GeForce GTX 590
VS
GeForce RTX 2060

GeForce GTX 590 vs GeForce RTX 2060

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 590

2011Core: 607 MHz
VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 2060

2019Core: 1365 MHzBoost: 1680 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 GeForce RTX 2060 is significantly newer (2019 vs 2011). The GeForce RTX 2060 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTX 590 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce RTX 2060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 322.4% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (6 GB vs 3 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 590.

InsightGeForce GTX 590GeForce RTX 2060
Performance
Lower raw frame rates (-322.4%)
Leading raw performance (+322.4%)
Longevity
🛑Obsolete Architecture (2011 / Fermi 2.0 (2010−2014))
Turing (2018−2022) (12nm)
Ecosystem
Supports FSR Upscaling
✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling
VRAM
❌ Less VRAM capacity
🎮 High Capacity (6 GB)
Efficiency
⚡ Higher Power Consumption
💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
Case Fit
📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce RTX 2060 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Although it costs $120 (vs $100), its significant performance lead justifies the premium, offering 252% better value per dollar than the GeForce GTX 590.

InsightGeForce GTX 590GeForce RTX 2060
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Better overall value (+252%)
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($100)
⚠️Higher upfront cost ($120)

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 590 and GeForce RTX 2060

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 590

The GeForce GTX 590 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 24 2011. It features the Fermi 2.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 607 MHz. It has 1024 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 365W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,341 points. Launch price was $699.

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 2060

The GeForce RTX 2060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 7 2019. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 1365 MHz to 1680 MHz. It has 1920 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 160W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. It features 30 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 14,114 points. Launch price was $349.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 590 scores 3,341 versus the GeForce RTX 2060's 14,114 — the GeForce RTX 2060 leads by 322.4%. The GeForce GTX 590 is built on Fermi 2.0 while the GeForce RTX 2060 uses Turing, both on 40 nm vs 12 nm. Shader units: 1,024 (GeForce GTX 590) vs 1,920 (GeForce RTX 2060). Raw compute: 1.244 TFLOPS ×2 (GeForce GTX 590) vs 6.451 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 2060).

FeatureGeForce GTX 590GeForce RTX 2060
G3D Mark Score
3,341
14,114+322%
Architecture
Fermi 2.0
Turing
Process Node
40 nm
12 nm
Shading Units
1024 ×2
1920+88%
Compute (TFLOPS)
1.244 TFLOPS ×2
6.451 TFLOPS+419%
ROPs
48 ×2
48
TMUs
64 ×2
120+88%
L1 Cache
1 MB
1.9 MB+90%
L2 Cache
0.75 MB
3 MB+300%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureGeForce GTX 590GeForce RTX 2060
Upscaling Tech
FSR 2.1 (Compatible)
DLSS 2.0
Frame Generation
FSR 3 (Compatible)
FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible)
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
Standard
NVIDIA Reflex
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 590 comes with 3 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 2060 has 6 GB. The GeForce RTX 2060 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 256-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 0.75 MB (GeForce GTX 590) vs 3 MB (GeForce RTX 2060) — the GeForce RTX 2060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce GTX 590GeForce RTX 2060
VRAM Capacity
3 GB
6 GB+100%
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth
Unknown
336 GB/s
Bus Width
256-bit+33%
192-bit
L2 Cache
0.75 MB
3 MB+300%
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 590) vs 12 Ultimate (12_2) (GeForce RTX 2060). OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce GTX 590GeForce RTX 2060
DirectX
12 (11_0)
12 Ultimate (12_2)
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
4
4
🎬

Media & Encoding

Decoder: PureVideo HD (VP5) vs NVDEC (Turing). Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 590) vs H.264,H.265,VP9,VP8,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GeForce RTX 2060).

FeatureGeForce GTX 590GeForce RTX 2060
Encoder
NVENC (Turing)
Decoder
PureVideo HD (VP5)
NVDEC (Turing)
Codecs
H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2
H.264,H.265,VP9,VP8,MPEG-2,VC-1
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 590 draws 365W versus the GeForce RTX 2060's 160W — a 78.1% difference. The GeForce RTX 2060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 700W (GeForce GTX 590) vs 500W (GeForce RTX 2060). Power connectors: 2x 8-pin vs 8-pin. Typical load temperature: 90°C vs 72.

FeatureGeForce GTX 590GeForce RTX 2060
TDP
365W
160W-56%
Recommended PSU
700W
500W-29%
Power Connector
2x 8-pin
8-pin
Length
229mm
Height
113mm
Slots
2
2
Temp (Load)
90°C
72-20%
Perf/Watt
9.2
88.2+859%
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 590 launched at $699 MSRP and currently averages $100, while the GeForce RTX 2060 launched at $349 and now averages $120. The GeForce GTX 590 costs 16.7% less ($20 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 33.4 (GeForce GTX 590) vs 117.6 (GeForce RTX 2060) — the GeForce RTX 2060 offers 252.1% better value. The GeForce RTX 2060 is the newer GPU (2019 vs 2011).

FeatureGeForce GTX 590GeForce RTX 2060
MSRP
$699
$349-50%
Avg Price (30d)
$100-17%
$120
Performance per Dollar
33.4
117.6+252%
Codename
GF110
TU106
Release
March 24 2011
January 7 2019
Ranking
#555
#168