GPU Comparison

Select up to 2 GPUs to analyze their pricing, performance, and specifications side-by-side.

Quick Verdict

The GeForce GTX 1080 is dramatically faster than the Radeon R9 390X, leading by roughly 78% in our performance index. The Radeon R9 390X, however, delivers more performance per dollar — $373 EUR cheaper.

Maximum Capacity Reached. Remove a model to add another. (2/2)

VS
Price
€476
Benchmark %
16%
VRAM
8 GB GDDR5X
Key Specs Advantage
+65% Boost Clock (1,733 MHz vs 1,050 MHz)
AMD
Radeon R9 390X
Price
€103
Benchmark %
9%
VRAM
8 GB GDDR5
Key Specs Advantage
+100% Memory Bus (512-bit vs 256-bit)
+20% Bandwidth (384 GB/s vs 320 GB/s)
+10% Stream Processors (2,816 vs 2,560)

GeForce GTX 1080 vs Radeon R9 390X: In-Depth Breakdown

Performance: GeForce GTX 1080 vs Radeon R9 390X

The GeForce GTX 1080 is dramatically faster, around 78% ahead of the Radeon R9 390X. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce GTX 1080 is comfortable at 1080p, while the Radeon R9 390X is better matched to entry-level 1080p.

Price & Value

Right now the Radeon R9 390X starts at $103 EUR against $476 EUR for the GeForce GTX 1080. Despite being slower, the Radeon R9 390X offers the better performance-per-dollar (~161% better value), so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The Radeon R9 390X is trading below its $429 EUR MSRP — a genuine deal. The GeForce GTX 1080 is trading below its $599 EUR MSRP — a genuine deal.

Power & Efficiency

The GeForce GTX 1080 draws just 180W versus 275W for the Radeon R9 390X, and it also delivers more performance per watt — so it runs cooler and quieter and needs less PSU headroom. Its more modern Pascal architecture on a TSMC 16nm process is part of why it does more with each watt.

Features & Ecosystem

Beyond raw numbers, the GeForce GTX 1080 brings NVIDIA DLSS upscaling/frame generation and stronger ray tracing, while the Radeon R9 390X offers AMD FSR upscaling and strong rasterization value. If you lean on upscaling or ray tracing, that ecosystem difference can matter as much as the frame-rate gap.

Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1080 or Radeon R9 390X?

Choose the GeForce GTX 1080 if you want the most performance and can absorb the higher price. If you're optimizing for value, the Radeon R9 390X stretches your money further for only slightly lower performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the GeForce GTX 1080 better than the Radeon R9 390X?

The GeForce GTX 1080 is dramatically faster, roughly 78% ahead. The Radeon R9 390X is still worth it if value matters more than top-end frames.

Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 1080 or the Radeon R9 390X?

Neither is a dedicated 4K card; both are best at 1080p. For 4K you'd want a faster GPU, or lean on upscaling.

Is the GeForce GTX 1080 worth the extra $373 EUR over the Radeon R9 390X?

Only if you need the extra performance or features; on pure value the Radeon R9 390X comes out ahead.

Technical Specifications Comparison

Architecture & Cores

SpecificationGeForce GTX 1080Radeon R9 390X
ArchitecturePascalGCN 2.0
Process NodeTSMC 16nmTSMC 28nm
CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / Stream Processors)2,5602,816

Clock Speeds

SpecificationGeForce GTX 1080Radeon R9 390X
Base Clock1,607 MHz1,050 MHz
Boost Clock1,733 MHz1,050 MHz

Memory

SpecificationGeForce GTX 1080Radeon R9 390X
VRAM Capacity8 GB8 GB
Memory TypeGDDR5XGDDR5
Memory Bus256-bit512-bit
Memory Speed10 Gbps6 Gbps
Bandwidth320 GB/s384 GB/s

Connectivity & Power

SpecificationGeForce GTX 1080Radeon R9 390X
InterfacePCIe 3.0 x16PCIe 3.0 x16
TDP180 W275 W
Power Connectors1x 8-pin1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin
ReleasedMay 2016Jun 2015