AMD Radeon R9 380 OEM
AMD Radeon R9 380 OEM: Review of an Obsolete Fighter in 2025
April 2025
Introduction
The AMD Radeon R9 380 OEM graphics card is a relic from the mid-2010s, still preserved in enthusiast builds and budget PCs. Despite its age, it still piques the interest of users looking for a temporary or extremely affordable solution. In this article, we will examine what this model is capable of in 2025, what tasks it can handle, and who might find it useful.
1. Architecture and Key Features
Architecture: The R9 380 OEM is built on the GCN (Graphics Core Next) 1.2 microarchitecture with the Antigua chip. This is the third generation of GCN, which debuted in 2014.
Process Technology: 28 nm is standard for its time, but today this process is considered archaic (modern GPUs use 5–7 nm).
Unique Features:
- Support for DirectX 12 and OpenGL 4.5.
- Lack of modern technologies such as FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) or ray tracing — these features appeared in AMD GPUs later (with the RDNA architecture).
- Among its features, it includes TrueAudio for sound processing and Mantle API (an outdated equivalent of Vulkan).
Conclusion: The GCN 1.2 architecture provides basic compatibility with modern games but does not support key technologies from recent years.
2. Memory
Type and Size: 4 GB GDDR5 — a standard for cards from 2015.
Bus and Bandwidth: 256-bit bus with an effective clock speed of 5.7 GHz. Bandwidth is 182.4 GB/s.
Impact on Performance:
- For games released between 2015 and 2020, 4 GB was sufficient for High/Ultra settings at 1080p.
- In 2025, this amount is not enough for modern AAA titles (e.g., Starfield or GTA VI), where minimum requirements start from 6 GB.
Note: GDDR5 is less energy-efficient and slower than GDDR6 and HBM, which limits the card's potential in 4K and when working with high-resolution textures.
3. Gaming Performance
1080p (Full HD):
- The Witcher 3 (2015): ~45 FPS on medium settings.
- Cyberpunk 2077 (2020): ~20–25 FPS on low settings (without FSR).
- Fortnite (2023): ~30 FPS on low settings (Epic Settings) at 1080p.
1440p and 4K:
- 1440p: Only for older games (e.g., CS:GO — 60+ FPS).
- 4K: Not recommended — frequent drops below 20 FPS even in indie projects.
Ray Tracing: Not supported. RTX requires hardware acceleration, which the R9 380 OEM lacks.
4. Professional Tasks
Video Editing:
- In DaVinci Resolve or Premiere Pro, the card can handle rendering simple projects at 1080p, but for 4K or effects, more VRAM is needed.
- Support for OpenCL allows for acceleration of some filters, but performance is lower than modern APUs.
3D Modeling:
- In Blender or Maya, the R9 380 OEM lags behind even budget NVIDIA GTX 1650 due to the lack of optimization for CUDA.
Scientific Calculations:
- Suitable only for basic tasks (e.g., training simple neural networks via OpenCL).
Conclusion: The card is not designed for professional use in 2025 but can serve as a temporary solution for learning.
5. Power Consumption and Heat Generation
TDP: 190W — a high figure even for its time.
Recommendations:
- Power Supply: At least 500W with 80+ Bronze certification.
- Cooling: The dual-slot cooler handles the load but can be noisy under load (up to 40 dB).
- Case: Good ventilation is mandatory (at least 2 intake fans and 1 exhaust fan).
Temperatures:
- Idle: 35–40°C.
- Under load: up to 80–85°C — regular thermal paste replacement is required.
6. Comparison with Competitors
AMD:
- Radeon RX 5500 XT (4 GB): 30% faster, supports FSR, TDP 130W.
- Radeon RX 6500 XT: 2–3 times more performant but requires PCIe 4.0.
NVIDIA:
- GeForce GTX 970 (2014): Comparable in performance but superior in energy efficiency (TDP 145W).
- GTX 1650 (2019): Consumes less (75W) and supports DLSS.
Conclusion: The R9 380 OEM falls short against even budget models from the 2020s, but it may be cheaper (if found for sale).
7. Practical Tips
Power Supply: 500W with an 8-pin PCIe cable. Avoid cheap noname models.
Compatibility:
- Platform: Supports PCIe 3.0. Compatible with most motherboards, but will operate in 3.0 mode on PCIe 4.0/5.0.
- Drivers: The latest WHQL drivers from AMD were released in 2021. For Windows 11, use compatibility mode.
Nuances:
- Does not support HDMI 2.1 — maximum 4K@30Hz through HDMI 2.0.
- An adapter may be required to connect to modern monitors (DisplayPort-to-HDMI).
8. Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Extremely low price (around $100–150 for new OEM supplies).
- Support for DirectX 12 and OpenCL.
- Sufficient for older games and basic tasks.
Cons:
- High power consumption.
- No support for FSR or ray tracing.
- Limited compatibility with modern software.
9. Final Conclusion: Who is the R9 380 OEM Suitable For?
This graphics card is a choice for:
1. Budget Builds: If you need a temporary GPU for office applications or older games.
2. Upgrading Old PCs: For systems with processors like Intel Core i5-4xxx or AMD FX-8000.
3. Enthusiasts: Retro hardware lovers or experimenters building PCs from parts of the past decade.
Alternative: If your budget allows for $200–250, consider the AMD RX 6400 or Intel Arc A380 — they will support modern technologies and save energy.
Conclusion
The AMD Radeon R9 380 OEM in 2025 is an example of a "surviving" GPU that can still provide some utility in niche scenarios. However, its time has passed: for comfortable gaming or work, a more modern solution is required. But if you are looking for a cheap way to breathe life into an old computer — this card is worth considering. Just don’t forget about the power supply!