Radeon R9 390X vs GeForce GTX 1060 5GB
Radeon R9 390X
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GeForce GTX 1060 5GB
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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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Radeon R9 390X is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.1% 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 | Radeon R9 390X | GeForce GTX 1060 5GB |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.1%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.1%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / GCN 2.0 (2013−2017)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2017 / Pascal (2016−2021)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ✅ More VRAM (+60%) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (277mm) | Standard Size (250mm) |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 1060 5GB holds the technical lead. Priced at $65 (vs $70), it costs 7% less, resulting in a 6.5% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon R9 390X | GeForce GTX 1060 5GB |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+6.5%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($70) | ✅More affordable ($65) |
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 R9 390X and GeForce GTX 1060 5GB
Radeon R9 390X
The Radeon R9 390X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in June 18 2015. It features the GCN 2.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1050 MHz. It has 2816 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 275W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 9,278 points. Launch price was $429.
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.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon R9 390X scores 9,278 and the GeForce GTX 1060 5GB reaches 9,175 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon R9 390X is built on GCN 2.0 while the GeForce GTX 1060 5GB uses Pascal, both on 28 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 2,816 (Radeon R9 390X) vs 1,280 (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB). Raw compute: 5.914 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 390X) vs 4.375 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB). Boost clocks: 1050 MHz vs 1709 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon R9 390X | GeForce GTX 1060 5GB |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 9,278+1% | 9,175 |
| Architecture | GCN 2.0 | Pascal |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 16 nm |
| Shading Units | 2816+120% | 1280 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 5.914 TFLOPS+35% | 4.375 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1050 MHz | 1709 MHz+63% |
| ROPs | 64+60% | 40 |
| TMUs | 176+120% | 80 |
| L1 Cache | 704 KB+47% | 480 KB |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 1.25 MB+25% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon R9 390X | GeForce GTX 1060 5GB |
|---|---|---|
| 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 R9 390X comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 1060 5GB has 5 GB. The Radeon R9 390X offers 60% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 384 GB/s (Radeon R9 390X) vs 160 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) — a 140% advantage for the Radeon R9 390X. Bus width: 512-bit vs 160-bit. L2 Cache: 1 MB (Radeon R9 390X) vs 1.25 MB (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) — the GeForce GTX 1060 5GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | Radeon R9 390X | GeForce GTX 1060 5GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB+60% | 5 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 384 GB/s+140% | 160 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 512-bit+220% | 160-bit |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 1.25 MB+25% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (12_0) (Radeon R9 390X) vs 12 (12_1) (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | Radeon R9 390X | GeForce GTX 1060 5GB |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (12_0) | 12 (12_1) |
| Vulkan | 1.2 | 1.3+8% |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: VCE 2.0 (Radeon R9 390X) vs NVENC (6th Gen) (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB). Decoder: UVD 4.2 vs NVDEC (3rd Gen). Supported codecs: H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (Radeon R9 390X) vs H.264,H.265,VP9 (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB).
| Feature | Radeon R9 390X | GeForce GTX 1060 5GB |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | VCE 2.0 | NVENC (6th Gen) |
| Decoder | UVD 4.2 | NVDEC (3rd Gen) |
| Codecs | H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 | H.264,H.265,VP9 |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon R9 390X draws 275W versus the GeForce GTX 1060 5GB's 120W — a 78.5% difference. The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 750W (Radeon R9 390X) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs 6-pin. Card length: 277mm vs 250mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80 vs 75.
| Feature | Radeon R9 390X | GeForce GTX 1060 5GB |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 275W | 120W-56% |
| Recommended PSU | 750W | 400W-47% |
| Power Connector | 6-pin + 8-pin | 6-pin |
| Length | 277mm | 250mm |
| Height | 129mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 80 | 75-6% |
| Perf/Watt | 33.7 | 76.5+127% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon R9 390X launched at $429 MSRP and currently averages $70, while the GeForce GTX 1060 5GB launched at $249 and now averages $65. The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB costs 7.1% less ($5 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 132.5 (Radeon R9 390X) vs 141.2 (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) — the GeForce GTX 1060 5GB offers 6.6% better value. The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB is the newer GPU (2017 vs 2015).
| Feature | Radeon R9 390X | GeForce GTX 1060 5GB |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $429 | $249-42% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $70 | $65-7% |
| Performance per Dollar | 132.5 | 141.2+7% |
| Codename | Grenada | GP106 |
| Release | June 18 2015 | December 26 2017 |
| Ranking | #287 | #289 |
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