AMD Radeon R9 290 vs NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB is the faster card by roughly 7%. Here is how the two compare across every spec that matters for gaming.
| Specification | AMD Radeon R9 290 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB |
|---|---|---|
| Performance score | 14/100 | 15/100 |
| Tier | D | D |
| VRAM | 4 GB | 6 GB |
| Power draw (TDP) | 275 W | 120 W |
| Launch MSRP | $399 | $249 |
| Performance per $100 | 3.5 | 6.0 |
| Release year | 2013 | 2016 |
| DLSS | — No | — No |
| FSR | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| XeSS | — No | — No |
| Ray tracing | — No | — No |
Which should you buy?
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB is the stronger performer of the two, and it is the default choice if raw frame rate is what you care about. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB carries more VRAM (6GB vs 4GB), which matters at 1440p and above and for texture-heavy titles. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB draws 155W less, so it is easier on your power supply and case cooling — check the PSU calculator before committing. On launch pricing, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB offers better performance per dollar.