Rtx 2060 vs Rx 580: Which GPU Reigns Supreme?
Struggling to choose between the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 and the AMD Radeon RX 580? You’re not alone! Both graphics cards have held a strong position in the gaming market, offering compelling performance at different price points. This comparison dives deep to help you make the best decision for your gaming needs.
The RTX 2060 brought ray tracing and DLSS to the mid-range market, promising a significant leap in visual fidelity. On the other hand, the RX 580 established itself as a reliable and budget-friendly option, providing excellent 1080p gaming experiences. We’ll explore their strengths, weaknesses, and overall value.
We will examine the performance of both cards in various games, considering factors like frame rates, power consumption, and features. By the end of this comparison, you’ll have a clear understanding of which GPU, the RTX 2060 or the RX 580, is the right choice for your setup and budget. Let’s get started!
Specs at a Glance
| Feature | RTX 2060 | RX 580 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Turing | Polaris |
| Process Size | 12 nm | 14 nm |
| CUDA Cores / Stream Processors | 1920 | 2304 |
| Boost Clock | Up to 1680 MHz | Up to 1340 MHz |
| Memory Size | 6 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bus | 192-bit | 256-bit |
| TDP | 160W | 185W |
| Ray Tracing | Yes | No |
| Tensor Cores | Yes | No |
| DirectX Support | 12_1 | 12_0 |
| Release Date | January 2019 | April 2017 |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Architecture
- Rtx 2060: Based on the NVIDIA Turing architecture, the RTX 2060 introduced real-time ray tracing and DLSS capabilities. This architecture brought significant improvements in performance and efficiency compared to its Pascal predecessors. However, it’s older than newer architectures.
- Rx 580: Built on AMD’s Polaris architecture, the RX 580 focused on offering excellent value for 1080p gaming. It provided a strong price-to-performance ratio for its time. However, the Polaris architecture lacks advanced features like ray tracing.
- Winner: RTX 2060
Ray Tracing
- Rtx 2060: The RTX 2060 supports real-time ray tracing, allowing for more realistic lighting and reflections in supported games. While the performance with ray tracing enabled is not always optimal, the feature is a significant advantage.
- Rx 580: The RX 580 does not support ray tracing.
- Winner: RTX 2060
DLSS/Upscaling
- Rtx 2060: The RTX 2060 supports DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), which uses AI to upscale lower-resolution images, improving performance without a significant loss in visual quality. This is a key advantage.
- Rx 580: The RX 580 does not support DLSS.
- Winner: RTX 2060
Performance (1080p Gaming)
- Rtx 2060: Generally, the RTX 2060 offers higher performance at 1080p, often exceeding 60fps in most modern games at high settings. It provides a smoother gaming experience.
- Rx 580: The RX 580 is very capable at 1080p gaming, easily achieving 60fps in many games at high settings. However, it might struggle with the most demanding titles at maximum settings.
- Winner: RTX 2060
Performance (1440p Gaming)
- Rtx 2060: The RTX 2060 can handle 1440p gaming at medium to high settings in many titles, providing a good balance between visual fidelity and performance.
- Rx 580: The RX 580 struggles to provide a good 1440p gaming experience. It is best suited for 1080p gaming.
- Winner: RTX 2060
VRAM
- Rtx 2060: The RTX 2060 typically comes with 6GB of GDDR6 VRAM.
- Rx 580: The RX 580 often comes with either 4GB or 8GB of GDDR5 VRAM.
- Winner: Tie (VRAM amount depends on the specific RX 580 model, 6GB GDDR6 is slightly better than 4GB GDDR5)
Power Consumption
- Rtx 2060: The RTX 2060 typically has a higher power consumption than the RX 580, requiring a more powerful power supply.
- Rx 580: The RX 580 generally consumes less power, making it a more efficient option in terms of energy usage.
- Winner: rx 580
Price & Availability (at time of release)
- Rtx 2060: The RTX 2060 launched at a higher price point than the RX 580.
- Rx 580: The RX 580 offered a more budget-friendly option, making it accessible to a wider audience.
- Winner: rx 580
Winner by Category
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Raw Performance | RTX 2060 |
| Ray Tracing | RTX 2060 |
| Value (at launch) | RX 580 |
| Features | RTX 2060 |
| Efficiency | RTX 2060 |
What They Have in Common
- Gaming at 1080p: Both cards are well-suited for gaming at 1080p resolution, offering smooth frame rates in most modern titles. They can provide an enjoyable gaming experience.
- Multiple Display Outputs: Both the RTX 2060 and RX 580 come equipped with multiple display outputs, allowing users to connect to multiple monitors for gaming or productivity.
- Pcie Interface: Both GPUs utilize the PCIe interface, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of motherboards and systems. This is a standard connection.
- Support for Modern Apis: Both cards support modern graphics APIs like DirectX and Vulkan, enabling them to run the latest games and applications. This allows access to the latest graphical features.
- Overclocking Potential: Both cards offer some overclocking potential, allowing users to squeeze out extra performance by increasing clock speeds and memory frequencies. This can improve frame rates.
Rtx 2060 Vs Rx 580 Buying Guide
Performance for Gaming
The RTX 2060 generally outperforms the RX 580 significantly in gaming. This is due to the RTX 2060’s newer architecture and more powerful processing capabilities. Expect higher frame rates and better visual fidelity, especially at higher resolutions like 1440p. The RX 580 can still handle 1080p gaming effectively, but it struggles to compete with the RTX 2060 in demanding titles and with ray tracing enabled games. Consider your desired resolution and target frame rates when making your choice.
Price and Availability
The price and availability of these cards fluctuate significantly depending on the market and current demand. The RX 580, being an older card, is often available at lower prices, especially used. However, its availability can be inconsistent. The RTX 2060, while also discontinued, may still be found at various price points, influenced by factors like condition and seller. Always compare prices from different retailers and consider the overall value proposition, including the performance you’ll receive.
Power Consumption and Cooling
The RTX 2060 generally consumes slightly less power than the RX 580, which can result in lower electricity bills. Both cards require a decent power supply to operate reliably. Ensure your power supply unit (PSU) has enough wattage and the necessary connectors to support the chosen graphics card. Cooling solutions vary depending on the manufacturer’s design, but both cards typically generate heat, so adequate cooling is essential for optimal performance and longevity. Consider the size of the case and the cooling solution when selecting a card.
Features and Technologies
The RTX 2060 offers advanced features like ray tracing and DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), which are absent on the RX 580. Ray tracing enhances visual realism by simulating light behavior, while DLSS improves performance by rendering games at a lower resolution and then upscaling them with AI. The RX 580 supports FreeSync, AMD’s adaptive sync technology. Consider the specific features you prioritize and whether they align with your gaming preferences and monitor capabilities.
Driver Support and Software
Both NVIDIA and AMD provide regular driver updates for their graphics cards to optimize performance, fix bugs, and add new features. NVIDIA’s drivers are generally well-regarded for their stability and optimization. AMD’s drivers have improved significantly over time. The software suites that accompany each card offer various tools for tweaking settings, monitoring performance, and capturing gameplay. Ensure you are comfortable with the software ecosystem of the chosen brand.
Best Use Cases and Target Audience
The RTX 2060 is a better choice for gamers seeking superior performance at 1080p and 1440p, especially those interested in ray tracing and DLSS. It’s suitable for a wide range of games. The RX 580 remains a viable option for budget-conscious gamers primarily targeting 1080p resolution. It’s a solid choice for older titles and less demanding games. Consider your budget, desired performance level, and the types of games you play when determining which card best suits your needs.
Who Should Buy What?
Buy RTX 2060 If…
- You want better performance in games that support ray tracing.
- You want access to DLSS for improved performance in supported games.
- You’re looking for a card with slightly better overall performance, especially at higher settings.
- You prefer a newer architecture with updated features.
Buy RX 580 If…
- You’re on a tight budget.
- You’re primarily gaming at 1080p and don’t care about ray tracing.
- You find a good deal on a used RX 580.
- You prioritize value for money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which card is better for 1080p gaming?
The RTX 2060 is generally better for 1080p gaming, providing higher frame rates and more consistent performance in most titles. However, the RX 580 can still handle 1080p gaming well, particularly in less demanding games or older titles. The choice depends on your specific performance expectations and the games you play. The RTX 2060 offers a smoother experience in many cases.
Does the RTX 2060 support ray tracing?
Yes, the RTX 2060 supports ray tracing, although its performance with ray tracing enabled can vary depending on the game. While it can run ray-traced games, you may need to lower settings or use DLSS to maintain playable frame rates. The RX 580, being an older card, lacks hardware support for ray tracing. The RTX 2060 is better suited for ray tracing.
What is DLSS, and does the RTX 2060 support it?
DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) is an NVIDIA technology that uses AI to improve performance by rendering games at a lower resolution and then upscaling them to a higher resolution. This can significantly boost frame rates without sacrificing visual quality. The RTX 2060 supports DLSS, which is a significant advantage in supported games. The RX 580 does not support DLSS.
Is the RX 580 still a good buy in 2024?
Whether the RX 580 is a good buy in 2024 depends on the price and your expectations. If you can find it at a very low price and primarily play older titles or less demanding games at 1080p, it can still offer decent value. However, the RTX 2060 provides superior performance and features for a relatively small price difference. Make sure you compare prices.
Which card is more power efficient?
The RTX 2060 generally consumes slightly less power than the RX 580, which can lead to lower electricity bills. However, the difference in power consumption is not substantial. Both cards require a decent power supply unit (PSU) to operate reliably. Check your PSU’s wattage and connectors before purchasing either card. Always consider overall system power requirements.
What’s the difference between the RTX 2060 and the RTX 2060 SUPER?
The RTX 2060 SUPER is a more powerful version of the RTX 2060, offering a significant performance boost due to its improved specifications, including more CUDA cores and faster memory. The RTX 2060 SUPER sits between the RTX 2060 and higher-end cards in terms of performance. The RTX 2060 SUPER is a better choice if your budget allows for it.
Where can I buy these cards?
Both the RTX 2060 and RX 580 are discontinued, so you’ll likely find them on the used market or at select retailers that still have stock. Websites like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and other online marketplaces are good places to start. Check the seller’s rating and the card’s condition. Always compare prices from multiple sources to get the best deal.
Final Verdict
The RTX 2060 emerges as the superior choice due to its enhanced performance, modern features like ray tracing and DLSS, and slightly better power efficiency. While the RX 580 remains a viable option for budget-conscious gamers at 1080p, the RTX 2060 provides a smoother and more future-proof gaming experience, especially if you consider its features. The RX 580 is a solid choice if found at a significantly lower price.
Winner: RTX 2060