Radeon HD 7290 vs GeForce GTX 1060

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 HD 7290 is positioned at rank #211 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 HD 7290

#1

GeForce RTX 3060 Ti

MSRP: $399|Avg: $280

1295%

#2

GeForce RTX 5060

MSRP: $299|Avg: $299

1244%

#3

Radeon RX 5600 XT

MSRP: $279|Avg: $180

1230%

#4

Radeon RX 9060

MSRP: $249|Avg: $249

1228%

#5

GeForce RTX 5050

MSRP: $249|Avg: $249

1225%

#6

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

MSRP: $249|Avg: $150

1218%

#7

Arc A580

MSRP: $179|Avg: $179

1203%

#8

Radeon RX 9060 XT

MSRP: $299|Avg: $299

1199%

#9

Radeon RX 9060 XT 8GB

MSRP: $299|Avg: $299

1188%

#10

Radeon RX 7600

MSRP: $269|Avg: $250

1184%

#11

Radeon RX 6600

MSRP: $329|Avg: $180

1170%

#12

GeForce RTX 4060

MSRP: $299|Avg: $299

1168%

#13

Arc B570

MSRP: $219|Avg: $219

1146%

#14

Arc B580

MSRP: $249|Avg: $249

1146%

#97

Radeon Ryzen 7 4800U

MSRP: $450|Avg: $450

91%

#196

Radeon R5 430 OEM

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $13

1429%

#211

Radeon HD 7290

MSRP: $20|Avg: $5

100%

#212

Radeon HD 8210

MSRP: $35|Avg: $5

99%

#213

Radeon HD 8330

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

98%

#214

GeForce GT 520

MSRP: $59|Avg: $15

98%

#215

GeForce GT 420

MSRP: $79|Avg: $79

98%

#216

Radeon HD4670

MSRP: $67|Avg: $15

98%

#217

GeForce GTX 275

MSRP: $249|Avg: $249

97%

#219

Radeon HD 7400G

MSRP: $50|Avg: $15

95%

#220

Radeon HD 7480D

MSRP: $53|Avg: $30

95%

#221

Radeon HD 7520G

MSRP: $60|Avg: $15

94%

#222

Radeon HD 8350G

MSRP: $50|Avg: $50

92%

#223

Radeon HD 6480G

MSRP: $50|Avg: $50

92%

#224

GeForce GT 415

MSRP: $49|Avg: $15

91%

#225

Radeon HD 5550

MSRP: $75|Avg: $75

91%

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 GeForce GTX 1060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 8885.7% 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 HD 7290.

Insight	Radeon HD 7290	GeForce GTX 1060
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-8885.7%)	✅Leading raw performance (+8885.7%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020))	🛑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. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 1060 holds the technical lead. Priced at $5 (vs $60), it costs 92% less, resulting in a 648.8% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	Radeon HD 7290	GeForce GTX 1060
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+648.8%)
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($5)	⚠️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 HD 7290 Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 1060 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Radeon HD 7290 and GeForce GTX 1060

Radeon HD 7290

The Radeon HD 7290 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in April 24 2013. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 950 MHz to 1000 MHz. It has 2048 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 375W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 112 points. Launch price was $999.

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 HD 7290 scores 112 versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 10,064 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 8885.7%. The Radeon HD 7290 is built on GCN 1.0 while the GeForce GTX 1060 uses Pascal, both on 28 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 2,048 (Radeon HD 7290) vs 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060). Raw compute: 4.096 TFLOPS ×2 (Radeon HD 7290) vs 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060). Boost clocks: 1000 MHz vs 1733 MHz.

Feature	Radeon HD 7290	GeForce GTX 1060
G3D Mark Score	112	10,064+8886%
Architecture	GCN 1.0	Pascal
Process Node	28 nm	16 nm
Shading Units	2048 ×2	2560+25%
Compute (TFLOPS)	4.096 TFLOPS ×2	8.873 TFLOPS+117%
Boost Clock	1000 MHz	1733 MHz+73%
ROPs	32 ×2	64+100%
TMUs	128 ×2	160+25%
L1 Cache	512 KB	960 KB+88%
L2 Cache	0.75 MB	2 MB+167%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	Radeon HD 7290	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 HD 7290 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: 128-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 0.75 MB (Radeon HD 7290) vs 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	Radeon HD 7290	GeForce GTX 1060
VRAM Capacity	0.5 GB	6 GB+1100%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	192 GB/s
Bus Width	128-bit	192-bit+50%
L2 Cache	0.75 MB	2 MB+167%

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Radeon HD 7290 draws 375W versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 180W — a 70.3% difference. The GeForce GTX 1060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon HD 7290) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 1060). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs 6-pin.

Feature	Radeon HD 7290	GeForce GTX 1060
TDP	375W	180W-52%
Recommended PSU	350W-13%	400W
Power Connector	1x 6-pin	6-pin
Length	—	173mm
Height	—	111mm
Slots	—	2
Perf/Watt	0.3	55.9+18533%

💰

Value Analysis

The Radeon HD 7290 launched at $20 MSRP and currently averages $5, while the GeForce GTX 1060 launched at $249 and now averages $60. The Radeon HD 7290 costs 91.7% less ($55 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 22.4 (Radeon HD 7290) vs 167.7 (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 648.7% better value. The GeForce GTX 1060 is the newer GPU (2016 vs 2013).