Radeon RX 6500 vs GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q 6 GB

VS

Aggregate performance score

We've compared GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q 6 GB and Radeon RX 6500, covering specs and all relevant benchmarks.

GTX 1060 Max-Q 6 GB
2017
6 GB GDDR5, 80 Watt
15.27

RX 6500 outperforms GTX 1060 Max-Q 6 GB by a substantial 31% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

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

Place in the ranking347273
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Power efficiency13.30no data
ArchitecturePascal (2016−2021)no data
GPU code nameGP106no data
Market segmentLaptopLaptop
Release date27 June 2017 (7 years ago)no data (2024 years ago)

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 cores1280no data
Core clock speed1063 MHzno data
Boost clock speed1480 MHzno data
Number of transistors4,400 millionno data
Manufacturing process technology16 nmno data
Power consumption (TDP)80 Wattno data
Texture fill rate118.4no data
Floating-point processing power3.789 TFLOPSno data
ROPs48no data
TMUs80no data

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).

Laptop sizelargeno data
InterfacePCIe 3.0 x16no data
Supplementary power connectorsNoneno data

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 typeGDDR5no data
Maximum RAM amount6 GBno data
Memory bus width192 Bitno data
Memory clock speed2002 MHzno data
Memory bandwidth192.2 GB/sno data
Shared memory-no data

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 ConnectorsNo outputsno data
G-SYNC support+-

Supported technologies

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

VR Ready+no data

API compatibility

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

DirectX12 (12_1)no data
Shader Model6.4no data
OpenGL4.6no data
OpenCL1.2no data
Vulkan1.2.131-
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 Max-Q 6 GB 15.27
RX 6500 20.02
+31.1%

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 Max-Q 6 GB 5891
RX 6500 7723
+31.1%

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 HD77
−29.9%
100−110
+29.9%
1440p54
−29.6%
70−75
+29.6%
4K30
−16.7%
35−40
+16.7%

FPS performance in popular games

Full HD
Low Preset

Cyberpunk 2077 24−27
−33.3%
30−35
+33.3%

Full HD
Medium Preset

Assassin's Creed Odyssey 35−40
−25.7%
40−45
+25.7%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla 24−27
−32%
30−35
+32%
Battlefield 5 50−55
−30%
65−70
+30%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 30−35
−29%
40−45
+29%
Cyberpunk 2077 24−27
−33.3%
30−35
+33.3%
Far Cry 5 62
+34.8%
45−50
−34.8%
Far Cry New Dawn 40−45
−26.2%
50−55
+26.2%
Forza Horizon 4 95−100
−24.2%
120−130
+24.2%
Hitman 3 27−30
−34.5%
35−40
+34.5%
Horizon Zero Dawn 75−80
−24.7%
95−100
+24.7%
Metro Exodus 50−55
−25%
65−70
+25%
Red Dead Redemption 2 40−45
−26.2%
50−55
+26.2%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider 50−55
−32%
65−70
+32%
Watch Dogs: Legion 75−80
−15.2%
90−95
+15.2%

Full HD
High Preset

Assassin's Creed Odyssey 35−40
−25.7%
40−45
+25.7%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla 24−27
−32%
30−35
+32%
Battlefield 5 50−55
−30%
65−70
+30%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 30−35
−29%
40−45
+29%
Cyberpunk 2077 24−27
−33.3%
30−35
+33.3%
Far Cry 5 54
+17.4%
45−50
−17.4%
Far Cry New Dawn 40−45
−26.2%
50−55
+26.2%
Forza Horizon 4 95−100
−24.2%
120−130
+24.2%
Hitman 3 27−30
−34.5%
35−40
+34.5%
Horizon Zero Dawn 75−80
−24.7%
95−100
+24.7%
Metro Exodus 50−55
−32.7%
65−70
+32.7%
Red Dead Redemption 2 40−45
−26.2%
50−55
+26.2%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider 50−55
−32%
65−70
+32%
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt 35−40
−25%
45−50
+25%
Watch Dogs: Legion 75−80
−15.2%
90−95
+15.2%

Full HD
Ultra Preset

Assassin's Creed Odyssey 35−40
−25.7%
40−45
+25.7%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla 24−27
−32%
30−35
+32%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 30−35
−29%
40−45
+29%
Cyberpunk 2077 24−27
−33.3%
30−35
+33.3%
Far Cry 5 40
−15%
45−50
+15%
Forza Horizon 4 95−100
−24.2%
120−130
+24.2%
Hitman 3 27−30
−20.7%
35−40
+20.7%
Horizon Zero Dawn 75−80
−29.9%
100−105
+29.9%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider 50−55
−30%
65−70
+30%
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt 35
−28.6%
45−50
+28.6%
Watch Dogs: Legion 75−80
−15.2%
90−95
+15.2%

Full HD
Epic Preset

Red Dead Redemption 2 40−45
−31%
55−60
+31%

1440p
High Preset

Battlefield 5 30−33
−16.7%
35−40
+16.7%
Far Cry New Dawn 21−24
−30.4%
30−33
+30.4%

1440p
Ultra Preset

Assassin's Creed Odyssey 14−16
−33.3%
20−22
+33.3%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla 12−14
−50%
18−20
+50%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 16−18
−12.5%
18−20
+12.5%
Cyberpunk 2077 8−9
−37.5%
10−12
+37.5%
Far Cry 5 18−20
−27.8%
21−24
+27.8%
Forza Horizon 4 80−85
−37.5%
110−120
+37.5%
Hitman 3 18−20
−16.7%
21−24
+16.7%
Horizon Zero Dawn 30−35
−29%
40−45
+29%
Metro Exodus 27−30
−29.6%
35−40
+29.6%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider 27−30
−25%
35−40
+25%
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt 16−18
−12.5%
18−20
+12.5%
Watch Dogs: Legion 90−95
−24.5%
110−120
+24.5%

1440p
Epic Preset

Red Dead Redemption 2 24−27
−20%
30−33
+20%

4K
High Preset

Battlefield 5 14−16
−20%
18−20
+20%
Far Cry New Dawn 10−12
−27.3%
14−16
+27.3%
Hitman 3 10−12
−36.4%
14−16
+36.4%
Horizon Zero Dawn 75−80
−35.5%
100−110
+35.5%
Metro Exodus 14−16
−40%
21−24
+40%
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt 24
+20%
20−22
−20%

4K
Ultra Preset

Assassin's Creed Odyssey 9−10
−33.3%
12−14
+33.3%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla 7−8
−42.9%
10−11
+42.9%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 8−9
−25%
10−11
+25%
Cyberpunk 2077 2−3
−100%
4−5
+100%
Far Cry 5 12
+9.1%
10−12
−9.1%
Forza Horizon 4 20−22
−35%
27−30
+35%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider 14−16
−20%
18−20
+20%
Watch Dogs: Legion 6−7
−33.3%
8−9
+33.3%

4K
Epic Preset

Red Dead Redemption 2 14−16
−28.6%
18−20
+28.6%

Full HD
Ultra Preset

Battlefield 5 65−70
+0%
65−70
+0%
Far Cry New Dawn 50−55
+0%
50−55
+0%

1440p
High Preset

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 21−24
+0%
21−24
+0%
Hitman 3 21−24
+0%
21−24
+0%
Horizon Zero Dawn 40−45
+0%
40−45
+0%
Metro Exodus 35−40
+0%
35−40
+0%
Red Dead Redemption 2 30−35
+0%
30−35
+0%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider 40−45
+0%
40−45
+0%

1440p
Ultra Preset

Battlefield 5 35−40
+0%
35−40
+0%
Far Cry New Dawn 30−33
+0%
30−33
+0%

4K
High Preset

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 10−12
+0%
10−12
+0%
Red Dead Redemption 2 16−18
+0%
16−18
+0%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider 21−24
+0%
21−24
+0%

4K
Ultra Preset

Battlefield 5 20−22
+0%
20−22
+0%
Far Cry New Dawn 14−16
+0%
14−16
+0%

This is how GTX 1060 Max-Q 6 GB and RX 6500 compete in popular games:

  • RX 6500 is 30% faster in 1080p
  • RX 6500 is 30% faster in 1440p
  • RX 6500 is 17% faster in 4K

Here's the range of performance differences observed across popular games:

  • in Far Cry 5, with 1080p resolution and the Medium Preset, the GTX 1060 Max-Q 6 GB is 35% faster.
  • in Cyberpunk 2077, with 4K resolution and the Ultra Preset, the RX 6500 is 100% faster.

All in all, in popular games:

  • GTX 1060 Max-Q 6 GB is ahead in 4 tests (6%)
  • RX 6500 is ahead in 48 tests (72%)
  • there's a draw in 15 tests (22%)

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 15.27 20.02

RX 6500 has a 31.1% higher aggregate performance score.

The Radeon RX 6500 is our recommended choice as it beats the GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q 6 GB in performance tests.


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

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NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q 6 GB
GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q 6 GB
AMD Radeon RX 6500
Radeon RX 6500

Comparisons with similar GPUs

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

Community ratings

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


4.1 190 votes

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3.2 35 votes

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Questions & comments

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