Is the AMD Radeon R9 390 Still Worth It in 2021?

Find AI Tools

No difficulty

No complicated process

Find ai tools

Home Hardware Is the AMD Radeon R9 390 Still Worth It in 2021?

Is the AMD Radeon R9 390 Still Worth It in 2021?

Introduction
testing the R9 390 Graphics Card
Performance in Fortnite
Performance in F1 2020
Performance in GTA 5
Performance in Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Performance in Call of Duty Warzone
Performance in Cyberpunk
Is the R9 390 Still Relevant?
Conclusion

Introduction

In today's video, we will be testing the R9 390 graphics card, which was released back in 2015. This GPU was the replacement for the previous generation R9 290 from AMD and came with 2005 stream processors and 8 gigabytes of GDDR5 memory. It was priced at $329, the same as the GTX 970 from Nvidia. We will be benchmarking the R9 390 in various games to see how it performs in today's gaming landscape. Let's dive in and see if this graphics card is still relevant.

Testing the R9 390 Graphics Card

Before we jump into the Game benchmarks, let's take a closer look at the R9 390 graphics card itself. The specific model we have is the XFX Dual Dissipation, which comes with a slight factory overclock of 1015 megahertz. It also has a 6000 megahertz clock on the video memory. XFX recommends a 600 watt power supply for this GPU, and it requires both a six and an eight-Pin connector for power.

Performance in Fortnite

First up on our list of game benchmarks is Fortnite. Running the game on high settings, the R9 390 delivered an average of 86 frames per Second (FPS) and a minimum of 58 FPS. Despite some occasional stuttering, the gameplay experience was smooth overall. Even if you lower the settings to the competitive level, you can easily achieve over 140 FPS for that high-refresh-rate experience.

Performance in F1 2020

Moving on to F1 2020, the R9 390 performed admirably on the high preset, rendering an average of 101 FPS with a minimum of 84 FPS. The gameplay was buttery smooth without any noticeable stutters. This performance bodes well for other games as well, as F1 2020 can be considered a worst-case Scenario in terms of demanding graphics.

Performance in GTA 5

GTA 5, which launched around the same time as the R9 390, saw impressive performance from the graphics card. With the high settings, two times MSAA, and no advanced settings, the R9 390 achieved an average of 95 FPS and a minimum of 73 FPS. If you aim for a stable 60 FPS, increasing some settings or enabling higher MSAA will still provide a solid gaming experience.

Performance in Assassin's Creed Valhalla

Assassin's Creed Valhalla is a demanding game, especially on older hardware. On the medium preset with high textures, the R9 390 managed to output an average of 48 FPS with a minimum of 34 FPS. While not the best performance, it is certainly playable. We recommend referring to hardware and box optimization guides for the best performance-to-quality gameplay experience.

Performance in Call of Duty Warzone

Call of Duty Warzone is known to be poorly optimized, but the R9 390 held up well. On the medium preset with high textures, it achieved an average of 75 FPS and a minimum of 53 FPS. Considering the game's demands, this is impressive performance, making the R9 390 a viable option for playing Warzone.

Performance in Cyberpunk

Cyberpunk, infamous for its spaghetti code and lack of optimization, still showed decent performance on the R9 390. On the low preset with high textures, it reached an average of 50 FPS with a minimum of 38 FPS. While not exceptional, it exceeded expectations, considering the game's reputation. Performance may vary in different scenarios.

Is the R9 390 Still Relevant?

After all the benchmarking, the question remains: Is the R9 390 still a relevant gaming GPU? The answer is yes, especially at 1080p resolution, where it performs well in esports games and slightly older AAA titles. The card's 8 gigabytes of frame buffer is a nice feature, allowing for higher texture settings and extra Mods in games like Fallout 4. However, it is important to note that the GPU market is currently affected by the crisis and inflated prices. While the R9 390 is a good card, it may not be worth paying exorbitant prices from scalpers. A reasonable price range would be around $100-120.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the R9 390 graphics card still holds its own in today's gaming landscape. It delivers solid performance in a variety of games, especially at 1080p resolution. The 8 gigabytes of frame buffer and overall capabilities of the card make it a worthy option for gaming enthusiasts. However, it is crucial to consider the current GPU market and avoid overpaying due to scalpers. With proper pricing, the R9 390 can still be a great choice for gamers on a budget.

Highlights:

The R9 390 is a powerful GPU released in 2015, with 2005 stream processors and 8 gigabytes of GDDR5 memory.
It performs well in games like Fortnite, F1 2020, GTA 5, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Call of Duty Warzone, and Cyberpunk.
The card offers 8 gigabytes of frame buffer, allowing for higher texture settings and mod support.
Despite its capabilities, current GPU market conditions may result in inflated prices, so caution is advised when purchasing.

FAQ

Q: Is the R9 390 still worth buying in today's market?

A: The R9 390 can still be a viable option for gamers on a budget, but it is important to avoid paying inflated prices due to the current GPU market crisis. Checking for reasonable pricing around $100-120 would be recommended.

Q: Can the R9 390 handle demanding games?

A: While it may struggle with ultra-demanding titles, the R9 390 can still deliver respectable performance in games, especially at 1080p resolution. It is capable of running esports games and slightly older AAA titles without significant issues.

Q: What are the advantages of the R9 390 over other GPUs?

A: The R9 390's 8 gigabytes of frame buffer and overall capabilities make it a solid choice for gaming. It allows for higher texture settings and mod support, providing an enhanced gaming experience.

Q: Should I consider buying the R9 390 as a graphics card upgrade?

A: If you have a limited budget and are targeting 1080p gaming, the R9 390 can be a reasonable upgrade option. However, it is crucial to carefully evaluate pricing and consider other available options in the market.