MSI RX 480 vs MSI R9 390: A Clash of Titans

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Graphics Card Comparison
2. MSI R9 390: The Veteran
   • Overview
   • Specifications
   • Aesthetics
   • Pros and Cons
3. MSI RX 480: The Challenger
   • Overview
   • Specifications
   • Aesthetics
   • Pros and Cons
4. Test System
   • CPU
   • CPU Cooler
   • RAM
   • Motherboard
   • Storage
   • Power Supply
   • Case
5. Benchmarking Methodology
   • Overview
   • Test Settings
   • Games Benchmarked
6. Benchmarks and Results
   • Grand Theft Auto 5
   • Rise of the Tomb Raider
   • Hitman 2016
   • Doom
   • Total War Warhammer
   • Battlefield 1
   • Dirt Rally
   • Forza Horizon 3
   • Middle Earth Shadow of Mordor
   • Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege
   • Overwatch
   • Gears of War 4
   • Titanfall 2
   • Quantum Break
   • Civilization 6
   • Synthetic Benchmarks: 3DMark
7. Discussion and Analysis
   • Performance Overview
   • VR Capability
   • Considerations for Buying
   • Performance at 1440p
   • Conclusion
8. Highlights
9. FAQs

Introduction to Graphics Card Comparison

Hey everyone, it's Danny here! Today, I've got something exciting for you: a head-to-head comparison between two titans in the graphics card arena – the MSI R9 390 and the MSI RX 480.

MSI R9 390: The Veteran

Overview

Let's kick things off with the seasoned veteran, the MSI R9 390. This card has been a stalwart performer for quite some time, boasting solid specifications and reliability.

Specifications

The R9 390 Sports a base clock of 1000 MHz, with a boost clock of 1060 MHz. It's equipped with 8 GB of GDDR5 memory clocked at 1525 MHz and has a 512-bit memory interface.

Aesthetics

In terms of aesthetics, the R9 390 flaunts the classic MSI black and red theme, with non-illuminated red stripes on its Twin Frozr 5 cooler.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Solid performance
• Generous VRAM
• Reliable cooling

Cons:

• Higher power consumption
• Bulkier design compared to newer cards

MSI RX 480: The Challenger

Overview

Now, let's turn our attention to the challenger, the MSI RX 480. This card brings in newer technology and promises to give the R9 390 a run for its money.

Specifications

The RX 480 boasts a core clock of 1360 MHz and 8 GB of GDDR5 memory clocked at 2025 MHz. It features a more power-efficient design compared to its predecessor.

Aesthetics

Visually, the RX 480 retains the iconic MSI black and red theme but introduces the Twin Frozr 6 cooler with illuminated red stripes, along with improved fan design for better airflow.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• More power-efficient
• Enhanced cooling
• Potential for better VR performance

Cons:

• Slightly lower memory interface
• Less VRAM than some variants of the R9 390

Test System

CPU

For our test system, we're using an Intel Core i5 6600K, overclocked to 4.6 GHz.

CPU Cooler

We've got a Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo with dual Corsair SP 120 fans for efficient cooling.

RAM

16 GB of G.Skill Ripjaws DDR4 memory clocked at 2800 MHz.

Motherboard

Gigabyte G1 Gaming Z170X-Gaming 7 for robust performance.

Storage

A Samsung 950 Pro NVMe SSD for the boot drive, paired with two Western Digital HDDs for storage.

Power Supply

We're powered by an EVGA 750W G2 for stable power delivery.

Case

Housed in a Corsair Speckle 2 case for sleek aesthetics and effective airflow.

Benchmarking Methodology

Overview

We conducted benchmarks at both 1080p and 1440p resolutions to gauge performance across various titles.

Test Settings

We ran tests at stock settings and then applied overclocks to see potential performance gains.

Games Benchmarked

We tested a range of titles from different genres to provide a comprehensive overview of performance.

Benchmarks and Results

Grand Theft Auto 5

• Pros: Excellent performance on both cards
• Cons: None

Rise of the Tomb Raider

• Pros: Comparable performance; slight edge to RX 480
• Cons: Minor frame drops on R9 390 with overclocking

Hitman 2016

• Pros: Similar performance; slight advantage for R9 390
• Cons: None significant

Doom

• Pros: Acceptable performance; slight advantage for R9 390 with Vulkan API
• Cons: None noteworthy

Total War Warhammer

• Pros: Similar performance; slight advantage for RX 480
• Cons: None significant

Battlefield 1

• Pros: Comparable performance; slight advantage for RX 480
• Cons: Stuttering issues on both cards

Discussion and Analysis

Performance Overview

Across the board, both cards offer solid performance, with minor variations in different titles.

VR Capability

While the RX 480 may have an edge in VR performance, both cards are capable of handling VR content effectively.

Considerations for Buying

Factors such as availability, pricing, and personal preference should influence your decision between the two cards.

Performance at 1440p

Both cards demonstrate impressive performance at 1440p, making them viable options for high-resolution gaming.

Conclusion

Whether you opt for the reliable R9 390 or the newer RX 480, you're bound to enjoy excellent gaming experiences.

Highlights

• MSI R9 390 and RX 480 offer competitive performance.
• Both cards excel in 1080p and 1440p gaming.
• Consider factors like pricing and availability when choosing between the two.

FAQs

Q: Which card offers better VR performance? A: The RX 480 generally performs better in VR due to its newer architecture and optimizations.

Q: Are there any significant differences in power consumption between the two cards? A: Yes, the RX 480 has a lower power consumption rating compared to the R9 390, making it more power-efficient.

Q: Is there a noticeable difference in aesthetics between the two cards? A: While both cards feature the classic MSI black and red theme, the RX 480 introduces illuminated red stripes and a more advanced cooler design.

Q: Are there any specific games where one card significantly outperforms the other? A: Performance differences between the two cards are generally minor across most titles, with both offering competitive performance.