R9 290X — Value Analysis & Current Offers
It sits at #69 of 69 in balanced value. The current top 3 are within 8 points of each other.
The R9 290X currently ranks #69 of 69 in-stock graphics cards by Relative Value under the balanced preset (snapshot 2026-07-18). Below: how it scores per scenario, where to buy it, and what the math says about alternatives.
Is the R9 290X worth it in July 2026? (by scenario)
Near this price: #9 value · #9 capability within ±15% of this price · ±15% band
Scenario Tiers grade capability for each use — price excluded, identical to the tier list. The scenario matrix below adds today's price back in as Relative Value.
| Scenario (preset) | Relative Value | Buyable ≤ (80+) | Excellent ≤ (90+) | 100% value ≤ | Top value pick here |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced | 4 | — | — | — | RX 9070 XT |
| 1080p Budget | 11 | — | — | — | Arc B570 |
| 1440p Sweet Spot | 1 | — | — | — | RX 9070 XT |
| 4K Ultra / VR | 0 | — | — | — | RTX 5090 |
| Ray Tracing | 0 | — | — | — | RTX 5090 |
| AI / LLM | 2 | — | — | — | RTX 5090 |
Relative Value is computed within the current in-stock set for each preset (leader = 100). Target prices are calculation thresholds under today's dataset — "—" means no realistic price reaches that score in this scenario (other products dominate it). Recalculated on every data refresh.
Where to buy the R9 290X — current prices & deals
| Store | Condition | Price (snapshot) | Value | Checked | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newegg | New | $378 | 4 | Jul 18 | Go to offer → |
We show the cheapest offer per store & condition above — expand to see every tracked variant (AIB models like ASUS, MSI, XFX…). Prices are dated snapshots, not live quotes; confirm the final price at the store. New, refurbished and used are separate; used offers carry warranty and seller risk. Affiliate links may earn us a commission; they do not change the calculations.
Will the R9 290X fit your PC? Power & size compatibility
| Recommended PSU | 650 W or higher |
| Board power (TDP) | 290 W |
| Card length | — |
| Slot size | — |
| Memory bus | 512-bit |
| Interface | PCIe |
| Power connectors | — |
Before buying, confirm your case clears a full-length card and your power supply provides 650 W or more with the right connector. AIB models vary in length, cooler thickness and power headers.
Best alternatives to the R9 290X at similar prices
Computed from the current in-stock set under the balanced preset (criteria: same-money = ±10% price with >5% more performance; cheaper = ≥93% performance for ≥8% less money; step-up = +5–35% price with >12% more performance). They change when the market changes.
Used R9 290X price & upgrade math (calculated)
We don't track live used-market listings yet, so here is an honest calculated guide instead. The cheapest new R9 290X in today's snapshot is $378. Two yardsticks for a unit in excellent condition: 80% of the cheapest new price ≈ $302, and — — the price at which its Value Score reaches a perfect 100 in its strongest scenario (balanced). The lower of the two, ≈ $302, is a sensible ceiling if you're buying used and a realistic asking price if you're selling. Discount further for wear, mining history or a missing warranty — and score any real listing in the calculator.
Already own one? Selling it changes the upgrade math: what matters is the out-of-pocket cost — the upgrade's price minus what your card sells for — not the sticker price. At a ≈$302 resale, the strongest computed upgrade paths right now are RTX 3070 (+351% performance for ≈$3 out of pocket), Arc B580 (+277% performance for ≈$8 out of pocket), Arc A770 (+203% performance for ≈$17 out of pocket). The tool below recalculates for your own numbers.
FAQ
- What is a good price for the R9 290X right now?
- Under the balanced preset and today's dataset (2026-07-18), other in-stock products dominate this scenario — no realistic price brings the R9 290X to an 80+ Relative Value. Check the scenario matrix: it may lead under different priorities.
- Where can I buy the R9 290X?
- We track 1 current offer(s) across stores and conditions — see the offers table with dated price snapshots. Always confirm the final price at the retailer.
- Is the R9 290X worth it in July 2026?
- That depends on your scenario: its Relative Value ranges across presets in the scenario matrix above (currently #69 of 69 in-stock by balanced value). Use the live calculator to weigh your own priorities.
- How much power does the R9 290X draw?
- Its board power (TDP) is 290W, and we suggest at least a 650W power supply for a typical single-GPU system. Higher-clocked AIB models can draw a little more — check the specific card.
- What is the R9 290X best suited for?
- On our 1000-point GPU scale (RTX 4070 = 1000) it indexes 175 raster / 0 ray tracing / 53 AI. Use the scenario matrix and the interactive sliders above to weigh 1080p, 1440p, 4K, creation or AI for your own budget — the tool shows the trade-offs instead of handing you one verdict.
- What is a fair used price for the R9 290X?
- We don't have live used-market data yet, so we calculate a guide: 80% of the cheapest new offer (≈$302) or the price where its Value Score reaches 100 in its strongest scenario (—) — whichever is lower, ≈ $302 for a unit in excellent condition. Discount for wear, mining history or a missing warranty.
- Is a used R9 290X worth it?
- A used or refurbished R9 290X can undercut new pricing meaningfully — see the New / Refurbished / Used split in the offers table and our calculated used ceiling of ≈ $302. Weigh the discount against no manufacturer warranty and seller risk; paste any listing into the calculator to score it against the current market.
- What is the best upgrade from the R9 290X?
- Counting a ≈$302 resale for your current card, the strongest computed paths today are RTX 3070 (+351% for ≈$3 out of pocket), Arc B580 (+277% for ≈$8 out of pocket), Arc A770 (+203% for ≈$17 out of pocket) — ranked by performance gained per dollar actually spent. Use the upgrade tool on this page for your own budget and resale estimate.
Data snapshot: 2026-07-18 · dataset gpu-market-us-2026-07-18 · formula gpu-value-v1 · Value Score is an estimate based on our current dataset, selected weights, market prices and methodology — not an official product rating or a price forecast. Target prices are calculation thresholds, not predictions. Methodology · Report a data error