$300 GeForce vs. $300 Radeon GPU: 4 Generations, Head to Head

For years, the $300 graphics card has been the center of PC gaming. It is the worth level the place efficiency meets accessibility, the place budget-conscious players can count on a style of high-end options with out breaking the financial institution. However over the previous a number of GPU generations, that candy spot has grown stale.

We’ve typically criticized each GPU makers for dragging their toes right here, providing minimal efficiency features and few compelling upgrades, however the newest technology exhibits among the greatest features now we have seen in years, which is a optimistic signal for finances players.

To see how we received right here, now we have to return nearly six years. In early 2020, AMD lastly launched the Radeon RX 5600 XT, a mid-range card that confirmed up a full 12 months after Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 2060. By then, Nvidia had already responded by slicing the worth of the RTX 2060 from $350 to $300, whereas AMD entered at $280.

The 5600 XT wasn’t a foul card, nevertheless it did not impress the best way the higher-end 5700 XT had. Efficiency was on par with the RTX 2060, however AMD customers missed out on Nvidia’s quickly bettering DLSS upscaling tech and early ray tracing assist – although, to be truthful, ray tracing on the 2060 was fairly ineffective on account of its restricted VRAM and general inadequate GPU energy. Ultimately, Nvidia’s providing felt extra polished, even when AMD’s effort was respectable, hiccups and all.

The following technology unfolded in the course of the peak of the cryptocurrency mining growth, a chaotic time when each firms had been promoting each GPU they might make. AMD, centered on transferring models, did not even attempt to compete on worth and was, as soon as once more, late to market. The Radeon RX 6600 arrived roughly eight months after Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 3060.

On paper, each had the identical $330 MSRP, however in actuality, neither card bought wherever close to that determine. This technology was considerably of a wash… demand from miners despatched costs skyrocketing, with the modest 8GB RX 6600 going for as a lot as $600 on the peak in 2021. When the crypto bubble burst in mid-2022, costs got here crashing down, ultimately dropping beneath MSRP.

Having misjudged demand, Nvidia and particularly AMD was left with warehouses filled with unsold inventory. Even because it launched its subsequent technology, the RDNA3-based Radeon 7000 collection, AMD was nonetheless working to filter out leftover RDNA2 GPUs nicely into the next 12 months.

This set the stage for one of the vital disappointing product cycles in latest reminiscence. With the mining growth largely over and AI demand nonetheless in its early levels, issues hadn’t gotten too loopy but. Even so, each firms – particularly Nvidia – had developed a style for fatter margins and weren’t prepared to return to the outdated methods simply but.

For finances players, this resulted in poor worth and minimal efficiency upgrades. The RTX 4060 arrived at $300 with simply 8GB of VRAM, whereas AMD’s competing Radeon RX 7600 supplied no significant enhancements and, in some circumstances, truly carried out worse.

And that brings us to immediately. With AI driving chip demand larger than ever, $300 nonetheless buys you an 8GB GPU. In comparison with the disappointing earlier technology, immediately’s playing cards might really feel like progress – however for anybody hoping for a real return to budget-friendly efficiency, the wait continues.

Take a look at System Specs

Now, let’s examine how these numerous Radeon and GeForce GPUs stack up. We’re particularly desirous about trying again on the competitors over the previous 5 years. As common for this testing, we’re utilizing the Ryzen 7 9800X3D to cut back CPU bottlenecks, paired with DDR5-6000 CL30 reminiscence.

Let’s get began.

Benchmarks

Name of Obligation: Black Ops 6

First up, now we have Name of Obligation: Black Ops 6, and we’ll begin with the “Fundamental” preset, which was examined at 1080p and 1440p. Trying again on the 5600 XT and RTX 2060, we see that efficiency was very related on this sport. That in all probability does not bode nicely for the Radeon GPU, as this title normally favors AMD graphics playing cards.

Within the subsequent technology, with the RX 6600 and RTX 3060, efficiency was once more very shut, particularly at 1440p. At 1080p, the RX 6600 was 10% quicker, which is an affordable efficiency achieve.

The margin grows with the RTX 4060 and RX 7600 matchup. Right here, the Radeon GPU was 16% quicker at 1080p and 12% quicker at 1440p. This sport usually leans towards Radeon GPUs, besides, that is a strong win for the RX 7600.

Now, trying on the newest playing cards, now we have the 9060 XT 8GB and RTX 5060, and the RTX 5060 actually struggles right here. The Radeon GPU was 40% quicker at 1080p and a good bigger 46% quicker at 1440p. The RTX 5060 might solely roughly match the RX 7600, so not a terrific exhibiting for Nvidia.

Switching to the “Excessive” preset adjustments issues fairly a bit. Most of those GPUs cannot preserve over 60 fps at 1440p. In truth, the 9060 XT was the one mannequin to attain that, beating the RTX 5060 by a 41% margin.

At 1080p, the 9060 XT was an unimaginable 56% quicker than the RTX 5060. Apparently, the brand new finances Blackwell GPU was solely 6% quicker than the RTX 4060, making it noticeably slower than the RX 7600.

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

Subsequent up, now we have Cyberpunk 2077. Beginning with the “Low” high quality preset, at 1080p the RTX 2060 beat the 5600 XT by 8%, and by 14% at 1440p, giving Nvidia a transparent win. Nvidia additionally took the lead within the subsequent technology, with the RTX 3060 simply beating the RX 6600 by 10% at 1080p and 13% at 1440p.

Then now we have the RTX 4060 vs. RX 7600 matchup. Right here, the GeForce GPU was 14% quicker at 1080p and 5% quicker at 1440p.

The place AMD pulls forward is on this present technology. The 9060 XT 8GB delivered 21% better efficiency at 1080p and 18% better efficiency at 1440p in comparison with the RTX 5060. The 1% lows of the 9060 XT roughly matched the typical body charge of the RTX 5060, making this a decisive win for the Radeon GPU.

Switching to the “Excessive” preset shifts the outcomes barely. The RTX 2060 nonetheless beat the 5600 XT, delivering 10% better efficiency at 1080p and 18% at 1440p, although each GPUs fell nicely beneath 60 fps.

The RTX 3060 created an enormous hole over the RX 6600, exhibiting a 25% efficiency improve at 1080p and 31% at 1440p, leaving no contest in that matchup.

The RTX 4060 and RX 7600 had been a lot nearer, with practically equivalent efficiency at 1440p. Nevertheless, at 1080p, the GeForce GPU was 8% quicker.

With the newest technology, efficiency was way more balanced. The 9060 XT 8GB was solely 5% quicker at 1080p and 10% quicker at 1440p, an affordable win however not practically as dominant as earlier than.

Horizon Zero Daybreak Remastered

Now, let’s transfer on to Horizon Zero Daybreak Remastered, beginning with the “Medium” high quality preset. The RTX 2060 nonetheless held a transparent benefit over the 5600 XT, delivering 10% better efficiency at 1080p and eight% at 1440p.

The RX 6600 was additionally outmatched, with the RTX 3060 proving 12% quicker at 1080p and an enormous 18% quicker at 1440p.

The RTX 4060 vs. RX 7600 battle was much more even, with practically equivalent efficiency at 1080p and only a 7% lead for the GeForce GPU at 1440p, with related 1% lows.

With the high-quality settings, the RTX 5060 carried out higher, however even then, the 9060 XT 8GB was nonetheless 12% quicker at 1080p and 17% quicker at 1440p, giving AMD a convincing win.

Switching to the “Very Excessive” preset creates critical challenges for these GPUs. Beneath these settings, even at 1080p, the sport calls for greater than 10GB of VRAM.

You would possibly surprise how the 9060 XT 8GB avoids the extreme efficiency points seen with most different fashions. The exception right here is the RTX 3060, which has 12GB of VRAM. The important thing distinction comes all the way down to the PCI Categorical interface. Whereas the opposite finances GPUs have simply 8 lanes, the 9060 XT makes use of a full 16 lanes, successfully doubling the bandwidth to system reminiscence. This considerably helps efficiency when VRAM is exceeded.

It is nonetheless not a really perfect situation, however consequently, the 9060 XT 8GB stays playable. In distinction, the RTX 5060, RX 7600, RTX 4060, RX 6600, 5600 XT, and RTX 2060 all undergo from extreme stuttering and poor efficiency.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II

Subsequent up, now we have Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, and we’ll begin with the Medium high quality information. On this title, the 5600 XT will get destroyed by the RTX 2060, because the GeForce GPU was 19% quicker at 1080p and 13% quicker at 1440p. As anticipated, the RX 6600 additionally falls behind the RTX 3060, with Nvidia delivering 10% better efficiency at 1080p and an enormous 20% at 1440p.

The RX 7600 and RTX 4060, then again, had been neck and neck at each resolutions, with just some frames separating them at 1080p and just about no distinction at 1440p. Likewise, the RTX 5060 and 9060 XT 8GB had been very evenly matched, with the Radeon GPU rendering just some further frames, making this one shut sufficient to name a tie.

Switching to the Extremely preset, the outcomes are largely one-sided, with Nvidia clearly successful nearly all of these matchups. The RTX 2060, for instance, was 26% quicker than the 5600 XT at 1080p and 18% quicker at 1440p. In the meantime, the RTX 3060 led the RX 6600 by 15% at 1080p and 23% at 1440p.

The RX 7600 was extra aggressive towards the RTX 4060, besides, the GeForce GPU was 9% quicker at 1080p. Lastly, with the most recent GPUs, the 9060 XT 8GB and RTX 5060, the matchup was extraordinarily shut, with not more than 1 to 2 fps separating them.

Rainbow Six Siege X

Rainbow Six Siege is one other sport the place Nvidia has usually dominated over time. Utilizing the Medium preset with the render scale manually set to 100%, the RTX 2060 was 11% quicker than the 5600 XT at 1080p and 9% quicker at 1440p.

The RTX 3060 fully overpowered the RX 6600, delivering 26% better efficiency at 1080p and a good bigger 33% at 1440p. The RTX 4060 additionally defeated the RX 7600, producing 8% extra frames at each 1080p and 1440p.

Regardless of Nvidia’s robust exhibiting, the 9060 XT 8GB managed to outperform the RTX 5060, boosting efficiency by 9% at 1080p and 10% at 1440p. These are strong features for AMD right here.

Switching to the Extremely preset, the RTX 2060 ended up simply 6% quicker than the 5600 XT at 1080p and 5% quicker at 1440p.

For the subsequent technology, AMD took an enormous hit, with the RTX 3060 delivering a dominant 25% lead at 1080p and 29% at 1440p. Surprisingly, the RX 6600 went from being solely barely quicker than the 5600 XT at 1080p to really slower at 1440p.

The RX 7600 additionally trailed the RTX 4060, because the GeForce GPU was 14% quicker at 1080p and 9% quicker at 1440p. That brings us to the newest match between the RTX 5060 and 9060 XT 8GB. Right here, AMD claimed the win, with the Radeon GPU delivering 12% better efficiency at 1080p and seven% at 1440p.

Warhammer 40,000: Area Marine 2

Now it is time for Area Marine 2, and right here now we have some attention-grabbing outcomes. The RTX 2060 crushed the 5600 XT, delivering 24% better efficiency at 1080p and 13% at 1440p. The RTX 3060 additionally dominated the RX 6600, coming in 11% quicker at 1080p and 18% quicker at 1440p.

The RX 7600 and RTX 4060 had been very evenly matched, as we regularly see. The RTX 4060 had a slight edge at 1080p, the place it was 6% quicker, however at 1440p, each GPUs averaged 60 fps.

Apparently, with the newest technology, the outcomes flipped. The 9060 XT 8GB crushed the RTX 5060 at 1080p, delivering 17% higher efficiency, however at 1440p, they had been neck and neck, every averaging simply over 80 fps.

Utilizing the Extremely preset, the 5600 XT couldn’t deal with the VRAM calls for. Regardless that the RTX 2060 additionally has solely 6GB of VRAM, it carried out noticeably higher. Nonetheless, neither GPU rendered the sport appropriately, so the truth that the 2060 was 21% quicker at 1080p doesn’t imply a lot in sensible phrases.

The RX 6600 was fully outclassed by the RTX 3060, which not solely rendered the sport appropriately due to its 12GB of VRAM however was additionally 18% quicker at 1080p.

The RX 7600 and RTX 4060 matchup was shocking. The Radeon GPU was 6% quicker at 1080p, whereas each had been evenly matched at 1440p. An identical pattern was seen with the 9060 XT and RTX 5060, although the Radeon GPU produced barely higher general efficiency with a lot stronger 1% lows.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider

The final sport we’re going to have a look at is an outdated favourite, Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Beginning with the Medium preset, all of those GPUs deal with the sport simply, making it a superb check for evaluating older fashions.

Right here, the RTX 2060 was 12% quicker than the 5600 XT at 1080p and 10% quicker at 1440p.

Surprisingly, the RX 6600 and RTX 3060 had been extra intently matched, with the GeForce GPU 6% quicker at 1080p and 12% quicker at 1440p. The RX 7600 and RTX 4060 had been neck and neck, and the identical was true for the RTX 5060 and 9060 XT 8GB, although at 1080p, the GeForce GPU had a slight 4% lead.

Switching to the best preset pushed the older fashions all the way down to or beneath 60 fps at 1440p. For instance, the 5600 XT averaged simply 55 fps, whereas the RTX 2060 was 22% quicker at 1080p and 18% quicker at 1440p.

The RTX 3060 outperformed the RX 6600 by 15% at 1080p and 20% at 1440p. In the meantime, the RTX 4060 was 8% quicker than the RX 7600 at each 1080p and 1440p.

Lastly, now we have the present technology matchup between the 9060 XT 8GB and RTX 5060. This time, the GeForce GPU got here out forward, delivering 8% better efficiency at 1080p and 11% at 1440p.

Efficiency Abstract

Let’s check out the 7-game common information, beginning with the low to medium outcomes. Throughout the video games examined, the RTX 2060 ended up beating the 5600 XT by an 11% margin at 1080p and 10% at 1440p. It was comfortably forward, that means you’d should be paying significantly much less for the Radeon GPU to make it price contemplating.

It is a related story with the RX 6600 vs. RTX 3060 matchup. The GeForce GPU was 9% quicker at 1080p and 15% quicker at 1440p. After all, the RX 6600 ultimately bought for considerably much less, however at launch, each playing cards shared the identical MSRP, and that was on AMD.

Subsequent, now we have the earlier technology RX 7600 vs. RTX 4060. This matchup was a tie, with each GPUs delivering just about equivalent efficiency general, so there is not any clear winner right here.

Now, trying on the present battle, AMD takes the lead. The 9060 XT 8GB was, on common, 13% quicker than the RTX 5060 at each examined resolutions. That is the biggest win we have seen on the $300 worth level in a number of years.

Now at Extremely high quality, right here the RTX 2060 was 11% quicker than the 5600 XT at 1080p and 24% quicker at 1440p. Then now we have the RTX 3060 vs. RX 6600 matchup, the place the Radeon GPU actually struggled. The GeForce GPU was 19% quicker at 1080p and 24% quicker at 1440p.

The RX 7600 and RTX 4060, then again, had been neck and neck with just about nothing separating them. As for the present technology, the 9060 XT 8GB finishes nicely forward. It actually advantages from the VRAM-limited Horizon Zero Daybreak Remastered testing due to its extra PCIe lanes. Ultimately, the Radeon GPU was 22% quicker at each resolutions, a straightforward win for AMD.

A Look Again – and Ahead – on the Funds GPU Market

The finances gaming GPU market has been caught for a very long time, partly on account of AMD’s unwillingness to compete aggressively. Take the Radeon RX 5600 XT. It was a wonderfully serviceable GPU, nevertheless it confirmed up so late that Nvidia barely needed to raise a finger. The corporate merely lower the worth of its GeForce RTX 2060 by 14% and moved on. By then, neither card was notably thrilling. Each shipped with simply 6GB of VRAM, and a year-old low cost wasn’t a lot to have a good time.

The following technology managed to be even worse, due to the chaos of the cryptocurrency growth. If AMD’s Radeon RX 6600 had been broadly out there at its launch worth, it could have been laughable for the efficiency on provide. As a substitute, it was swept up in demand from miners, promoting for a lot above MSRP – at occasions near double. By mid-2022, as crypto costs crashed, the RX 6600 was ultimately discounted into a way more cheap $200 vary. However that was lengthy after launch, and much from its unique positioning.

Some will argue that AMD’s pricier 6600 XT was the true rival to Nvidia’s RTX 3060. However that card debuted at $380. Together with it on this comparability would open the door to a cascade of different GPUs, just like the RTX 5060 Ti 8GB on the similar $380 worth level, and even its 16GB variant, simply $50 larger. At that time, we would have to incorporate the 16GB model of AMD’s personal 9060 XT and a half-dozen extra fashions. We had to attract the road someplace, and for this piece the goal was $300, stretching barely to $330 in the course of the crypto growth period.

The matchup between the Radeon RX 7600 and GeForce RTX 4060 is way easier – and it highlights how little actual competitors there’s been on this section, arguably because the days of the RX 580. On the time, AMD’s FSR upscaling was miles behind Nvidia’s DLSS, and whereas ray tracing was technically current on the 4060, its efficiency was so underwhelming that it was nearly irrelevant. Nonetheless, DLSS was a significant benefit, and AMD’s meager $30 low cost – a few 10% distinction – wasn’t sufficient to sway most consumers.

And it confirmed. Apart from that slight worth lower, the RX 7600 supplied nothing Nvidia did not. Each playing cards got here with 8GB of VRAM and related rasterization efficiency, with AMD normally a hair slower. That technology wasn’t a whole step backward, nevertheless it underscored simply how stagnant the finances gaming house had change into.

This newest spherical feels completely different. AMD has lastly given players an actual purpose to purchase Radeon. Nobody’s thrilled to see 8GB GPUs nonetheless being bought in 2025, and we suggest avoiding them when potential. However when you have precisely $300 to spend, there is not any higher worth proper now than the Radeon 9060 XT. Higher but, whereas the MSRP is ready at $300, loads of fashions are already promoting for $270 to $280.

By comparability, Nvidia’s RTX 5060 normally sells at its full $300 MSRP regardless of being slower and restricted to only 8 PCIe lanes. the 9060 XT 8GB the clear winner and with out query the best choice for $300 or much less.

As we wrapped up testing for this evaluation, we noticed RTX 5060 Ti 8GB fashions dropping to round $340 – nonetheless a 25% premium over discounted 9060 XT playing cards and, like the usual 5060, nonetheless caught with solely 8 PCIe lanes. The 16GB model of the 5060 Ti is a stronger product, nevertheless it begins at $430. AMD’s 16GB 9060 XT, at $380, in all probability makes for the higher purchase, although the case may very well be made for both relying in your wants.

So right here we’re in 2025: the perfect $300 GPU you should buy nonetheless solely has 8GB of VRAM – and surprisingly, for the primary time in years, that card is a Radeon.

Procuring Shortcuts:

• AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB on Amazon
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB on Amazon
• AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT on Amazon
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti on Amazon
• AMD Radeon RX 9070 on Amazon
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 on Amazon