Rtx 2060 vs Rx 5700: Which GPU Reigns Supreme?
Struggling to choose between the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 and the AMD Radeon RX 5700 for your next gaming rig? You’re not alone. Both cards offer compelling performance at their respective price points, making the decision a tough one for many gamers.
This in-depth comparison dives into the strengths and weaknesses of each GPU. We’ll explore their performance in various games, examine their features, and analyze their overall value to help you make the best choice.
The RTX 2060, known for its ray tracing capabilities, goes head-to-head with the RX 5700, which often boasts higher raw performance. We’ll break down the key differences, including price, power consumption, and supported technologies to help you choose the best graphics card for your needs.
Specs at a Glance
| Feature | RTX 2060 | RX 5700 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Turing | RDNA |
| Process Size | 12 nm | 7 nm |
| CUDA Cores / Stream Processors | 1920 | 2304 |
| Boost Clock | Up to 1680 MHz | Up to 1725 MHz |
| Memory Size | 6 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 192-bit | 256-bit |
| TDP | 160W | 180W |
| Ray Tracing | Yes | No |
| DirectX Support | 12_1 | 12_1 |
| Release Date | January 2019 | July 2019 |
| Typical Board Power | 160W | 180W |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Architecture
- Rtx 2060: Based on the NVIDIA Turing architecture, the RTX 2060 offers ray tracing and DLSS capabilities. It utilizes a more mature architecture, but some of its RTX features are limited compared to newer generations.
- Rx 5700: Utilizing AMD’s RDNA architecture, the RX 5700 focuses on raw rasterization performance and offers a strong value proposition. It lacks ray tracing hardware, but excels in traditional gaming performance at its price point.
- Winner: Tie
Performance (Rasterization)
- Rtx 2060: Generally offers solid performance in rasterized games, but often falls behind the RX 5700. Its performance is respectable at 1080p and 1440p, but can struggle at higher resolutions.
- Rx 5700: Typically outperforms the RTX 2060 in rasterized games. It provides higher frame rates at 1080p and 1440p, making it a better choice for pure gaming performance in non-ray tracing titles.
- Winner: RX 5700
Ray Tracing
- Rtx 2060: Supports real-time ray tracing, though its performance is often limited by its hardware. While it can enable ray tracing in supported games, it may require significant compromises to maintain playable frame rates.
- Rx 5700: Does not support ray tracing hardware.
- Winner: RTX 2060
DLSS / FidelityFX Super Resolution
- Rtx 2060: Supports DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), which can improve performance and image quality in supported games. DLSS can significantly boost frame rates, potentially allowing for higher resolutions or visual settings.
- Rx 5700: Supports AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) which is a spatial upscaling technology. Performance gains may vary.
- Winner: Tie
VRAM
- Rtx 2060: Typically comes with 6GB of GDDR6 memory, which can be a limiting factor in some modern games at higher resolutions or with demanding textures.
- Rx 5700: Usually equipped with 8GB of GDDR6 memory, providing a slight advantage in games that require more video memory, particularly at higher resolutions.
- Winner: RX 5700
Power Consumption
- Rtx 2060: Generally has lower power consumption compared to the RX 5700. This results in less heat and noise, and may require a smaller power supply.
- Rx 5700: Tends to consume more power, leading to higher heat output and potentially requiring a more robust power supply.
- Winner: RTX 2060
Price & Availability (at launch)
- Rtx 2060: Launched at a higher price point compared to the RX 5700. Availability was also subject to market conditions.
- Rx 5700: Offered a more competitive price, making it a better value for rasterization performance. Availability was generally good.
- Winner: RX 5700
Overall Value
- Rtx 2060: Offers a compelling package with ray tracing and DLSS, but its performance in rasterized games is often outmatched. It is a good option if you want to try ray tracing and have the budget.
- Rx 5700: Provides excellent rasterization performance for its price, making it an excellent choice for gamers prioritizing frame rates. However, it lacks ray tracing capabilities.
- Winner: RX 5700
Winner by Category
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Raw Gaming Performance | RX 5700 |
| Ray Tracing | RTX 2060 |
| Features (DLSS, etc.) | RTX 2060 |
| Memory Capacity | RX 5700 |
| Value (at launch) | RX 5700 |
What They Have in Common
- Memory Type: Both the RTX 2060 and RX 5700 utilize GDDR6 memory, which provides faster speeds compared to older GDDR5 memory. This contributes to improved performance in gaming and other graphics-intensive tasks.
- Directx 12 Support: Both cards fully support DirectX 12, ensuring compatibility with modern games and access to advanced graphics features. This is crucial for experiencing the latest gaming technologies.
- Display Outputs: Both cards offer multiple display output options, allowing for a variety of monitor setups. This includes common ports like DisplayPort and HDMI, providing flexibility for different user needs.
- Pcie 3.0 Interface: Both GPUs use a PCIe 3.0 interface, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of motherboards. This standard provides sufficient bandwidth for both cards to operate effectively.
- Gddr6 Memory: Both cards use GDDR6 memory, a modern standard that provides high bandwidth. This contributes to faster performance in gaming and other graphically intensive applications.
Rtx 2060 Vs Rx 5700 Buying Guide
Performance Considerations
When considering performance, the RX 5700 generally outperforms the RTX 2060, particularly at higher resolutions like 1440p. The RX 5700 boasts more raw processing power due to a higher number of stream processors and a wider memory bus. This translates to higher frame rates in many games. However, the performance gap can vary depending on the specific game and the graphics settings used. The RTX 2060, while slower, still offers a solid gaming experience.
Ray Tracing and DLSS Capabilities
The RTX 2060 has a significant advantage in ray tracing capabilities. Equipped with dedicated ray tracing cores, it can render realistic lighting and reflections in supported games. The RX 5700 lacks this hardware, meaning it cannot offer ray tracing. The RTX 2060 also supports DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), which can boost performance in ray-tracing enabled games by rendering at a lower resolution and using AI to upscale the image.
Price and Availability
Price and availability are crucial factors. The original MSRP of the RX 5700 was often slightly higher than the RTX 2060. However, prices fluctuate based on market conditions, including used markets. Availability can also vary; it’s essential to check current prices from different retailers. Consider the overall value proposition, comparing performance per dollar and any bundled software to determine the best choice for your budget.
Power Consumption and Cooling
Power consumption is a practical concern. The RX 5700 typically consumes more power than the RTX 2060. This will affect your power supply requirements and electricity bill. Cooling solutions also differ. Both cards come with various cooler designs, from reference blowers to custom aftermarket coolers. Consider the noise levels and thermal performance of the specific card models you are evaluating to make an informed decision.
Driver Support and Software Features
AMD and Nvidia offer their own software suites. Nvidia’s GeForce Experience provides driver updates, game optimization profiles, and recording/streaming features. AMD’s Adrenalin software offers similar functionality. Driver stability and software features can influence the overall user experience. Research which company’s driver support is more reliable or better suited to your needs based on user reviews and your previous experiences.
Future-Proofing and Upgradability
Consider the long-term implications. While both cards are older, their capabilities will influence how well they handle future games. The RX 5700’s higher raw performance might provide a slight edge in future titles. However, the RTX 2060’s support for DLSS could become increasingly important as more games adopt the technology. Also, factor in how long you plan to use the card before upgrading again.
Who Should Buy What?
Buy RTX 2060 If…
- You prioritize ray tracing performance, even at a lower frame rate.
- You prefer Nvidia’s features like DLSS for potentially improved performance.
- You value a slightly more power-efficient card.
- You want a card with a broader software ecosystem and driver support.
Buy RX 5700 If…
- You want the best raw gaming performance at a similar price point.
- You are looking for a card with more memory capacity (8GB vs 6GB).
- You want to take advantage of AMD’s FreeSync technology if you have a compatible monitor.
- You are not concerned with ray tracing or DLSS features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which card is better for 1080p gaming?
Both cards are excellent for 1080p gaming. The RX 5700 generally offers slightly higher frame rates, providing a smoother experience in many titles. However, the RTX 2060 is more than capable of handling 1080p gaming, especially in titles that benefit from DLSS. Choose based on your preference for features and budget.
Does the RTX 2060 support ray tracing?
Yes, the RTX 2060 supports ray tracing, although the performance in ray-traced games can be limited due to the card’s hardware capabilities. It’s capable of rendering realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections in supported games, but you might need to lower graphics settings to maintain playable frame rates. DLSS can help overcome some performance issues.
Can I use the RX 5700 for VR gaming?
Yes, the RX 5700 is suitable for VR gaming and generally offers good performance in virtual reality applications. Ensure your VR headset meets the minimum system requirements. The RX 5700’s raw power is sufficient for a smooth VR experience. Adjust graphics settings as needed for optimal performance and immersion.
What is DLSS, and how does it affect the RTX 2060?
DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) is an Nvidia technology that uses AI to upscale lower-resolution images to a higher resolution, improving performance without significantly sacrificing image quality. It can boost frame rates in games that support it, making the RTX 2060 more competitive, especially in ray-traced games. It can provide a noticeable performance increase.
Is the RX 5700 better for video editing?
The RX 5700 can be used for video editing, but the RTX 2060 may have an edge due to its support for Nvidia’s NVENC encoder, which can accelerate video encoding and decoding in some editing software. However, the RX 5700 is still capable of video editing, particularly in applications that leverage the card’s raw processing power.
Which card is better for overclocking?
Overclocking potential varies between individual cards. Both cards can be overclocked to achieve higher performance. The RX 5700 might offer more significant performance gains due to its higher base clock speeds. However, the actual overclocking results depend on the specific card model, cooling solution, and silicon lottery.
What are the main advantages of the RTX 2060?
The main advantages of the RTX 2060 include its ray tracing capabilities, which allow for more realistic graphics in supported games. It also supports DLSS, which can boost performance. Additionally, the RTX 2060 often has better software features through the Nvidia ecosystem. Finally, its lower power consumption can be a factor.
Final Verdict
The RX 5700 typically offers superior raw performance, making it the better choice for gamers prioritizing frame rates, especially at higher resolutions. The RTX 2060, however, holds an advantage with its ray tracing and DLSS support, providing a more visually advanced experience in compatible games. Consider your gaming preferences and budget when making your selection.
Winner: RX 5700