AMD Radeon R9 390X vs AMD Radeon RX 480 8GB
Detailed gaming performance comparison
Reference CPU: Intel Core i5-13400
We compare the R9 390X and the RX 480 8GB 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 RX 480 8GB is ~10% faster than the R9 390X on average at 1080p. On top of that, the RX 480 8GB is 44% cheaper (launch price).
R9 390X
- Index (1080p)
- 19/100
- VRAM
- 8 GB
- Price (MSRP)
- $429 · ≈ €395
- Upscaling
- FSR
RX 480 8GB
- Index (1080p)
- 21/100
- VRAM
- 8 GB
- Price (MSRP)
- $239 · ≈ €220
- Upscaling
- FSR
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 | R9 390X | RX 480 8GB | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 21 | 23 | +10% |
| 1440p | 14 | 15 | +7% |
| 4K | 5 | 5 | = |
Specifications
Side-by-side specs of the R9 390X and RX 480 8GB: VRAM, power draw (TDP), performance index and launch price. The better value in each row is highlighted in blue.
| Spec | R9 390X | RX 480 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | AMD | AMD |
| VRAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| TDP | 275W | 150W |
| Tier | High-end | Mid-range |
| Score 1080p | 19 | 21 |
| Score 1440p | 14 | 15 |
| Score 4K | 7 | 7 |
| Price (MSRP) | $429 | $239 |
Gaming Performance
Per-game FPS detail at 1080p Ultra. The graphics card that wins each title is highlighted in blue.
| Game | R9 390X | RX 480 8GB | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition | 22FPS | 24FPS | RX 480 8GB |
| Grand Theft Auto VI | 17FPS | 19FPS | RX 480 8GB |
| Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra | 21FPS | 24FPS | RX 480 8GB |
| Marathon | 21FPS | 24FPS | RX 480 8GB |
| Gears of War: E-Day | 19FPS | 21FPS | RX 480 8GB |
| Onimusha: Way of the Sword | 23FPS | 25FPS | RX 480 8GB |
| Phantom Blade Zero | 21FPS | 24FPS | RX 480 8GB |
| 007 First Light | 21FPS | 24FPS | RX 480 8GB |
| The Blood of Dawnwalker | 18FPS | 20FPS | RX 480 8GB |
| Pathologic 3 | 26FPS | 29FPS | RX 480 8GB |
Verdict
AMD Radeon RX 480 8GB wins in 10 out of 10 games
We recommend AMD Radeon RX 480 8GB as the best option for gaming.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions when comparing the R9 390X with the RX 480 8GB.
Which is better, the R9 390X or the RX 480 8GB?
On average at 1080p, the RX 480 8GB is 10% 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 R9 390X averages 5 FPS and the RX 480 8GB 5 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 10% at 1080p. At higher resolutions (1440p and 4K) the relative difference usually stays similar.