GTX 1060 vs AMD RX 590 comparison pitted two current best mid range performance graphic cards against each other. Graphics cards both deliver excellent 1080p gaming performance, and are still favorites for budget conscious gamers. AMD’s RX 590, featuring the Polaris architecture, is designed for raw power and great price, while NVIDIA’s GTX 1060, based on Pascal architecture, takes efficiency and excellent driver support seriously.
In this article we’re going compare these GPUs based on gaming performance, performance vs power efficiency, price, and features in order to help you choose the GPU that’s right for you.
Overview of GTX 1060 vs AMD RX 590
| Specification | GTX 1060 | AMD RX 590 |
|---|---|---|
| Release Year | 2016 | 2018 |
| Architecture | Pascal | Polaris |
| VRAM | 6GB GDDR5 (also 3GB) | 8GB GDDR5 |
| CUDA Cores / Stream Processors | 1280 CUDA Cores | 2304 Stream Processors |
| Base/Boost Clock | 1506/1708 MHz | 1469/1545 MHz |
| TDP (Power Usage) | 120W | 225W |
With power efficiency and driver support top priority, the GTX 1060 targets power efficiency and driver support when the RX 590 has more VRAM and raw processing power for demanding 1080p titles.
Gaming Performance: GTX 1060 vs AMD RX 590
The RX 590 is shuffled up a notch and therefore optimized for both 1080p gaming and newer, heavy gaming VRAM intensive games, and slightly ahead of both GPUs.
| Game | GTX 1060 (FPS Avg) | AMD RX 590 (FPS Avg) |
|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p Medium) | ~40 FPS | ~50 FPS |
| GTA V (1080p High) | ~70 FPS | ~72 FPS |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1080p High) | ~55 FPS | ~60 FPS |
| Fortnite (1080p Performance Mode) | ~120 FPS | ~125 FPS |
Key Takeaway: Modern games, and newer games in particular, tend to rapidly narrow the gap between the performance of an AMD RX 590 and the GTX 1060, as its VRAM and processing power are much higher than that of the GTX 1060. While the performance gap is smaller in older (or less demanding) titles.
Power Efficiency and Thermal Performance
Where the smaller 1060 is a better choice for systems that are smaller builds or have lower wattage PSU power.
| Feature | GTX 1060 | AMD RX 590 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP (Power Usage) | 120W | 225W |
| Recommended PSU | 400W | 500W |
| Thermal Output | Lower | Higher |
Key Takeaway: While the RX 590’s higher power consumption may need more powerful cooling solution and better PSU, the GTX 1060 gets the job done cooling better and with less power.
Pricing and Availability
Both GPUs are no longer being sold as new, but are available secondhand and relatively cheap.
| Feature | GTX 1060 | AMD RX 590 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch MSRP | $249 (6GB) | $279 |
| Used Market Price | ~$100-$150 | ~$120-$160 |
Key Takeaway: Both GPUs are roughly the same level of used market pricing, although the RX 590 often offers a bit more performance for a dollar (especially newer titles).
Key Features
| Feature | GTX 1060 | AMD RX 590 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM | 6GB GDDR5 | 8GB GDDR5 |
| Driver Support | Excellent (NVIDIA Game Ready) | Good (AMD Adrenalin) |
| Power Efficiency | High | Moderate |
| Overclocking Potential | Moderate | High |
NVIDIA’s superior driver ecosystem and lower power requirements along with better overclocking potential make the GTX 1060 the better choice, while if you need that extra money, the RX 590 comes with higher VRAM.
GTX 1060 vs AMD RX 590: Which One Should You Choose?
Your choice between the GTX 1060 vs AMD RX 590 depends on your priorities:
- Choose the GTX 1060 if:
- You prioritize power efficiency and lower heat output.
- NVIDIA’s Game Ready drivers are important to you.
- You’re building a system with a smaller PSU or limited cooling.
- Choose the AMD RX 590 if:
- You need higher VRAM for newer and more demanding games.
- Overclocking and tweaking are important to maximize performance.
- You want better raw performance in modern 1080p titles.
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Conclusion
The GTX 1060 vs AMD RX 590 comparison shows us two excellent mid range GPUs, that suit different needs. But the power efficient driver support and the GTX 1060 makes a great choice for compact / budget builds. Over, the RX 590 works just fine in demanding games, delivering more performance in regards to the higher VRAM and more rudimentary processing power.
If you’re stretching towards raw performance or efficiency targeting to 1080p gaming, these GPUs will deliver for a budget conscious gamer and deliver smooth gaming when run in 1080p.