AMD
Radeon HD 6790 vs Radeon 540X
Full comparison of specs, performance and benchmarks
AMD
Radeon 540X
Aggregate performance score
We've compared HD 6790 and Radeon 540X across specs and all relevant benchmarks.
↗HD 6790 outperforms Radeon 540X by ~3% on the catalog index; this is not a measured FPS gain.+3%
Scores are normalized on the Head to Head scale. Higher is better. How is this calculated?H2HBench Data Quality
Low confidenceSpecifications: Field verification not recordedVerified gaming results: 0Estimated / unverified results: 32Price record updated: Sep 6, 2026
Limited verified data
H2HBench Verdict
Higher catalog score: Radeon HD 6790 (~9%)
The score difference is not a measured FPS improvement.
Reasons to consider HD 6790
- Higher catalog performance index
- Higher catalog value index
- Recorded feature support: OpenCL 1.2 · Not supported
Reasons to consider Radeon 540X
- Lower stated power consumption
- Recorded feature support: OpenCL 2.1 · Not supported
Catalog metrics radar
Axes with missing data are hidden; every value uses a fixed scale.
AMDPerformance
Efficiency
Price / performance
Memory capacity
3231
71100
10054
5656
Graphics card ranking
Positions 228–233of 321
Which should you choose?
Two practical conclusions based on community votes and gaming value.
Radeon 540X
89 likesHead to Head visitors currently choose this model more often.
Overview
Scores are calculated from specifications, performance, and efficiency.
GamesDirectX, OpenCL, and Vulkan performance
32Better
31
Professional applications3D modeling, video editing, and rendering
29
29
AI and machine learningMachine-learning and AI capabilities
27Better
26
Power efficiencyPower consumption across workloads
71
100Better
Head to Head scoreOverall catalog score
47Better
43
Specifications
The better numeric value is highlighted in green, taking the metric direction into account.
DisplayPort
HDMI
Device class
Max monitors
Max resolution
USB Type-C
DirectX
OpenGL
TFLOPSBetter
Power consumptionBetter
Release date
Architecture
Memory type
Power connector
Thickness
Compute API
Launch price—
Shader units / coresBetter
Process nodeBetter
Clock speedBetter
Base clockBetter
Boost clockBetter
VRAM
Memory frequencyBetter
Memory busBetter
Memory bandwidthBetter
Interface
Power consumptionBetter
Recommended PSUBetter
Length
Die sizeBetter
Memory cache
Transistor countBetter
Vulkan
Upscaling
Gaming FPS
Available results are shown separately; missing data is not treated as zero.
The Gaming FPS section compares HD 6790 and Radeon 540X across curated H2H Lab game presets. The useful signal is not only average FPS, but also how each device behaves at 1440p and 4K, how memory capacity and bus width affect heavy textures, and whether the game engine favors raster performance, ray tracing, or driver maturity.
HD 6790Radeon 540X
Verified externalEstimatedSources ↗
Counter-Strike 2
1080p High
162 FPS
155 FPS
1080p Ultra
111 FPS
109 FPS
1440p Ultra
63 FPS
58 FPS
4K Ultra
23 FPS
21 FPS
Counter-Strike 2HD 6790162 FPSRadeon 540X155 FPSHD 6790111 FPSRadeon 540X109 FPSHD 679063 FPSRadeon 540X58 FPSHD 679023 FPSRadeon 540X21 FPS
Cyberpunk 2077HD 6790104 FPSRadeon 540X100 FPSHD 679087 FPSRadeon 540X86 FPSHD 679045 FPSRadeon 540X42 FPSHD 679015 FPSRadeon 540X14 FPS
Forza Horizon 5HD 6790132 FPSRadeon 540X126 FPSHD 679083 FPSRadeon 540X81 FPSHD 679056 FPSRadeon 540X52 FPSHD 679034 FPSRadeon 540X31 FPS
Hogwarts LegacyHD 679085 FPSRadeon 540X81 FPSHD 679069 FPSRadeon 540X68 FPSHD 679041 FPSRadeon 540X38 FPSHD 679016 FPSRadeon 540X14 FPS
H2H workload indices
Comparable internal indices on a fixed 0–100 scale.
H2H Raster IndexH2H Index / 10032313%
H2H Compute IndexH2H Index / 10035363%
H2H Rendering IndexH2H Index / 10039383%
H2H Memory Workload IndexH2H Index / 10056560%
H2H Efficiency IndexH2H Index / 1007110034%
These are versioned H2H calculated indices derived from normalized catalog data. They are not results from a third-party benchmark.
H2H AI workload indices
Estimated workload profiles based on available performance and memory data.
H2H Image Generation IndexH2H Index / 10043422%
H2H ML Training IndexH2H Index / 10041410%
H2H Inference IndexH2H Index / 10039383%
H2H Local LLM IndexH2H Index / 10045450%
H2H Computer Vision IndexH2H Index / 10039383%
These are versioned H2H calculated indices derived from normalized catalog data. They are not results from a third-party benchmark.
Graphics APIs, SDKs and upscaling
DirectX11.012.0
VulkanNot supported1.3
OpenGL4.44.6
UpscalingNot supportedNot supported
Compute APIOpenCL 1.2OpenCL 2.1
Architecture and release
ArchitectureTeraScale 2Polaris
Process node40 nm14 nmBetter
Release date20112017
Device classDesktopMobile
GPU cores, die and clocks
Transistor count1700 million2200 millionBetter
Die size255 mm²103 mm²Better
Shader units / cores800Better384
Base clock840 MHz1183 MHzBetter
Boost clock840 MHz1183 MHzBetter
Board size, power and compatibility
InterfacePCIe 2x16PCIe 3.0 x8
Length198 mmOEM dependent
ThicknessDual-slotSingle-slot
Recommended PSU450 W250 WBetter
Power connector6+6 pinNone
Display outputs and limits
HDMIHDMI 1.3aOEM dependent
DisplayPortDisplayPort 1.1DisplayPort 1.4a
USB Type-CNoOEM dependent
Max monitors4OEM dependent
Max resolution4096 × 2160OEM dependent
Memory and compute throughput
VRAM1 GB GDDR51 GB GDDR5
Memory typeGDDR5GDDR5
Memory bus256 bitBetter32 bit
TFLOPS1.344Better0.908
Other comparisons
Reviews and questions
Explain this comparison
Beyond percentages: causes, relevant specifications, and practical impact behind every chart.
What AI will explain
Overall score, radar, FPS, synthetic tests, specifications, efficiency, and value.
Evidence details
Data coverage
- Verified gaming results
- 0
- Verified synthetic results
- 0
- Games with verified results
- 0
- Verified community results
- 0
- Estimated / unverified results
- 32
- Specifications
- 0 / 69
Calculated scores · How is this calculated?
Scores use the catalog model and may include estimated inputs. Open each score to see its origin and the methodology.
clamp(round(performance × 0.7 + (efficiency ?? 50) × 0.2 + (value is missing ? 0 : (value − 50) × 0.2)), 0, 100)Price evidence · View sources (4)
Verified community results
No verified community benchmarks yet.
Reviewed by
No individual editorial review is recorded for this comparison.
Comparison history
Show recorded changes (3)
- · Record updated: products
- · Record updated: products
- · Record updated: products
Why you can trust this comparison
Origin and confidence are evaluated from the evidence attached to each value. Unverified results are identified, and specification, benchmark and price dates remain separate.
Owner experiences
Real builds, results, and community feedback.
Moderator reviewedHelpful to the communityExpert badges
Frequently asked comparison questions
Short recommendations based on performance, memory, power consumption, and intended use.
01Which is better for gaming: HD 6790 or Radeon 540X?+
HD 6790 has the higher overall gaming score, while HD 6790 offers the better price-to-performance ratio. The final choice depends on resolution and settings.
02Which is better for streaming?+
HD 6790 is the stronger streaming choice thanks to performance, hardware encoding, and application support. Check AV1, H.264, and HEVC support before buying.
03Which is better for Blender?+
HD 6790 is generally the better option for Blender and GPU rendering. Rendering-engine support and available VRAM also matter.
04Which is better for video editing?+
HD 6790 offers more overall performance, while HD 6790 offers more memory headroom. Codecs, hardware encoders, and editor optimization can change the result.
05Which is better for neural networks and AI?+
HD 6790 is the more practical option for local AI workloads. VRAM capacity, compute libraries, and framework compatibility are especially important.
06Which is better for 1080p?+
HD 6790 is the most rational 1080p choice, where high frame rates and cost per frame matter most.
07Which is better for 1440p?+
HD 6790 leads in combined 1440p performance. HD 6790 can be preferable for heavy textures and games with high VRAM usage.
08Which is better for 4K?+
HD 6790 is preferable for 4K, where total performance, memory bandwidth, and VRAM capacity have the greatest impact.
09Which is better for a quiet PC?+
Radeon 540X is easier to use in a quiet build because of its lower estimated power and thermal load. Actual noise depends on the specific cooler.
10Which is better without replacing the power supply?+
Radeon 540X is the safer candidate because its stated power consumption is lower. Verify PSU wattage, age, and power connectors.
11Is it worth upgrading from the previous generation?+
Consider upgrading to HD 6790 if your current device no longer delivers the required FPS, memory capacity, or feature support. A gain below 15–20% is usually worth waiting for a price cut.