The AMD Radeon R9 290 is a powerful graphics card that was released in 2013 as part of the company’s Radeon R9 series. Although it’s an older model, the R9 290 still packs a punch and can handle a wide range of games at high settings. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of gaming with the R9 290, exploring its capabilities, limitations, and the types of games it can run smoothly.
Understanding the R9 290’s Specifications
Before we dive into the games that the R9 290 can run, it’s essential to understand its specifications. The R9 290 is based on the Hawaii GPU architecture and features 2560 stream processors, 160 texture mapping units, and 64 render outputs. It has a clock speed of 947 MHz and 4 GB of GDDR5 memory, which provides a memory bandwidth of 320 GB/s.
Key Features of the R9 290
- Graphics Core Next (GCN) architecture: The R9 290 uses the GCN architecture, which provides improved performance, power efficiency, and features like DirectX 11.2 and Mantle support.
- 4 GB GDDR5 memory: The R9 290 has 4 GB of GDDR5 memory, which is sufficient for most modern games at high settings.
- 320 GB/s memory bandwidth: The R9 290’s memory bandwidth is relatively high, allowing for fast data transfer between the GPU and system memory.
- Support for multiple displays: The R9 290 can support up to six displays simultaneously, making it an excellent choice for multi-monitor setups.
Gaming Performance of the R9 290
The R9 290 is a powerful graphics card that can handle a wide range of games at high settings. However, its performance may vary depending on the game, resolution, and graphics settings. Here are some general guidelines on what to expect from the R9 290 in terms of gaming performance:
1080p Gaming
At 1080p (1920×1080), the R9 290 can handle most modern games at high settings, including:
- AAA titles: Games like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, The Witcher 3, and Grand Theft Auto V can run at high settings (60 FPS+) with some minor tweaks.
- Esports games: Games like League of Legends, Dota 2, and Overwatch can run at high settings (144 FPS+) with ease.
- Indie games: Most indie games can run at high settings (60 FPS+) without any issues.
1440p Gaming
At 1440p (2560×1440), the R9 290 can still handle most modern games at high settings, but may require some tweaks to achieve smooth performance:
- AAA titles: Games like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and The Witcher 3 can run at high settings (40-60 FPS) with some minor tweaks.
- Esports games: Games like League of Legends and Dota 2 can run at high settings (100-144 FPS) with ease.
- Indie games: Most indie games can run at high settings (40-60 FPS) without any issues.
4K Gaming
At 4K (3840×2160), the R9 290 may struggle to handle most modern games at high settings, and may require significant tweaks to achieve smooth performance:
- AAA titles: Games like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and The Witcher 3 can run at medium settings (30-40 FPS) with some significant tweaks.
- Esports games: Games like League of Legends and Dota 2 can run at medium settings (60-100 FPS) with some tweaks.
- Indie games: Most indie games can run at medium settings (30-40 FPS) without any issues.
Games That the R9 290 Can Run Smoothly
Here are some examples of games that the R9 290 can run smoothly at high settings:
- Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (1080p, 60 FPS+)
- The Witcher 3 (1080p, 60 FPS+)
- Grand Theft Auto V (1080p, 60 FPS+)
- League of Legends (1080p, 144 FPS+)
- Dota 2 (1080p, 144 FPS+)
- Overwatch (1080p, 144 FPS+)
- Fortnite (1080p, 60 FPS+)
- PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (1080p, 60 FPS+)
Games That the R9 290 May Struggle With
Here are some examples of games that the R9 290 may struggle with at high settings:
- Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, 30-40 FPS)
- Red Dead Redemption 2 (1080p, 30-40 FPS)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (1080p, 30-40 FPS)
- Ghost Recon: Wildlands (1080p, 30-40 FPS)
Conclusion
The AMD Radeon R9 290 is a powerful graphics card that can handle a wide range of games at high settings. While it may not be able to handle the most demanding games at 4K resolutions, it can still provide smooth performance at 1080p and 1440p. If you’re looking for a graphics card that can handle most modern games at high settings, the R9 290 is definitely worth considering.
Final Thoughts
- Upgrade options: If you’re looking to upgrade from the R9 290, consider the AMD Radeon RX 580 or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660.
- Power consumption: The R9 290 has a relatively high power consumption, so make sure your power supply can handle it.
- Driver updates: Keep your drivers up to date to ensure optimal performance and compatibility with the latest games.
By understanding the R9 290’s specifications, gaming performance, and limitations, you can make an informed decision about whether this graphics card is right for you.
What is the R9 290 and how does it compare to other graphics cards in its class?
The R9 290 is a high-performance graphics card developed by AMD, released in 2013. It is based on the Graphics Core Next (GCN) architecture and features 2560 stream processors, 160 texture units, and 64 ROPs. In its class, the R9 290 is comparable to the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780, with both cards offering similar performance in most modern games. However, the R9 290 has a higher memory bandwidth and more memory, making it a better choice for high-resolution gaming and graphics-intensive applications.
In terms of performance, the R9 290 is capable of delivering smooth frame rates in most modern games at high resolutions, including 1440p and 4K. It also supports advanced graphics technologies such as DirectX 11.2, OpenGL 4.3, and Mantle, making it a great choice for gamers who want to take advantage of the latest graphics features. Overall, the R9 290 is a powerful graphics card that offers excellent performance and value for its price.
What are the system requirements for running the R9 290, and how much power does it consume?
The R9 290 requires a 64-bit operating system, such as Windows 7 or 8, and a minimum of 4GB of system memory. It also requires a 500W power supply unit (PSU) with at least two 6-pin PCIe power connectors. In terms of power consumption, the R9 290 has a TDP of 250W, which is relatively high compared to other graphics cards in its class. However, this is due to its high-performance capabilities and the fact that it is designed to handle demanding graphics workloads.
It’s worth noting that the R9 290 can be quite power-hungry, especially when running demanding games or applications. As such, it’s recommended to use a high-quality PSU that can handle the card’s power requirements. Additionally, the R9 290 produces a significant amount of heat, so it’s recommended to use a well-ventilated case and a high-quality cooling system to keep the card running at optimal temperatures.
How does the R9 290 perform in modern games, and what kind of frame rates can I expect?
The R9 290 is a powerful graphics card that is capable of delivering smooth frame rates in most modern games. In games such as Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, Battlefield 4, and Call of Duty: Ghosts, the R9 290 can deliver frame rates of over 60fps at high resolutions, including 1440p and 4K. In more demanding games such as Crysis 3 and Metro: Last Light, the R9 290 can still deliver frame rates of over 40fps at high resolutions.
It’s worth noting that the R9 290’s performance can vary depending on the game and the system configuration. However, in general, the R9 290 is capable of delivering excellent performance in most modern games, making it a great choice for gamers who want to play the latest titles at high resolutions. Additionally, the R9 290 supports advanced graphics technologies such as DirectX 11.2 and Mantle, which can help to improve performance in supported games.
Can the R9 290 be overclocked, and what kind of performance gains can I expect?
Yes, the R9 290 can be overclocked using software tools such as AMD Overdrive or MSI Afterburner. Overclocking the R9 290 can help to improve its performance in games and other graphics-intensive applications. By increasing the clock speed and voltage of the GPU, it’s possible to achieve performance gains of up to 10-15% in some games.
However, overclocking the R9 290 can also increase its power consumption and heat output, so it’s recommended to use a high-quality cooling system and a well-ventilated case to keep the card running at optimal temperatures. Additionally, overclocking can also reduce the lifespan of the GPU, so it’s recommended to use caution and to monitor the card’s temperatures and performance closely when overclocking.
Is the R9 290 compatible with multiple monitor setups, and what kind of display outputs does it have?
Yes, the R9 290 is compatible with multiple monitor setups, including Eyefinity and NVIDIA Surround. The card has a total of five display outputs, including two DVI ports, one HDMI port, and two DisplayPort 1.2 ports. This makes it possible to connect up to five monitors to the card, making it a great choice for gamers who want to use multiple monitors to enhance their gaming experience.
In addition to its multiple display outputs, the R9 290 also supports advanced display technologies such as 4K resolution and stereoscopic 3D. This makes it possible to enjoy high-resolution gaming and immersive 3D experiences on multiple monitors. However, it’s worth noting that using multiple monitors can also increase the card’s power consumption and heat output, so it’s recommended to use a high-quality cooling system and a well-ventilated case.
How does the R9 290 compare to the R9 290X, and which card is better value for money?
The R9 290X is a more powerful version of the R9 290, with a higher clock speed and more memory. The R9 290X has a clock speed of 1000MHz, compared to the R9 290’s clock speed of 947MHz. The R9 290X also has 4GB of GDDR5 memory, compared to the R9 290’s 4GB of GDDR5 memory. In terms of performance, the R9 290X is around 10-15% faster than the R9 290 in most games.
However, the R9 290X is also more expensive than the R9 290, with a price premium of around $100-$150. As such, the R9 290 is generally considered to be better value for money, offering similar performance to the R9 290X at a lower price point. However, if you’re looking for the absolute best performance and are willing to pay a premium for it, the R9 290X may be the better choice.
Is the R9 290 still a good choice for gaming in 2023, or should I consider a newer graphics card?
The R9 290 is still a powerful graphics card that is capable of delivering excellent performance in most modern games. However, it’s worth noting that the R9 290 is an older card that was released in 2013, and it may not support some of the latest graphics technologies such as DirectX 12 and Vulkan. Additionally, the R9 290 may not be as power-efficient as newer graphics cards, which can result in higher power consumption and heat output.
As such, if you’re looking for a graphics card that supports the latest graphics technologies and offers better power efficiency, you may want to consider a newer card such as the AMD Radeon RX 5000 series or the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3000 series. However, if you’re on a budget and are looking for a powerful graphics card that can still deliver excellent performance in most modern games, the R9 290 may still be a good choice.