Radeon R5 230
VS
GeForce GTX 1060

Radeon R5 230 vs GeForce GTX 1060

AMD

Radeon R5 230

2017Core: 730 MHzBoost: 1024 MHz
VS
NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 1060

2016Core: 1607 MHzBoost: 1733 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. The Radeon R5 230 is positioned at rank #500 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 R5 230

#490
Radeon RX 550X (móvel)
MSRP: $35|Avg: $35
2445%
#492
2217%
#493
2211%
#497
GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50
2010%
#498
Radeon RX 6300
MSRP: $60|Avg: $40
1997%
#500
Radeon R5 230
MSRP: $50|Avg: $25
100%
#501
GeForce 9300 GE
MSRP: $23|Avg: $25
100%
#502
Mobility Radeon HD 5450
MSRP: $49|Avg: $15
98%
#503
Radeon HD 8650G + 8570M Dual
MSRP: $150|Avg: $30
98%
#504
Mobility Radeon HD 4850
MSRP: $199|Avg: $20
98%
#505
GeForce 800A
MSRP: $100|Avg: $30
98%
#506
98%
#507
97%
#508
Radeon R7 M460
MSRP: $250|Avg: $250
96%
#509
Mobility Radeon HD 3870
MSRP: $129|Avg: $15
96%
#510
GeForce 9800 S
MSRP: $150|Avg: $40
95%
#511
95%
#512
Radeon HD 8650G + 8670M Dual
MSRP: $150|Avg: $30
95%
#513
95%
#514
Radeon HD 7660D
MSRP: $122|Avg: $15
95%
#515
Radeon HD 8650G + 8500M Dual
MSRP: $150|Avg: $30
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

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce GTX 1060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 4433.3% 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 R5 230.

InsightRadeon R5 230GeForce GTX 1060
Performance
Lower raw frame rates (-4433.3%)
Leading raw performance (+4433.3%)
Longevity
🛑Obsolete Architecture (2017 / GCN 3.0 (2014−2019))
🛑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
📏 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 $25 (vs $60), it costs 58% less, resulting in a 1788.9% higher cost efficiency score.

InsightRadeon R5 230GeForce GTX 1060
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Better overall value (+1788.9%)
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($25)
⚠️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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Radeon R5 230 and GeForce GTX 1060

AMD

Radeon R5 230

The Radeon R5 230 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in April 18 2017. It features the GCN 3.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 730 MHz to 1024 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 50W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 222 points.

NVIDIA

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 R5 230 scores 222 versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 10,064 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 4433.3%. The Radeon R5 230 is built on GCN 3.0 while the GeForce GTX 1060 uses Pascal, both on 28 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 384 (Radeon R5 230) vs 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060). Raw compute: 0.7864 TFLOPS (Radeon R5 230) vs 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060). Boost clocks: 1024 MHz vs 1733 MHz.

FeatureRadeon R5 230GeForce GTX 1060
G3D Mark Score
222
10,064+4433%
Architecture
GCN 3.0
Pascal
Process Node
28 nm
16 nm
Shading Units
384
2560+567%
Compute (TFLOPS)
0.7864 TFLOPS
8.873 TFLOPS+1028%
Boost Clock
1024 MHz
1733 MHz+69%
ROPs
8
64+700%
TMUs
24
160+567%
L1 Cache
96 KB
960 KB+900%
L2 Cache
0.13 MB
2 MB+1438%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureRadeon R5 230GeForce 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 R5 230 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: 0.13 MB (Radeon R5 230) vs 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureRadeon R5 230GeForce 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
0.13 MB
2 MB+1438%
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 11.2 (Radeon R5 230) vs 12 (GeForce GTX 1060). Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 4.

FeatureRadeon R5 230GeForce GTX 1060
DirectX
11.2
12+7%
Max Displays
2
4+100%
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: UVD 2.2 (Radeon R5 230) vs NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060). Decoder: UVD 2.2 vs NVDEC (Pascal).

FeatureRadeon R5 230GeForce GTX 1060
Encoder
UVD 2.2
NVENC (Pascal)
Decoder
UVD 2.2
NVDEC (Pascal)
Codecs
H.264,H.265/HEVC
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Radeon R5 230 draws 50W versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 180W — a 113% difference. The Radeon R5 230 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon R5 230) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 1060). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 6-pin. Card length: 168mm vs 173mm, occupying 1 vs 2 slots.

FeatureRadeon R5 230GeForce GTX 1060
TDP
50W-72%
180W
Recommended PSU
350W-13%
400W
Power Connector
PCIe-powered
6-pin
Length
168mm
173mm
Height
111mm
Slots
1-50%
2
Perf/Watt
4.4
55.9+1170%
💰

Value Analysis

The Radeon R5 230 launched at $50 MSRP and currently averages $25, while the GeForce GTX 1060 launched at $249 and now averages $60. The Radeon R5 230 costs 58.3% less ($35 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 8.9 (Radeon R5 230) vs 167.7 (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 1784.3% better value. The Radeon R5 230 is the newer GPU (2017 vs 2016).

FeatureRadeon R5 230GeForce GTX 1060
MSRP
$50-80%
$249
Avg Price (30d)
$25-58%
$60
Performance per Dollar
8.9
167.7+1784%
Codename
Weston
GP104
Release
April 18 2017
May 27 2016
Ranking
#873
#137