• About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
Real Hardware Reviews
RHR
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • All Reviews
    • Accessories
    • Processors (CPU)
    • GPU
    • Mobile
    • Games & Software
    • Systems
    • Cases
    • Tablet & Laptops
    • Ram
    • Storage
    • Motherboards
  • News
  • Off Topic
    • How To
    • Cryptocurrencies
No Result
View All Result
Real Hardware Reviews
RHR
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • All Reviews
    • Accessories
    • Processors (CPU)
    • GPU
    • Mobile
    • Games & Software
    • Systems
    • Cases
    • Tablet & Laptops
    • Ram
    • Storage
    • Motherboards
  • News
  • Off Topic
    • How To
    • Cryptocurrencies
No Result
View All Result
Real Hardware Reviews
RHR
No Result
View All Result
ADVERTISEMENT
Home GPU

MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G

GaK_45 by GaK_45
October 9, 2015
in GPU, Reviews
MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
MSI R9 380 GAMING 4G Graphics Card
MSI R9 380 GAMING 4G Graphics Card
MSI R9 380 GAMING 4G Graphics Card
$169.00
in stock
1 used from $169.00
as of May 8, 2025 10:04 pm
BUY NOW
Amazon.com
MSI AMD Radeon R9 270X, 2GB GDDR5, PCI Express 3.0 Graphics Card R9 270X Gaming 2G
MSI AMD Radeon R9 270X, 2GB GDDR5, PCI Express 3.0 Graphics Card R9 270X Gaming 2G
MSI AMD Radeon R9 270X, 2GB GDDR5, PCI Express 3.0 Graphics Card R9 270X Gaming 2G
out of stock
BUY NOW
Amazon.com
MSI Gaming AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT 64-bit 4GB GDDR6 DP/HDMI PCIe 4 Torx Twin Fans FreeSync DirectX...
MSI Gaming AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT 64-bit 4GB GDDR6 DP/HDMI PCIe 4 Torx Twin Fans FreeSync DirectX 12 VR Ready OC Graphics Card (RX 6500 XT MECH 2X 4G OC)
MSI Gaming AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT 64-bit 4GB GDDR6 DP/HDMI PCIe 4 Torx Twin Fans FreeSync DirectX...
$320.00
in stock
2 new from $320.00
2 used from $275.53
as of May 8, 2025 10:04 pm
BUY NOW
Amazon.com
Last updated on May 8, 2025 10:04 pm
Jump to section

1. MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G – Introduction

  • 1. MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G – Introduction
  • 2. MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G – Specs and Features
  • 3. MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G – A Closer Look
  • 4. MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G – Testing Methodology
  • 5. MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G – Sleeping Dogs (SGB)
  • 6. MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G – Metro: Last Light (SGB)
  • 7. MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G – BioShock Infinite (SGB)
  • 8. MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G – Tomb Raider (SGB)
  • 9. MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G – Batman Arkham Origins (SGB)
  • 10. MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G – Battlefield 4 (RWGB)
  • 11. MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G – Assassins Creed: Black Flag (RWGB)
  • 12. MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G – Crysis 3 (RWGB)
  • 13. MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G –Witcher 3 (RWGB)
  • 14. MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G –Temperature, Noise, and Power Analysis
  • 15. MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G – Performance Summary and TL;DR
  • 16. MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G – Closing Statement

Recently we took a long hard look at the MSI R7 370 Gaming 2G and walked away fairly impressed. This actually did take us by surprise as that card relies upon a core that has been rebranded three times now and is still kicking ass in the $150 corner of the market. This is more a testament to how poorly NVIDIA’s architecture scales down to this level rather than the ‘endurance’ of the Pitcairn/ Curacao /Trinidad architecture. Put simply consumers looking at that corner of the market really have slim pickings to choose from, and while MSI did a very good job with what they were given…the R7 370 is still a card that was originally released back in 2012.

Today we are going to look at another AMD refresh and see if it can make an even better argument in favor of refreshes vs new designs. This time however we are going to look at the hotly contested $200 price range. Cards in this price range have to offer both a value and performance argument as on the one hand consumers looking at $250 cards would rather spend $200, and consumers looking at $150 have to be convinced that spending an extra $50 pays massive dividends.MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G 1Equally important is this corner of the market is where the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 resides and as we saw with the MSI GTX 960 Gaming 2G this class of card offer a lot – and we mean a lot – of reasons to go the ‘Team Green’ route. In order to woo people back to AMD’s camp, AMD has taken this previously released R9 285 (and its Tonga core), overclocked it, reduced the MSRP to $190 and called this new creation the R9 380 and the Antigua core. Even just on the surface this makes a whole lot more sense than their $150 offerings as the 285 was a very decent competitor in the $250 price range, and by dropping it down a notch in the next generation, NVIDIA fanbois cannot yell and scream all that much as such a move is precisely what NVIDIA has done countless times in the past.

However, MSI has made their reputation on not offering off the shelf stock solutions. Instead when you buy a MSI card, especially a Gaming series card, consumers expect much more than what any ‘reference’ design can offer. To satisfy these expectations, MSI has taken a more powerful version of the TWIN Frozr V heatsink design than what comes standard with their R7 370 Gaming 2G card, beefed up the power delivery subsystem significantly, overclocked both the RAM and core….and then only increased the asking price by ten dollars. Needless to say if you are a hardcore AMD fan, and are in the market to buy a new $200 video card, these specifications make it clear that reference R9 380’s are not the way to go.

On the other hand, this card will face stiff competition from NVIDIA and consumers who are brand agnostic – and only loyal to Gods of Gaming, then this will be a good old fashioned horse race to see which way is the better solution: a Gaming R9 380 Gaming card, a reference GTX 960 video card (which costs a touch less at $190), or a factory overclocked 960 like the MSI Gaming 2G (which costs about $200). Now that is the kind of competition we like to see –  no matter what the consumer is the real winner here.

Jump to section

1. MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G – Introduction

  • 1. MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G – Introduction
  • 2. MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G – Specs and Features
  • 3. MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G – A Closer Look
  • 4. MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G – Testing Methodology
  • 5. MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G – Sleeping Dogs (SGB)
  • 6. MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G – Metro: Last Light (SGB)
  • 7. MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G – BioShock Infinite (SGB)
  • 8. MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G – Tomb Raider (SGB)
  • 9. MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G – Batman Arkham Origins (SGB)
  • 10. MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G – Battlefield 4 (RWGB)
  • 11. MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G – Assassins Creed: Black Flag (RWGB)
  • 12. MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G – Crysis 3 (RWGB)
  • 13. MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G –Witcher 3 (RWGB)
  • 14. MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G –Temperature, Noise, and Power Analysis
  • 15. MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G – Performance Summary and TL;DR
  • 16. MSI Radeon R9 380 Gaming 2G – Closing Statement
Page 1 of 16
Previous 12345678910111213141516 Next
ADVERTISEMENT
GaK_45

GaK_45

"Knowledgeable, opinionated and not afraid to ask the questions you can’t or won’t." GaK_45's combination of multiple industry certifications(MCSE, CCNA, various CompTIA, etc), and over twenty years' experience in the computer industry allows him to provide detailed analysis that is as trustworthy as it is practical.

Next Post
T3+ Bluetooth Gamepad Gaming Controller

T3+ Bluetooth Gamepad Gaming Controller

Leave Comment

Recommended.

Intel Core i9 13900K and i5 13600K Review

Intel Core i9 13900K and i5 13600K Review

HyperX Cloud Alpha Pro Gaming Headset 39

HyperX Cloud Alpha Pro Gaming Headset

October 9, 2018
ADVERTISEMENT

Trending.

Crucial Pro DDR5-5600 128GB Review

Crucial Pro DDR5-5600 128GB Review

Seagate Exos X18 Review

Seagate Exos X18 Review

Seagate IronWolf Pro 24TB Review

Seagate IronWolf Pro 24TB Review

Seagate Exos X24 Review

Seagate Exos X24 Review

MSI BE6500 WiFi 7 USB Review

MSI BE6500 WiFi 7 USB Review

Real Hardware Reviews

© 2013 - 2024 | Powered by Real Hardware Reviews

Navigate Site

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Editorial & Disclosure Policy

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • All Reviews
    • Accessories
    • Processors (CPU)
    • GPU
    • Mobile
    • Games & Software
    • Systems
    • Cases
    • Tablet & Laptops
    • Ram
    • Storage
    • Motherboards
  • News
  • Off Topic
    • How To
    • Cryptocurrencies

© 2013 - 2024 | Powered by Real Hardware Reviews

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
x