Radeon R9 280X vs GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB

#ad 
Buy on Amazon
GTX 1060 3 GB GTX 1060 3 GB GP104 GTX 1060 5 GB GTX 1060 6 GB GTX 1060 6 GB GDDR5X GTX 1060 6 GB GP104 GTX 1060 8 GB GDDR5X
VS
#ad 
Buy on Amazon
Radeon HD 7870 XT Radeon HD 7950 Radeon HD 7950 Boost Radeon HD 7950 Mac Edition Radeon HD 7950 Monica BIOS 1 Radeon HD 7970 Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition Radeon HD 8950 OEM Radeon HD 8970 OEM Radeon R9 280 Radeon R9 280X Radeon R9 280X2

Aggregate performance score

We've compared GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB and Radeon R9 280X, covering specs and all relevant benchmarks.

GTX 1060 3 GB
2016
3 GB GDDR5, 120 Watt
24.95
+64.3%

GTX 1060 3 GB outperforms R9 280X by an impressive 64% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Contents

GTX 1060 3 GB GTX 1060 3 GB
R9 280X R9 280X

Primary details

GPU architecture, market segment, value for money and other general parameters compared.

Place in the ranking221353
Place by popularity23not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation22.705.60
Power efficiency14.344.19
ArchitecturePascal (2016−2021)GCN 1.0 (2011−2020)
GPU code nameGP106Tahiti
Market segmentDesktopDesktop
Designno datareference
Release date18 August 2016 (8 years ago)8 October 2013 (11 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$199 $299

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance to price ratio. The higher, the better.

GTX 1060 3 GB has 305% better value for money than R9 280X.

Detailed specifications

General parameters such as number of shaders, GPU core base clock and boost clock speeds, manufacturing process, texturing and calculation speed. Note that power consumption of some graphics cards can well exceed their nominal TDP, especially when overclocked.

Pipelines / CUDA cores11522048
Core clock speed1506 MHzno data
Boost clock speed1708 MHz1000 MHz
Number of transistors4,400 million4,313 million
Manufacturing process technology16 nm28 nm
Power consumption (TDP)120 Watt250 Watt
Texture fill rate123.0128.0
Floating-point processing power3.935 TFLOPS4.096 TFLOPS
ROPs4832
TMUs72128

Form factor & compatibility

Information on compatibility with other computer components. Useful when choosing a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. For desktop graphics cards it's interface and bus (motherboard compatibility), additional power connectors (power supply compatibility).

Bus supportno dataPCIe 3.0
InterfacePCIe 3.0 x16PCIe 3.0 x16
Length250 mm275 mm
Width2-slot2-slot
Supplementary power connectors1x 6-pin1 x 6-pin + 1 x 8-pin

VRAM capacity and type

Parameters of VRAM installed: its type, size, bus, clock and resulting bandwidth. Integrated GPUs have no dedicated video RAM and use a shared part of system RAM.

Memory typeGDDR5GDDR5
Maximum RAM amount3 GB3 GB
Memory bus width192 Bit384 Bit
Memory clock speed2002 MHzno data
Memory bandwidth192.2 GB/s288 GB/s
Shared memory--

Connectivity and outputs

Types and number of video connectors present on the reviewed GPUs. As a rule, data in this section is precise only for desktop reference ones (so-called Founders Edition for NVIDIA chips). OEM manufacturers may change the number and type of output ports, while for notebook cards availability of certain video outputs ports depends on the laptop model rather than on the card itself.

Display Connectors1x DVI, 1x HDMI, 3x DisplayPort2x DVI, 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort
Eyefinity-+
HDMI++
DisplayPort support-+

Supported technologies

Supported technological solutions. This information will prove useful if you need some particular technology for your purposes.

AppAcceleration-+
CrossFire-+
FreeSync-+
HD3D-+
LiquidVR-+
TressFX-+
TrueAudio-+
UVD-+
DDMA audiono data+

API compatibility

List of supported 3D and general-purpose computing APIs, including their specific versions.

DirectX12 (12_1)DirectX® 12
Shader Model6.45.1
OpenGL4.64.6
OpenCL1.21.2
Vulkan++
CUDA6.1-

Synthetic benchmark performance

Non-gaming benchmark results comparison. The combined score is measured on a 0-100 point scale.

Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark score. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

GTX 1060 3 GB 24.95
+64.3%
R9 280X 15.19

Passmark

This is the most ubiquitous GPU benchmark. It gives the graphics card a thorough evaluation under various types of load, providing four separate benchmarks for Direct3D versions 9, 10, 11 and 12 (the last being done in 4K resolution if possible), and few more tests engaging DirectCompute capabilities.

GTX 1060 3 GB 9588
+64.3%
R9 280X 5837

Gaming performance

Let's see how good the compared graphics cards are for gaming. Particular gaming benchmark results are measured in FPS.

Average FPS across all PC games

Here are the average frames per second in a large set of popular games across different resolutions:

Full HD100−110
+56.3%
64
−56.3%
4K50−55
+51.5%
33
−51.5%

Cost per frame, $

1080p1.99
+135%
4.67
−135%
4K3.98
+128%
9.06
−128%
  • GTX 1060 3 GB has 135% lower cost per frame in 1080p
  • GTX 1060 3 GB has 128% lower cost per frame in 4K

FPS performance in popular games

Full HD
Low Preset

Counter-Strike 2 24−27
+0%
24−27
+0%
Cyberpunk 2077 30−33
+0%
30−33
+0%

Full HD
Medium Preset

Battlefield 5 45−50
+0%
45−50
+0%
Counter-Strike 2 24−27
+0%
24−27
+0%
Cyberpunk 2077 30−33
+0%
30−33
+0%
Forza Horizon 4 60−65
+0%
60−65
+0%
Forza Horizon 5 40−45
+0%
40−45
+0%
Metro Exodus 40−45
+0%
40−45
+0%
Red Dead Redemption 2 35−40
+0%
35−40
+0%
Valorant 60−65
+0%
60−65
+0%

Full HD
High Preset

Battlefield 5 45−50
+0%
45−50
+0%
Counter-Strike 2 24−27
+0%
24−27
+0%
Cyberpunk 2077 30−33
+0%
30−33
+0%
Dota 2 36
+0%
36
+0%
Far Cry 5 55−60
+0%
55−60
+0%
Fortnite 80−85
+0%
80−85
+0%
Forza Horizon 4 60−65
+0%
60−65
+0%
Forza Horizon 5 40−45
+0%
40−45
+0%
Grand Theft Auto V 54
+0%
54
+0%
Metro Exodus 40−45
+0%
40−45
+0%
PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS 100−110
+0%
100−110
+0%
Red Dead Redemption 2 35−40
+0%
35−40
+0%
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt 52
+0%
52
+0%
Valorant 60−65
+0%
60−65
+0%
World of Tanks 190−200
+0%
190−200
+0%

Full HD
Ultra Preset

Battlefield 5 45−50
+0%
45−50
+0%
Counter-Strike 2 24−27
+0%
24−27
+0%
Cyberpunk 2077 30−33
+0%
30−33
+0%
Dota 2 137
+0%
137
+0%
Far Cry 5 55−60
+0%
55−60
+0%
Forza Horizon 4 60−65
+0%
60−65
+0%
Forza Horizon 5 40−45
+0%
40−45
+0%
PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS 100−110
+0%
100−110
+0%
Valorant 60−65
+0%
60−65
+0%

1440p
High Preset

Dota 2 21−24
+0%
21−24
+0%
Grand Theft Auto V 21−24
+0%
21−24
+0%
PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS 130−140
+0%
130−140
+0%
Red Dead Redemption 2 12−14
+0%
12−14
+0%
World of Tanks 100−110
+0%
100−110
+0%

1440p
Ultra Preset

Battlefield 5 30−35
+0%
30−35
+0%
Counter-Strike 2 30−35
+0%
30−35
+0%
Cyberpunk 2077 12−14
+0%
12−14
+0%
Far Cry 5 35−40
+0%
35−40
+0%
Forza Horizon 4 35−40
+0%
35−40
+0%
Forza Horizon 5 24−27
+0%
24−27
+0%
Metro Exodus 30−35
+0%
30−35
+0%
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt 20−22
+0%
20−22
+0%
Valorant 35−40
+0%
35−40
+0%

4K
High Preset

Counter-Strike 2 10−12
+0%
10−12
+0%
Dota 2 24−27
+0%
24−27
+0%
Grand Theft Auto V 24−27
+0%
24−27
+0%
Metro Exodus 10−11
+0%
10−11
+0%
PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS 45−50
+0%
45−50
+0%
Red Dead Redemption 2 10−11
+0%
10−11
+0%
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt 24−27
+0%
24−27
+0%

4K
Ultra Preset

Battlefield 5 14−16
+0%
14−16
+0%
Counter-Strike 2 10−12
+0%
10−12
+0%
Cyberpunk 2077 4−5
+0%
4−5
+0%
Dota 2 68
+0%
68
+0%
Far Cry 5 18−20
+0%
18−20
+0%
Fortnite 16−18
+0%
16−18
+0%
Forza Horizon 4 21−24
+0%
21−24
+0%
Forza Horizon 5 12−14
+0%
12−14
+0%
Valorant 16−18
+0%
16−18
+0%

This is how GTX 1060 3 GB and R9 280X compete in popular games:

  • GTX 1060 3 GB is 56% faster in 1080p
  • GTX 1060 3 GB is 52% faster in 4K

All in all, in popular games:

  • there's a draw in 64 tests (100%)

Pros & cons summary

Performance score 24.95 15.19
Recency 18 August 2016 8 October 2013
Chip lithography 16 nm 28 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 120 Watt 250 Watt

GTX 1060 3 GB has a 64.3% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 2 years, a 75% more advanced lithography process, and 108.3% lower power consumption.

The GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB is our recommended choice as it beats the Radeon R9 280X in performance tests.

Should you still have questions concerning choice between the reviewed GPUs, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite graphics card.

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB
GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB
AMD Radeon R9 280X
Radeon R9 280X
Like
Like

Other comparisons

We selected several comparisons of graphics cards with performance close to those reviewed, providing you with more options to consider.

GTX 1060 3 GB GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB
vs
R9 FURY X Radeon R9 FURY X
R9 280X Radeon R9 280X
vs
GTX 770 GeForce GTX 770
GTX 1060 3 GB GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB
vs
RX 6500 XT Radeon RX 6500 XT
GTX 1060 3 GB GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB
vs
HD Graphics 4000 HD Graphics 4000
GTX 1060 3 GB GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB
vs
HD Graphics 3000 HD Graphics 3000
GTX 1060 3 GB GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB
vs
HD Graphics 2500 HD Graphics 2500
GTX 1060 3 GB GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB
vs
Iris Plus Graphics 640 Iris Plus Graphics 640
GTX 1060 3 GB GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB
vs
HD Graphics 630 HD Graphics 630
GTX 1060 3 GB GTX 1060 3 GB
vs
GTX 960 960
GTX 1060 3 GB GTX 1060 3 GB
vs
GTX 680 680
GTX 1060 3 GB GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB
vs
HD 7970 Radeon HD 7970
GTX 1060 3 GB GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB
vs
R7 370 Radeon R7 370
GTX 1060 3 GB GTX 1060 3 GB
vs
GTX 950 950

Community ratings

Here you can see the user ratings of the compared graphics cards, as well as rate them yourself.

4.1 9035 votes

Rate GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
4.1 704 votes

Rate Radeon R9 280X on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about this comparison, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.