NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 vs AMD Radeon R9 390X
Detailed gaming performance comparison
Reference CPU: Intel Core i5-13400
We compare the GTX 1080 and the R9 390X with real FPS across the most popular games at 1080p, 1440p and 4K, plus specs, launch price and AI upscaling support (DLSS/FSR/XeSS). See at a glance which is better for your resolution and budget.
The GTX 1080 is ~86% faster than the R9 390X on average at 1080p. On top of that, the R9 390X is 28% cheaper (launch price).
Average FPS by resolution
Estimated average FPS for each graphics card across the most popular games. The gap usually shows at 1080p and 1440p; at 4K both lose smoothness and upscaling (DLSS/FSR) helps.
| Resolution | GTX 1080 | R9 390X | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 41 | 22 | +86% |
| 1440p | 31 | 14 | +121% |
| 4K | 15 | 6 | +150% |
Specifications
Side-by-side specs of the GTX 1080 and R9 390X: VRAM, power draw (TDP), performance index and launch price. The better value in each row is highlighted in blue.
| Spec | GTX 1080 | R9 390X |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | NVIDIA | AMD |
| VRAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| TDP | 180W | 275W |
| Tier | High-end | High-end |
| Score 1080p | 36 | 19 |
| Score 1440p | 31 | 14 |
| Score 4K | 19 | 7 |
| Price (MSRP) | $599 | $429 |
Gaming Performance
Per-game FPS detail at 1080p Ultra. The graphics card that wins each title is highlighted in blue.
| Game | GTX 1080 | R9 390X | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition | 42FPS | 22FPS | GTX 1080 |
| Grand Theft Auto VI | 32FPS | 17FPS | GTX 1080 |
| Halloween: The Game | 40FPS | 21FPS | GTX 1080 |
| Kena: Scars of Kosmora | 42FPS | 22FPS | GTX 1080 |
| Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV | 47FPS | 25FPS | GTX 1080 |
| Mortal Shell II | 37FPS | 20FPS | GTX 1080 |
| Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival | 40FPS | 21FPS | GTX 1080 |
| Valor Mortis | 37FPS | 20FPS | GTX 1080 |
| Star Wars Zero Company | 47FPS | 25FPS | GTX 1080 |
| Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve | 42FPS | 22FPS | GTX 1080 |
Verdict
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 wins in 10 out of 10 games
We recommend NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 as the best option for gaming.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions when comparing the GTX 1080 with the R9 390X.
Which is better, the GTX 1080 or the R9 390X?
On average at 1080p, the GTX 1080 is 86% faster than the R9 390X. The best one for you depends on your resolution, budget and whether you prioritise ray tracing or price.
Which is better at 4K?
At 4K Ultra, the GTX 1080 averages 15 FPS and the R9 390X 6 FPS across the most popular games. For smooth 4K, enabling upscaling (DLSS/FSR) helps on both.
Is it worth paying more for the faster one?
At 1080p or 1440p the FPS gap may not justify the extra cost; at 4K or with ray tracing the faster card matters more. Check the by-resolution table to decide.
Which has better ray tracing and upscaling?
AI upscaling (DLSS on NVIDIA, FSR on AMD, XeSS on Intel) raises FPS on both; for ray tracing, GeForce RTX cards usually lead. See each card’s support above.
How big is the FPS difference between them?
On average across top games, the gap is around 86% at 1080p. At higher resolutions (1440p and 4K) the relative difference usually stays similar.