GeForce GTX 1060 5GB
VS
Radeon RX 5500

GeForce GTX 1060 5GB vs Radeon RX 5500

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 1060 5GB

2017Core: 1506 MHzBoost: 1709 MHz
VS
AMD

Radeon RX 5500

2019Boost: 1845 MHz

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.

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

⚠️ Generational Difference

The Radeon RX 5500 uses modern memory architecture. The Radeon RX 5500 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 3.8% higher G3D Mark score and 25% more VRAM (5 GB vs 4 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon RX 5500.

InsightGeForce GTX 1060 5GBRadeon RX 5500
Performance
Leading raw performance (+3.8%)
Lower raw frame rates (-3.8%)
Longevity
🛑Obsolete Architecture (2017 / Pascal (2016−2021))
RDNA 1.0 (2019−2020) (7nm)
Ecosystem
Supports FSR Upscaling
Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM
✅ More VRAM (+25%)
🎮 High Capacity (4 GB)
Efficiency
Normal Efficiency
Normal Efficiency
Case Fit
Standard Size (250mm)
📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $65 versus $110 for the Radeon RX 5500, it costs 41% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 75.7% higher cost efficiency score.

InsightGeForce GTX 1060 5GBRadeon RX 5500
Cost Efficiency
Better overall value (+75.7%)
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($65)
⚠️Higher upfront cost ($110)

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 RX 5500

NVIDIA

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.

AMD

Radeon RX 5500

The Radeon RX 5500 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in October 7 2019. It features the RDNA 1.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1845 MHz. It has 1408 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 110W. Manufactured using 7 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 8,837 points.

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB scores 9,175 and the Radeon RX 5500 reaches 8,837 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 3.8% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB is built on Pascal while the Radeon RX 5500 uses RDNA 1.0, both on 16 nm vs 7 nm. Shader units: 1,280 (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 1,408 (Radeon RX 5500). Raw compute: 4.375 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 5.196 TFLOPS (Radeon RX 5500). Boost clocks: 1709 MHz vs 1845 MHz.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060 5GBRadeon RX 5500
G3D Mark Score
9,175+4%
8,837
Architecture
Pascal
RDNA 1.0
Process Node
16 nm
7 nm
Shading Units
1280
1408+10%
Compute (TFLOPS)
4.375 TFLOPS
5.196 TFLOPS+19%
Boost Clock
1709 MHz
1845 MHz+8%
ROPs
40+25%
32
TMUs
80
88+10%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060 5GBRadeon RX 5500
Upscaling Tech
FSR 2.1 (Compatible)
FSR 2.1
Frame Generation
FSR 3 (Compatible)
FSR 3 (Compatible)
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 RX 5500 has 4 GB. The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB offers 25% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 160 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 224 GB/s (Radeon RX 5500) — a 40% advantage for the Radeon RX 5500. Bus width: 160-bit vs 128-bit.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060 5GBRadeon RX 5500
VRAM Capacity
5 GB+25%
4 GB
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth
160 GB/s
224 GB/s+40%
Bus Width
160-bit+25%
128-bit
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (12_1) (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 12.1 (Radeon RX 5500). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060 5GBRadeon RX 5500
DirectX
12 (12_1)
12.1
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 VCN 2.0 (Radeon RX 5500). Decoder: NVDEC (3rd Gen) vs VCN 2.0. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265,VP9 (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9 (Radeon RX 5500).

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060 5GBRadeon RX 5500
Encoder
NVENC (6th Gen)
VCN 2.0
Decoder
NVDEC (3rd Gen)
VCN 2.0
Codecs
H.264,H.265,VP9
MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB draws 120W versus the Radeon RX 5500's 110W — a 8.7% difference. The Radeon RX 5500 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 450W (Radeon RX 5500). Power connectors: 6-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 250mm vs 180mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 75°C.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060 5GBRadeon RX 5500
TDP
120W
110W-8%
Recommended PSU
400W-11%
450W
Power Connector
6-pin
8-pin
Length
250mm
180mm
Height
111mm
110mm
Slots
2
2
Temp (Load)
75
75°C
Perf/Watt
76.5
80.3+5%
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB launched at $249 MSRP and currently averages $65, while the Radeon RX 5500 launched at $179 and now averages $110. The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB costs 40.9% less ($45 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 141.2 (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 80.3 (Radeon RX 5500) — the GeForce GTX 1060 5GB offers 75.8% better value. The Radeon RX 5500 is the newer GPU (2019 vs 2017).

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060 5GBRadeon RX 5500
MSRP
$249
$179-28%
Avg Price (30d)
$65-41%
$110
Performance per Dollar
141.2+76%
80.3
Codename
GP106
Navi 14
Release
December 26 2017
October 7 2019
Ranking
#289
#297