The AMD Radeon R9 390. The name itself evokes memories of a time when the battle for graphics card supremacy was fiercely contested. It was a card that offered remarkable performance for its price, making high-end gaming accessible to a wider audience. But when exactly did this beast of a GPU hit the market?
The Official Launch Date: June 18, 2015
The AMD Radeon R9 390 officially launched on June 18, 2015. This date marked the arrival of a significant contender in the mid-to-high-end graphics card market. It was part of AMD’s 300 series lineup, which aimed to refresh and revitalize their offerings to compete with Nvidia’s then-dominant GeForce 900 series.
The R9 390 and its slightly more powerful sibling, the R9 390X, were particularly noteworthy because they represented a significant improvement over their predecessors while maintaining a competitive price point. This made them attractive options for gamers looking to upgrade their systems without breaking the bank.
Understanding The Context: The Graphics Card Landscape In 2015
To truly appreciate the significance of the R9 390’s launch, it’s essential to understand the landscape of the graphics card market in 2015. Nvidia was riding high on the success of their GeForce 900 series, which had established a strong lead in terms of performance and power efficiency. AMD needed to respond with a compelling product that could challenge Nvidia’s dominance.
The R9 390 series was AMD’s answer. While the architecture was largely based on the previous generation, AMD had refined and optimized the design, increasing clock speeds, memory bandwidth, and overall performance. This allowed the R9 390 to go toe-to-toe with Nvidia’s offerings in many games.
Key Features And Specifications Of The R9 390
The R9 390 boasted a number of impressive features that contributed to its strong performance. Let’s delve into some of the key specifications that made this card a compelling choice for gamers.
The “Grenada Pro” GPU Core
At the heart of the R9 390 was the “Grenada Pro” GPU core. This was essentially a rebranded and refined version of the previous generation’s “Hawaii” GPU. It featured 2560 stream processors, 160 texture units, and 64 render output units (ROPs). These specifications allowed the R9 390 to handle complex graphical calculations and rendering tasks with relative ease.
The Grenada Pro core was manufactured using a 28nm process, which, while not the most cutting-edge at the time, was still a mature and reliable technology. AMD focused on optimizing the design and increasing clock speeds to squeeze out more performance from the existing architecture.
Generous 8GB Of GDDR5 Memory
One of the standout features of the R9 390 was its generous 8GB of GDDR5 memory. This was a significant advantage over many of its competitors, which often offered only 4GB. The extra memory allowed the R9 390 to handle large textures and complex scenes without running into memory limitations. This was particularly beneficial for gamers playing at higher resolutions, such as 1440p or even 4K.
The memory operated on a wide 512-bit bus, providing ample bandwidth for transferring data between the GPU and the memory. This ensured that the GPU was never starved for data, which could lead to performance bottlenecks.
Performance Metrics And Benchmarks
The R9 390 delivered impressive performance in a wide range of games. It was capable of running most titles at 1080p with maximum settings and achieving playable framerates at 1440p. In some cases, it could even handle 4K gaming, although settings often needed to be dialed down to maintain smooth performance.
Compared to its predecessor, the R9 290, the R9 390 offered a noticeable performance improvement, thanks to its higher clock speeds and optimized design. It also often traded blows with Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 970, with each card having its strengths and weaknesses depending on the specific game or application.
The Impact Of The R9 390 On The Graphics Card Market
The release of the R9 390 had a significant impact on the graphics card market. It forced Nvidia to respond with price cuts and new product offerings, ultimately benefiting consumers.
Challenging Nvidia’s Dominance
As mentioned earlier, Nvidia was enjoying a period of dominance in the graphics card market at the time. The R9 390 provided a viable alternative for gamers who were looking for high-performance graphics without paying a premium for the Nvidia brand.
The competitive pricing of the R9 390 made it an attractive option for budget-conscious gamers who still wanted to experience high-end gaming. This put pressure on Nvidia to lower the prices of their own cards and offer more competitive products.
Driving Innovation And Competition
The competition between AMD and Nvidia is essential for driving innovation in the graphics card industry. The release of the R9 390 helped to fuel this competition, pushing both companies to develop better and more efficient GPUs.
This ultimately led to the development of new technologies and features, such as improved power efficiency, enhanced rendering techniques, and support for new gaming standards. Consumers benefited from these advancements, as they were able to enjoy better gaming experiences and more immersive visuals.
Legacy And Enduring Appeal Of The R9 390
While the R9 390 is no longer the latest and greatest graphics card on the market, it still holds a special place in the hearts of many gamers. Its legacy as a high-performance, affordable option continues to endure.
Still A Capable Card For Modern Gaming
Even years after its release, the R9 390 remains a capable card for modern gaming. While it may not be able to handle the latest AAA titles at maximum settings, it can still deliver playable framerates at lower resolutions and settings.
Many gamers still use the R9 390 as their primary graphics card, and it continues to be a popular choice for budget-friendly gaming builds. Its generous 8GB of memory allows it to handle many modern games without running into memory limitations.
A Testament To AMD’s Engineering Prowess
The R9 390 is a testament to AMD’s engineering prowess. Despite being based on an older architecture, AMD was able to refine and optimize the design to deliver impressive performance. The card’s longevity is a testament to its solid construction and robust design.
The R9 390 also helped to solidify AMD’s reputation as a company that is willing to challenge the status quo and offer innovative products at competitive prices. This has helped to build a loyal following of AMD fans who appreciate the company’s commitment to performance and value.
Conclusion: Remembering The R9 390
The AMD Radeon R9 390 was released on June 18, 2015. It was more than just another graphics card; it was a game-changer. It challenged Nvidia’s dominance, drove innovation, and offered high-performance gaming to a wider audience. Its legacy continues to endure, reminding us of a time when competition in the graphics card market was fierce and the pursuit of performance was paramount. The R9 390 stands as a reminder that great hardware can offer value and performance for years to come.
The card showcased AMD’s ability to refine existing architectures and deliver competitive products. The 8GB of VRAM proved to be a forward-thinking decision, allowing the card to remain relevant for a longer period than many of its contemporaries. The R9 390, therefore, holds a special place in the history of PC gaming, a symbol of accessible high performance.
When Was The AMD Radeon R9 390 Officially Released?
The AMD Radeon R9 390 was officially released on June 18, 2015. This launch was part of a broader unveiling of the AMD 300 series graphics cards, aiming to refresh their lineup and compete more effectively with NVIDIA’s offerings at the time. The release was accompanied by considerable excitement, especially for gamers looking for high-performance graphics at a competitive price point.
The launch date marked a significant moment for AMD, as the R9 390 promised to deliver improved performance and features compared to its predecessors. Consumers eagerly anticipated the release, as early benchmarks and specifications suggested a compelling option for 1080p and 1440p gaming, effectively filling a crucial segment in the graphics card market.
What Were The Key Specifications Of The AMD Radeon R9 390?
The AMD Radeon R9 390 boasted a “Grenada Pro” GPU based on the Graphics Core Next (GCN) architecture. It featured 2560 stream processors, 160 texture units, and 64 ROPs. The base clock speed was typically around 1000 MHz, though this could vary slightly depending on the manufacturer’s specific implementation and overclocking capabilities.
A standout feature was its generous 8GB of GDDR5 memory, operating on a 512-bit memory interface. This large memory capacity was particularly beneficial for high-resolution gaming and applications that required significant amounts of VRAM. The card also supported DirectX 12, ensuring compatibility with the latest gaming titles and graphics technologies.
How Did The AMD Radeon R9 390 Perform In Gaming?
The Radeon R9 390 delivered excellent gaming performance for its time, especially at 1080p and 1440p resolutions. It was capable of playing most AAA titles at high or ultra settings with smooth frame rates. The 8GB of VRAM proved particularly useful in preventing stuttering and performance dips in games with high texture requirements.
Compared to its competitors, the R9 390 often traded blows with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970, sometimes surpassing it in titles that were more AMD-optimized or that heavily utilized VRAM. While not quite reaching the performance levels of the higher-end GTX 980, the R9 390 provided a very compelling price-to-performance ratio, making it a popular choice among gamers.
What Was The Suggested Retail Price Of The AMD Radeon R9 390 At Launch?
At launch, the suggested retail price for the AMD Radeon R9 390 was around $329 USD. This price point positioned it competitively against the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970, which was its main rival in the mid-to-high-end graphics card market segment. The actual price could vary slightly depending on the specific retailer and the custom cooler design offered by different manufacturers.
This pricing strategy was crucial for AMD, as it aimed to attract gamers looking for strong performance without breaking the bank. The R9 390’s combination of 8GB of VRAM and robust processing power made it an attractive option for those who wanted to future-proof their gaming rigs and enjoy demanding titles at higher resolutions and settings.
What Were Some Common Issues Or Drawbacks Associated With The AMD Radeon R9 390?
One of the main drawbacks of the Radeon R9 390 was its relatively high power consumption compared to some of its competitors. This meant that users needed a robust power supply unit (PSU) to ensure stable operation, and the card also generated more heat, potentially requiring a more effective cooling solution in some cases.
Another common concern was the card’s size and weight. Many aftermarket R9 390 models featured large coolers to dissipate heat, which could make installation in smaller computer cases challenging. Furthermore, some users experienced driver issues or compatibility problems with certain games, although AMD generally addressed these concerns with driver updates over time.
How Did The AMD Radeon R9 390 Compare To The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970?
The AMD Radeon R9 390 and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 were direct competitors in the mid-to-high-end graphics card market. Both cards offered excellent performance for 1080p and 1440p gaming, but they had different strengths. The R9 390 generally had an advantage in games that heavily utilized VRAM due to its 8GB capacity, whereas the GTX 970 was often more power efficient.
Performance between the two cards varied depending on the specific game and its optimization. In some titles, the R9 390 would outperform the GTX 970, while in others, the opposite would be true. Ultimately, the choice between the two often came down to personal preference, brand loyalty, and specific gaming needs.
Was The AMD Radeon R9 390 A Good Value For Money At The Time Of Its Release?
Yes, the AMD Radeon R9 390 was generally considered a good value for money at the time of its release. Its performance was very competitive with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970, and it often offered a superior experience in games that benefited from its 8GB of VRAM. The price point was also attractive, making it accessible to a wide range of gamers.
While it did have some drawbacks, such as higher power consumption, the overall package was compelling for gamers seeking high-performance graphics without spending a fortune. Its ability to handle demanding games at high settings and resolutions made it a popular choice and a significant player in the graphics card market during its lifespan.