What Does The Rx 580 Compare To? This is a crucial question for gamers and PC enthusiasts looking for the best value and performance in a graphics card. COMPARE.EDU.VN offers an in-depth analysis, pitting the RX 580 against its rivals to help you make an informed decision and find the perfect GPU for your needs. Uncover similar performing video cards, benchmark comparisons, and the best alternatives in this comprehensive guide.
1. Introduction: RX 580 in Today’s Graphics Card Landscape
The AMD Radeon RX 580 has been a stalwart in the budget to mid-range graphics card market for years. Even with newer GPUs available, it continues to offer a compelling combination of affordability and performance. Understanding what the RX 580 compares to is crucial for anyone building a new PC or upgrading an existing one. This article will delve into how it stacks up against its direct competitors, particularly the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060, and explore more modern alternatives. We’ll analyze benchmarks, features, and overall value to provide a clear picture of where the RX 580 stands today.
2. RX 580 vs. GTX 1060: A Historic Rivalry
2.1 The Original Showdown: RX 480 vs. GTX 1060
The RX 580’s story really begins with its predecessor, the RX 480. Released in 2016, the RX 480 was AMD’s attempt to challenge NVIDIA’s GTX 1060 in the mainstream market. The RX 480 aimed to deliver solid 1080p gaming performance at an attractive price point.
The initial RX 480 (8GB) launched at $240, while the GTX 1060 (6GB) was priced at $250. Early benchmarks showed the GTX 1060 having a slight edge, being around 6% faster on average across 22 games. However, the RX 480 showed promise in newer titles using DirectX 12 (DX12) and Vulkan APIs, sometimes even outperforming the GTX 1060 in those specific scenarios.
2.2 The RX 580 Emerges: A Refreshed Contender
AMD refined the RX 480 into the RX 580, offering a mild overclock and a more competitive price. NVIDIA responded by releasing a 9 Gbps memory version of the GTX 1060, increasing memory bandwidth by 13%. However, this update didn’t significantly impact the GTX 1060’s overall performance.
By mid-2017, benchmarks across 27 games showed the RX 580 edging ahead, becoming roughly 3% faster than the GTX 1060 9Gbps. The two cards were closely matched, and the best choice often depended on the specific games being played.
2.3 Long-Term Performance: RX 580’s Staying Power
As time went on, driver updates and the increasing adoption of modern APIs like DX12 and Vulkan further benefited the RX 580. By 2019, with a large 36-game benchmark, the RX 580 was around 3% faster than the GTX 1060. Surprisingly, the RX 580 remained a viable option and one of the best value sub-$200 graphics cards, even beating newer cards like the 5500 XT and matching the GTX 1650 Super.
2.4 Direct Comparison: RX 580 vs. GTX 1060 Specifications
To understand the differences, let’s look at the specifications of both cards:
| Feature | RX 580 | GTX 1060 (6GB) |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Polaris 20 | Pascal |
| Manufacturing Process | 14nm | 16nm |
| Stream Processors | 2304 | 1280 |
| Base Clock | 1257 MHz | 1506 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1340 MHz | 1708 MHz |
| Memory | 8GB GDDR5 | 6GB GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 256 GB/s | 192 GB/s |
| TDP | 185W | 120W |
| Typical Price (Used) | $70-100 | $60-90 |
2.5 Benchmarking in Modern Games: Is RX 580 Still Viable?
To get a clearer picture, let’s dive into some specific game benchmarks:
- Rainbow Six Siege (Vulkan): The RX 580 is significantly faster, outperforming the GTX 1060 by 27% at 1080p and 30% at 1440p.
- World War Z (Vulkan): The RX 580 dominates, running 23% faster at 1080p and 27% faster at 1440p.
- Resident Evil 2 (Low-Level API): The RX 580 leads comfortably, with a 23% advantage at 1080p and 24% at 1440p.
- Red Dead Redemption 2: Due to the GTX 1060’s 6GB VRAM limitation, the RX 580 is 18% faster in average frame rates at 1080p and a massive 77% faster in 1% low performance.
- Apex Legends: After a recent update, the GTX 1060 is now faster by up to 12%.
- PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG): The GTX 1060 wins here, optimized for NVIDIA hardware, delivering 14% more frames at 1080p and 10% more at 1440p.
- Fortnite: The RX 580 shows AMD’s optimization efforts, running faster at both resolutions by up to 12%.
- Assassin’s Creed Odyssey: Performance is very close, with no clear winner.
- Metro Exodus (DX12): The RX 580 excels despite being an NVIDIA-sponsored title, running 23% faster at 1080p and 21% faster at 1440p.
- Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order: Performance is nearly identical.
- F1 2019 (DX12): The RX 580 shows a large advantage, delivering 21% more frames at 1080p and 23% more at 1440p.
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: The RX 580 is slightly faster, with a 6% lead at 1080p and 9% at 1440p.
2.6 The Verdict: RX 580 vs. GTX 1060 in 2024
In 2024, the RX 580 holds its own, particularly in titles that benefit from modern APIs and greater VRAM. At 1080p, it’s roughly 5% faster on average across a wide range of games. At 1440p, this advantage grows to 8%, likely due to the RX 580’s 8GB of VRAM. While the GTX 1060 remains a capable card, the RX 580 offers more consistent performance in current games.
3. RX 580 vs. Newer Alternatives
While the RX 580 and GTX 1060 represent a classic battle, newer cards have emerged that offer improved performance and features. Let’s compare the RX 580 to some of these modern alternatives.
3.1 RX 580 vs. GTX 1650 Super
The GTX 1650 Super is a more recent entry-level card that often matches or slightly exceeds the RX 580’s performance while offering better power efficiency.
| Feature | RX 580 | GTX 1650 Super |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Polaris 20 | Turing |
| Manufacturing Process | 14nm | 12nm |
| CUDA Cores | N/A | 1280 |
| Base Clock | 1257 MHz | 1530 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1340 MHz | 1725 MHz |
| Memory | 8GB GDDR5 | 4GB GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 256 GB/s | 192 GB/s |
| TDP | 185W | 100W |
| Typical Price (New) | $160-180 (Used) | $180-220 |
The GTX 1650 Super offers comparable performance to the RX 580 with significantly lower power consumption. However, the RX 580’s 8GB of VRAM may be beneficial in some newer titles at higher settings.
3.2 RX 580 vs. RX 5500 XT
The RX 5500 XT was designed as a direct replacement for the RX 580, offering better performance per watt and newer features.
| Feature | RX 580 | RX 5500 XT (8GB) |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Polaris 20 | Navi 14 |
| Manufacturing Process | 14nm | 7nm |
| Stream Processors | 2304 | 1408 |
| Base Clock | 1257 MHz | 1607 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1340 MHz | 1845 MHz |
| Memory | 8GB GDDR5 | 8GB GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 256 GB/s | 224 GB/s |
| TDP | 185W | 130W |
| Typical Price (New) | $160-180 (Used) | $200-250 |
While the RX 5500 XT is generally faster than the RX 580 and more power-efficient, its higher price point might make the RX 580 a more attractive option for budget-conscious buyers.
3.3 RX 580 vs. GTX 1660 Super
The GTX 1660 Super offers a significant performance jump over the RX 580, making it a worthwhile upgrade for those seeking higher frame rates and better image quality.
| Feature | RX 580 | GTX 1660 Super |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Polaris 20 | Turing |
| Manufacturing Process | 14nm | 12nm |
| CUDA Cores | N/A | 1408 |
| Base Clock | 1257 MHz | 1530 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1340 MHz | 1785 MHz |
| Memory | 8GB GDDR5 | 6GB GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 256 GB/s | 336 GB/s |
| TDP | 185W | 125W |
| Typical Price (New) | $160-180 (Used) | $230-280 |
The GTX 1660 Super typically offers around 30% more performance than the RX 580, justifying its higher price for those who demand smoother gameplay at higher resolutions.
4. Real-World Gaming Scenarios
To provide a more practical perspective, let’s examine how the RX 580 performs in different gaming scenarios:
4.1 1080p Gaming: The RX 580’s Sweet Spot
The RX 580 remains a capable 1080p gaming card. It can handle most titles at medium to high settings, delivering playable frame rates. For competitive games like CS:GO, Valorant, and Rainbow Six Siege, the RX 580 can easily push high frame rates, making it suitable for high-refresh-rate monitors.
4.2 1440p Gaming: Compromises Required
While the RX 580 can handle some games at 1440p, it often requires compromises in settings to maintain smooth frame rates. Older titles and less demanding games will run fine, but newer AAA games may need to be dialed down to medium or even low settings.
4.3 VR Gaming: A Feasible Entry Point
The RX 580 meets the minimum requirements for many VR games and experiences. However, to ensure a comfortable and immersive VR experience, you may need to adjust settings and expectations. For more demanding VR titles, a more powerful GPU is recommended.
5. Factors to Consider When Choosing a Graphics Card
When deciding whether the RX 580 is the right choice for you, consider these factors:
5.1 Budget Constraints: Balancing Cost and Performance
The RX 580 is an excellent option for budget-conscious gamers. It offers a good balance of cost and performance, allowing you to play most games without breaking the bank.
5.2 Intended Resolution and Refresh Rate
If you plan to game primarily at 1080p with a standard 60Hz monitor, the RX 580 is a solid choice. However, if you’re aiming for 1440p or high-refresh-rate gaming, you may want to consider a more powerful GPU.
5.3 Game Genre Preferences: Optimizing for Your Favorite Titles
Different games have different hardware requirements. If you primarily play esports titles, the RX 580 will likely be sufficient. However, if you enjoy AAA games with demanding graphics, a more powerful card may be necessary.
5.4 Future-Proofing: Planning for Upcoming Games
While the RX 580 is still viable today, it’s important to consider future-proofing. Newer games will likely have higher hardware requirements, so investing in a more powerful GPU now can help ensure your system remains capable for longer.
6. How COMPARE.EDU.VN Helps You Decide
At COMPARE.EDU.VN, we understand the challenges of comparing different graphics cards and making informed decisions. Our comprehensive comparison tools and in-depth reviews provide you with the information you need to choose the right GPU for your needs and budget.
We offer:
- Detailed Specifications: Compare the technical specifications of different graphics cards side-by-side.
- Benchmark Results: View benchmark results from a variety of games and applications.
- User Reviews: Read reviews from other users to get a sense of real-world performance and reliability.
- Price Comparisons: Find the best deals on graphics cards from various retailers.
7. Conclusion: The RX 580 in 2024 – A Solid Budget Choice
The RX 580 remains a relevant option in 2024, particularly for budget-conscious gamers looking for solid 1080p performance. While newer cards offer better performance and features, the RX 580’s affordability and proven track record make it a compelling choice. If you’re on a tight budget and primarily play older titles or esports games, the RX 580 can still deliver a satisfying gaming experience.
8. FAQs About the RX 580
8.1 Is the RX 580 good for gaming in 2024?
Yes, the RX 580 is still a viable option for 1080p gaming in 2024. It can handle most titles at medium to high settings, delivering playable frame rates.
8.2 How much VRAM does the RX 580 have?
The RX 580 typically comes with 8GB of GDDR5 VRAM.
8.3 What is the RX 580 equivalent to in NVIDIA?
The RX 580 is most closely comparable to the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060.
8.4 Can the RX 580 run VR games?
Yes, the RX 580 meets the minimum requirements for many VR games and experiences.
8.5 What power supply do I need for an RX 580?
A 500W power supply is generally recommended for a system with an RX 580.
8.6 Is the RX 580 better than the GTX 1650?
The RX 580 and GTX 1650 offer similar performance. However, the RX 580 typically has more VRAM, while the GTX 1650 is more power-efficient.
8.7 Can the RX 580 run modern AAA games?
Yes, the RX 580 can run modern AAA games, but you may need to adjust settings to medium or low to maintain smooth frame rates.
8.8 What is the typical price of a used RX 580?
A used RX 580 typically sells for between $70 and $100.
8.9 Is the RX 580 a good value in 2024?
Yes, the RX 580 offers good value for budget-conscious gamers, providing a solid 1080p gaming experience at an affordable price.
8.10 Where can I find more comparisons of graphics cards?
Visit COMPARE.EDU.VN to find more detailed comparisons of graphics cards and other PC hardware.
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