Radeon RX 480 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. 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

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce GTX 1060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 17.8% higher G3D Mark score. However, the Radeon RX 480 offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.

Insight	Radeon RX 480	GeForce GTX 1060
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-17.8%)	✅Leading raw performance (+17.8%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / GCN 4.0 (2016−2020))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / Pascal (2016−2021))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	✅ More VRAM (+33.3%)	❌ Less VRAM capacity
Efficiency	Normal Efficiency	Normal Efficiency
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 $55 (vs $60), it costs 8% less, resulting in a 7.9% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	Radeon RX 480	GeForce GTX 1060
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+7.9%)
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($55)	⚠️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 RX 480 Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 1060 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Radeon RX 480 and GeForce GTX 1060

Radeon RX 480

The Radeon RX 480 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in June 29 2016. It features the GCN 4.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1120 MHz to 1266 MHz. It has 2304 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 8,546 points. Launch price was $229.

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 RX 480 scores 8,546 versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 10,064 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 17.8%. The Radeon RX 480 is built on GCN 4.0 while the GeForce GTX 1060 uses Pascal, both on 14 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 2,304 (Radeon RX 480) vs 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060). Raw compute: 5.834 TFLOPS (Radeon RX 480) vs 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060). Boost clocks: 1266 MHz vs 1733 MHz.

Feature	Radeon RX 480	GeForce GTX 1060
G3D Mark Score	8,546	10,064+18%
Architecture	GCN 4.0	Pascal
Process Node	14 nm	16 nm
Shading Units	2304	2560+11%
Compute (TFLOPS)	5.834 TFLOPS	8.873 TFLOPS+52%
Boost Clock	1266 MHz	1733 MHz+37%
ROPs	32	64+100%
TMUs	144	160+11%
L1 Cache	576 KB	960 KB+67%
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	Radeon RX 480	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 RX 480 comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 1060 has 6 GB. The Radeon RX 480 offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 256 GB/s (Radeon RX 480) vs 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060) — a 33.3% advantage for the Radeon RX 480. Bus width: 256-bit vs 192-bit.

Feature	Radeon RX 480	GeForce GTX 1060
VRAM Capacity	8 GB+33%	6 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	256 GB/s+33%	192 GB/s
Bus Width	256-bit+33%	192-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.0 (Radeon RX 480) vs 12 (GeForce GTX 1060). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	Radeon RX 480	GeForce GTX 1060
DirectX	12.0	12
Vulkan	1.3	1.3
OpenGL	4.6+2%	4.5
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: VCE 3.4 (Radeon RX 480) vs NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060). Decoder: UVD 6.3 vs NVDEC (Pascal). Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (Radeon RX 480) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060).

Feature	Radeon RX 480	GeForce GTX 1060
Encoder	VCE 3.4	NVENC (Pascal)
Decoder	UVD 6.3	NVDEC (Pascal)
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC	H.264,H.265/HEVC

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Radeon RX 480 draws 150W versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 180W — a 18.2% difference. The Radeon RX 480 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (Radeon RX 480) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 1060). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 6-pin. Card length: 240mm vs 173mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots.

Feature	Radeon RX 480	GeForce GTX 1060
TDP	150W-17%	180W
Recommended PSU	500W	400W-20%
Power Connector	8-pin	6-pin
Length	240mm	173mm
Height	95mm	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	85°C	—
Perf/Watt	57.0+2%	55.9

💰

Value Analysis

The Radeon RX 480 launched at $229 MSRP and currently averages $55, while the GeForce GTX 1060 launched at $249 and now averages $60. The Radeon RX 480 costs 8.3% less ($5 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 155.4 (Radeon RX 480) vs 167.7 (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 7.9% better value.