GeForce GTX 1060 5GB vs Radeon RX 590

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 590 uses modern memory architecture. The Radeon RX 590 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 Radeon RX 590 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.5% 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 RX 590
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.5%)	✅Leading raw performance (+1.5%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2017 / Pascal (2016−2021))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2018 / GCN 4.0 (2016−2020))
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)	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The Radeon RX 590 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Although it costs $65 (vs $65), its significant performance lead justifies the premium, offering 1.5% better value per dollar than the GeForce GTX 1060 5GB.

Insight	GeForce GTX 1060 5GB	Radeon RX 590
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+1.5%)
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.

GeForce GTX 1060 5GB Benchmark Check

Radeon RX 590 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 1060 5GB and Radeon RX 590

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 RX 590

The Radeon RX 590 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in November 15 2018. It features the GCN 4.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1469 MHz to 1545 MHz. It has 2304 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 175W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 9,315 points. Launch price was $279.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB scores 9,175 and the Radeon RX 590 reaches 9,315 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.5% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB is built on Pascal while the Radeon RX 590 uses GCN 4.0, both on 16 nm vs 12 nm. Shader units: 1,280 (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 2,304 (Radeon RX 590). Raw compute: 4.375 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 7.119 TFLOPS (Radeon RX 590). Boost clocks: 1709 MHz vs 1545 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 5GB	Radeon RX 590
G3D Mark Score	9,175	9,315+2%
Architecture	Pascal	GCN 4.0
Process Node	16 nm	12 nm
Shading Units	1280	2304+80%
Compute (TFLOPS)	4.375 TFLOPS	7.119 TFLOPS+63%
Boost Clock	1709 MHz+11%	1545 MHz
ROPs	40+25%	32
TMUs	80	144+80%
L1 Cache	480 KB	576 KB+20%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB	2 MB+60%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 5GB	Radeon RX 590
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 590 has 8 GB. The Radeon RX 590 offers 60% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 160 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 256 GB/s (Radeon RX 590) — a 60% advantage for the Radeon RX 590. Bus width: 160-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 1.25 MB (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 2 MB (Radeon RX 590) — the Radeon RX 590 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 5GB	Radeon RX 590
VRAM Capacity	5 GB	8 GB+60%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	160 GB/s	256 GB/s+60%
Bus Width	160-bit	256-bit+60%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB	2 MB+60%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (12_1) (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 12.0 (Radeon RX 590). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 5GB	Radeon RX 590
DirectX	12 (12_1)	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 3.4 (Radeon RX 590). Decoder: NVDEC (3rd Gen) vs UVD 6.3. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265,VP9 (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (Radeon RX 590).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 5GB	Radeon RX 590
Encoder	NVENC (6th Gen)	VCE 3.4
Decoder	NVDEC (3rd Gen)	UVD 6.3
Codecs	H.264,H.265,VP9	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB draws 120W versus the Radeon RX 590's 175W — a 37.3% difference. The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 500W (Radeon RX 590). Power connectors: 6-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 250mm vs 241mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 80°C.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 5GB	Radeon RX 590
TDP	120W-31%	175W
Recommended PSU	400W-20%	500W
Power Connector	6-pin	8-pin
Length	250mm	241mm
Height	111mm	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75-6%	80°C
Perf/Watt	76.5+44%	53.2

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB launched at $249 MSRP and currently averages $65, while the Radeon RX 590 launched at $279 and now averages $65. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 141.2 (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 143.3 (Radeon RX 590) — the Radeon RX 590 offers 1.5% better value. The Radeon RX 590 is the newer GPU (2018 vs 2017).