GeForce GTX 1060 5GB vs Radeon R9 390X

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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The Radeon R9 390X is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.1% higher G3D Mark score and 60% more VRAM (8 GB vs 5 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 1060 5GB.

Insight	GeForce GTX 1060 5GB	Radeon R9 390X
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.1%)	✅Leading raw performance (+1.1%)
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 (277mm)

💎 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 $70), it costs 7% less, resulting in a 6.5% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 1060 5GB	Radeon R9 390X
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+6.5%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($65)	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($70)

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.

GeForce GTX 1060 5GB Benchmark Check

Radeon R9 390X Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 1060 5GB and Radeon R9 390X

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 390X

The Radeon R9 390X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in June 18 2015. It features the GCN 2.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1050 MHz. It has 2816 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 275W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 9,278 points. Launch price was $429.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB scores 9,175 and the Radeon R9 390X reaches 9,278 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB is built on Pascal while the Radeon R9 390X uses GCN 2.0, both on 16 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 1,280 (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 2,816 (Radeon R9 390X). Raw compute: 4.375 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 5.914 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 390X). Boost clocks: 1709 MHz vs 1050 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 5GB	Radeon R9 390X
G3D Mark Score	9,175	9,278+1%
Architecture	Pascal	GCN 2.0
Process Node	16 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	1280	2816+120%
Compute (TFLOPS)	4.375 TFLOPS	5.914 TFLOPS+35%
Boost Clock	1709 MHz+63%	1050 MHz
ROPs	40	64+60%
TMUs	80	176+120%
L1 Cache	480 KB	704 KB+47%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB+25%	1 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 5GB	Radeon R9 390X
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 390X has 8 GB. The Radeon R9 390X offers 60% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 160 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 384 GB/s (Radeon R9 390X) — a 140% advantage for the Radeon R9 390X. Bus width: 160-bit vs 512-bit. L2 Cache: 1.25 MB (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 1 MB (Radeon R9 390X) — the GeForce GTX 1060 5GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 5GB	Radeon R9 390X
VRAM Capacity	5 GB	8 GB+60%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	160 GB/s	384 GB/s+140%
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 (12_0) (Radeon R9 390X). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 5GB	Radeon R9 390X
DirectX	12 (12_1)	12 (12_0)
Vulkan	1.3+8%	1.2
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (6th Gen) (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs VCE 2.0 (Radeon R9 390X). Decoder: NVDEC (3rd Gen) vs UVD 4.2. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265,VP9 (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (Radeon R9 390X).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 5GB	Radeon R9 390X
Encoder	NVENC (6th Gen)	VCE 2.0
Decoder	NVDEC (3rd Gen)	UVD 4.2
Codecs	H.264,H.265,VP9	H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB draws 120W versus the Radeon R9 390X's 275W — a 78.5% difference. The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 750W (Radeon R9 390X). Power connectors: 6-pin vs 6-pin + 8-pin. Card length: 250mm vs 277mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 80.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 5GB	Radeon R9 390X
TDP	120W-56%	275W
Recommended PSU	400W-47%	750W
Power Connector	6-pin	6-pin + 8-pin
Length	250mm	277mm
Height	111mm	129mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75-6%	80
Perf/Watt	76.5+127%	33.7

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB launched at $249 MSRP and currently averages $65, while the Radeon R9 390X launched at $429 and now averages $70. The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB costs 7.1% less ($5 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 141.2 (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 132.5 (Radeon R9 390X) — the GeForce GTX 1060 5GB offers 6.6% better value. The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB is the newer GPU (2017 vs 2015).