific game and system configuration.
Can the R9 390 handle 1440p gaming?
The R9 390 can handle 1440p gaming, but its performance may vary depending on the game and graphics settings. While it can deliver smooth performance in less demanding games, more graphics-intensive titles may require reduced graphics settings to achieve high frame rates.
In general, the R9 390 can deliver frame rates above 40 FPS in popular games like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and The Witcher 3 at 1440p, but may struggle to maintain high frame rates in more demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. However, with some tweaks to graphics settings, the R9 390 can still provide a great gaming experience at 1440p.
Is the R9 390 compatible with my system?
The R9 390 is a PCIe 3.0 x16 GPU, making it compatible with most modern systems that have a PCIe 3.0 x16 slot. However, it’s essential to ensure that your system’s power supply can handle the GPU’s power requirements, which are around 275W.
Additionally, you’ll need to check that your system’s motherboard is compatible with the R9 390 and that you have enough space in your case to accommodate the GPU’s length and width. It’s also recommended to check for any BIOS updates for your motherboard to ensure compatibility with the R9 390.
How does the R9 390 compare to the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970?
The R9 390 and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 are both high-end GPUs from their respective manufacturers, but they have some key differences. The R9 390 generally offers better performance in games that utilize AMD’s Mantle API or DirectX 12, while the GTX 970 excels in games that use NVIDIA’s proprietary technologies like PhysX and CUDA.
In terms of raw performance, the R9 390 tends to outperform the GTX 970 in most games, especially at higher resolutions like 1440p and 4K. However, the GTX 970 has a lower power consumption and generates less heat, making it a more power-efficient option.
Can I overclock the R9 390?
Yes, the R9 390 can be overclocked to achieve higher performance and frame rates. AMD’s OverDrive software allows you to adjust the GPU’s clock speeds, voltage, and fan settings to achieve optimal performance.
However, overclocking the R9 390 can increase its power consumption and heat generation, so it’s essential to monitor the GPU’s temperatures and adjust the overclocking settings accordingly. It’s also recommended to use a high-quality power supply and a well-ventilated case to ensure stable operation during overclocking.
Is the R9 390 a good choice for VR gaming?
The R9 390 is a good choice for VR gaming, offering smooth performance and low latency in most VR applications. With its 8 GB of GDDR5 memory and 2560 stream processors, this GPU can handle the demands of VR gaming, providing an immersive and responsive experience.
However, it’s worth noting that the R9 390 may not be the best choice for more demanding VR games or applications that require extremely high frame rates. In such cases, a more powerful GPU like the R9 Fury X or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti may be a better option.
Is the R9 390 still a good GPU in 2023?
While the R9 390 is an older GPU, it can still provide great performance in many modern games, especially at 1080p and 1440p resolutions. However, it may struggle to keep up with the latest games that utilize more advanced technologies like ray tracing, artificial intelligence, and variable rate shading.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option for 1080p or 1440p gaming, the R9 390 can still be a good choice. However, if you’re looking for a more future-proof option or want to play games at 4K resolution, you may want to consider a more modern GPU like the AMD Radeon RX 6000 series or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 series.