GeForce GTX 1060 5 GB vs Radeon HD 5970

When comparing GeForce GTX 1060 5 GB and Radeon HD 5970, we look primarily at benchmarks and game tests. But it is not only about the numbers. Often you can find third-party models with higher clock speeds, better cooling, or a customizable RGB lighting. Not all of them will have all the features you need. Another thing to consider is the port selection. Most graphics cards have at least one DisplayPort and HDMI interface, but some monitors require DVI. Before you buy, check the TDP of the graphics card - this characteristic will help you estimate the consumption of the graphics card. You may even have to upgrade your PSU to meet its requirements. An important factor when choosing between GeForce GTX 1060 5 GB and Radeon HD 5970 is the price. Does the additional cost justify the performance hit? Our comparison should help you make the right decision.
GeForce GTX 1060 5 GB
Radeon HD 5970

Main Specs

  GeForce GTX 1060 5 GB Radeon HD 5970
Power consumption (TDP) 120 Watt 294 Watt
Interface PCIe 3.0 x16 PCIe 2.0 x16
Supplementary power connectors 1x 6-pin 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin
Memory type GDDR5 GDDR5
Maximum RAM amount 5 GB 1 GB
Display Connectors 1x DVI, 1x HDMI, 3x DisplayPort 2x DVI, 1x mini-DisplayPort
 
  • Radeon HD 5970 has 145% more power consumption, than GeForce GTX 1060 5 GB.
  • GeForce GTX 1060 5 GB is connected by PCIe 3.0 x16, and Radeon HD 5970 uses PCIe 2.0 x16 interface.
  • GeForce GTX 1060 5 GB has 4 GB more memory, than Radeon HD 5970.
  • Both cards are used in Desktops.
  • GeForce GTX 1060 5 GB is build with Pascal architecture, and Radeon HD 5970 - with TeraScale 2.
  • Core clock speed of GeForce GTX 1060 5 GB is 781 MHz higher, than Radeon HD 5970.
  • GeForce GTX 1060 5 GB is manufactured by 16 nm process technology, and Radeon HD 5970 - by 40 nm process technology.
  • Radeon HD 5970 is 55 mm longer, than GeForce GTX 1060 5 GB.
  • Memory clock speed of GeForce GTX 1060 5 GB is 4008 MHz higher, than Radeon HD 5970.

Game benchmarks

high / 1080p 21−24 10−12
ultra / 1080p 12−14 6−7
QHD / 1440p 7−8 1−2
4K / 2160p 5−6
low / 720p 40−45 24−27
medium / 1080p 27−30 14−16
The average gaming FPS of GeForce GTX 1060 5 GB in Assassin's Creed Odyssey is 100% more, than Radeon HD 5970.

Full Specs

  GeForce GTX 1060 5 GB Radeon HD 5970
Architecture Pascal TeraScale 2
Code name GP106 Hemlock
Type Desktop Desktop
Release date 26 December 2017 18 November 2009
Pipelines 1280 1600
Core clock speed 1506 MHz 725 MHz
Boost Clock 1709 MHz
Transistor count 4,400 million 2,154 million
Manufacturing process technology 16 nm 40 nm
Texture fill rate 136.7 58.00
Floating-point performance 4,375 gflops 2x 2,320.0 gflops
Length 250 mm 305 mm
Memory bus width 160 Bit 256 Bit
Memory clock speed 8008 MHz 4000 MHz
Memory bandwidth 160.2 GB/s 128.0 GB/s
DirectX 12 (12_1) 11.2 (11_0)
Shader Model 6.4 5.0
OpenGL 4.6 4.4
OpenCL 1.2 1.2
Vulkan 1.2.131 N/A
CUDA 6.1