AMD Radeon R9 290 vs NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
The AMD Radeon R9 290 is the faster card by roughly 8%. Here is how the two compare across every spec that matters for gaming.
| Specification | AMD Radeon R9 290 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 6GB |
|---|---|---|
| Performance score | 14/100 | 13/100 |
| Tier | D | D |
| VRAM | 4 GB | 6 GB |
| Power draw (TDP) | 275 W | 70 W |
| Launch MSRP | $399 | $179 |
| Performance per $100 | 3.5 | 7.3 |
| Release year | 2013 | 2024 |
| DLSS | — No | ✓ Yes |
| FSR | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| XeSS | — No | — No |
| Ray tracing | — No | ✓ Yes |
Which should you buy?
The AMD Radeon R9 290 is the stronger performer of the two, and it is the default choice if raw frame rate is what you care about. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 6GB carries more VRAM (6GB vs 4GB), which matters at 1440p and above and for texture-heavy titles. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 6GB draws 205W less, so it is easier on your power supply and case cooling — check the PSU calculator before committing. On launch pricing, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers better performance per dollar.