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AMD Radeon R9 380 Review | 118 Data compared

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  • Avg. price: ~£55
  • VRAM: 2 GB
  • Memory bus width: 256 bit
  • Thermal Design Power (TDP): 190 W

AMD Radeon R9 380 review. Compare 118 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among graphics cards and if it is worth buying.

4.4

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the graphics card's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best graphics cards on the market.

Score components:

90.0%

3.9

Technical Score

10.0%

8.7

User score

Poor
3.9

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the graphics card's technical performance, covering key areas such as gaming and rendering performance, ray tracing, memory configuration, power efficiency, cooling, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare graphics cards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

44.0%

2.0

Performance

24.0%

3.1

Memory

12.0%

8.5

Power & Cooling

11.0%

5.2

Platform & Features

5.0%

9.3

Design

4.0%

5.2

Connectivity & Media

Poor
8.7

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

8.2

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.1
(268)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.1
(331)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

Excellent
  • 3.1
    Gaming

    Score components:

    45.0%

    1.2

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    1.0

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 4.1
    Video editing

    Score components:

    35.0%

    7.0

    AV1 encode

    30.0%

    1.0

    VRAM

    20.0%

    1.2

    Floating-point performance

    15.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 2.4
    1080p

    Score components:

    55.0%

    1.2

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    1.0

    VRAM

    10.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 2.5
    1440p

    Score components:

    50.0%

    1.2

    Floating-point performance

    30.0%

    1.0

    VRAM

    15.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 2.8
    4K

    Score components:

    40.0%

    1.2

    Floating-point performance

    35.0%

    1.0

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • amd-radeon-r9-380
amd-radeon-r9-380

Best prices in UK

Best rankings

?

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The AMD Radeon R9 380, launched in June 2015, is a mid-range graphics card based on the 28nm 'Antigua' graphics processor and GCN 1.2 architecture. It features 1,792 stream processors, 112 texture mapping units, and 32 ROPs, with a core clock of 970 MHz. The card was produced in 2GB and 4GB GDDR5 variants using a 256-bit memory interface, delivering a bandwidth of approximately 176 GB/s. Main pros include solid 1080p gaming performance, support for DirectX 12, and a competitive price point at launch that rivaled the NVIDIA GTX 960. However, cons include high power consumption with a 190W TDP requiring dual 6-pin connectors, limited VRAM for modern AAA titles (especially in 2GB models), and the fact that AMD ended official driver support for this architecture in 2021.

Technical Specifications of AMD Radeon R9 380

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the graphics card's technical performance, covering key areas such as gaming and rendering performance, ray tracing, memory configuration, power efficiency, cooling, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare graphics cards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

44.0%

2.0

Performance

24.0%

3.1

Memory

12.0%

8.5

Power & Cooling

11.0%

5.2

Platform & Features

5.0%

9.3

Design

4.0%

5.2

Connectivity & Media

3.9
AMD Radeon R9 380 has a technical score of 3.89 points, which is lower than that of 90.5% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

8.2

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.1
(268)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.1
(331)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

8.7
AMD Radeon R9 380 has a user score of 8.74 points, which is higher than that of 73.8% of products in this category.
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the graphics card.
When it matters: When you prefer a graphics card that has already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
10
AMD Radeon R9 380 has a popularity of 10 points, which is higher than 77.9% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the graphics card's overall rating with its cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for a graphics card that offers a strong balance of performance, features, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

4.4

Overall score

40.0%

10

Price

6.1
AMD Radeon R9 380 has a quality-to-price ratio of 6.1 points, which is lower than 79.1% of products in this category.
3DMark Time Spy benchmark score
What it is: Benchmark result from 3DMark Time Spy, a synthetic DirectX 12 test often used as a quick gaming-performance reference.
When it matters: When you need a fast rough performance sort before digging into game-specific reviews and frame-rate data.

Importance: LOW

?
3DMark Port Royal score
What it is: Benchmark result from 3DMark Port Royal, a synthetic test focused on ray tracing performance.
When it matters: When ray tracing matters in the games you actually play and you want one quick way to separate stronger and weaker RT cards.

Importance: LOW

N/A
PassMark (G3D) result
What it is: Overall GPU performance score in PassMark G3D benchmark
When it matters: When you need one broad score to sort cards into rough performance tiers.

Importance: LOW

?
PassMark (DirectCompute) result
What it is: PassMark score for DirectCompute performance tests
When it matters: When compute workloads matter alongside gaming performance.

Importance: LOW

?
Floating-point performance
What it is: Theoretical floating-point compute performance of the GPU.
When it matters: When rendering, AI, or heavy compute work needs strong single-precision throughput.

Importance: LOW

3.476 TFLOPS
AMD Radeon R9 380 delivers 3.476 TFLOPS floating-point performance, which is lower than that of 93.1% of graphics cards.
Show more
VRAM
What it is: Total video memory available on the graphics card
When it matters: When you play at high settings, use texture mods, or work with large creative projects.

Importance: HIGH

2 GB
AMD Radeon R9 380 has 2 GB of VRAM, which is less than 94.5% of graphics cards and equal to 3.9% of graphics cards.
Memory type
What it is: Type of graphics memory used (GDDR6, HBM2e, etc.)
When it matters: When memory technology is part of the buying decision because it affects bandwidth class, power use, and product positioning.

Importance: LOW

GDDR5
GDDR version
What it is: Generation of GDDR memory used by the graphics card.
When it matters: When you want to separate older memory generations from newer ones before comparing bandwidth, power behavior, and market tier.

Importance: LOW

GDDR5
AMD Radeon R9 380 uses GDDR5 memory, which is older than on 85% of graphics cards and equal to 13.2% of graphics cards.
Memory bus width
What it is: Width of the memory interface bus in bits
When it matters: When you care about steadier performance at higher resolutions, heavier texture settings, or ray-traced workloads that stress memory traffic.

Importance: HIGH

256 bit
AMD Radeon R9 380 uses a 256 bit memory bus, which is wider than that of 49.5% of graphics cards and equal to that of 36.1% of graphics cards.
Maximum memory bandwidth
What it is: Maximum data transfer rate between GPU and its memory
When it matters: When 4K gaming, ray tracing, or creator work can choke a slower memory subsystem.

Importance: HIGH

176 GB/s
AMD Radeon R9 380 reaches 176 GB/s memory bandwidth, which is lower than that of 89.9% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.1% of graphics cards.
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PCI Express (PCIe) version
What it is: Version of PCI Express interface supported
When it matters: When you are pairing the card with an older motherboard and want to avoid leaving bandwidth or future compatibility on the table.

Importance: LOW

3.0
AMD Radeon R9 380 supports PCIe 3.0, which is older than on 77.6% of graphics cards and equal to 20.3% of graphics cards.
PCIe lanes
What it is: Number of PCI Express lanes used for communication
When it matters: When limited lane width could bottleneck the card in some systems.

Importance: LOW

x16
AMD Radeon R9 380 uses x16 PCIe lanes, which is more than 31.5% of graphics cards and equal to 68.6% of graphics cards.
DirectX version
What it is: Highest supported DirectX API version
When it matters: When you play newer Windows games that depend on the latest graphics features.

Importance: LOW

?
Vulkan version
What it is: Highest supported Vulkan API version
When it matters: When modern games, emulators, or creative apps lean on Vulkan support.

Importance: LOW

?
OpenGL version
What it is: Highest supported OpenGL API version
When it matters: When older games or pro apps still depend on OpenGL compatibility.

Importance: LOW

4.6
AMD Radeon R9 380 supports OpenGL 4.6, which is more advanced than on 4.8% of graphics cards and equal to 95.2% of graphics cards.
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Max displays supported
What it is: Total number of external displays supported simultaneously
When it matters: When you run a multi-monitor desk for sim racing, trading, or editing.

Importance: LOW

3
AMD Radeon R9 380 supports up to 3 displays, which is fewer than 92.3% of graphics cards and equal to 5.8% of graphics cards.
Max digital resolution
What it is: Maximum supported digital display resolution
When it matters: When you plan to drive 4K or 8K panels at their native resolution.

Importance: LOW

4096x2160
AMD Radeon R9 380 supports a maximum digital resolution of 4096x2160, which is lower than that of 56.4% of graphics cards and equal to that of 2.4% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort outputs
What it is: Number of DisplayPort video outputs
When it matters: When your setup needs several high-refresh monitors without adapters.

Importance: LOW

1
AMD Radeon R9 380 offers 1 DisplayPort outputs, which is fewer than 89.5% of graphics cards and equal to 8.6% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort version
What it is: Version of DisplayPort standard supported
When it matters: When your monitor setup depends on newer DisplayPort features for higher refresh rates, higher resolution, or better cable flexibility.

Importance: LOW

1.2
AMD Radeon R9 380 supports DisplayPort 1.2, which is older than on 93.6% of graphics cards and equal to 4.8% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort link rates
What it is: Supported data link rates for DisplayPort connections
When it matters: When you are pushing high resolution and refresh rate over DisplayPort.

Importance: LOW

5.4 Gbps
AMD Radeon R9 380 supports DisplayPort link rates up to 5.4 Gbps, which is slower than on 90.9% of graphics cards and equal to 8% of graphics cards.
Show more
Thermal Design Power (TDP)
What it is: Typical power consumption under full load (TDP)
When it matters: When you need a realistic idea of power draw before choosing a PSU or case.

Importance: MEDIUM

190 W
AMD Radeon R9 380 has a TDP of 190 W, which is lower than that of 55.3% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.9% of graphics cards.
Power consumption while under peak load
What it is: Peak power draw of the graphics card under maximum load.
When it matters: When transient-heavy gaming loads could stress your power supply.

Importance: LOW

190 W
AMD Radeon R9 380 draws 190 W under peak load, which is lower than 56.4% of graphics cards and equal to 0.7% of graphics cards.
Recommended PSU wattage
What it is: Recommended wattage of the system power supply
When it matters: When you are checking whether your current power supply is enough.

Importance: LOW

500 W
AMD Radeon R9 380 recommends a 500 W PSU, which is lower than that of 76.2% of graphics cards and equal to that of 9.6% of graphics cards.
Board power limit
What it is: Maximum configurable power limit for the GPU board
When it matters: When you care about how far the card can be pushed through tuning or factory power settings.

Importance: LOW

190 W
AMD Radeon R9 380 has a board power limit of 190 W, which is lower than that of 58% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.8% of graphics cards.
PCIe power spec
What it is: PCIe power delivery specification followed
When it matters: When you are checking whether the slot and external cables match the card's intended power-delivery standard.

Importance: LOW

190 W
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Size
What it is: Physical size of the GPU card
When it matters: When you need the card to fit a compact case without blocking nearby hardware.

Importance: LOW

?
Length
What it is: Physical length of the GPU card
When it matters: When front radiators or drive cages leave only limited GPU clearance.

Importance: LOW

221 mm
AMD Radeon R9 380 is 221 mm long, which is shorter than 85.3% of graphics cards and equal in length to 0.2% of graphics cards.
Height
What it is: Physical height of the GPU card
When it matters: When side panels, brackets, or tight case layouts reduce vertical clearance.

Importance: LOW

111 mm
AMD Radeon R9 380 is 111 mm tall, which is shorter than 89.6% of graphics cards and equal in height to 5.6% of graphics cards.
Slot width
What it is: Number of PCIe slots occupied by the card
When it matters: When you need room for another PCIe card or better airflow under the GPU.

Importance: LOW

2 slot/s
AMD Radeon R9 380 occupies 2 slot/s, which is slimmer than 49.2% of graphics cards and equal in width to 47.3% of graphics cards.
Weight
What it is: Total weight of the graphics card
When it matters: When sag, bracket support, or shipping stress matters in your build.

Importance: LOW

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AMD Radeon R9 380 vs the average graphics card

  • 64.37 mm shorter card length
    AMD Radeon R9 380 is shorter than the average graphics card (221 mm vs 285.37 mm). The average graphics card has a length of 285.37 mm.
    What it is: Physical length of the GPU card
    When it matters: When front radiators or drive cages leave only limited GPU clearance.

    Importance: LOW

    AMD Radeon R9 380 is shorter than the average graphics card (221 mm vs 285.37 mm). The average graphics card has a length of 285.37 mm.221 mm vs 285.37 mm
  • 23.1% lower PSU requirement
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (500 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.
    What it is: Recommended wattage of the system power supply
    When it matters: When you are checking whether your current power supply is enough.

    Importance: LOW

    AMD Radeon R9 380 has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (500 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.500 W vs 650 W
  • 16 mm lower card height
    AMD Radeon R9 380 is shorter than the average graphics card (111 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.
    What it is: Physical height of the GPU card
    When it matters: When side panels, brackets, or tight case layouts reduce vertical clearance.

    Importance: LOW

    AMD Radeon R9 380 is shorter than the average graphics card (111 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.111 mm vs 127 mm
  • 2 more DVI outputs
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (2 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
    What it is: Number of DVI display outputs available
    When it matters: When you still use an older monitor that depends on DVI.

    Importance: LOW

    AMD Radeon R9 380 has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (2 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.2 vs 0
  • 9.64x cheaper
    AMD Radeon R9 380 is cheaper than the average graphics card (£55 vs £530).
    AMD Radeon R9 380 is cheaper than the average graphics card (£55 vs £530).£55 vs £530
  • Better FP64 ratio
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has a better FP64 ratio than the average graphics card (1:16 vs 1:64).
    What it is: Ratio of double-precision (FP64) to single-precision (FP32) performance
    When it matters: When you need to know whether FP64 is merely present or genuinely useful.

    Importance: LOW

    AMD Radeon R9 380 has a better FP64 ratio than the average graphics card (1:16 vs 1:64).1:16 vs 1:64
  • Supports multi-GPU linking
    AMD Radeon R9 380 supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
    What it is: Supports NVIDIA SLI or AMD CrossFire multi-GPU setup
    When it matters: When you still run legacy multi-GPU gaming or rendering workflows.

    Importance: LOW

    AMD Radeon R9 380 supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
  • 9.3% higher user score
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has a higher user score than the average graphics card (8.74 vs 8.000).
    What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.
    When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has a higher user score than the average graphics card (8.74 vs 8.000).8.74 vs 8
  • Better FP64 ratio
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has a better FP64 ratio than the average graphics card (1:16 vs 1:64).
  • Supports multi-GPU linking
    AMD Radeon R9 380 supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
  • 2 more DVI outputs
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (2 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
  • 23.1% lower PSU requirement
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (500 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.
  • 64.37 mm shorter card length
    AMD Radeon R9 380 is shorter than the average graphics card (221 mm vs 285.37 mm). The average graphics card has a length of 285.37 mm.
  • 16 mm lower card height
    AMD Radeon R9 380 is shorter than the average graphics card (111 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.

Total
Overall
Performance
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling
Design
  • 61.2% lower boost clock speed
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (970 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.
  • 49.5% lower base clock speed
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (970 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.
  • 71.2% lower texture rate
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (108.6 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.
  • 81.2% lower pixel rate
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (31 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 165.2 GPixel/s.
  • 12 fewer compute units
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (28 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
  • 72 fewer TMUs
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (112 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
  • 32 fewer ROPs
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has fewer ROPs than the average graphics card (32 vs 64). The average graphics card has 64 ROPs.
  • 84.8% lower FP32 performance
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has a lower FP32 performance than the average graphics card (3.5 TFLOPS vs 22.86 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP32 performance of 22.86 TFLOPS.
  • 88.2% lower FP16 performance
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has a lower FP16 performance than the average graphics card (3.5 TFLOPS vs 29.5 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP16 performance of 29.5 TFLOPS.
  • 85% lower compute throughput
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has a lower compute throughput than the average graphics card (3.5 TFLOPS vs 23.105 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has compute throughput of 23.105 TFLOPS.
  • 2,560 fewer FP32 units
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has fewer FP32 units than the average graphics card (1,792 vs 4,352). The average graphics card has 4,352 FP32 units.
  • 53.3% lower FP64 performance
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has a lower FP64 performance than the average graphics card (0.2 TFLOPS vs 0.4651 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP64 performance of 0.4651 TFLOPS.
  • 10 GB less VRAM
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (2 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
  • 71.1% slower memory speed
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (5,500 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.
  • 60.7% lower memory bandwidth
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has a lower memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (176 GB/s vs 448 GB/s). The average graphics card has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s.
  • 98.4% smaller L2 cache
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has fewer L2 cache than the average graphics card (0.5 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.
  • 21.4% slower VRAM clock
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has a lower VRAM clock than the average graphics card (1,375 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.
  • 87.5% smaller L1 cache
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has fewer L1 cache than the average graphics card (16 vs 128). The average graphics card has 128 L1 cache.
  • 5.6x larger process node
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has a higher process node than the average graphics card (28 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.
  • 8 older
    AMD Radeon R9 380 was released earlier than the average graphics card (2,015 vs 2,023).
  • Older PCIe version
    AMD Radeon R9 380 supports an older PCIe version than the average graphics card (3 vs 4.0).
  • No AI upscalers
    AMD Radeon R9 380 does not support AI upscalers, the average graphics card does.
  • No XeSS support
    AMD Radeon R9 380 does not support XeSS, the average graphics card does.
  • No mesh shaders
    AMD Radeon R9 380 does not support mesh shaders, the average graphics card does.
  • No DirectStorage support
    AMD Radeon R9 380 does not support DirectStorage, the average graphics card does.
  • No sampler feedback
    AMD Radeon R9 380 does not support sampler feedback, the average graphics card does.
  • 77.2% fewer transistors
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has fewer transistors than the average graphics card (5,000 million vs 21,900 million). The average graphics card has 21,900 million transistors.
  • 2 fewer DisplayPort outputs
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has fewer DisplayPort outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 3). The average graphics card has 3 DisplayPort outputs.
  • No AV1 encoding
    AMD Radeon R9 380 does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
  • 1 fewer displays supported
    AMD Radeon R9 380 supports fewer displays than the average graphics card (3 vs 4). The average graphics card supports 4 displays.
  • No AV1 decoding
    AMD Radeon R9 380 does not support AV1 decoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No DSC support
    AMD Radeon R9 380 does not support DSC, the average graphics card does.
  • Older HDMI version
    AMD Radeon R9 380 supports an older HDMI version than the average graphics card (1.4a vs 2.1).
  • Older DisplayPort version
    AMD Radeon R9 380 supports an older DisplayPort version than the average graphics card (1.2 vs 1.4a).
  • 3 fewer monitors per output type
    AMD Radeon R9 380 supports fewer monitors per output type than the average graphics card (1 vs 4). The average graphics card supports 4 monitors per output type.
  • Narrower decode codec support
    AMD Radeon R9 380 supports narrower hardware decode codec support than the average graphics card (H.264 vs H.264/H.265/AV1/VP9).
  • Lower display resolution
    AMD Radeon R9 380 supports a lower maximum digital resolution than the average graphics card (4096x2160 vs 7680x4320). The average graphics card supports a maximum digital resolution of 7680x4320.
  • 1 fewer fans
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).
  • 61.2% lower boost clock speed
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (970 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.
    What it is: Maximum boost frequency the GPU can reach under load
    When it matters: When you want a rough idea of peak advertised frequency, while knowing real sustained clocks still depend on cooling and power limits.

    Importance: HIGH

    AMD Radeon R9 380 has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (970 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.970 MHz vs 2500 MHz
  • 5.6x larger process node
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has a higher process node than the average graphics card (28 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.
    What it is: Size of the manufacturing process in nanometers
    When it matters: When process node differences may affect power, heat, and overall efficiency.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    AMD Radeon R9 380 has a higher process node than the average graphics card (28 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.28 nm vs 5 nm
  • 10 GB less VRAM
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (2 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
    What it is: Total video memory available on the graphics card
    When it matters: When you play at high settings, use texture mods, or work with large creative projects.

    Importance: HIGH

    AMD Radeon R9 380 has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (2 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.2 GB vs 12 GB
  • 49.5% lower base clock speed
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (970 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.
    What it is: Base operating frequency of the GPU core under standard conditions
    When it matters: When you want to understand the card's guaranteed starting frequency instead of looking only at optimistic boost figures.

    Importance: HIGH

    AMD Radeon R9 380 has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (970 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.970 MHz vs 1920 MHz
  • 1 fewer fans
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).
    What it is: Total number of cooling fans
    When it matters: When you compare cooler designs and want one more clue about thermal potential.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    AMD Radeon R9 380 has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).2 vs 3
  • 71.2% lower texture rate
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (108.6 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.
    What it is: Number of textured pixels the GPU can process per second
    When it matters: When fast texture handling matters in high-refresh gaming workloads.

    Importance: HIGH

    AMD Radeon R9 380 has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (108.6 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.108.6 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s
  • 81.2% lower pixel rate
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (31 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 165.2 GPixel/s.
    What it is: Number of pixels the GPU can render per second
    When it matters: When you play at high resolutions or care about older raster-heavy games.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    AMD Radeon R9 380 has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (31 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 165.2 GPixel/s.31.04 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s
  • 71.1% slower memory speed
    AMD Radeon R9 380 has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (5,500 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.
    What it is: Effective memory data rate combining clock and bus width
    When it matters: When you compare how quickly each card can push data through its memory subsystem.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    AMD Radeon R9 380 has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (5,500 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.5500 MHz vs 19000 MHz
Total
Overall
Performance
Memory
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
4.1
268 Reviews
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.1
331 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about AMD Radeon R9 380?

  • Strong 1080p performance, often outperforming the Nvidia GTX 960 in benchmarks
  • Capable of entry-level 1440p gaming with adjusted settings
  • Excellent value for money at its original and current used price points
  • Third-party models (like MSI Gaming or Sapphire Nitro) offer quiet operation and effective cooling
  • Supports modern APIs like DirectX 12 and features like AMD FreeSync

What customers dislike about AMD Radeon R9 380?

  • High power consumption compared to competitors, with a TDP around 190W
  • 2GB VRAM version is severely limited for modern titles, leading to stuttering
  • Driver support for this architecture was discontinued by AMD in 2022
  • Limited overclocking headroom due to its older 'Tonga/Antigua' architecture
  • Reference models are known to run significantly hotter and louder than partner cards

Expert reviews

G
guru3d.com
20/10/2015
MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G review Digital Foundry

Based on the provided review page, the MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G requires a 500 Watt power supply unit for an average system, while a Crossfire dual-card setup necessitates at least a 700 Watt power supply. The testing methodology shows a calculated peak graphics card power consumption under a 100% GPU stress test of approximately 196 Watts (0.196 kW). Hardware installation is...Read more

N
nikktech.com
24/09/2015
MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G Review

The MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G is an excellent budget-friendly graphics card built on AMD's 256-bit Antigua core, featuring 1792 Shader Processing Units and a factory overclock of 1000MHz core clock and 1400MHz memory clock. Equipped with a custom PCB, military-grade components, and a silent dual-fan TWIN FROZR V cooling solution, it delivers strong gaming performance at a around a...Read more

G
gamersnexus.net
18/06/2015
Sapphire AMD R9 390Go to product viewer dialog for this item. & R9 380 Review and Benchmark

The 2015 GamersNexus review of the Sapphire AMD R9 390 and R9 380 graphics cards frames the Radeon 300 series as a disappointing "re-refresh" of aging hardware architecture. Utilizing the matured 28nm Hawaii and Tonga architectures rather than debuting a new process, these cards only offer minor core clock rate bumps of 40–50MHz over their 200-series predecessors. In real-world...Read more

T
techgage.com
31/08/2015
PowerColor Radeon R9 380 PCS+ Graphics Card Review

The Techgage review of the PowerColor Radeon R9 380 PCS+ identifies it as a highly competitive, sub-$200 option for 1080p and entry-level 1440p gaming, often surpassing the performance of the Nvidia GTX 960 while remaining cost-effective. Key pros include a robust dual-fan cooling system that keeps temperatures around 77°C, quiet operation, and the inclusion of a metal backplate for...Read more

T
trustedreviews.com
24/08/2015
AMD Radeon R9 380 Review

The Trusted Reviews analysis highlights the AMD Radeon R9 380 as a highly competitive, affordable mid-range graphics card designed for 1080p and 1440p gaming. Key advantages include its superior performance over the Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 and a lower price point, making it an excellent value proposition for gamers. Trusted Reviews Conversely, the review notes significant drawbacks,...Read more

N
nikktech.com
24/09/2015
MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G Review

The MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G is an attractive, budget-friendly graphics card designed around AMD’s Antigua core, which is a revamped and factory-overclocked version of the older Tonga Pro core. Tested by NikkTech across titles like Alien Isolation and Battlefield 4, the card provides solid gaming performance for casual users due to its custom PCB built with military-grade...Read more

C
computerbase.de
18/06/2015
AMD Radeon R9 390XGo to product viewer dialog for this item., 390, 380 und R7 370 im Test

This ComputerBase review analyzes AMD's Radeon 300 series lineup, concluding that the lineup is fundamentally a optimization-driven refresh of the older Radeon 200 series rather than an entirely new architecture. The pros of this generation include notable performance increases achieved through slightly higher factory core clocks and enhanced memory speeds. Most notably, AMD doubled...Read more

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C
cowcotland.com
02/11/2015
Carte graphique VTX 3D R9 380 : Introduction

The Cowcotland review examines the VTX3D Radeon R9 380, featuring a 28 nm Tonga PRO GPU with 1,792 stream processors, 32 ROPs, and 2 GB of GDDR5 VRAM running at 970/1375 MHz. This dual-slot, 21.4 cm card requires two 6-pin connectors and boasts a robust build with a metal shroud and backplate. Pros include a high-quality, compact physical design, while cons focus on its 2 GB VRAM...Read more

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H
hardware.fr
02/12/2015
Comparatif express de 6 Radeon R9 380(comptoir-hardware.com) | 18 juin 2015 | Test • AMD Radeon R9 380 & R7 370Go to product viewer dialog for this it...

This review evaluates six budget-friendly AMD Radeon R9 380 graphics cards (2GB models) to identify the best variant under €200, focusing heavily on cooling efficiency and noise levels. The Gigabyte R9 380 WF2 OC emerged as the overall winner of the roundup due to its highly effective vertical-fin heatsink design. Its main pros include keeping the GPU remarkably cool under load...Read more

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T
tomshw.it
21/06/2015
Recensione Radeon R9 390X, R9 380 e R7 370, test prestazioni e consumi

The review on Tom's Hardware covers MSI's custom variants of the AMD Radeon 300 series—specifically the R9 390X Gaming 8G, R9 380 Gaming 2G, and R7 370 Gaming 2G—which feature factory overclocks and the semi-passive Twin Frozr V cooling system. The core takeaway is that these cards are essentially a rebrand of older architectures pushed to higher limits. The enthusiast-level R9 390X...Read more

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T
tweakers.net
25/09/2021
Overleef de videokaartenschaarste - 26 oudere gpu's getest in moderne games

Based on the review from Tweakers, this article serves as a benchmark guide for PC gamers looking to buy older, secondhand graphics cards to escape the high prices and shortages of new GPUs in 2021. The testers evaluated 26 legacy graphics cards across 10 modern games (such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Assassin's Creed Valhalla) using 1080p resolution on both Medium and Ultra settings. The...Read more

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