GTX 1060 6GB vs RX 6500 XT
Full specification comparison between the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB (2016) and the AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT (2022).
GTX 1060 6GB
NVIDIA Entry-level
- ✓ More VRAM (6 GB vs 4 GB)
- ✓ Wider memory bus (192-bit vs 64-bit)
RX 6500 XT
AMD Entry-level
- ✓ ~8% faster on average
- ✓ Lower power draw (107 W vs 120 W)
- ✓ Cheaper at launch ($199 vs $249)
- ✓ Newer (2022 vs 2016)
- ✓ Better performance per dollar
Verdict: The RX 6500 XT is around 8% faster than the GTX 1060 6GB on average — a modest edge you may notice in demanding titles, but not a generational leap.
The GTX 1060 6GB also carries more video memory (6 GB vs 4 GB), which matters for high-resolution textures, modern AAA titles and future-proofing.
At launch pricing, the RX 6500 XT offers more performance per dollar, and the RX 6500 XT is the more power-efficient chip.
Estimated performance
Estimated average 1440p raster gaming performance compiled from publicly available benchmark data. Individual games vary.
Specs side by side
| Specification | GTX 1060 6GB | RX 6500 XT |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Pascal | RDNA 2 |
| Release year | 2016 | 2022 |
| Est. performance | ||
| Shading units | ||
| Boost clock | ||
| FP32 compute | ||
| VRAM | ||
| Memory type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory bus | ||
| Board power | ||
| Launch MSRP |
Green bars mark the better value in each row (for power and price, lower wins).
Frequently asked questions
Is the RX 6500 XT better than the GTX 1060 6GB?
Yes — based on aggregated benchmark data, the RX 6500 XT is about 8% faster than the GTX 1060 6GB on average.
How much faster is the RX 6500 XT than the GTX 1060 6GB?
Roughly 8% on average in raster gaming workloads. The gap varies by title, resolution and settings.
Which graphics card is better value?
Comparing launch prices, the RX 6500 XT delivers more performance per dollar. Check current street prices, as market pricing often shifts the value equation.