Radeon 540X vs GeForce GTX 1060

Radeon 540X

2018Core: 980 MHzBoost: 1046 MHz

GeForce GTX 1060

2016Core: 1607 MHzBoost: 1733 MHz

Performance Spectrum - GPU

Radeon 540X

1,588

0.0%

Radeon R5 430

Radeon R7 M465

Radeon HD 8670D + HD 6670 Dual

Radeon RX 9060 XT 8GB

GeForce GTX 1060

180

10,064

+533.8%

GeForce GTX 680

GeForce GTX 970XM FORCE

GeForce RTX 2050 Mobile

GeForce GTX TITAN Z

GeForce GTX 980 Ti

GeForce RTX 5060 Mobile

GeForce RTX 2080 Ti

GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile

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. The Radeon 540X is positioned at rank #288 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. 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 Radeon 540X

#61

GeForce RTX 2070 (móvel)

MSRP: $800|Avg: $350

96%

#278

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

677%

#280

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

614%

#281

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

612%

#285

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

556%

#286

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

553%

#288

Radeon 540X

MSRP: $99|Avg: $40

100%

#289

GeForce 930MX

MSRP: $80|Avg: $25

100%

#291

GeForce MX250

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

99%

#292

Radeon 630

MSRP: $100|Avg: $50

98%

#293

GeForce MX330

MSRP: $150|Avg: $100

98%

#297

Radeon RX 780

MSRP: $499|Avg: $721

96%

#300

GeForce 940MX

MSRP: $100|Avg: $50

94%

#301

GeForce MX130

MSRP: $120|Avg: $50

94%

#302

Arc Graphics 130V

MSRP: $300|Avg: $250

94%

#303

Radeon R5 430

MSRP: $59|Avg: $50

94%

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 540X uses modern memory architecture. The Radeon 540X likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTX 1060 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce GTX 1060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 533.8% higher G3D Mark score and 1100% more VRAM (6 GB vs 512 MB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon 540X.

Insight	Radeon 540X	GeForce GTX 1060
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-533.8%)	✅Leading raw performance (+533.8%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2018 / GCN 4.0 (2016−2020))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / Pascal (2016−2021))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+1100%)
Efficiency	⚡ Higher Power Consumption	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
Case Fit	—	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 1060 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Although it costs $60 (vs $40), its significant performance lead justifies the premium, offering 322.5% better value per dollar than the Radeon 540X.

Insight	Radeon 540X	GeForce GTX 1060
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+322.5%)
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($40)	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($60)

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.

Radeon 540X Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 1060 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Radeon 540X and GeForce GTX 1060

Radeon 540X

The Radeon 540X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in September 5 2018. It features the GCN 4.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 980 MHz to 1046 MHz. It has 512 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 50W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,588 points.

GeForce GTX 1060

The GeForce GTX 1060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 27 2016. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1607 MHz to 1733 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 180W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 10,064 points. Launch price was $599.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the Radeon 540X scores 1,588 versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 10,064 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 533.8%. The Radeon 540X is built on GCN 4.0 while the GeForce GTX 1060 uses Pascal, both on 14 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 512 (Radeon 540X) vs 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060). Raw compute: 1.071 TFLOPS (Radeon 540X) vs 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060). Boost clocks: 1046 MHz vs 1733 MHz.

Feature	Radeon 540X	GeForce GTX 1060
G3D Mark Score	1,588	10,064+534%
Architecture	GCN 4.0	Pascal
Process Node	14 nm	16 nm
Shading Units	512	2560+400%
Compute (TFLOPS)	1.071 TFLOPS	8.873 TFLOPS+728%
Boost Clock	1046 MHz	1733 MHz+66%
ROPs	16	64+300%
TMUs	32	160+400%
L1 Cache	128 KB	960 KB+650%
L2 Cache	0.5 MB	2 MB+300%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	Radeon 540X	GeForce GTX 1060
Upscaling Tech	FSR 1.0 (Software)	FSR 2.1 (Compatible)
Frame Generation	Not Supported	FSR 3 (Compatible)
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	AMD Anti-Lag	Standard

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The Radeon 540X comes with 512 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 1060 has 6 GB. The GeForce GTX 1060 offers 1100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 64-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 0.5 MB (Radeon 540X) vs 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	Radeon 540X	GeForce GTX 1060
VRAM Capacity	0.5 GB	6 GB+1100%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Bus Width	64-bit	192-bit+200%
L2 Cache	0.5 MB	2 MB+300%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (Radeon 540X) vs 12 (GeForce GTX 1060). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 3 vs 4.

Feature	Radeon 540X	GeForce GTX 1060
DirectX	12	12
Vulkan	1.3	1.3
OpenGL	4.5	4.5
Max Displays	3	4+33%

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: UVD (Radeon 540X) vs NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060). Decoder: VCE vs NVDEC (Pascal). Supported codecs: H.264,MPEG-2,MPEG-4,VC-1 (Radeon 540X) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060).

Feature	Radeon 540X	GeForce GTX 1060
Encoder	UVD	NVENC (Pascal)
Decoder	VCE	NVDEC (Pascal)
Codecs	H.264,MPEG-2,MPEG-4,VC-1	H.264,H.265/HEVC

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Radeon 540X draws 50W versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 180W — a 113% difference. The Radeon 540X is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon 540X) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 1060). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 6-pin. Card length: 0mm vs 173mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots.

Feature	Radeon 540X	GeForce GTX 1060
TDP	50W-72%	180W
Recommended PSU	350W-13%	400W
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	6-pin
Length	0mm	173mm
Height	0mm	111mm
Slots	0-100%	2
Temp (Load)	75°C	—
Perf/Watt	31.8	55.9+76%

💰

Value Analysis

The Radeon 540X launched at $99 MSRP and currently averages $40, while the GeForce GTX 1060 launched at $249 and now averages $60. The Radeon 540X costs 33.3% less ($20 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 39.7 (Radeon 540X) vs 167.7 (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 322.4% better value. The Radeon 540X is the newer GPU (2018 vs 2016).