NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB vs AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT
Detailed gaming performance comparison
Reference CPU: Intel Core i5-13400
We compare the GTX 1060 6GB and the RX 6500 XT with real FPS across the most popular games at 1080p, 1440p and 4K, plus specs, launch price and AI upscaling support (DLSS/FSR/XeSS). See at a glance which is better for your resolution and budget.
The GTX 1060 6GB is ~4% faster than the RX 6500 XT on average at 1080p. On top of that, the RX 6500 XT is 20% cheaper (launch price).
GTX 1060 6GB
- Index (1080p)
- 23/100
- VRAM
- 6 GB
- Price (MSRP)
- $249 · ≈ €229
- Upscaling
- FSR
RX 6500 XT
- Index (1080p)
- 22/100
- VRAM
- 4 GB
- Price (MSRP)
- $199 · ≈ €183
- Upscaling
- FSR
Average FPS by resolution
Estimated average FPS for each graphics card across the most popular games. The gap usually shows at 1080p and 1440p; at 4K both lose smoothness and upscaling (DLSS/FSR) helps.
| Resolution | GTX 1060 6GB | RX 6500 XT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 26 | 25 | +4% |
| 1440p | 17 | 14 | +21% |
| 4K | 7 | 5 | +40% |
Specifications
Side-by-side specs of the GTX 1060 6GB and RX 6500 XT: VRAM, power draw (TDP), performance index and launch price. The better value in each row is highlighted in blue.
| Spec | GTX 1060 6GB | RX 6500 XT |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | NVIDIA | AMD |
| VRAM | 6 GB | 4 GB |
| TDP | 120W | 107W |
| Tier | Mid-range | Entry-level |
| Score 1080p | 23 | 22 |
| Score 1440p | 17 | 14 |
| Score 4K | 9 | 6 |
| Price (MSRP) | $249 | $199 |
Gaming Performance
Per-game FPS detail at 1080p Ultra. The graphics card that wins each title is highlighted in blue.
| Game | GTX 1060 6GB | RX 6500 XT | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition | 27FPS | 26FPS | GTX 1060 6GB |
| Grand Theft Auto VI | 21FPS | 20FPS | GTX 1060 6GB |
| Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra | 26FPS | 25FPS | GTX 1060 6GB |
| Marathon | 26FPS | 25FPS | GTX 1060 6GB |
| Gears of War: E-Day | 23FPS | 22FPS | GTX 1060 6GB |
| Onimusha: Way of the Sword | 28FPS | 27FPS | GTX 1060 6GB |
| Phantom Blade Zero | 26FPS | 25FPS | GTX 1060 6GB |
| 007 First Light | 26FPS | 25FPS | GTX 1060 6GB |
| The Blood of Dawnwalker | 22FPS | 21FPS | GTX 1060 6GB |
| Pathologic 3 | 32FPS | 30FPS | GTX 1060 6GB |
Verdict
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB wins in 10 out of 10 games
We recommend NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB as the best option for gaming.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions when comparing the GTX 1060 6GB with the RX 6500 XT.
Which is better, the GTX 1060 6GB or the RX 6500 XT?
On average at 1080p, the GTX 1060 6GB is 4% faster than the RX 6500 XT. The best one for you depends on your resolution, budget and whether you prioritise ray tracing or price.
Which is better at 4K?
At 4K Ultra, the GTX 1060 6GB averages 7 FPS and the RX 6500 XT 5 FPS across the most popular games. For smooth 4K, enabling upscaling (DLSS/FSR) helps on both.
Is it worth paying more for the faster one?
At 1080p or 1440p the FPS gap may not justify the extra cost; at 4K or with ray tracing the faster card matters more. Check the by-resolution table to decide.
Which has better ray tracing and upscaling?
AI upscaling (DLSS on NVIDIA, FSR on AMD, XeSS on Intel) raises FPS on both; for ray tracing, GeForce RTX cards usually lead. See each card’s support above.
How big is the FPS difference between them?
On average across top games, the gap is around 4% at 1080p. At higher resolutions (1440p and 4K) the relative difference usually stays similar.