The battle for supremacy in the graphics card market is an ongoing one between two major players – Nvidia and AMD. Both companies offer a plethora of options for gamers and multimedia enthusiasts alike. In this article, we will explore the key differences between the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 and the AMD Radeon RX 590, helping you decide which mainstream graphics card is the better option for your needs.

1. Specifications

Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660:

– Architecture: Turing

– CUDA Cores: 1408

– Base Clock: 1530 MHz

– Boost Clock: 1785 MHz

– Memory Size: 6GB GDDR5

– Memory Speed: 8 Gbps

– Memory Interface Width: 192-bit

AMD Radeon RX 590:

– Architecture: Polaris

– Stream Processors: 2304

– Base Clock: 1469 MHz

– Boost Clock: 1545 MHz

– Memory Size: 8GB GDDR5

– Memory Speed: 8 Gbps

– Memory Interface Width: 256-bit

2. Performance

In terms of raw power, both cards deliver impressive performance for their respective price points. The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 boasts a higher boost clock speed, while the AMD Radeon RX 590 features more stream processors and a larger memory size.

In most gaming scenarios, they trade blows in terms of frames per second (FPS), with one card slightly edging out the other depending on the game being played and other system components. However, the GTX 1660 generally holds a slight advantage in performance due to its more advanced Turing architecture.

3. Power Consumption and Heat Output

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 proves to be more energy-efficient than the AMD Radeon RX 590. With a TDP (thermal design power) of 120W compared to the RX 590’s 225W, the GTX 1660 will consume less power and generate less heat under load. This can be an important consideration for those looking to maintain a cooler and more energy-efficient system.

4. Software Features

Both Nvidia and AMD offer proprietary software suites that assist with the optimization of graphics settings, driver updates, and system monitoring. The GeForce Experience and Radeon Software Adrenalin Edition are both user-friendly interfaces that provide additional value for users, making it difficult to declare a clear winner in this category.

5. Price

While prices can vary depending on availability and discounts, most GTX 1660 models retail around the $200 – $240 range, while RX 590 models typically start around $220 – $260. This places both cards in the mainstream pricing bracket, but the minor price advantage generally leans towards the GTX 1660.

Conclusion

The choice between the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 and AMD Radeon RX 590 can ultimately come down to personal preference and system requirements. The GeForce GTX 1660 generally offers slightly better performance at a lower price point, along with lower power consumption. However, the Radeon RX 590 still holds its own, offering a larger memory pool for those who prioritize this feature in their builds.

Considering all factors, the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 proves to be the more well-rounded option for consumers seeking a balance between cost efficiency, energy consumption, and performance capabilities.