AMD
Radeon RX 9050 vs Radeon R9 290X
Full comparison of specs, performance and benchmarks
AMD
R9 290X
Aggregate performance score
We've compared RX 9050 and R9 290X across specs and all relevant benchmarks.
↗RX 9050 outperforms R9 290X by ~24% on the catalog index; this is not a measured FPS gain.+24%
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 RX 9050 (~33%)
The score difference is not a measured FPS improvement.
Reasons to consider RX 9050
- Higher catalog performance index
- More graphics memory
- Lower stated power consumption
- Recorded feature support: OpenCL 3.0 · FSR 4.1
Reasons to consider R9 290X
- Lower recorded market price
- Higher catalog value index
- 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
4738
10044
83100
6856
Graphics card ranking
Positions 59–64of 321
Which should you choose?
Two practical conclusions based on community votes and gaming value.
Radeon RX 9050
113 likesHead to Head visitors currently choose this model more often.
Radeon R9 290X
Price $48.00Based on catalog performance per unit of current market price, not measured FPS.
Overview
Scores are calculated from specifications, performance, and efficiency.
GamesDirectX, OpenCL, and Vulkan performance
47Better
38
Professional applications3D modeling, video editing, and rendering
40Better
34
AI and machine learningMachine-learning and AI capabilities
38Better
31
Power efficiencyPower consumption across workloads
100Better
44
Head to Head scoreOverall catalog score
60Better
45
Specifications
The better numeric value is highlighted in green, taking the metric direction into account.
Architecture
Memory bandwidthBetter
Base clockBetter
Boost clockBetter
Clock speedBetter
Compute API
Device class
Die size
DirectX
DisplayPort
HDMI
Interface
Launch price—
Length
Max monitors
Max resolution
Memory busBetter
Memory cacheBetter
Memory frequencyBetter
Memory type
OpenGL
Power connector
Power consumptionBetter
Process nodeBetter
Recommended PSUBetter
Release date
Shader units / coresBetter
Power consumptionBetter
TFLOPSBetter
Thickness
Transistor countBetter
USB Type-C
Upscaling
VRAMBetter
Vulkan
Gaming FPS
Available results are shown separately; missing data is not treated as zero.
The Gaming FPS section compares RX 9050 and R9 290X 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.
RX 9050R9 290X
Verified externalEstimatedSources ↗
Counter-Strike 2
1080p High
223 FPS
185 FPS
1080p Ultra
156 FPS
130 FPS
1440p Ultra
112 FPS
81 FPS
4K Ultra
33 FPS
28 FPS
Counter-Strike 2RX 9050223 FPSR9 290X185 FPSRX 9050156 FPSR9 290X130 FPSRX 9050112 FPSR9 290X81 FPSRX 905033 FPSR9 290X28 FPS
Cyberpunk 2077RX 9050144 FPSR9 290X119 FPSRX 9050124 FPSR9 290X103 FPSRX 905082 FPSR9 290X58 FPSRX 905022 FPSR9 290X19 FPS
Forza Horizon 5RX 9050181 FPSR9 290X150 FPSRX 9050117 FPSR9 290X97 FPSRX 9050101 FPSR9 290X73 FPSRX 905049 FPSR9 290X41 FPS
Hogwarts LegacyRX 9050117 FPSR9 290X97 FPSRX 905098 FPSR9 290X81 FPSRX 905073 FPSR9 290X52 FPSRX 905023 FPSR9 290X19 FPS
H2H workload indices
Comparable internal indices on a fixed 0–100 scale.
H2H Raster IndexH2H Index / 100473821%
H2H Compute IndexH2H Index / 100564033%
H2H Rendering IndexH2H Index / 100534321%
H2H Memory Workload IndexH2H Index / 100685619%
H2H Efficiency IndexH2H Index / 1001004478%
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 / 100574621%
H2H ML Training IndexH2H Index / 100564522%
H2H Inference IndexH2H Index / 100534321%
H2H Local LLM IndexH2H Index / 100594821%
H2H Computer Vision IndexH2H Index / 100534321%
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
DirectX12.212.0
Vulkan1.41.2
OpenGL4.64.6
UpscalingFSR 4.1Not supported
Compute APIOpenCL 3.0OpenCL 2.1
Architecture and release
ArchitectureRDNAGCN 2.0
Process node4 nmBetter28 nm
Release date20262013
Device classDesktopDesktop
GPU cores, die and clocks
Transistor count29.7 billionBetter6200 million
Die sizeNot publicly specified438 mm²
Shader units / cores10242816Better
Base clock1700 MHzBetter1000 MHz
Boost clock2600 MHzBetter1000 MHz
Board size, power and compatibility
InterfacePCIe 5x16PCIe 3x16
LengthVaries by boardVaries by board
Thickness1-slotTriple-slot
Recommended PSU450WBetter950 W
Power connector8 pin6+8 pin
Display outputs and limits
HDMIHDMI 2.1bHDMI 1.4a
DisplayPortDisplayPort 2.1aDisplayPort 1.2
USB Type-CNoNo
Max monitorsVaries by board4
Max resolution7680 × 43204096 × 2160
Memory and compute throughput
VRAM8 GB GDDR6Better4 GB GDDR5
Memory typeGDDR6GDDR5
Memory bus128 bit512 bitBetter
TFLOPS10.6Better5.632
Other comparisons
RTX 4070 TiNVIDIA
Arc A750IntelReviews 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 (5)
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: RX 9050 or R9 290X?+
RX 9050 has the higher overall gaming score, while R9 290X offers the better price-to-performance ratio. The final choice depends on resolution and settings.
02Which is better for streaming?+
RX 9050 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?+
RX 9050 is generally the better option for Blender and GPU rendering. Rendering-engine support and available VRAM also matter.
04Which is better for video editing?+
RX 9050 offers more overall performance, while RX 9050 offers more memory headroom. Codecs, hardware encoders, and editor optimization can change the result.
05Which is better for neural networks and AI?+
RX 9050 is the more practical option for local AI workloads. VRAM capacity, compute libraries, and framework compatibility are especially important.
06Which is better for 1080p?+
R9 290X is the most rational 1080p choice, where high frame rates and cost per frame matter most.
07Which is better for 1440p?+
RX 9050 leads in combined 1440p performance. RX 9050 can be preferable for heavy textures and games with high VRAM usage.
08Which is better for 4K?+
RX 9050 is preferable for 4K, where total performance, memory bandwidth, and VRAM capacity have the greatest impact.
09Which is better for a quiet PC?+
RX 9050 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?+
RX 9050 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 RX 9050 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.