NVIDIA GTX 1060 3GB vs. AMD RX 480 4GB Benchmark | GamersNexus
Here is the previous content that may prove useful:
-
RX 480 8GB vs. 4GB
-
GTX 1060 6GB vs. 3GB
-
GTX 1060 Review
-
RX 480 Review
GTX 1060 3GB vs. GTX 1060 6GB Specs
| NVIDIA Pascal vs. Maxwell Specs Comparison | ||
| GTX 1060 3GB | GTX 1060 6GB | |
| GPU | GP106 Pascal | GP106 Pascal |
| Transistor Count | 4.4B | 4.4B |
| Fab Process | 16nm FinFET | 16nm FinFET |
| CUDA Cores | 1152 | 1280 |
| GPCs | 2 | 2 |
| SMs | 9 | 10 |
| TPCs | 9 | 10 |
| TMUs | 72 | 80 |
| ROPs | 48 | 48 |
| Core Clock | 1506MHz | 1506MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1708MHz | 1708MHz |
| FP32 TFLOPs | 3. |
3.85TFLOPs |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Capacity | 3GB | 6GB |
| Memory Clock | 8Gbps | 8Gbps |
| Memory Interface | 192-bit | 192-bit |
| Memory Bandwidth | 192GB/s | 192GB/s |
| TDP | 120W | 120W |
| Power Connectors | 1x 6-pin | 1x 6-pin |
| Release Date | August, 2016 | 7/19/2016 |
| Release Price | MSRP: $200 | Reference: $300 MSRP: $250 |
RX 480 4GB vs. RX 480 8GB Specs
| AMD RX 480 8GB | AMD RX 480 4GB | |
| Architecture | Polaris 10 | Polaris 10 |
| Compute Units (CUs) | 36 | 36 |
| Stream Processors | 2304 | 2304 |
| Base / Boost Clock | 1120MHz / 1266MHz | 1120MHz / 1266MHz |
| Graphics Command Processor (GCP) | 1 | 1 |
| ACEs | 4 | 4 |
| HWS | 2 | 2 |
| TMUs | 144 | 144 |
| Pixels Output / Clock | 32 | 32 |
| Geometry Processors | 4 | 4 |
| L2 Cache | 2MB | 2MB |
| LSU | 576x32b | 576x32b |
| VRAM Capacity | 8GB GDDR5 @ 8Gbps | 4GB GDDR5 @ 7Gbps |
| Memory Interface | 256-bit | 256-bit |
| Memory Speed | 8Gbps (8GB model) | 7Gbps (4GB model) |
| Memory Bandwidth | 256GB/s (8GB model) | 224GB/s (4GB model) |
| TDP | 150W | 150W |
| Power Connectors | 6-pin | 6-pin |
| Display Port | 1. 3 HBR / 1.4 HDR |
1.3 HBR / 1.4 HDR |
| Release Date | June 29 | June 29 |
(Note: As always, you cannot compare cross-brand architectures. Don’t compare core count or clock-rate between these devices, as they function differently.)
Test Setup
The focus for this content is entirely on a head-to-head between the cards, because we’ve previously stated that the 4GB 480 and 3GB 1060 units should only be bought for specific budget use cases, given flanking options. If you know you’re buying one of those two, we’re providing a cursory look at performance. If you’re yet undecided, check our above-linked reviews for a wider listing of GPU performance.
In this head-to-head comparison, we’re using reference clocked cards from each vendor, so there are no AIB partner pre-overclocks here. Note that, as always, you can obviously net higher performance with AIB partner models that are pre-overclocked.
Noise and temperatures will be lower, too – but we’re just looking at FPS today, and using stock clocks as a baseline. Extrapolate from here.
All of these tests were run fresh, as there have been a number of driver updates since our previous RX 480 4GB analysis. The card has changed enough in that time to mandate a refresh of tests.
Game Test Methodology
We tested using our GPU test bench, detailed in the table below. Our thanks to supporting hardware vendors for supplying some of the test components.
AMD 16.10.1 drivers were used for the RX 480. NVidia’s 373.06 drivers were used for game (FPS) testing on the GTX 1060. Game settings were manually controlled for the DUT. All games were run at presets defined in their respective charts. We disable brand-supported technologies in games, like The Witcher 3’s HairWorks and HBAO. All other game settings are defined in respective game benchmarks, which we publish separately from GPU reviews. Our test courses, in the event manual testing is executed, are also uploaded within that content.
This allows others to replicate our results by studying our bench courses. In NVIDIA’s control panel, we disable G-Sync for testing (and disable FreeSync for AMD). Note that these results were all done with the newest drivers, including the newest game patches, and may not be comparable to previous results. DOOM (as an example) has had several performance patches that impact framerate, alongside a few driver updates between vendors.
Windows 10-64 build 10586 was used for testing.
Each game was tested for 30 seconds in an identical scenario, then repeated three times for parity.
Average FPS, 1% low, and 0.1% low times are measured. We do not measure maximum or minimum FPS results as we consider these numbers to be pure outliers. Instead, we take an average of the lowest 1% of results (1% low) to show real-world, noticeable dips; we then take an average of the lowest 0.
1% of results for severe spikes.
| GN Test Bench 2015 | Name | Courtesy Of | Cost |
| Video Card | This is what we’re testing! | — | — |
| CPU | Intel i7-5930K CPU | iBUYPOWER | $580 |
| Memory | Corsair Dominator 32GB 3200MHz | Corsair | $210 |
| Motherboard | EVGA X99 Classified | GamersNexus | $365 |
| Power Supply | NZXT 1200W HALE90 V2 | NZXT | $300 |
| SSD | HyperX Savage SSD | Kingston Tech. | $130 |
| Case | Top Deck Tech Station | GamersNexus | $250 |
| CPU Cooler | NZXT Kraken X41 CLC | NZXT | $110 |
For Dx12 and Vulkan API testing, we use built-in benchmark tools and rely upon log generation for our metrics.
That data is reported at the engine level. Game settings are shown in chart titles. For specific settings, view our game-specific benchmark content.
Gears of War 4 Dx12 Benchmark – GTX 1060 3GB vs. RX 480 4GB
Gears of War 4 is a Windows Store title that operates on DirectX 12, which we recently tested in a separate benchmark for most current GPUs. We use PresentMon to test the game, built by Intel and Microsoft, and then leverage our own in-house scripts to analyze the frametime data. This produces the usual 1% and 0.1% low numbers that you’re used to from our content.
At 1080p with Ultra settings, the GTX 1060 3GB ($200) card operates at nearly 115FPS AVG, with 1% low performance at about 87FPS and 0.1% lows at about 76FPS. The RX 480 4GB ($200) unit performs at nearly 104FPS AVG – pretty close, but about 10% slower – and sustains lows with tighter timing than the head-to-head competition. That said, at this framerate throughput, the differences are largely inconsequential.
Gears of War 4 at 1440p/Ultra remains playable on each device, though framerate is dragged down to 75FPS AVG on the GTX 1060 3GB card and 68FPS on the RX 480 4GB. The low percentage performance is just shy of 60FPS on the GTX 1060 3GB, but the output is tight enough for each device that the perception of game fluidity is largely the same with each GPU. That said, the GTX 1060 is the victor in this particular benchmark, performing approximately 10% faster than the RX 480 4GB card.
DOOM Benchmark – Vulkan & OpenGL for RX 480 4GB vs. GTX 1060 3GB
Above is the OpenGL 1080p/Ultra benchmark chart – Vulkan is a bit below. The GTX 1060 3GB card is humming along at 112FPS AVG for DOOM, with a 76FPS 1% low and 66FPS 0.1% low. The RX 480 4GB, meanwhile, is hitting playable framerates, but sits far behind what the GTX 1060 is outputting. The 480 is operating at around 80FPS AVG, with 1% and 0.1% lows timed tightly around 60FPS (a good thing). The 1060 is a clear winner – but if we switch to Vulkan, things change a bit.
With Vulkan at 1080p, the RX 480 is now just 3FPS behind the GTX 1060, and both are performing effectively equally when looking at gameplay, frametime deltas, and framerates. This lands the RX 480 just a couple percent off of the 1060. If you’re running an RX 480 and DOOM, it’s time to switch to Vulkan.
1440p with OpenGL shows a similar disparity between the GTX 1060 3GB and RX 480 4GB as in the first test. Swapping to Vulkan changes our output to be 72FPS AVG, with each card producing exceptionally tightly timed low values.
Call of Duty: Black Ops III Benchmark – RX 480 4GB vs. GTX 1060 3GB
With Black Ops III at 1080p/High, we’re seeing the RX 480 4GB card lead the GTX 1060 3GB card by about 14FPS in the averages, though AMD does have less reliable frametime performance. The variance in frametimes occasionally manifests itself in stutters during gameplay, with a silver lining in the fact that not every single test pass exhibits a stutter. This is more of a driver-side issue than a VRAM issue, since the GTX 1060 3GB does not exhibit the same behavior at 1080p/High.
This is where you’ll have to make a judgment call, because the RX 480 does have better overall FPS than the GTX 1060 3GB card, but the occasional stutter will sometimes impact gameplay. They’re not too frequent – you’ll definitely see a few per match, though.
At 1440p, we’re seeing similarly variable performance with occasional stutters, but overall superior framerate throughput to the GTX 1060 3GB – the gap is approximately 11FPS AVG, or about 16.5% favoring the RX 480 4GB for the AVG FPS. Stutters are a pain, but can be somewhat compensated for with settings tuning.
GTA V Benchmark – RX 480 4GB vs. GTX 1060 3GB
Moving on to GTA V at 1080p, we’re seeing a performance throughput of 89.3FPS AVG on the GTX 1060 3GB card, versus 83.7FPS AVG on the RX 480 4GB. The low performance is greater than 60FPS for 1% values on the 1060, with 56FPS 0.1% performance. The RX 480 4GB, with its now-fixed GTA V driver update, is at 57.7FPS AVG for 1% lows and just below 50FPS for 0.
1% lows. Fairly comparable, overall.
1440p performance shrinks the gap a little bit, as we’re becoming bound by what these cards are capable of doing. The GTX 1060 3GB operates north of 60FPS for its average, with dips tightly timed and around the 50FPS mark. The RX 480 4GB card is also right around 60FPS for its average, though its low performance dips down to 36FPS 0.1% lows in some of the worst case scenarios. Still, not hugely different in visuals for the most part.
Mirror’s Edge Catalyst Benchmark — GTX 1060 3GB vs. RX 480 4GB
Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst is an interesting test case. We’ve seen some issues with lower VRAM capacities when testing Hyper settings, but our main test is with Ultra at 1080p. The GTX 1060 3GB leads marginally, with a 2FPS gap that is effectively invisible to the player. What’s not invisible, though, is the frametime variance. Frametimes are gapped enough on the RX 480 4GB card that we’re seeing less than 30FPS in the heaviest stutters. Remember, it’s that frame-to-frame delta that becomes observable as a stutter, and can create more jarring gameplay.
The same is true for Hyper, though you’re really not going to be playing with Hyper settings on either card – it’s far too VRAM-intensive and taxing on shaders.
Conclusion: GTX 1060 3GB or RX 480 4GB
The GTX 1060 3GB card does have more consistent frametimes when looking at some games – like Mirror’s Edge and Black Ops – but the card faces good competition from AMD. The RX 480 4GB card outperforms in averages with Black Ops III, though would require some settings tuning to eliminate that occasional hiccup. AMD is also showing significant scaling with low-level APIs that puts it in more direct competition with nVidia. The Gears of War 4 and Vulkan benchmarks prove this. Each device will allow 1080p gaming with Ultra settings, for the titles tested, and can scale to 1440p with slightly lower settings. NVidia tends to be more consistent in its driver performance for frametime consistency with the GTX 1060. The RX 480 isn’t a bad option – AMD’s significantly improved its drivers since our review, the company just has some more progress to make in some titles.
Ultimately, given the fairly close performance, this will come down to price and partners.
We were able to find both units available for $200 (see: EVGA GTX 1060 3GB SC, MSI RX 480 4GB). The RX 470 is also worth a consideration if you can find one for around $180. The GTX 1060 3GB, despite our issues with its naming and market positioning, is doing well for its price position. The RX 480 outperforms in averages in Black Ops III, yet falls short in frametime consistency. Both cards are generally within ~10% of each other, depending on game, with the 1060 generally leading. We hope that you can take this data and make purchasing decisions, as AIB partner models will ultimately dictate which card should be bought.
Editorial: Steve “Lelldorianx” Burke
Sr. Test Technician: Mike “Budekai?” Gaglione
Video: Andrew “ColossalCake” Coleman
Supporting Photography: Jim «Neutron» Vincent
AMD Radeon RX 480 vs Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060: What is the difference?
45points
AMD Radeon RX 480
54points
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
vs
54 facts in comparison
AMD Radeon RX 480
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
Why is AMD Radeon RX 480 better than Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060?
- 1.
31 TFLOPS higher floating-point performance?
5.16 TFLOPSvs3.85 TFLOPS - 33.33% more VRAM?
8GBvs6GB - 40.8 GTexels/s higher texture rate?
161.3 GTexels/svs120.5 GTexels/s - 63.8GB/s more memory bandwidth?
256GB/svs192.2GB/s - 64bit wider memory bus width?
256bitvs192bit - 1024 more shading units?
2304vs1280 - 1300million more transistors?
5700 millionvs4400 million - 64 more texture mapping units (TMUs)?
144vs80
Why is Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 better than AMD Radeon RX 480?
- 386MHz faster GPU clock speed?
1506MHzvs1120MHz - 36.5 GPixel/s higher pixel rate?
72.3 GPixel/svs35.8 GPixel/s - Supports ray tracing?
- 442MHz faster GPU turbo speed?
1708MHzvs1266MHz - 16 more render output units (ROPs)?
48vs32 - 1 more DVI outputs?
1vs0
Which are the most popular comparisons?
AMD Radeon RX 480
vs
AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
vs
AMD Radeon RX 580
AMD Radeon RX 480
vs
AMD Radeon RX 580
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
vs
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop
AMD Radeon RX 480
vs
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
vs
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Laptop
AMD Radeon RX 480
vs
MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GAMING X
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
vs
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650
AMD Radeon RX 480
vs
MSI GeForce GTX 1650 Gaming X
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
vs
Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060
AMD Radeon RX 480
vs
Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
vs
AMD Radeon RX 570
AMD Radeon RX 480
vs
AMD Radeon RX Vega 8
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
vs
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti Laptop
AMD Radeon RX 480
vs
Nvidia Geforce GTX 1660 Super
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
vs
Manli GeForce GTX 1650
AMD Radeon RX 480
vs
Gigabyte Radeon RX 550
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
vs
AMD Radeon RX 550
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
vs
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
Price comparison
User reviews
Overall Rating
AMD Radeon RX 480
0 User reviews
AMD Radeon RX 480
0.
0/10
0 User reviews
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
3 User reviews
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
7.3/10
3 User reviews
Features
Value for money
No reviews yet
7.3/10
3 votes
Gaming
No reviews yet
7.0/10
3 votes
Performance
No reviews yet
7.0/10
3 votes
Fan noise
No reviews yet
7.0/10
3 votes
Reliability
No reviews yet
7.0/10
3 votes
Performance
1.GPU clock speed
1120MHz
1506MHz
The graphics processing unit (GPU) has a higher clock speed.
2.GPU turbo
1266MHz
1708MHz
When the GPU is running below its limitations, it can boost to a higher clock speed in order to give increased performance.
3.pixel rate
35.
8 GPixel/s
72.3 GPixel/s
The number of pixels that can be rendered to the screen every second.
4.floating-point performance
5.16 TFLOPS
3.85 TFLOPS
Floating-point performance is a measurement of the raw processing power of the GPU.
5.texture rate
161.3 GTexels/s
120.5 GTexels/s
The number of textured pixels that can be rendered to the screen every second.
6.GPU memory speed
2000MHz
2002MHz
The memory clock speed is one aspect that determines the memory bandwidth.
7.shading units
Shading units (or stream processors) are small processors within the graphics card that are responsible for processing different aspects of the image.
8.texture mapping units (TMUs)
TMUs take textures and map them to the geometry of a 3D scene. More TMUs will typically mean that texture information is processed faster.
9.render output units (ROPs)
The ROPs are responsible for some of the final steps of the rendering process, writing the final pixel data to memory and carrying out other tasks such as anti-aliasing to improve the look of graphics.
Memory
1.effective memory speed
8000MHz
8008MHz
The effective memory clock speed is calculated from the size and data rate of the memory. Higher clock speeds can give increased performance in games and other apps.
2.maximum memory bandwidth
256GB/s
192.2GB/s
This is the maximum rate that data can be read from or stored into memory.
3.VRAM
VRAM (video RAM) is the dedicated memory of a graphics card. More VRAM generally allows you to run games at higher settings, especially for things like texture resolution.
4.memory bus width
256bit
192bit
A wider bus width means that it can carry more data per cycle.
It is an important factor of memory performance, and therefore the general performance of the graphics card.
5.version of GDDR memory
Newer versions of GDDR memory offer improvements such as higher transfer rates that give increased performance.
6.Supports ECC memory
✖AMD Radeon RX 480
✖Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
Error-correcting code memory can detect and correct data corruption. It is used when is it essential to avoid corruption, such as scientific computing or when running a server.
Features
1.DirectX version
DirectX is used in games, with newer versions supporting better graphics.
2.OpenGL version
OpenGL is used in games, with newer versions supporting better graphics.
3.OpenCL version
Some apps use OpenCL to apply the power of the graphics processing unit (GPU) for non-graphical computing.
Newer versions introduce more functionality and better performance.
4.Supports multi-display technology
✔AMD Radeon RX 480
✔Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
The graphics card supports multi-display technology. This allows you to configure multiple monitors in order to create a more immersive gaming experience, such as having a wider field of view.
5.load GPU temperature
Unknown. Help us by suggesting a value. (AMD Radeon RX 480)
A lower load temperature means that the card produces less heat and its cooling system performs better.
6.supports ray tracing
✖AMD Radeon RX 480
✔Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
Ray tracing is an advanced light rendering technique that provides more realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections in games.
7.Supports 3D
✔AMD Radeon RX 480
✔Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
Allows you to view in 3D (if you have a 3D display and glasses).
8.supports DLSS
✖AMD Radeon RX 480
✖Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) is an upscaling technology powered by AI. It allows the graphics card to render games at a lower resolution and upscale them to a higher resolution with near-native visual quality and increased performance. DLSS is only available on select games.
9.PassMark (G3D) result
Unknown. Help us by suggesting a value. (AMD Radeon RX 480)
This benchmark measures the graphics performance of a video card. Source: PassMark.
Ports
1.has an HDMI output
✔AMD Radeon RX 480
✔Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
Devices with a HDMI or mini HDMI port can transfer high definition video and audio to a display.
2.HDMI ports
More HDMI ports mean that you can simultaneously connect numerous devices, such as video game consoles and set-top boxes.
3.HDMI version
HDMI 2.0
HDMI 2.0
Newer versions of HDMI support higher bandwidth, which allows for higher resolutions and frame rates.
4.DisplayPort outputs
Allows you to connect to a display using DisplayPort.
5.DVI outputs
Allows you to connect to a display using DVI.
6.mini DisplayPort outputs
Allows you to connect to a display using mini-DisplayPort.
Price comparison
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Which are the best graphics cards?
AMD RX 480 vs. NVIDIA GTX 1060: Which GPU is right for you?
AMD RX 480 vs. NVIDIA GTX 1060
The NVIDIA GTX 1060 and the AMD RX 480 graphics cards (GPU) are both budget contenders that offer a lot of power for the price you pay. Upon release, the GTX 1060 was arguably a far better graphics card, however, a series of driver updates from AMD significantly narrowed the gap in performance to the point where you have to almost look at other factors to help you decide which card is best suited for you.
Let’s break things down to help you figure out which budget GPU should go into your PC.
- Are these GPUs right for you?
- Tech specs
- Benchmarks
- Price
- Should you buy the GTX 1060 or the RX 480?
Are these GPUs right for you?
NVIDIA GTX 1080 Ti
Before getting into the comparison between the AMD RX 480 and the GTX 1060, it’s good to know exactly what you’ll be using the GPU for. If you’re interested in 4K gaming and don’t want to have to lower the in-game settings to a point where the game is unplayable, you probably want to have a look at the powerful GTX 1080 or even newer GTX 1080 Ti.
See at Amazon
If playing most current games at 1080p with a decent framerate is more what you’re looking for, either the RX 480 or the GTX 1060 will get you through just fine and at a much lesser price. They will both also fulfill your VR dreams.
Tech specs
Both GPUs have two versions with different amounts of VRAM: the RX 480 is available in 4GB and 8GB configurations, while the GTX 1060 is available in a 3GB and 6GB configurations.
Performance isn’t based solely on the amount of VRAM a GPU has, so you have to take a deeper look at the specs.
| Category | AMD RX 480 (4GB/8GB) | NVIDIA GTX 1060 (3GB/6GB) |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM | 4GB/8GB GDDR5 | 3GB/6GB GDDR5 |
| Memory speed | 7Gbps/8Gbps | 8Gbps |
| Memory bandwidth | 224GB/s | 192GB/s |
| Base clock | 1,120MHz | 1,506MHz |
| Boost clock | 1,266MHz | 1,708MHz |
| Memory interface | 256-bit | 192-bit |
| TDP | 150W | 120W |
As you can see, these GPUs are quite closely matched. However, the GTX 1060 has a higher clock speed and sucks up a bit less power than the RX 480. On the other hand, the RX 480 is the winner when it comes to memory bandwidth. It takes more than just hard specs to determine a winner, so you also have to look at benchmarks from real-world scenarios.
Benchmarks
Extensive benchmark testing performed by Hardware Canucks reveals that the performance of the RX 480 (8GB) and the GTX 1060 (6GB) are very close.
To be more specific, when playing Battlefield 1 at 1080p with Ultra settings using DirectX 11, the RX 480 (8GB) averaged about 86 frames per second (FPS) while the GTX 1060 (6GB) averaged about 90 FPS. Under the same settings but using DX12, the RX 480 (8GB) averaged about the same 86 FPS while the GTX 1060 (6GB) dipped down to an average of about 82 FPS.
In another test, this time playing Fallout 4 at 1080p with Ultra settings using DX11, the GTX 1060 (6GB) and the RX 480 (8GB) averaged about 66 FPS. When playing Fallout 4 at 1440p, the GTX 1060 (6GB) averaged about 42 FPS and the RX 480 (8GB) averaged about 43 FPS. It is evident that both of these GPUs are great options for anyone looking for 1080p gaming and even some decent 1440p gaming.
As for the lower-VRAM counterparts, the difference in performance from their higher-VRAM siblings is relatively narrow in most circumstances, and many people may not notice any major differences — at least not until you find a game that actually requires more VRAM than your GPU has, in which case you’ll be kicking yourself for not going with the higher-VRAM option.
Price
GTX 1060
There are plenty of buying options when it comes to these GPUs, and the price differs a bit depending on the manufacturer and the extras they throw in. On average, you can expect to pay about $185 for a 4GB RX 480 and about $230 for an 8GB RX 480.
If you decide to go with the GTX 1060, you’re looking at about $200 for the 3GB version, and about $250 for the 6GB version.
AMD edges out NVIDIA when it comes to prices, but just barely. The performance on paper is quite close, so if you find one or the other on sale, you might be tempted to grab it. There are, however, some other factors to take into account before making your final decision.
Should you buy the GTX 1060 or the RX 480?
AMD Radeon (Image credit: Windows Central)
Although a higher amount of VRAM in a GPU doesn’t necessarily dictate better performance, it definitely bodes well for the future. As games become more detailed and feature bigger worlds to discover, the VRAM requirement will rise.
If you plan on buying a GPU that will remain viable for games released during the next few years, the RX 480 (8GB) is a fine choice.
Adding to the longevity factor is the excellent Vulkan and DX12 support from AMD. As these APIs become more commonplace, you want a GPU that can perform well, and the RX 480, thanks to plenty of driver updates from AMD, has become a proven contender. That’s not to say the GTX 1060 is a slouch, but you can expect to pay less for more FPS with the RX 480 when it comes to DX12.
Gamers who like to string together GPUs — known as SLI for NVIDIA cards and CrossFire for AMD cards — are probably disappointed that the GTX 1060 does not have this capability. If you want to go with a multi-GPU setup, your only choice is the RX 480, which has CrossFire support.
To reiterate, both of these GPUs offer an impressive amount of power for the price you pay. You can expect high-end 1080p gaming, and all cards can run VR. If you happen to find a great deal on either GPU, pull the trigger; you’ll be happy you did. For more options, have a look at our collection of the absolute best graphics card picks.
- AMD RX 480 (8GB) | See at Amazon
- AMD RX 480 (4GB) | See at Amazon
- NVIDIA GTX 1060 (6GB) | See at Amazon
- NVIDIA GTX 1060 (3GB) | See at Amazon
More GPU resources
If neither of the cards compared here suit your needs, be sure to have a look at our ultimate GPU buyer’s guide. We also have an in-depth look at GPUs for anyone who needs a bit more information before making a final decision.
- Everything you need to know about the GPU
- Ultimate GPU buyer’s guide
Cale Hunt is a Senior Editor at Windows Central. He focuses mainly on laptop reviews, news, and accessory coverage. He’s been reviewing laptops and accessories full time since 2016, with hundreds of reviews published for Windows Central. He is an avid PC gamer and multi-platform user, and spends most of his time either tinkering with or writing about tech.
| Asus |
RX 6750 XT 12 GB
STRIX OC |
2022-02-18 02:57:00 | 020. 002.000.019.000000 |
PCI-E | 500 / 2250 | GDDR6 |
Download | Details |
| EVGA |
RTX 3090 Ti 24 GB
Kingpin |
2022-03-29 00:00:00 | 94.02.A0.00.B5 | PCI-E | 1560 / 1313 / 1950 | GDDR6X |
Download | Details |
| Gigabyte |
RTX 3090 24 GB
GAMING OC |
2021-03-15 00:00:00 | 94.02.42.40.B6 | PCI-E | 1395 / 1219 / 1725 | GDDR6X |
Download | Details |
| Gainward |
RTX 1630 4 GB
Ghost |
2022-05-16 00:00:00 | 90.17.9A.00.2B | PCI-E | 1740 / 1500 / 1785 | GDDR6 |
Download | Details |
| Asus |
RTX 3080 12 GB
TUF Gaming OC |
2021-11-16 00:00:00 | 94. 02.85.00.AF |
PCI-E | 1260 / 1188 / 1785 | GDDR6X |
Download | Details |
| Powercolor |
RX 6950 XT 16 GB
Liquid Devil |
2022-03-15 00:10:00 | 020.001.000.071.000000 | PCI-E | 500 / 914 | GDDR6 |
Download | Details |
| Sapphire |
RX 6650 XT 8 GB
Pulse |
2022-02-25 21:52:00 | 020.003.000.030.000000 | PCI-E | 500 / 194 | GDDR6 |
Download | Details |
| MSI |
RTX 3090 Ti 24 GB
Gaming X Trio |
2022-03-02 00:00:00 | 94.02.A0.00.12 | PCI-E | 1560 / 1313 / 1920 | GDDR6X |
Download | Details |
| XFX |
RX 6750 XT 12 GB
Merc 319 |
2022-02-21 00:43:00 | 020. 002.000.019.000000 |
PCI-E | 500 / 2250 | GDDR6 |
Download | Details |
| Sapphire |
RX 6650 XT 8 GB
Pulse |
2022-03-08 22:03:00 | 020.003.000.030.000000 | PCI-E | 500 / 194 | GDDR6 |
Download | Details |
| Palit |
RTX 3060 Ti 8 GB
Dual |
2022-01-13 00:00:00 | 94.03.1B.00.45 | PCI-E | 1410 / 1750 / 1665 | GDDR6 |
Download | Details |
| Gigabyte |
RX 6650 XT 8 GB
Eagle |
2022-03-03 21:40:00 | 020.003.000.030.000000 | PCI-E | 500 / 194 | GDDR6 |
Download | Details |
| Powercolor |
RX 6950 XT 16 GB
Liquid Devil |
2022-03-15 00:09:00 | 020. 001.000.071.000000 |
PCI-E | 500 / 914 | GDDR6 |
Download | Details |
| Sapphire |
RX 6650 XT 8 GB
Pulse |
2022-02-25 21:52:00 | 020.003.000.030.000000 | PCI-E | 500 / 194 | GDDR6 |
Download | Details |
| MSI |
RX 6650 XT 8 GB
Gaming X |
2022-03-09 00:32:00 | 020.003.000.030.000000 | PCI-E | 500 / 194 | GDDR6 |
Download | Details |
| Powercolor |
RX 6950 XT 16 GB
Red Devil |
2022-03-02 21:28:00 | 020.001.000.071.000000 | PCI-E | 500 / 914 | GDDR6 |
Download | Details |
| Sapphire |
RX 6950 XT 16 GB
Nitro+ |
2022-03-14 05:45:00 | 020. 001.000.071.000000 |
PCI-E | 500 / 914 | GDDR6 |
Download | Details |
| Powercolor |
RX 6650 XT 8 GB
Red Devil |
2022-03-03 22:57:00 | 020.003.000.030.000000 | PCI-E | 500 / 194 | GDDR6 |
Download | Details |
| Sapphire |
RX 6950 XT 16 GB
Toxic LE |
2022-03-14 03:37:00 | 020.001.000.071.000000 | PCI-E | 500 / 914 | GDDR6 |
Download | Details |
| ASRock |
RX 6750 XT 12 GB
Challenger Pro |
2022-02-28 22:51:00 | 020.002.000.019.800357 | PCI-E | 500 / 2250 | GDDR6 |
Download | Details |
| AMD |
RX 6950 XT 16 GB
Reference Design |
2022-03-10 18:36:00 | 020. 001.000.071.018202 |
PCI-E | 500 / 914 | GDDR6 |
Download | Details |
| ASRock |
RX 6750 XT 12 GB
Phantom Gaming D |
2022-02-28 22:34:00 | 020.002.000.019.800356 | PCI-E | 500 / 2250 | GDDR6 |
Download | Details |
| AMD |
RX 6750 XT 12 GB
Reference |
2022-01-25 10:21:00 | 020.002.000.019.018099 | PCI-E | 500 / 2250 | GDDR6 |
Download | Details |
| Powercolor |
RX 6950 XT 16 GB
Red Devil |
2022-03-02 21:16:00 | 020.001.000.071.000000 | PCI-E | 500 / 914 | GDDR6 |
Download | Details |
| Powercolor | RX 6750 XT 12 GB | 2022-03-02 20:38:00 | 020. 002.000.019.000000 |
PCI-E | 500 / 2250 | GDDR6 |
Download | Details |
| Asrock |
RX 6950 XT 16 GB
OC Formula |
2022-03-14 23:13:00 | 020.001.000.071.800377 | PCI-E | 500 / 914 | GDDR6 |
Download | Details |
| Sapphire |
RX 6950 XT 16 GB
Toxic LE |
2022-03-14 03:30:00 | 020.001.000.071.000000 | PCI-E | 500 / 914 | GDDR6 |
Download | Details |
| Powercolor |
RX 6950 XT 16 GB
Red Devil |
2022-03-15 00:00:00 | 020.001.000.071.000000 | PCI-E | 500 / 914 | GDDR6 |
Download | Details |
| EVGA |
RTX 3090 Ti 24 GB
FTW3 Ultra |
2022-04-26 00:00:00 | 94. 02.A0.00.ED |
PCI-E | 1560 / 1313 / 1920 | GDDR6X |
Download | Details |
| MSI |
RX 6950 XT 16 GB
Gaming X Trio |
2022-03-14 22:38:00 | 020.001.000.071.000000 | PCI-E | 500 / 914 | GDDR6 |
Download | Details |
| MSI |
RX 6750 XT 12 GB
Mech 2X OC |
2022-03-18 01:16:00 | 020.002.000.019.000000 | PCI-E | 500 / 2250 | GDDR6 |
Download | Details |
| NVIDIA |
RTX 3090 24 GB
Founders Edition |
2021-01-05 00:00:00 | 94.02.4B.00.0B | PCI-E | 1395 / 1219 / 1695 | GDDR6X |
Download | Details |
| MSI |
RX 6750 XT 12 GB
Gaming X Trio |
2022-03-04 04:09:00 | 020. 002.000.019.000000 |
PCI-E | 500 / 2250 | GDDR6 |
Download | Details |
| Sapphire |
RX 6950 XT 16 GB
Pure |
2022-03-31 03:06:00 | 020.001.000.071.000000 | PCI-E | 500 / 914 | GDDR6 |
Download | Details |
| Sapphire |
RX 6950 XT 16 GB
Pure |
2022-03-31 03:01:00 | 020.001.000.071.000000 | PCI-E | 500 / 914 | GDDR6 |
Download | Details |
| MSI |
RX 6950 XT 16 GB
Gaming X Trio |
2022-03-14 22:38:00 | 020.001.000.071.000000 | PCI-E | 500 / 914 | GDDR6 |
Download | Details |
| Gigabyte |
RX 6950 XT 16 GB
Gaming OC |
2022-03-25 06:47:00 | 020. 001.000.071.000000 |
PCI-E | 500 / 914 | GDDR6 |
Download | Details |
| Gigabyte |
RX 6950 XT 16 GB
Gaming OC |
2022-03-25 06:01:00 | 020.001.000.071.000000 | PCI-E | 500 / 914 | GDDR6 |
Download | Details |
| MSI |
RX 6400 4 GB
Aero ITX |
2022-01-25 04:08:00 | 020.004.000.028.000000 | PCI-E | 500 / 2000 | GDDR6 |
Download | Details |
| EVGA |
RTX 3090 Ti 24 GB
FTW3 Ultra |
2022-04-18 00:00:00 | 94.02.A0.00.5E | PCI-E | 1560 / 1313 / 1920 | GDDR6X |
Download | Details |
| GALAX |
RTX 3090 Ti 24 GB
EX Gamer |
2022-03-06 00:00:00 | 94. 02.A0.00.53 |
PCI-E | 1560 / 1313 / 1890 | GDDR6X |
Download | Details |
| Asus |
RTX 3090 Ti 24 GB
TUF |
2022-03-03 00:00:00 | 94.02.A0.00.36 | PCI-E | 1560 / 1313 / 1920 | GDDR6X |
Download | Details |
| EVGA |
RTX 3090 Ti 24 GB
FTW3 Black |
2022-03-08 00:00:00 | 94.02.A0.00.72 | PCI-E | 1560 / 1313 / 1860 | GDDR6X |
Download | Details |
| EVGA |
RTX 3090 Ti 24 GB
FTW3 Black |
2022-03-08 00:00:00 | 94.02.A0.00.70 | PCI-E | 1560 / 1313 / 1860 | GDDR6X |
Download | Details |
| EVGA |
RTX 3090 Ti 24 GB
FTW3 Black |
2022-03-08 00:00:00 | 94. 02.A0.00.71 |
PCI-E | 1560 / 1313 / 1860 | GDDR6X |
Download | Details |
| Gigabyte |
RTX 3090 Ti 24 GB
WaterForce |
2022-03-06 00:00:00 | 94.02.A0.00.40 | PCI-E | 1560 / 1313 / 1935 | GDDR6X |
Download | Details |
| Colorful |
RTX 3090 Ti 24 GB
Vulcan OC |
2022-03-01 00:00:00 | 94.02.A0.00.0A | PCI-E | 1560 / 1313 / 1920 | GDDR6X |
Download | Details |
| EVGA |
RTX 3090 Ti 24 GB
FTW3 |
2022-03-07 00:00:00 | 94.02.A0.00.65 | PCI-E | 1560 / 1313 / 1890 | GDDR6X |
Download | Details |
| EVGA |
RTX 3090 Ti 24 GB
FTW3 |
2022-03-07 00:00:00 | 94. 02.A0.00.63 |
PCI-E | 1560 / 1313 / 1890 | GDDR6X |
Download | Details |
| MSI |
RTX 3090 Ti 24 GB
Gaming X Trio |
2022-03-02 00:00:00 | 94.02.A0.00.11 | PCI-E | 1560 / 1313 / 1920 | GDDR6X |
Download | Details |
GPU Mining Is Dead, Where Are My Cheap GPUs?
Let’s talk GPU prices and this month’s update is very interesting because of two key factors: the first, Nvidia just launched new GeForce 40 series graphics cards; and second, GPU mining is now dead. We’re expecting price movement to continue throughout the fourth quarter and it all starts with these two developments which have major implications for the GPU market.
But have these factors had any impact in the market yet? Let’s find out.
Nvidia’s new GPUs and graphics cards (check this out for a full breakdown) are going to be expensive.
The GeForce RTX 4090 will be $1,600 coming on October 12, followed by the RTX 4080 16GB at $1,200 and RTX 4080 12GB at $900, both expected in November. These are premium priced products that in the current market would be two of the three most expensive GPUs you can buy.
In our RTX 40 launch analysis we talked about how these new cards appear to give an improvement in price to performance ratio when compared to the RTX 30 series MSRPs. For example, the RTX 4090 should be substantially faster than the RTX 3090 while only costing $100 more.
However, when we look at the current market, where the RTX 3090 is selling for below $1,000 – I don’t think the MSRP for a two-year-old product is all that relevant right now. It’s also true some of the price drops have come in anticipation of newer generation GPUs.
«Moore’s Law is dead. (…) A 12-inch wafer is a lot more expensive today. The idea that the chip is going to go down in price is a story of the past» Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang in a recent RTX 40 series launch Q&A
What Nvidia appears to have done is pricing the RTX 40 series at roughly the same price-to—performance level as current products.
Right now we have the RTX 3090 Ti at around $1,000, RTX 3090 slightly below that, RTX 3080 Ti around $800, and the RTX 3080 series around the $750 mark.
Based on the performance numbers Nvidia showed, the RTX 40 series should slot right into that current pricing structure, though of course we’ll have to wait for independent reviews to figure out exactly where they land.
This presents a unique situation for current-gen graphics cards. If the RTX 40 series isn’t providing a substantial increase in price to performance ratio, there is less incentive for older GPU prices to fall.
Is this a deliberate strategy from Nvidia to limit losses from the high volume of RTX 30 series inventory left to be sold? By keeping the RTX 30 series somewhat attractive to buyers that could be the case, though at the cost of weakening the hype and demand for the new series. It’s a fine line to tread and we’ll only find out if they’re successful in the weeks after launch.
Nvidia GPU Pricing
The question moving forward will be how much impact the announcement of RTX 40 series GPUs will have on graphics card pricing.
Based on current data (using Newegg list pricing as usual), the launch has caused flagship GPU pricing to drop in the days leading up to the announcement.
Last month the RTX 3090 and 3090 Ti were selling for over $1,200, but now those cards are down to ~$1,000, falling in price by over 20 percent. When we look at the price trend for Nvidia GPUs since March 2022, that’s one of the largest drops we’ve seen so far.
| MSRP | Lowest Price July | Lowest Price August | Lowest Price September | Current Price Inflation | Price Increase Aug to Sept | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GeForce RTX 3090 Ti | $2,000 | $1,470 | $1,350 | $1,030 | -49% | -24% |
| GeForce RTX 3090 | $1,500 | $1,270 | $1,220 | $960 | -36% | -21% |
| GeForce RTX 3080 Ti | $1,200 | $930 | $870 | $800 | -33% | -8% |
| GeForce RTX 3080 12GB | n/a | $740 | $750 | $750 | n/a | 0% |
| GeForce RTX 3080 10GB | $700 | $820 | $730 | $740 | 6% | 1% |
| GeForce RTX 3070 Ti | $600 | $670 | $620 | $610 | 2% | -2% |
| GeForce RTX 3070 | $500 | $530 | $520 | $500 | 0% | -4% |
| GeForce RTX 3060 Ti | $400 | $470 | $450 | $420 | 5% | -7% |
| GeForce RTX 3060 | $330 | $410 | $380 | $370 | 12% | -3% |
| GeForce RTX 3050 | $250 | $330 | $310 | $275 | 10% | -11% |
| Average | -9% | -8% |
The RTX 3080 Ti has fallen by 8 percent as well, the RTX 3080 series is flat, and the only other notable price declines were for the RTX 3060 Ti and RTX 3050, though both still sit above their supposed MSRP.
There hasn’t been much movement elsewhere across the rest of Nvidia’s line-up. In fact, for cards priced below $800 — noting Nvidia didn’t announce any Ada Lovelace products at or below that price — the changes have been minor.
If we look at the longer term pricing trend for cards below $1,000, it’s been relatively flat or slightly declining in the last three months for cards in the RTX 3070 tier and below. This likely responds to the prospects that Nvidia wouldn’t be releasing new mainstream level GPUs — if there are no new products to reset price expectations, prices will probably remain flat.
Even though there’s still a lot of inventory left to be sold, we think the announcement of the RTX 40 series is unlikely to cause a huge price crash in the new GPU market beyond what has already occurred, particularly in the mid-range and lower. Prices may keep falling slowly, but things don’t seem set for a significant shake-up, at least not until AMD announces RDNA 3 products on November 3.
AMD GPU Pricing
Speaking of AMD, has the RTX 40 series launch impacted pricing for Radeon RX 6000 GPUs? Not really, at least not beyond a steady declining trend for AMD GPU pricing.
Part of this is explained because AMD doesn’t have any GPUs priced above $1,000, and no cards worth considering are priced above $700. This means that the majority of AMD’s line-up avoids the «impact zone» of the RTX 40 series, so we haven’t seen any drastic price cuts in response.
| MSRP | Lowest Price July | Lowest Price August | Lowest Price September | Current Price Inflation | Price Increase Aug to Sept | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radeon 6950 XT | $1,100 | $1,020 | $1,000 | $950 | -14% | -5% |
| Radeon 6900 XT | $1,000 | $850 | $700 | $700 | -30% | 0% |
| Radeon 6800 XT | $650 | $690 | $640 | $560 | -14% | -13% |
| Radeon 6800 | $580 | $600 | $600 | $535 | -8% | -11% |
| Radeon 6750 XT | $550 | $515 | $470 | $410 | -25% | -13% |
| Radeon 6700 XT | $480 | $430 | $395 | $360 | -25% | -9% |
| Radeon 6650 XT | $400 | $350 | $340 | $280 | -30% | -18% |
| Radeon 6600 XT | $380 | $320 | $300 | $330 | -13% | 10% |
| Radeon 6600 | $330 | $260 | $250 | $230 | -30% | -8% |
| Radeon 6500 XT | $200 | $175 | $170 | $170 | -15% | 0% |
| Radeon 6400 | $160 | $135 | $135 | $135 | -16% | 0% |
| Average | -20% | -7% |
What is impressive with AMD GPUs is that pretty much the whole line-up continues to fall at a good pace, relative to the more minor drops on the Nvidia side.
Radeon graphics cards like the RX 6700 XT, RX 6650 XT and RX 6600 all fell in price by 10 percent or more month over month, plus we saw over 10 percent drops for the 6800 series while the RTX 3080 sat flat. A price increase for the Radeon 6600 did hurt AMD’s average performance – though in practice the 6650 XT is taking its place for now.
When looking at overall price trend for Radeon GPUs, the largest drops occurred before May. However when we look at the sub $600 market more closely, where most of AMD’s cards sit, we can see a steady decline for some models that continues to this day.
For example, the Radeon RX 6700 XT has dropped from $600 in March to just $360 today, a 40% price reduction. In contrast, Nvidia’s RTX 3060 Ti which was $630 in March, is $420 today, a 33% reduction. We also see the RX 6600 dropping from $400 in March to $230 today (a 43% drop) compared to the GeForce RTX 3050 going from $390 to $275 today (a 30% drop).
GeForce vs Radeon Price Points
Should you buy a new GPU right now? Certainly not at the high end, which has been our recommendation for some time.
Prices have not come down far enough to make those products attractive, even though Nvidia just revealed pretty expensive new GPUs. We’re also a month away from AMD’s RDNA3 reveal, so buying something right now without the full picture of next generation cards isn’t a wise idea. Now is absolutely the time to wait…
| Nvidia GPU | Price | AMD GPU |
|---|---|---|
| GeForce RTX 3090 Ti | $1,000 | |
| GeForce RTX 3090 | $950 | Radeon RX 6950 XT |
| $900 | ||
| $850 | ||
| GeForce RTX 3080 Ti | $800 | |
| GeForce RTX 3080 | $750 | |
| $700 | Radeon RX 6900 XT | |
| GeForce RTX 3070 Ti | $600 | |
| $550 | Radeon RX 6800 XT / RX 6800 | |
| GeForce RTX 3070 | $500 | |
| $450 | ||
| GeForce RTX 3060 Ti | $400 | Radeon RX 6750 XT |
| GeForce RTX 3060 | $350 | Radeon RX 6700 XT |
| GeForce RTX 3050 | $300 | Radeon RX 6650 XT / RX 6600 XT |
| $250 | Radeon RX 6600 | |
| $200 | Radeon RX 6500 XT | |
| GeForce GTX 1630 | $150 | Radeon RX 6400 |
We also recommend waiting if you’re interested in a lower-tier card despite prices falling for some of AMD’s products.
We’re not expecting significant price drops over the next month or two in response to new GPU announcements as those will almost certainly be for more expensive models, but we also don’t see a risk of prices going up in the mainstream market. With that and the full announcements made ahead of the holidays we can hope with fingers crossed that there’s a larger price correction across the entire graphics market.
Another major shake-up that we’re all waiting for is the influx of used GPUs to flood the market. This has been talked about for months as the big factor set to crater GPU pricing, and it all centers around the transition of Ethereum from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake. That transition (a.k.a. The Merge) occurred a week ago and has entirely killed mining for that cryptocurrency. The flow on effect has been the total destruction of mining profitability on consumer GPUs across the entire cryptocurrency space.
There was always a risk that after The Merge, another cryptocurrency could take the place of Ethereum as the go-to choice for miners and filled that void.
However, based on data from Whattomine, that hasn’t happened. They track a huge amount of coins and current data based on average electricity pricing for the US suggests that it’s currently unprofitable to mine on every single available GPU.
… based on average electricity pricing for the US, data suggests that it’s currently unprofitable to mine on every single available GPU (right now)
And by unprofitable we mean people mining these coins are losing a few cents every 24 hours and will continue to lose money doing so. Time to throw a party because mining is officially dead.
With those wonderful news, all those GPUs currently dedicated to crypto mining are now useless and the presumption is those used cards will flood the market at some point. We’re talking a about a massive amount of GPUs here, based on the total amount of power that was occupied for mining. But a week post-Merge, has this flood of GPUs begun, or even a hint of it?
Looking at some data we captured comparing used prices on eBay for current generation GPUs before and after the Merge, it doesn’t appear as though we’re seeing a huge price impact just yet.
While the price of some models did fall by over 10 percent, the market average decline month on month was 8 percent, similar to the 7 percent in the new market, which itself is pretty similar to the price drops across the last few months.
The full weight of used mining cards is not having an impact yet, and sales volume doesn’t appear to have jumped substantially either. This could make sense as it’s only been a week and it might take a while for a good volume of mining cards to be decommissioned and sold, or so we hope.
Used GPU Pricing
How much money are you saving going for a used GPU over a new GPU? Right now we’re looking at an ~8 percent discount on the low end, to a 31 percent discount on the high-end. On average, used GPUs bought through eBay are 17 percent cheaper than buying them new at Newegg — or when flipping that around — it will cost you 21% more to get a new model.
We’re interested to hear your thoughts on whether that’s enough of a discount to go used.
Personally, it doesn’t feel like enough to me, even less so if we’ll likely see that sort of price drop in the new market within 2 to 3 months.
| MSRP | eBay Average Price July | eBay Average Price August | eBay Average Price September | Current Price Inflation | Price Increase Aug to Sept | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GeForce RTX 2080 Ti | $1,000 | $510 | $503 | $479 | -52% | -5% |
| GeForce RTX 2080 Super | $700 | $386 | $357 | $328 | -53% | -8% |
| GeForce RTX 2080 | $700 | $332 | $339 | $294 | -58% | -13% |
| GeForce RTX 2070 Super | $500 | $325 | $300 | $281 | -44% | -6% |
| GeForce RTX 2070 | $500 | $292 | $261 | $256 | -49% | -2% |
| GeForce RTX 2060 Super | $400 | $275 | $253 | $230 | -42% | -9% |
| GeForce RTX 2060 | $350 | $228 | $214 | $191 | -45% | -10% |
| Average | -49% | -8% |
When we look at older used GPUs like the GeForce 20 series, it’s a pretty similar story with a consistent price reduction month over month.
If we take a look at the data we’ve been capturing for the past year, it’s an interesting story with pricing peaking in the fourth quarter of 2021 before dropping drastically after that point. Most GPUs have more than halved in price in that period, although we’ve yet to see a huge drop from a flood of used products.
| MSRP | eBay Average Price July | eBay Average Price August | eBay Average Price September | Current Price Inflation | Price Increase Aug to Sept | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GeForce GTX 1660 Ti | $280 | $173 | $175 | $156 | -44% | -11% |
| GeForce GTX 1660 Super | $230 | $171 | $174 | $137 | -40% | -21% |
| GeForce GTX 1660 | $220 | $157 | $151 | $128 | -42% | -15% |
| GeForce GTX 1650 Super | $160 | $145 | $143 | $119 | -25% | -17% |
| GeForce GTX 1650 | $150 | $145 | $136 | $118 | -21% | -13% |
| Average | -35% | -16% |
The GeForce 16 series saw more substantial price drops this month, 16% on average, although this is likely a correction to no price drop last month.
A lot of these products are genuinely cheap at the moment and while they don’t support modern features like DLSS, we’d say that anything here is a better option that what you’ll find for less than $160 on the new market.
| MSRP | eBay Average Price July | eBay Average Price August | eBay Average Price September | Current Price Inflation | Price Increase Aug to Sept | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GeForce GTX 1080 Ti | $700 | $295 | $285 | $258 | -63% | -10% |
| GeForce GTX 1080 | $600 | $205 | $184 | $169 | -72% | -8% |
| GeForce GTX 1070 Ti | $450 | $192 | $183 | $164 | -64% | -10% |
| GeForce GTX 1070 | $380 | $154 | $160 | $135 | -65% | -16% |
| GeForce GTX 1060 6GB | $250 | $131 | $116 | $120 | -52% | 3% |
| GeForce GTX 1060 3GB | $200 | $113 | $95 | $91 | -54% | -4% |
| Average | -62% | -7% |
Pascal-era cards are also ~7 cheaper month on month, which is consistent with current pricing trends.
This data is most useful for people looking to sell their card at the moment, as we wouldn’t recommend anyone buy a card this old in 2022.
| MSRP | eBay Average Price July | eBay Average Price August | eBay Average Price September | Current Price Inflation | Price Increase Aug to Sept | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radeon 5700 XT | $400 | $284 | $269 | $193 | -52% | -28% |
| Radeon 5700 | $350 | $245 | $264 | $186 | -47% | -30% |
| Radeon 5600 XT | $280 | $187 | $193 | $168 | -40% | -13% |
| Radeon 5500 XT 8GB | $200 | $168 | $173 | $141 | -30% | -19% |
| Average | -42% | -22% |
There is some evidence of the death of mining impacting used AMD GPUs from the Radeon RX 5000 series.
The RX 5700 XT and RX 5700 are massively discounted this month, a 30 percent price drop, with these cards being almost exclusively used by miners due to their excellent performance-value.
Looking at the price trend over the last year, after a few months of more modest declines, we’re back to a sharper decline for the 5700 series. It’s wild to think that last November the 5700 XT was going for $1,000 used and now it can be found for less than $200.
Other mixed results for older AMD products include a large price drop for the Radeon RX 580 8GB, which was also a favorite among miners. Hopefully some of these large price drops for specific models will open up to bigger decreases across the whole range in the next month or two.
Wrap Up
Certainly it’s still too soon for significant price movement to happen based on the launch of Nvidia’s next-gen GPUs and the death of crypto mining, but prices continue to fall at a steady pace across new and used GPUs. There does appear to be a situation of supply outstripping demand, too, at least the next little while.
There are some hints that a flood of used GPUs is beginning to head towards various marketplaces, like we saw for some of those older AMD GPUs, so this may be a sign of what’s to come. The full volume of mining cards don’t appear to be on the market yet, after a week after Ethereum’s Merge, but it will have to happen at some point.
Of course, some graphics cards dedicated to mining have already been sold in months prior, in anticipation of mining ceasing to be profitable, though there’s still a huge backlog to work through.
It should be very interesting to revisit this in a month and see how things have progressed further, and then again in mid to late November after the announcement of AMD’s RDNA3 GPUs. There are still many things to play out in the remaining months of 2022 and all of them suggest improvements for buyers. So hold out if you can and see what’s in store.
Shopping Shortcuts:
- AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT on Amazon
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 on Amazon
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti on Amazon
- AMD Radeon RX 6800 on Amazon
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 on Amazon
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D on Amazon
0022 8GB vs 6GB
8 GTexels/s higher number of textured pixels? more memory bandwidth? 256GB/s vs 192.2GB/s
256bit vs 192bit
2304 vs 1280
5700 million vs 4400 million
144 vs 80
Why is Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 better than AMD Radeon RX 480?
- GPU frequency 386MHz higher?
1506MHz vs 1120MHz - 36.5 GPixel/s higher pixel rate?
72.3 GPixel/s vs 35.8 GPixel/s - Supports ray tracing?
- 442MHz faster GPU turbo speed?
1708MHz vs 1266MHz - 16 more ROPs?
48 vs 32 - 1 more DVI outputs?
1 vs 0
Which comparisons are the most popular? AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
vs
AMD Radeon RX 580
AMD Radeon RX 480
vs
AMD Radeon RX 580
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
vs
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop
AMD Radeon RX 480
vs
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
vs
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Laptop
AMD Radeon RX 480
vs
0003
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650
AMD Radeon RX 480
vs
MSI GeForce GTX 1650 Gaming X
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
vs
Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060
AMD Radeon RX 480
vs
Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
vs
AMD Radeon RX 570
AMD Radeon RX 480
vs
AMD Radeon RX Vega 8
003
vs
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti Laptop
AMD Radeon RX 480
vs
Nvidia Geforce GTX 1660 Super
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
vs
Manli GeForce GTX 1650
AMD Radeon RX 480
vs
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1060
vs
AMD Radeon RX 550
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
vs
vs
0003
Comparison prices
Users reviews
General rating
AMD Radeon RX 480
0 Reviews of Users
AMD Radeon RX 480
0.
000 9000 GEFOR 9000 NVIDIA GEFOR NVIDIA NVIDIA NVIDI User reviews
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
7.3 /10
3 User reviews
Features
Value for money
reviews yet there is no
7.3 /10
3 Votes
reviews yet there are no
7.0 /10
3 votes
9000
7.0 /10
3 VOTES
Fan noise
Reviews are not
7.0 /10
3 VOTES
Reliability
003
reviews yet there is no
7.0 /10
3 Votes
performance
1. TCC frequency GP
1120MHz
1506MHz
Graphic processor (GPU) has a higher applicant frequency.
2.turbo GPU
1266MHz
1708MHz
When the GPU is running below its limits, it can jump to a higher clock speed to increase performance.
3.pixel rate
35.8 GPixel/s
72.3 GPixel/s
The number of pixels that can be displayed on the screen every second.
4.flops
5.16 TFLOPS
3.85 TFLOPS
FLOPS is a measure of GPU processing power.
5.texture size
161.3 GTexels/s
120.5 GTexels/s
Number of textured pixels that can be displayed on the screen every second.
6.GPU memory speed
2000MHz
2002MHz
Memory speed is one aspect that determines memory bandwidth.
7.shading patterns
Shading units (or stream processors) are small processors in a video card that are responsible for processing various aspects of an image.
8.textured units (TMUs)
TMUs accept textured units and bind them to the geometric layout of the 3D scene.
More TMUs generally means texture information is processed faster.
9 ROPs
ROPs are responsible for some of the final steps of the rendering process, such as writing the final pixel data to memory and for performing other tasks such as anti-aliasing to improve the appearance of graphics.
Memory
1.memory effective speed
8000MHz
8008MHz
The effective memory clock frequency is calculated from the memory size and data transfer rate. A higher clock speed can give better performance in games and other applications.
2.max memory bandwidth
256GB/s
192.2GB/s
This is the maximum rate at which data can be read from or stored in memory.
3.VRAM
VRAM (video RAM) is the dedicated memory of the graphics card. More VRAM usually allows you to run games at higher settings, especially for things like texture resolution.
4.memory bus width
256bit
192bit
Wider memory bus means it can carry more data per cycle. This is an important factor in memory performance, and therefore the overall performance of the graphics card.
5. GDDR memory versions
Later versions of GDDR memory offer improvements such as higher data transfer rates, which improve performance.
6. Supports memory debug code
✖AMD Radeon RX 480
✖Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
Memory debug code can detect and fix data corruption. It is used when necessary to avoid distortion, such as in scientific computing or when starting a server.
Functions
1.DirectX version
DirectX is used in games with a new version that supports better graphics.
2nd version of OpenGL
The newer version of OpenGL, the better graphics quality in games.
OpenCL version 3.
Some applications use OpenCL to use the power of the graphics processing unit (GPU) for non-graphical computing. Newer versions are more functional and better quality.
4. Supports multi-monitor technology
✔AMD Radeon RX 480
✔Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
The video card has the ability to connect multiple screens. This allows you to set up multiple monitors at the same time to create a more immersive gaming experience, such as a wider field of view.
5. GPU temperature at boot
Unknown. Help us offer a price. (AMD Radeon RX 480)
Lower boot temperature means the card generates less heat and the cooling system works better.
6.supports ray tracing
✖AMD Radeon RX 480
✔Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
Ray tracing is an advanced light rendering technique that provides more realistic lighting, shadows and reflections in games.
7.Supports 3D
✔AMD Radeon RX 480
✔Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
Allows you to view in 3D (if you have a 3D screen and glasses).
8.supports DLSS
✖AMD Radeon RX 480
✖Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) is an AI based scaling technology. This allows the graphics card to render games at lower resolutions and upscale them to higher resolutions with near-native visual quality and improved performance. DLSS is only available in some games.
9. PassMark result (G3D)
Unknown. Help us offer a price. (AMD Radeon RX 480)
This test measures the graphics performance of a graphics card. Source: Pass Mark.
Ports
1.has HDMI output
✔AMD Radeon RX 480
✔Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
Devices with HDMI or mini HDMI ports can stream HD video and audio to the connected display.
2.HDMI connectors
More HDMI connectors allow you to connect multiple devices at the same time, such as game consoles and TVs.
HDMI 3.Version
HDMI 2.0
HDMI 2.0
New HDMI versions support higher bandwidth for higher resolutions and frame rates.
4. DisplayPort outputs
Allows connection to a display using DisplayPort.
5.DVI outputs
Allows connection to a display using DVI.
Mini DisplayPort 6.outs
Allows connection to a display using Mini DisplayPort.
Price match
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Which graphic cards are better?
which processor is needed for NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 and AMD Radeon RX 480 — Ferra.ru
Interest in the Radeon RX 480 and GeForce GTX 1060 is understandable. These video cards do not offer the user a qualitative increase in performance in games (the owners of the GeForce GTX 970/980 and Radeon R9 390/390X will agree with me), but nevertheless, the new process technology and updated architectures have made it possible to release very powerful solutions for their price.
Therefore, I repeat, when assembling a computer from scratch or a planned upgrade, the issue of processor dependence is more relevant than ever. What kind of effect it is and what it is “eaten” with is described in our detailed article. In this «iron experiment» we will consider a special case on the example of the reference versions of the GeForce GTX 1060 and Radeon RX 480.
Radeon RX 480 Vs GeForce GTX 1060
So far, the Radeon RX 480 and GeForce GTX 1060 are the only novelties whose «interests» intersect. As testing has shown, both adapters have a more or less similar level of performance. Yes, in some games, the GeForce GTX 1060 is noticeably ahead of the Radeon RX 480. For example, in GTA V and Battlefield 4. Plus, the “green” card looks preferable in software for the still popular DirectX 11. In DirectX 12 and Vulkan, on the contrary, it is brighter. radical.» Therefore, the choice between GeForce GTX 1060 and Radeon RX 480 is still a headache. Personally, I like both accelerators.
For the price, they are great for gaming in Full HD resolution. The performance bars of these solutions will be enough for the next two or three years for sure.
Product quality also determines how partners AMD and NVIDIA realize its full potential. Unfortunately, the «reds» overhauled the release of non-reference Radeon RX 480 models. NVIDIA is fine with that. By the fall, both companies, I hope, will be equalized. There should be a lot of cards on sale. Good and different. As a cheat sheet, I offer the following table of advantages. AMD Radeon RX 480 Review
About processor dependence
The material about the choice of processor for the GeForce GTX 1070 and GeForce GTX 1080 caused a great stir. Even despite the fact that it seems like a crisis in the yard. It is sad that some perceive recommendations for the selection of components with hostility. I don’t seem to force anyone and I don’t agitate to unquestioningly follow them. Only then, for some reason, in the comments to the next «Iron Experiment» or «Computer of the Month» now and then there are users complaining that a new video card was bought, but there is no increase.
A balance is needed everywhere
Consider a simple example from Fallout 4. If you “harness” the most powerful gaming single-chip in conjunction with a frankly budget Core i3, then its performance will be at the level of a Core i5 and GeForce GTX 1060 tandem. For reference: GeForce GTX 1080 coupled with the Core i7-4790K produces an average of 130-135 frames per second.
Yes, in both cases, playable FPS is achieved, but if you can’t see the difference, then why pay more? The example is artificial, but is given for clarity. For potential owners of the GeForce GTX 1080, I’m calm. If there is $700 for a video card, then there is the right amount for a frisky central processor.
Test stand No. 2:
- Processor: AMD [email protected] GHz
- Processor cooler: Corsair H75
- Maternaries: ASUS 970 Pro GAMING/AURA Drummer: SSD Patriot Blast 480 GB
- RAM: DDR3-1866, 2x 8 GB
- Power supply: Corsair HX850i, 850 W
- 0024
- Drivers: AMD — 16.7.2; NVIDIA — 368.81
Like last time, two test benches were used for the experiment. The first is with the Core i7-4790K on board, the second is with the FX-8370.
Using the appropriate BIOS settings, the eight-thread Core i7 turned into virtual Core i5 and Core i3. I am aware that Intel processors of different lines differ not only in the number of cores, but also in the size of the third level cache. However, that this moment is not so critical in games, therefore, it was decided to use one stand instead of three. The chip frequency varied in the range from 3 GHz to 4.5 GHz in steps of 500 MHz.
LGA2011-v3 platform was not considered. There, everything is in order with processor dependence, but in fact, for those who want to get a powerful gaming system with six / eight / ten Intel cores, there is not much choice. If only Xeon.
The hardest part of the experiment is deciding on a list of games. Practice shows that it is realistic to select such applications in which the potential of the GeForce GTX 1060 and AMD Radeon RX 480 will be revealed even on dual-core Pentium / Celeron. Or, for each game, set such settings that much less productive video cards will run into the capabilities of the central processor.
I took eight popular programs in 2016. All three APIs are covered: DirectX 11, DirectX 12 and Vulkan. The settings are shown in the table below. In most cases, the maximum, but without the abuse of heavy anti-aliasing like MSAA. Resolution — Full HD. Games such as GTA V, Far Cry Primal, Rise of the Tomb Raider, and Total War: Warhammer used built-in benchmarks.
I think everything is clear and without any additional comments. The areas where the Core i5 and Core i7 are considered are almost completely filled with green. As expected, the Radeon RX 480 will even “pump” the Core i5-4460 and Core i5-6400 (review). In GTA V and the third «The Witcher» they «puff» to their fullest, but the final result is important.
Core i3 is fine too. But only the high frequency model. For example, Core i3-6100/6300/6320, if we are talking about the most modern generation of Skylake. And/or Core i3-4170/4360/4370 if we are talking about Haswell.
The ideal option for the Radeon RX 480 is the modern Core i5
Things are much more complicated with AMD FX.
In the experiment, only an eight-core is considered. Chips of the FX-6000/4000 lines do not hold up even more so. You can see for yourself that in five games out of seven it does not gain FPS even in an overclocked state in comparison with the same Core i5. This behavior is not observed in all games, but in many. What to do, because the owners of such systems, in fact, have no alternative? If you really want to, then take it, of course. For the future. Or load the video card with WQHD resolution.
4.5 GHz is far from the limit for most FX-8000/9000, but only such an overclock will have to be invested additionally, because you will need the appropriate cooling and motherboard. Unfortunately, I was unable to test the FX + RX 480 combination in Need For Speed. The built-in protection of the game (Denuvo) banned the account for a day due to the frequent change of stand components. We survived…
Processor dependence NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060
And now let’s study how the GeForce GTX 1060 behaves with different central processors.
The experiment was carried out with a reference sample, but more custom ones appeared on sale, which received factory overclocking. For example, the model MSI GeForce GTX 1060 GAMING X 6G (review) is on average 4-5% faster than the standard.
Well, the green area in the table has changed a bit, but not much. The GeForce GTX 1060 has similar results if we are talking about processor dependence. Everything is logical and quite expected.
And now let’s look at the particulars. Interestingly, in RotTR in DirectX 12 mode with both the Radeon RX 480 and the GeForce GTX 1060, all systems show the same average frame rate: 75-76 fps for the NVIDIA bench and 59 fps for the AMD bench. . However, in the case of using a Core i3 and a “red” video card, drawdowns of up to 25 FPS are observed, which is not good. In the case of the same «stone», but with the GeForce GTX 1060 on board, there are no such drawdowns, but when loading a scene in the forest, some of the textures are not loaded.
With Core i5 and Core i7 with both video cards, everything is fine: the picture loads without delay, and the FPS does not fail. Although I admit that I encountered the features of the built-in benchmark Rise of the Tomb Raider.
Ideal for GeForce GTX 1060 — modern Core i5
Another game that supports DirectX 12 has a very high degree of processor dependence. I’m talking about Total War: Warhammer. To unlock the potential of the Radeon RX 480 and GeForce GTX 1060, a minimum of a Core i5 processor is required. No wonder, because we are dealing with a real-time strategy.
I managed to treat myself a bit to the alpha version of Battlefield 1. This fall’s potential hit supports DirectX 12. CPU dependency, as far as I’ve noticed, manifests itself in this game as well. Apparently, the new low-level API will not solve this problem in the near future. If he decides at all.
And here is another programming interface — Vulkan — it can very well. Look, the processor does not affect the number of FPS in DOOM at all! Interestingly, in OpenGL, the frame rate is quite dependent on the CPU.
Only to know in advance what fate awaits Vulkan. And won’t everything be limited to one DOOM?
In conclusion
The Radeon RX 480 and GeForce GTX 1060 offer comparable performance to the GeForce GTX 970/980 and Radeon R9 290/290X, which were released two years ago. So in terms of processor dependence in Full HD resolution, they do not bring anything new. A valid and quite acceptable option for these video cards would be any high-frequency Core i3, but the ideal option is, of course, the Core i5. Yes, there is an exception like GTA V, which needs more cores and a higher frequency. In most other cases, a Core i5-6400 (Skylake generation) or Core i5-4460 (Haswell generation) or higher chip is enough. Naturally, the higher the frequency of your 4-core, the better. Do not forget that in some cases, the use of a powerful video card and Core i3 in one bundle leads to noticeable FPS drops. I have already experimented with this topic.
It is logical that many owners of older systems will want to upgrade their system.
They have every right. Again, owners of Core i5 / i7 generations Ivy Bridge, Sandy Bridge, Ivy Bridge-E, Sandy Bridge-E can safely go to the store for a new thing. Just keep in mind that in games the difference between Skylake and, for example, Sandy Bridge is 10-15%. Therefore, the acceleration of the «stone» is always welcome. I won’t say anything about older generations of Intel processors, but I assume that in most cases the performance of such a system in games will be limited by the CPU.
AMD RX 480 vs NVIDIA GTX 1060: Which GPU is right for you? — Notebook News
Tiffany Garrett
Notebook News
NVIDIA GTX 1060 and AMD RX 480 (GPU) graphics cards are budget contenders that offer more power for the price you pay. Upon release, the GTX 1060 may have been a much better graphics card, however a series of driver updates from AMD have narrowed the performance gap significantly to the point where you almost have to consider other factors to decide which card is the best fit. for you.
Let’s break it down to help you figure out what budget GPU should go into your computer.
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- Are these GPUs right for you?
- Specifications
- Breakpoints
- Price
- Should I buy a GTX 1060 or an RX 480?
Are these GPUs right for you?
Before jumping into the AMD RX 480 vs.
GTX 1060 comparison, it’s helpful to know exactly what you’ll be using your GPU for. If you’re interested in 4K gaming and don’t want to lower your gaming settings to the point where the game becomes unplayable, you’ll probably want to take a look at the mighty GTX 1080 or even the newer GTX 1080 Ti.
Watch on Amazon
If you need to play most of today’s games at 1080p and decent frame rates, the RX 480 or GTX 1060 will do the job just fine and at a much lower price. They both will also make your VR dreams come true.
Specifications
Both GPUs are available in two versions with different video memory sizes: RX 480 is available in 4 GB and 8 GB configurations, while GTX 1060 is available in 3 GB and 6 GB configurations. Performance doesn’t just depend on the amount of GPU VRAM, so you need to take a deeper look at the specs.
Breakpoints
Extensive performance testing performed by Hardware Canucks shows that the performance of the RX 480 (8GB) and GTX 1060 (6GB) is very close.
To be more specific, when playing Battlefield 1 at 1080p at Ultra settings using DirectX 11, the RX 480 (8 GB) averaged about 86 frames per second (FPS) and the GTX 1060 (6 GB) averaged about 90 fps. At the same settings, but using DX12, the RX 480 (8GB) averaged about the same 86fps, while the GTX 1060 (6GB) dropped to an average of 82fps.
In another test, this time playing Fallout 4 at 1080p at Ultra settings using DX11, a GTX 1060 (6GB) and an RX 480 (8GB) averaged around 66fps. When playing Fallout 4 at 1440p, the GTX 1060 (6GB) averaged around 42fps, while the RX 480 (8GB) averaged around 43fps. Obviously, both of these GPUs are great options for those looking for 1080p gaming and even decent 1440p gaming.
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As for the lower VRAM counterparts, the performance difference from their higher VRAM siblings is relatively small in most cases, and many people may not notice any major differences — at least not until you You won’t find a game that actually requires more VRAM than your GPU has, in which case you’ll be kicking yourself for not choosing the higher VRAM option.
Price
When it comes to these GPUs, there are many buying options and the price is slightly different depending on the manufacturer and the additional components they add. On average, you can expect to pay around $185 for the 4GB RX 480 and around $230 for the 8GB RX 480.
If you decide to go with the GTX 1060, you’re looking at about $200 for the 3GB version and about $250 for the 6GB version.
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AMD outpaces NVIDIA in price, but only marginally. Performance on paper is pretty close, so if you find one or the other for sale, you might be tempted to buy it. However, there are other factors to consider before making a final decision.
Should I buy a GTX 1060 or an RX 480?
While more VRAM in a GPU doesn’t necessarily mean better performance, it certainly bodes well for the future. As games become more detailed and discover larger worlds, VRAM requirements will increase.
If you’re looking to buy a GPU that will remain viable for games released over the next few years, the RX 480 (8GB) is a fine choice.
Adding to the durability factor is AMD’s excellent support for Vulkan and DX12. As these APIs become more common, you need a GPU that can perform well, and the RX 480, thanks to a plethora of driver updates from AMD, has become a proven contender. This doesn’t mean the GTX 1060 is slouching, but you can expect to pay less for more FPS with the RX 480 when it comes to DX12.
Gamers who like to combine GPUs known as SLI for NVIDIA cards and CrossFire for AMD cards are probably disappointed that the GTX 1060 doesn’t have that capability. If you want a multi-GPU rig, your only choice is the CrossFire-enabled RX 480.
Again, both of these GPUs offer an impressive amount of power for the price you pay. You can expect high-quality 1080p gaming and all cards can run VR. If you happen to find great options on any of the GPUs, pull the trigger; you’ll be happy you did.
For more features, check out our collection of the best graphics cards.
- AMD RX 480 (8 GB) | Watch on Amazon
- AMD RX 480 (4 GB) | Look at Amazon
- NVIDIA GTX 1060 (6 GB) | Look at Amazon
- NVIDIA GTX 1060 (3 GB) | See at Amazon
More GPU Resources
If none of the cards compared here fit your needs, be sure to check out our full GPU buyers guide. We’ll also take a closer look at GPUs for anyone who needs a little more information before making their final decision.
Average: 938 MHz
1120MHz
max 2457
Average: 938 MHz
GPU memory frequency
This is an important aspect calculating memory bandwidth
2002MHz
max 16000
Average: 1326.
6 MHz
2000MHz
max 16000
Average: 1326.6 MHz
FLOPS
The measurement of processing power of a processor is called FLOPS.
3.79TFLOPS
max 1142.32
Average: 92.5 TFLOPS
5.8TFLOPS
max 1142.32
Average: 92.5 TFLOPS
Turbo GPU
If the GPU speed drops below its limit, it can switch to a high clock speed to improve performance.
Show all
1708 MHz
max 2903
Average: 1375.8 MHz
1266MHz
max 2903
Average: 1375.
8 MHz
Texture size
A certain number of textured pixels are displayed on the screen every second.
Show all
120.5 GTexels/s
max 756.8
Average: 145.4 GTexels/s
161.3 GTexels/s
max 756.8
Average: 145.4 GTexels/s
98.3GB/s
256GB/s
max 2656
Average: 198.3 GB/s
Effective memory speed
The effective memory clock speed is calculated from the size and information transfer rate of the memory. The performance of the device in applications depends on the clock frequency. The higher it is, the better.
Show all
8008 MHz
max 19500
Average: 6984.
5 MHz
8000MHz
max 19500
Average: 6984.5 MHz
RAM
6 GB
max 128
Average: 4.6 GB
8 GB
max 128
Average: 4.6 GB
GDDR Memory Versions
Latest GDDR memory versions provide high data transfer rates to improve overall performance
Show all
5
Average: 4.5
5
Average: 4.5
Memory bus width
A wide memory bus means that it can transfer more information in one cycle.
This property affects the performance of the memory as well as the overall performance of the device’s graphics card.
Show all
192bit
max 8192
Average: 290.1bit
256bit
max 8192
Average: 290.1bit
Heat dissipation (TDP)
Heat dissipation requirement (TDP) is the maximum amount of energy that can be dissipated by the cooling system. The lower the TDP, the less power will be consumed.
Show all
120W
Average: 140.4 W
150W
Average: 140.4 W
Process
The small size of the semiconductor means it is a new generation chip.
16 nm
Average: 47.5 nm
14 nm
Average: 47.5 nm
Number of transistors
The higher their number, the more processor power it indicates
4400 million
max 80000
Average: 5043 million
5700 million
max 80000
Average: 5043 million
PCIe version
Considerable speed is provided by the expansion card used to connect the computer to peripherals. The updated versions have impressive throughput and provide high performance.
Show all
3
Mean: 2.
8
3
Mean: 2.8
Width
250mm
max 421.7
Average: 242.6mm
241mm
max 421.7
Average: 242.6mm
Height
111.2mm
max 180
Average: 119.1mm
94.9mm
max 180
Average: 119.1mm
DirectX
Used in demanding games for enhanced graphics
12
max 12.2
Average: 11.1
12
max 12.
2
Average: 11.1
OpenCL version
Used by some applications to enable GPU power for non-graphical calculations. The newer the version, the more functional it will be
Show all
1.2
max 4.6
Average: 1.7
2.1
max 4.6
Average: 1.7
opengl version
Later versions provide better game graphics
4.5
max 4.6
Average: 4
4.6
max 4.6
Average: 4
Shader model version
6.
4
max 6.6
Average: 5.5
6.4
max 6.6
Average: 5.5
version VULKAN
1.2
1.2
version CUDA
6.1
HDMI Output 9000
9000 They can transmit video and audio to the display.
Full display
Yes
Yes
DisplayPort
Allows connection to a display using DisplayPort
3
Average: 2
3
Average: 2
DVI outputs
Allows connection to a display using DVI
one
Mean: 1.
4
Mean: 1.4
Number of HDMI connectors
The more there are, the more devices can be connected at the same time (for example, game/TV type consoles)
Show all
one
Average: 1.1
one
Average: 1.1
HDMI
Yes
Yes
Passmark score
10047
max 29325
Average: 7628.6
8469
max 29325
Average: 7628.6
3DMark Cloud Gate GPU test score
74947
max 1
Average: 80042.
3
70769
max 1
Average: 80042.3
3DMark Fire Strike Score
10818
max 38276
Average: 12463
10122
max 38276
Average: 12463
3DMark Fire Strike Graphics test score
12560
max 49575
Average: 11859.1
11942
max 49575
Average: 11859.1
3DMark 11 Performance GPU score
16942
max 57937
Average: 18799.
9
17561
max 57937
Average: 18799.9
3DMark Vantage Performance Score
42843
max 97887
Average: 37830.6
38761
max 97887
Average: 37830.6
3DMark Ice Storm GPU score
230475
max 533357
Average: 372425.7
375666
max 533357
Average: 372425.7
Unigine Heaven 3.0 test score
8909
max 60072
Average: 2402
129
max 60072
Average: 2402
SPECviewperf 12 test score — Solidworks
45
max 202
Average: 62.
4
max 202
Average: 62.4
SPECviewperf 12 test score — specvp12 sw-03
45
max 202
Average: 64
max 202
Average: 64
SPECviewperf 12 evaluation — Siemens NX
6
max 212
Average: 14
max 212
Average: 14
SPECviewperf 12 test score — specvp12 showcase-01
63
max 232
Average: 121.3
max 232
Average: 121.3
SPECviewperf 12 test score — Showcase
63
max 175
Average: 108.
4
max 175
Average: 108.4
SPECviewperf 12 test score — Medical
31
max 107
Average: 39.6
max 107
Average: 39.6
SPECviewperf 12 test score — specvp12 mediacal-01
31
max 107
Average: 39
max 107
Average: 39
SPECviewperf 12 test score — Maya
101
max 177
Average: 129.8
max 177
Average: 129.8
SPECviewperf 12 test score — specvp12 maya-04
101
max 180
Average: 132.
8
max 180
Average: 132.8
SPECviewperf 12 — Energy score
6
max 25
Average: 9.7
max 25
Average: 9.7
SPECviewperf 12 test score — specvp12 energy-01
6
max 21
Average: 10.7
max 21
Average: 10.7
SPECviewperf 12 test score — Creo
34
max 153
Average: 49.5
max 153
Average: 49.5
SPECviewperf 12 test score — specvp12 creo-01
34
max 153
Average: 52.
5
max 153
Average: 52.5
SPECviewperf 12 evaluation — specvp12 catia-04
fifty
max 189
Average: 91.5
max 189
Average: 91.5
SPECviewperf 12 evaluation — Catia
fifty
max 189
Average: 88.6
max 189
Average: 88.6
Comparison of AMD Radeon RX Vega M GH and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB
Comparative analysis of AMD Radeon RX Vega M GH and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB video cards according to all known characteristics in the categories: General information, Specifications, Video outputs and ports, Compatibility, dimensions, requirements, API support, Memory.
Analysis of video card performance by benchmarks: PassMark — G3D Mark, PassMark — G2D Mark, Geekbench — OpenCL, GFXBench 4.0 — Car Chase Offscreen (Frames), GFXBench 4.0 — Manhattan (Frames), GFXBench 4.0 — T-Rex (Frames), GFXBench 4.0 — Car Chase Offscreen (Fps), GFXBench 4.0 — Manhattan (Fps), GFXBench 4.0 — T-Rex (Fps), 3DMark Fire Strike — Graphics Score, CompuBench 1.5 Desktop — Face Detection (mPixels/s), CompuBench 1.5 Desktop — Ocean Surface Simulation (Frames/s), CompuBench 1.5 Desktop — T-Rex (Frames/s), CompuBench 1.5 Desktop — Video Composition (Frames/s), CompuBench 1.5 Desktop — Bitcoin Mining (mHash/s).
AMD Radeon RX Vega M GH
versus
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB
Benefits
Reasons to choose AMD Radeon RX Vega M GH
- Newer graphics card, release date difference 1 year(s) 5 month17 Number of processors we have 9022 33% more: 1536 vs 1152
- A newer graphics card manufacturing process allows it to be more powerful, but with lower power consumption: 14 nm vs 16 nm
- About 20% less power consumption: 100 Watt vs 120 Watt
- About 33% more maximum memory size: 4 GB vs 3 GB
- About 6% more PassMark — G2D Mark performance: 824 vs 780
| Issue date | 1 February 2018 vs 18 August 2016 |
| Number of shaders | 1536 vs 1152 |
| Process | 14 nm vs 16 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 100 Watt vs 120 Watt |
| Maximum memory size | 4 GB vs 3 GB |
| PassMark — G2D Mark | 824 vs 780 |
GFXBench 4. 0 — Manhattan (Frames) |
3714 vs 3697 |
| GFXBench 4.0 — T-Rex (Frames) | 3351 vs 3338 |
| GFXBench 4.0 — Manhattan (Fps) | 3714 vs 3697 |
| GFXBench 4.0 — T-Rex (Fps) | 3351 vs 3338 |
Reasons to choose NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB
- About 42% faster core clock: 1506 MHz vs 1063 MHz
- Boost core clock 44% faster: 1708 MHz vs 1102 MHz 9027 MHz texturing speed 8% more: 123.0 GTexel/s vs 114.2 GTexel/s
- 8% faster floating point performance: 3.935 gflops vs 3.656 gflops
- 5x faster memory clock(s): 8008 MHz vs 1600 MHz 6756
- About 15% more performance in Geekbench — OpenCL: 33484 vs 29055
- About 18% more performance in GFXBench 4.
0 — Car Chase Offscreen (Frames): 10566 vs 8931 - GFX0 -bench.4 benchmark Chase Offscreen (Fps) about 18% more: 10566 vs 8931
- Performance in 3DMark Fire Strike — Graphics Score about 31% better: 3820 vs 2911
| Core clock | 1506 MHz vs 1063 MHz |
| Boost core clock | 1708 MHz vs 1190 MHz |
| Texturing speed | 123.0 GTexel/s vs 114.2 GTexel/s |
| Floating point performance | 3.935 gflops vs 3.656 gflops |
| Memory frequency | 8008 MHz vs 1600 MHz |
| PassMark — G3D Mark | 9725 vs 6756 |
| Geekbench — OpenCL | 33484 vs 29055 |
GFXBench 4. 0 — Car Chase Offscreen (Frames) |
10566 vs 8931 |
| GFXBench 4.0 — Car Chase Offscreen (Fps) | 10566 vs 8931 |
| 3DMark Fire Strike — Graphics Score | 3820 vs 2911 |
Benchmark comparison
GPU 1: AMD Radeon RX Vega M GH
GPU 2: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB
| PassMark — G3D Mark |
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| PassMark — G2D Mark |
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| Geekbench — OpenCL |
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GFXBench 4. 0 — Car Chase Offscreen (Frames) |
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| GFXBench 4.0 — Manhattan (Frames) |
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| GFXBench 4.0 — T-Rex (Frames) |
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| GFXBench 4.0 — Car Chase Offscreen (Fps) |
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GFXBench 4. 0 — Manhattan (Fps) |
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| GFXBench 4.0 — T-Rex (Fps) |
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| 3DMark Fire Strike — Graphics Score |
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| Name | AMD Radeon RX Vega M GH | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3GB |
|---|---|---|
| PassMark — G3D Mark | 6756 | 9725 |
| PassMark — G2D Mark | 824 | 780 |
| Geekbench — OpenCL | 29055 | 33484 |
GFXBench 4. 0 — Car Chase Offscreen (Frames) |
8931 | 10566 |
| GFXBench 4.0 — Manhattan (Frames) | 3714 | 3697 |
| GFXBench 4.0 — T-Rex (Frames) | 3351 | 3338 |
| GFXBench 4.0 — Car Chase Offscreen (Fps) | 8931 | 10566 |
| GFXBench 4.0 — Manhattan (Fps) | 3714 | 3697 |
| GFXBench 4.0 — T-Rex (Fps) | 3351 | 3338 |
| 3DMark Fire Strike — Graphics Score | 2911 | 3820 |
CompuBench 1. 5 Desktop — Face Detection (mPixels/s) |
115.073 | |
| CompuBench 1.5 Desktop — Ocean Surface Simulation (Frames/s) | 1325.07 | |
| CompuBench 1.5 Desktop — T-Rex (Frames/s) | 8.057 | |
| CompuBench 1.5 Desktop — Video Composition (Frames/s) | 31.946 | |
| CompuBench 1.5 Desktop — Bitcoin Mining (mHash/s) | 425.709 |
Feature comparison
| AMD Radeon RX Vega M GH | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3GB | |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | GCN 4. 0 |
Pascal |
| Codename | Polaris 22 | GP106 |
| Production date | February 1, 2018 | 18 August 2016 |
| Place in the rating | 214 | 241 |
| Type | Laptop | Desktop |
| Price at first issue date | $199 | |
| Boost core clock | 1190 MHz | 1708 MHz |
| Core frequency | 1063MHz | 1506 MHz |
| Floating point performance | 3. 656 gflops |
3.935 gflops |
| Process | 14nm | 16 nm |
| Number of shaders | 1536 | 1152 |
| Texturing speed | 114.2 GTexel/s | 123.0 GTexel/s |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 100 Watt | 120 Watt |
| Number of transistors | 4,400 million | |
| Video connectors | No outputs | 1x DVI, 1x HDMI, 3x DisplayPort |
| Interface | IGP | PCIe 3.
|