CPU
GPU
GeForce GTX 1060 5GB
Popular choices:
Radeon R9 390
Popular choices:
Performance Spectrum - GPU
About G3D Mark
G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 3.6% higher G3D Mark score. However, the Radeon R9 390 offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 1060 5GB | Radeon R9 390 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+3.6%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-3.6%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2017 / Pascal (2016−2021)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / GCN 2.0 (2013−2017)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+60%) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (250mm) | Standard Size (275mm) |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 1060 5GB holds the technical lead. Priced at $65 (vs $65), it costs 0% less, resulting in a 3.6% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 1060 5GB | Radeon R9 390 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+3.6%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
Performance Check
Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 7800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.
Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 1060 5GB and Radeon R9 390
GeForce GTX 1060 5GB
The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in December 26 2017. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1506 MHz to 1709 MHz. It has 1280 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 120W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 9,175 points.
Radeon R9 390
The Radeon R9 390 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in June 18 2015. It features the GCN 2.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1000 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 300W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 8,855 points. Launch price was $329.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB scores 9,175 and the Radeon R9 390 reaches 8,855 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 3.6% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB is built on Pascal while the Radeon R9 390 uses GCN 2.0, both on 16 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 1,280 (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 2,560 (Radeon R9 390). Raw compute: 4.375 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 5.12 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 390). Boost clocks: 1709 MHz vs 1000 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1060 5GB | Radeon R9 390 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 9,175+4% | 8,855 |
| Architecture | Pascal | GCN 2.0 |
| Process Node | 16 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 1280 | 2560+100% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 4.375 TFLOPS | 5.12 TFLOPS+17% |
| Boost Clock | 1709 MHz+71% | 1000 MHz |
| ROPs | 40 | 64+60% |
| TMUs | 80 | 160+100% |
| L1 Cache | 480 KB | 640 KB+33% |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB+25% | 1 MB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1060 5GB | Radeon R9 390 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 (Compatible) | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | AMD Anti-Lag |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB comes with 5 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon R9 390 has 8 GB. The Radeon R9 390 offers 60% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 160 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 320 GB/s (Radeon R9 390) — a 100% advantage for the Radeon R9 390. Bus width: 160-bit vs 512-bit. L2 Cache: 1.25 MB (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 1 MB (Radeon R9 390) — the GeForce GTX 1060 5GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1060 5GB | Radeon R9 390 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 5 GB | 8 GB+60% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 160 GB/s | 320 GB/s+100% |
| Bus Width | 160-bit | 512-bit+220% |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB+25% | 1 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (12_1) (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 12.0 (Radeon R9 390). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 6.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1060 5GB | Radeon R9 390 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (12_1) | 12.0 |
| Vulkan | 1.3+8% | 1.2 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 6+50% |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC (6th Gen) (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs VCE 2.0 (Radeon R9 390). Decoder: NVDEC (3rd Gen) vs UVD 4.2. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265,VP9 (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 (Radeon R9 390).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1060 5GB | Radeon R9 390 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC (6th Gen) | VCE 2.0 |
| Decoder | NVDEC (3rd Gen) | UVD 4.2 |
| Codecs | H.264,H.265,VP9 | MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB draws 120W versus the Radeon R9 390's 300W — a 85.7% difference. The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 750W (Radeon R9 390). Power connectors: 6-pin vs 6-pin + 8-pin. Card length: 250mm vs 275mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 95°C.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1060 5GB | Radeon R9 390 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 120W-60% | 300W |
| Recommended PSU | 400W-47% | 750W |
| Power Connector | 6-pin | 6-pin + 8-pin |
| Length | 250mm | 275mm |
| Height | 111mm | 109mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 75-21% | 95°C |
| Perf/Watt | 76.5+159% | 29.5 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB launched at $249 MSRP and currently averages $65, while the Radeon R9 390 launched at $329 and now averages $65. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 141.2 (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 136.2 (Radeon R9 390) — the GeForce GTX 1060 5GB offers 3.7% better value. The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB is the newer GPU (2017 vs 2015).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1060 5GB | Radeon R9 390 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $249-24% | $329 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $65 | $65 |
| Performance per Dollar | 141.2+4% | 136.2 |
| Codename | GP106 | Grenada |
| Release | December 26 2017 | June 18 2015 |
| Ranking | #289 | #296 |
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar GPU comparisons based on GeForce GTX 1060 5GB and Radeon R9 390
