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AMD Radeon R9 380X Review | 118 Data compared

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  • Avg. price: ~£55
  • VRAM: 4 GB
  • Memory bus width: 256 bit
  • Thermal Design Power (TDP): 190 W

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

3.9

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%

3.5

Technical Score

10.0%

7.1

User score

Poor
3.5

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%

2.2

Performance

24.0%

3.1

Memory

12.0%

4.9

Power & Cooling

11.0%

5.8

Platform & Features

5.0%

7.8

Design

4.0%

5.3

Connectivity & Media

Poor
7.1

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%

7.6

User reviews

30.0%

5.8

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
3.8
(92)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.0
(84)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

Very good
  • 3.3
    Gaming

    Score components:

    45.0%

    1.2

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    1.6

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 4.3
    Video editing

    Score components:

    35.0%

    7.0

    AV1 encode

    30.0%

    1.6

    VRAM

    20.0%

    1.2

    Floating-point performance

    15.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 2.6
    1080p

    Score components:

    55.0%

    1.2

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    1.6

    VRAM

    10.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 2.7
    1440p

    Score components:

    50.0%

    1.2

    Floating-point performance

    30.0%

    1.6

    VRAM

    15.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 3.0
    4K

    Score components:

    40.0%

    1.2

    Floating-point performance

    35.0%

    1.6

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

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

Verdict

Launched in November 2015 for approximately $229, the AMD Radeon R9 380X is a performance-tier graphics card based on the 28nm Antigua XT (GCN 1.2) architecture. It features a fully unlocked core with 2,048 stream processors, 128 texture mapping units, and 32 ROPs, operating at a base clock of 970 MHz alongside 4GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit interface (182.4 GB/s bandwidth). Its main advantages include solid 1080p and entry-level 1440p gaming performance that effectively bridged the market gap between the GTX 960 and GTX 970, alongside support for modern APIs like DirectX 12 and Vulkan. However, it is hindered by high power consumption with a 190W TDP, lack of HDMI 2.0 support, and diminished long-term driver maintenance.

Technical Specifications of AMD Radeon R9 380X

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%

2.2

Performance

24.0%

3.1

Memory

12.0%

4.9

Power & Cooling

11.0%

5.8

Platform & Features

5.0%

7.8

Design

4.0%

5.3

Connectivity & Media

3.5
AMD Radeon R9 380X has a technical score of 3.53 points, which is lower than that of 93.4% 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%

7.6

User reviews

30.0%

5.8

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
3.8
(92)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.0
(84)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

7.1
AMD Radeon R9 380X has a user score of 7.07 points, which is lower than that of 90.7% 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.
5.8
AMD Radeon R9 380X has a popularity of 5.8 points, which is higher than 64.7% 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%

3.9

Overall score

40.0%

10

Price

5.7
AMD Radeon R9 380X has a quality-to-price ratio of 5.7 points, which is lower than 87.7% 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

3,221 points
AMD Radeon R9 380X scores 3221 points in 3DMark Time Spy, which is lower than 87.9% of graphics cards.
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

2,198 points
AMD Radeon R9 380X scores 2198 points in PassMark DirectCompute, which is lower than 74.7% of graphics cards.
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

3.973 TFLOPS
AMD Radeon R9 380X delivers 3.973 TFLOPS floating-point performance, which is lower than that of 92.4% of graphics cards.
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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

4 GB
AMD Radeon R9 380X has 4 GB of VRAM, which is less than 88% of graphics cards and equal to 6% 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 380X 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 380X 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

182.4 GB/s
AMD Radeon R9 380X reaches 182.4 GB/s memory bandwidth, which is lower than that of 89.5% 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 380X 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 380X 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

1.2
AMD Radeon R9 380X supports Vulkan 1.2, which is older than on 96% of graphics cards and equal to 2.5% of graphics cards.
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

4.5
AMD Radeon R9 380X supports OpenGL 4.5, which is older than on 95.2% of graphics cards and equal to 3.3% 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

?
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

?
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 380X 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 380X 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 380X 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.
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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 380X 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

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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 380X 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

228 W
AMD Radeon R9 380X has a board power limit of 228 W, which is higher than that of 52.7% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.2% 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

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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

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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 380X 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 380X 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 380X 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 380X vs the average graphics card

  • Includes dual BIOS
    AMD Radeon R9 380X includes dual BIOS, the average graphics card does not.
    What it is: Includes dual BIOS for redundancy or overclocking profiles
    When it matters: When you want a safer recovery path after tweaking fan curves or overclock settings, or you need separate quiet and performance profiles.

    Importance: LOW

    AMD Radeon R9 380X includes dual BIOS, the average graphics card does not.
  • 64.37 mm shorter card length
    AMD Radeon R9 380X 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 380X 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 380X 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 380X 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 380X 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 380X 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 380X 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 380X 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 380X is cheaper than the average graphics card (£55 vs £530).
    AMD Radeon R9 380X is cheaper than the average graphics card (£55 vs £530).£55 vs £530
  • Better FP64 ratio
    AMD Radeon R9 380X 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 380X 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 380X 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 380X supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
  • Better FP64 ratio
    AMD Radeon R9 380X has a better FP64 ratio than the average graphics card (1:16 vs 1:64).
  • Supports multi-GPU linking
    AMD Radeon R9 380X supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
  • 2 more DVI outputs
    AMD Radeon R9 380X has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (2 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
  • Includes dual BIOS
    AMD Radeon R9 380X includes dual BIOS, the average graphics card does not.
  • 23.1% lower PSU requirement
    AMD Radeon R9 380X 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 380X 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 380X 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 380X 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 380X 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.
  • 81.2% lower pixel rate
    AMD Radeon R9 380X 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.
  • 67% lower texture rate
    AMD Radeon R9 380X has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (124.2 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.
  • 32 fewer ROPs
    AMD Radeon R9 380X has fewer ROPs than the average graphics card (32 vs 64). The average graphics card has 64 ROPs.
  • 82.6% lower FP32 performance
    AMD Radeon R9 380X has a lower FP32 performance than the average graphics card (4 TFLOPS vs 22.86 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP32 performance of 22.86 TFLOPS.
  • 56 fewer TMUs
    AMD Radeon R9 380X has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (128 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
  • 8 fewer compute units
    AMD Radeon R9 380X has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (32 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
  • 71.6% lower gaming score
    AMD Radeon R9 380X has a lower gaming score than the average graphics card (3,221 points vs 11,337 points). The average graphics card has a gaming score of 11,337 points.
  • 86.5% lower FP16 performance
    AMD Radeon R9 380X has a lower FP16 performance than the average graphics card (4 TFLOPS vs 29.5 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP16 performance of 29.5 TFLOPS.
  • 82.8% lower compute throughput
    AMD Radeon R9 380X has a lower compute throughput than the average graphics card (4 TFLOPS vs 23.105 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has compute throughput of 23.105 TFLOPS.
  • 53.7% lower compute score
    AMD Radeon R9 380X has a lower compute score than the average graphics card (2,198 points vs 4,745 points). The average graphics card has a compute score of 4,745 points.
  • 2,304 fewer FP32 units
    AMD Radeon R9 380X has fewer FP32 units than the average graphics card (2,048 vs 4,352). The average graphics card has 4,352 FP32 units.
  • 8 GB less VRAM
    AMD Radeon R9 380X has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (4 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
  • 70% slower memory speed
    AMD Radeon R9 380X has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (5,700 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.
  • 59.3% lower memory bandwidth
    AMD Radeon R9 380X has a lower memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (182.4 GB/s vs 448 GB/s). The average graphics card has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s.
  • 18.6% slower VRAM clock
    AMD Radeon R9 380X has a lower VRAM clock than the average graphics card (1,425 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.
  • 87.5% smaller L1 cache
    AMD Radeon R9 380X 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 380X 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.
  • No ray tracing
    AMD Radeon R9 380X does not support ray tracing, the average graphics card does.
  • 8 older
    AMD Radeon R9 380X was released earlier than the average graphics card (2,015 vs 2,023).
  • Older PCIe version
    AMD Radeon R9 380X supports an older PCIe version than the average graphics card (3 vs 4.0).
  • No XeSS support
    AMD Radeon R9 380X does not support XeSS, the average graphics card does.
  • No mesh shaders
    AMD Radeon R9 380X does not support mesh shaders, the average graphics card does.
  • Older Vulkan version
    AMD Radeon R9 380X supports an older Vulkan version than the average graphics card (1.2 vs 1.4).
  • No DirectStorage support
    AMD Radeon R9 380X does not support DirectStorage, the average graphics card does.
  • Worse SAM support
    AMD Radeon R9 380X offers worse SAM support than the average graphics card (no vs yes).
  • Older OpenCL version
    AMD Radeon R9 380X supports an older OpenCL version than the average graphics card (2.1 vs 3.0).
  • No sampler feedback
    AMD Radeon R9 380X does not support sampler feedback, the average graphics card does.
  • Older OpenGL version
    AMD Radeon R9 380X supports an older OpenGL version than the average graphics card (4.5 vs 4.6).
  • 77.2% fewer transistors
    AMD Radeon R9 380X 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 380X 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 380X does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No AV1 decoding
    AMD Radeon R9 380X does not support AV1 decoding, the average graphics card does.
  • Older HDMI version
    AMD Radeon R9 380X supports an older HDMI version than the average graphics card (1.4a vs 2.1).
  • Older DisplayPort version
    AMD Radeon R9 380X supports an older DisplayPort version than the average graphics card (1.2 vs 1.4a).
  • Narrower decode codec support
    AMD Radeon R9 380X supports narrower hardware decode codec support than the average graphics card (H.264 vs H.264/H.265/AV1/VP9).
  • No fan stop
    AMD Radeon R9 380X does not support fan stop, the average graphics card does.
  • 12 °C higher idle temperature
    AMD Radeon R9 380X has a higher idle temperature than the average graphics card (50 °C vs 38 °C). The average graphics card has an idle temperature of 38 °C.
  • 61.2% lower boost clock speed
    AMD Radeon R9 380X 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 380X 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 380X 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 380X 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
  • 49.5% lower base clock speed
    AMD Radeon R9 380X 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 380X 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
  • 8 GB less VRAM
    AMD Radeon R9 380X has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (4 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 380X has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (4 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.4 GB vs 12 GB
  • 81.2% lower pixel rate
    AMD Radeon R9 380X 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 380X 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
  • 67% lower texture rate
    AMD Radeon R9 380X has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (124.2 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 380X has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (124.2 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.124.2 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s
  • 70% slower memory speed
    AMD Radeon R9 380X has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (5,700 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 380X has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (5,700 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.5700 MHz vs 19000 MHz
  • 59.3% lower memory bandwidth
    AMD Radeon R9 380X has a lower memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (182.4 GB/s vs 448 GB/s). The average graphics card has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s.
    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

    AMD Radeon R9 380X has a lower memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (182.4 GB/s vs 448 GB/s). The average graphics card has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s.182.4 GB/s vs 448 GB/s
Total
Overall
Performance
Memory
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
3.8
92 Reviews
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.0
84 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about AMD Radeon R9 380X?

  • Solid 1080p performance at maximum settings for its era
  • Comes with 4GB GDDR5 standard, aiding in VRAM-intensive games
  • Competitive pricing compared to Nvidia's GTX 960
  • Supports modern features like AMD FreeSync, Vulkan, and DirectX 12
  • Partner models often feature quiet operation and effective cooling solutions
  • Good performance-to-price ratio for entry-level 1440p gaming

What customers dislike about AMD Radeon R9 380X?

  • High power consumption compared to more efficient Nvidia competitors
  • Limited overclocking headroom with stability issues beyond factory tweaks
  • Minimal performance lead over the significantly cheaper R9 380
  • Outdated driver support limits its ability to run modern 2023+ titles
  • Uses older 'Antigua' architecture with a downgraded 256-bit memory bus
  • Can struggle with stuttering in demanding modern titles without lowering settings

Expert reviews

L
legitreviews.com
20/11/2015
Sapphire Radeon R9 380X Nitro Video Card Review

The Sapphire Radeon R9 380X Nitro OC 4GB is a factory-overclocked graphics card designed to bridge the price and performance gap between Nvidia's GTX 960 and GTX 970. Priced at $239.99, it features a fully enabled Antigua XT GPU core built on a 28nm process with GCN 1.2 architecture. A major pro of this specific Sapphire model is its out-of-the-box speed bump, boasting a 1040 MHz...Read more

B
bit-tech.net
19/11/2015
AMD Radeon R9 380X Review: feat. Asus

The AMD Radeon R9 380X is a mid-range graphics card designed to target "beyond 1080p" gaming, positioned strategically to fill a performance and pricing gap between Nvidia's GTX 960 and GTX 970. Built on the third-generation GCN architecture (GCN 1.2), it utilizes a fully enabled Antigua (Tonga) GPU featuring 2,048 stream processors, 128 texture units, and 32 ROPs. The card offers...Read more

A
anandtech.com
23/11/2015
The AMD Radeon R9 380X Review, Feat. ASUS STRIX

The AnandTech review of the AMD Radeon R9 380X, featuring the custom ASUS STRIX R9 380X OC edition, evaluates the card as a solid filler for the market gap between the sub-$200 budget cards and higher-end $300+ options. Architecturally, the R9 380X features a fully enabled "Tonga" (Antigua XT) silicon core, boosting compute units from 28 to 32, which drives a direct 14% improvement...Read more

H
hardwarecanucks.com
19/11/2015
The AMD Radeon R9 380X Review

The AMD Radeon R9 380X, specifically tested as the ASUS STRIX OC edition ($260), successfully threads a thin needle by targetting an underserved gap between the $200 and $300 price points. Built on a fully enabled 28nm Antigua (formerly Tonga) architecture, it packs 2,048 cores, 128 texture units, and a 256-bit GDDR5 memory interface. It introduces valuable GCN 1.2 feature updates,...Read more

B
bit-tech.net
19/11/2015
AMD Radeon R9 380X Review: feat. Asus

The bit-tech review outlines the performance capability of the AMD Radeon R9 380X, specifically focusing on the Asus Radeon R9 380X Strix OC 4GB version. Testing results show that the card serves as a capable performer for 1080p gaming under "Very High" settings. In Grand Theft Auto V, the card manages a minimum of 62 frames per second (fps) and an average of 85 fps at 1,080 x 1,080...Read more

T
techspot.com
19/11/2015
AMD Radeon R9 380X Review

The TechSpot review of the AMD Radeon R9 380X highlights the card as a strong, quiet, and cool-running 1080p gaming solution, featuring a fully unlocked "Tonga" architecture that effectively bridges the $200-$300 price gap over the GTX 960. However, significant drawbacks include a restrictive 256-bit memory bus that limits high-end 1440p performance, high power consumption nearly...Read more

P
pcgamer.com
19/11/2015
AMD R9 380X Review Featuring Sapphire

The AMD Radeon R9 380X, evaluated via the factory-overclocked Sapphire Nitro edition, serves as a mainstream GPU refresh built on the 28nm GCN 1.2 "Tonga" architecture. It features a fully enabled core configuration yielding 2,048 shaders and 4GB of GDDR5 VRAM across a 256-bit memory bus. In terms of real-world gaming performance, the card functions as an excellent option for...Read more

G
gamersnexus.net
19/11/2015
AMD R9 380X Review & Benchmark: Red Strides Forward

Summary The AMD R9 380X, reviewed via the Sapphire Nitro edition, is a solid 1080p gaming graphics card priced around $230 to $240 that bridges the gap between the R9 380 and R9 390. It delivers strong out-of-the-box raw frame-rate performance, beating its direct price competitor—the NVIDIA GTX 960 4GB—in several titles like Grand Theft Auto V (by ~13%) and Shadow of Mordor (by...Read more

D
digitalfoundry.net
30/12/2015
AMD Radeon R9 380X review

The AMD Radeon R9 380X utilizes a fully unlocked Antigua/Tonga processor built on a 28nm process to offer a competitive mid-range desktop graphics card. It features 2,048 stream processors, 128 texture units, a 256-bit memory interface, and 4GB of GDDR5 VRAM. In 1080p and 1440p gaming benchmarks, the card demonstrates performance leadership over its direct competitor, the Nvidia...Read more

G
goldfries.com
09/05/2016
Sapphire NITRO Radeon R9 380X Graphics Card Review Would you like me to look up specific benchmark data, gaming frame rates, or hardware comparisons a...

The goldfries review of the Sapphire NITRO Radeon R9 380X praises it as an excellent budget-friendly option, retailing between RM 1,100 and RM 1,200, which offers a great price-to-performance ratio compared to pricier rivals like the R9 390 and GTX 970. Tested on an Intel Core i7-5960X system, the card delivered solid 1080p gaming performance, averaging 61 fps in Metro Last Light,...Read more

T
techadvisor.com
22/12/2015
Sapphire Nitro R9 380X 4G D5 review

The Sapphire Nitro R9 380X 4G D5 is a highly competent mid-range graphics card that utilizes all 2048 available processor cores of the Antigua GPU architecture, offering a measurable performance boost over the original R9 380. Priced at £199, this model stands out for its exceptional build quality and robust design, featuring an integrated backplate that protects internal components...Read more

B
bit-tech.net
19/11/2015
AMD Radeon R9 380X Review: feat. Asus

The bit-tech review of the AMD Radeon R9 380X, specifically evaluating the Asus Radeon R9 380X Strix OC 4GB, concludes that this mid-range graphics card serves as a solid bridge for mainstream PC gaming. In performance testing, the card excels at 1080p and handles 1440p settings comfortably. For example, in the Battlefield 4 benchmark at 1080p Ultra settings, it delivers a playable...Read more

T
trustedreviews.com
19/11/2015
AMD Radeon R9 380X Review

The Trusted Reviews evaluation of the AMD Radeon R9 380X highlights its near-flawless 1080p and capable 1440p gaming performance, positioning it between the Nvidia GTX 960 and 970 with 4GB of GDDR5 VRAM and efficient thermal management. Proponents of the card will appreciate its solid, heat-conscious design that avoids excessive strain during extended, heavy usage. However, the card...Read more

H
hexus.net
19/11/2015
Review: Sapphire Radeon R9 380X Nitro

The AMD Radeon R9 380X, evaluated here through the Sapphire Nitro edition, was launched to strategically fill a gap in the mid-range graphics card market, specifically targeting a sweet spot between Nvidia's GTX 960 and GTX 970. Based on the 28nm Antigua XT architecture, this GPU represents the fully unlocked implementation of the Tonga die previously seen in the R9 285 and R9 380,...Read more

T
tomshardware.com
19/11/2015
AMD Radeon R9 380X Nitro Launch Review

The AMD Radeon R9 380X Nitro, featuring the fully unlocked Tonga (Antigua) GPU architecture, launches as a mid-range compromise positioned structurally between Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 960 and GTX 970. Tested by Tom's Hardware, the card delivers a modest performance "mini-evolution," tracking roughly 9% to 10% faster than the standard R9 380 depending on the resolution. While AMD...Read more

P
pcmasters.de
21. Dezember 2015
PowerColor AMD Radeon R9 380x PCS+ Myst.Edition im Test

The PowerColor AMD Radeon R9 380x PCS+ Myst.Edition is an upper mid-range graphics card featuring the Tonga XT chip with GCN 1.2 architecture, 4 GB of GDDR5 memory, and a 256-bit interface. In performance testing at FullHD resolution, the card handles modern games exceptionally well, even outpacing the higher-tier R9 390x in certain scenarios due to optimization from AMD's Crimson...Read more

(Translated)Show original
G
gamestar.de
19/11/2015
AMD Radeon R9 380X - Wachablöse bei der Mittelklasse

The AMD Radeon R9 380X, tested via the factory-overclocked XFX Double Dissipation OC edition (1,030 MHz GPU / 5,800 MHz memory), successfully establishes itself as a highly attractive mid-range graphics card filling the €200 to €300 price gap. Based on the Antigua-XT (Tonga) architecture built on a 28nm process, it offers 2,048 shader units, 128 texture units, and 4.0 GB of GDDR5...Read more

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N
noticias3d.com
28/11/2025
Radeon R9 380X a prueba en 2025: supera a la GPU de PS4... - Noticias3D Noticias 3D

Summary: The AMD Radeon R9 380X, a mid-to-high-end graphics card originally launched in 2015 with 4 GB of GDDR5 VRAM and 2,048 shaders, still offers reasonable raw power for its age, delivering nearly 4 TFLOPs of FP32 performance and outpacing a base PS4 GPU. In benchmarks of current titles at 1080p, the card shows diverse capabilities: it hits 151 FPS in Fortnite (performance...Read more

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H
hardware.info
19/11/2015
AMD Radeon R9 380X review: volwaardige Tonga

The Hardware Info review evaluates the official launch of the AMD Radeon R9 380X graphics card, which utilizes a fully unlocked "Tonga" (Antigua) GPU architecture. Positioned as a direct response to Nvidia's GTX 960, the card features 2048 shader units, a reference clock speed of 970 MHz, and 4096 MB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus. AMD strategically targeted a market vacancy with...Read more

(Translated)Show original

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