NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3GB vs AMD Radeon R9 290X
The AMD Radeon R9 290X is the faster card by roughly 15%. Here is how the two compare across every spec that matters for gaming.
| Specification | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3GB | AMD Radeon R9 290X |
|---|---|---|
| Performance score | 13/100 | 15/100 |
| Tier | D | D |
| VRAM | 3 GB | 4 GB |
| Power draw (TDP) | 120 W | 290 W |
| Launch MSRP | $199 | $549 |
| Performance per $100 | 6.5 | 2.7 |
| Release year | 2016 | 2013 |
| DLSS | — No | — No |
| FSR | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| XeSS | — No | — No |
| Ray tracing | — No | — No |
Which should you buy?
The AMD Radeon R9 290X 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 290X carries more VRAM (4GB vs 3GB), which matters at 1440p and above and for texture-heavy titles. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3GB draws 170W 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.