AMD Radeon R9 290 vs NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
The AMD Radeon R9 290 is the faster card by roughly 8%. Here is how the two compare across every spec that matters for gaming.
| Specification | AMD Radeon R9 290 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3GB |
|---|---|---|
| Performance score | 14/100 | 13/100 |
| Tier | D | D |
| VRAM | 4 GB | 3 GB |
| Power draw (TDP) | 275 W | 120 W |
| Launch MSRP | $399 | $199 |
| Performance per $100 | 3.5 | 6.5 |
| Release year | 2013 | 2016 |
| DLSS | — No | — No |
| FSR | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| XeSS | — No | — No |
| Ray tracing | — No | — No |
Which should you buy?
The AMD Radeon R9 290 is the stronger performer of the two, and it is the default choice if raw frame rate is what you care about. The AMD Radeon R9 290 carries more VRAM (4GB vs 3GB), which matters at 1440p and above and for texture-heavy titles. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3GB 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 3GB offers better performance per dollar.