When it relates to GPUS, you can choose between AMD and Nvidia. For over two decades, these two tech powerhouses have dominated the graphics card discourse, and it has been many years since any other tech organization has taken a good shot at the two.

Aside from Intel’s new Arc Alchemist graphics card, picking between the two requires more work. When you invest in a new gaming card, you are either supporting Team Green or Team Red. So, does it genuinely matter where you buy your goods? Isn’t GPU performance generally comparable? Can’t you expect an identical gaming performance regardless of whether you get an AMD or Nvidia GPU?

AMD and Nvidia’s Background

Here is a brief history of AMD and Nvidia.

AMD (Advanced Micro Devices) began manufacturing microchips in 1969. The corporation has bought several businesses throughout the years, notably ATI Technologies, which has become its GPU branch. AMD is a well-known manufacturer of CPUs (Ryzen) and GPUs (Radeon).

Nvidia is a relatively new firm, having been founded in 1993. Since its inception, it has been manufacturing graphics cards; Riva TNT, its first notable offering, launched in 1998. GeForce is a brand that has been in existence for nearly two decades. So far, Nvidia has produced 17 generations of GPUs.

Although both AMD and Nvidia produce CPUs for various devices, including mobile phones, most of the conversations focused on their graphics offerings.

Performance

In terms of raw performance, both AMD and Nvidia produce excellent graphics cards. You can’t go wrong with either company for 1080p gaming. Regardless of the game, a mid-tier AMD RX 6600 XT or Nvidia RTX 3060 GPU may achieve more than 60 frames per second (fps). Using Cyberpunk 2077 at that resolution with the ultra-graphics setting, for example, yields 70 fps with the RX 6600 XT and 65 fps with the RTX 3060.

In Cyberpunk 2077, 1440p gameplay on ultra-graphics is more demanding on graphics cards, while an upper midrange card will get you about 60 fps per second. The Nvidia RTX 3070 beats the AMD RX 6700 XT by 62 frames per second. Of course, lowering the graphics preset will result in greater framerates.

Nvidia clearly outperforms AMD in 4K and ray tracing performance. Let’s start with 4K performance; with the extreme graphics preset on, Nvidia’s RTX 3080 runs Cyberpunk 2077 at 40 frames per second, while the RTX 3070 runs it at 30. Meanwhile, AMD’s RX 6800 XT (the 3080’s equivalent) achieves 37 frames per second, while the RX 6700 XT achieves 25.

The RTX 3080 operates at 58 frames per second at 1080p extreme graphics with ray tracing set to the ultra-preset, the RTX 3070 at 44 frames per second, the RX 6800 XT at 38 frames per second, and the RX 6700 XT at 23 frames per second.

Nvidia also excels when it comes to graphics card performance outside of games. Its cards contain dedicated media encoding and decoding space, and the hardware acceleration speeds up multimedia tasks like video production and web streaming. AMD’s technology is based on firmware encoding and decoding.

When it comes to 1440p and 1080p gaming, AMD and Nvidia are neck and neck, but Nvidia is the clear winner when it comes to 4K and ray tracing gameplay.

Upscaling And Ray Tracing

If you’re serious about ray tracing and upscaling, you can disregard all of the preceding performance figures. When it comes to ray tracing and upscaling, Nvidia is the best option. AMD provides hardware-accelerated ray tracing plus an exclusive upscaling technology, but neither can compete with Nvidia.

We discovered the same effects time and again while testing ray tracing titles such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Control. AMD cards cannot support ray tracing in the same way that Nvidia cards can. This is due to fundamental differences in the two firms’ approaches to GPU architecture.

The Nvidia RTX 30-series GPUs contain ray tracing cores. These cores are independent of the GPU cores and handle ray tracing. In contrast, AMD incorporates a ray accelerator within each processor unit. AMD cards still support hardware-accelerated ray tracing; however, the CPUs that handle it has less power.

The primary reason Nvidia has an advantage is its Deep Learning Super Sampling or DLSS technology. Ray tracing is highly demanding, and while Nvidia cards seem better equipped for it, expect the frame rate to suffer when ray tracing is enabled. Enter DLSS, which employs artificial intelligence to boost gaming performance.

According to our tests, DLSS can provide a 100% improvement for supported titles. The RTX 30-series and 20-series graphics cards with Tensor cores make use of DLSS. The Tensor cores work on an AI model which has been developed on high-quality scanning of a game, allowing it to rebuild the image in real-time with astounding accuracy.

AMD includes an upscaling option. Unlike DLSS, FSR is supported by all graphics cards, Nvidia and AMD, equally. That’s because it doesn’t employ dedicated hardware or artificial intelligence to enhance the image. AMD updated an earlier spatial upscaling technique to create FSR.

Even though they work toward the same aim, DLSS and FSR are different. FSR improves performance more significantly, but there is a considerable sacrifice to image quality. DLSS still gives a significant improvement while looking considerably closer to natural resolution.

Upscaling is critical in the domain of ray tracing. Because modern hardware is highly demanding, you must enable DLSS or FSR to achieve optimum performance and visual quality. DLSS is the superior alternative and is frequently used in conjunction with ray tracing. It’s simply a pity that DLSS is only available on Nvidia graphics cards for the last two generations.

Variable Rate Shading

Variable Rate Shading, or VRS, is an NVIDIA-developed technology that has found its finest application in virtual reality. It effectively determines which frames in the field of view will be fully colored or rendered at all. This drastically reduces the GPU’s workload, transferring excess resources to other valuable activities.

The main shading emphasis is on whatever the player sees at the most. AMD has yet to include this technology into their GPUs, although it’s widely assumed that it will be part of their RDNA 2 range, as AMD petitioned for the VRS patent in early 2019.

There have also been discussions about developing eye-tracking technology and applying it to improve VRS, a sci-fi concept. This point is also deserved because we were able to view this fantastic piece of technology at work on NVIDIA’s side.

Deep Learning Super Sampling

DLSS is a game-changing piece of technology designed to boost the performance of the GPU. Because of the effort required to enjoy its benefits properly, it may even be deemed ahead of its time.

The main difficulty with this is that developers must enable DLSS support while creating the game. To observe the improvement, the player must send it to NVIDIA, which allows an AI to go through the game, evaluate the visuals, and instantly upgrade it to a higher quality.

Initially, one of the most significant disadvantages of DLSS was the reality that NVIDIA handles the heavy lifting. Because the procedure should have been better optimized than it was, DLSS came across as an intriguing concept rather than a practical technique.

This method was streamlined with the debut of NVIDIA’s Ampere architecture, and we expect additional advancements.

Drivers And Software

The truth is that solid hardware necessitates good software. Drivers serve as programs that govern how a specific device (such as a GPU) communicates with the CPU. It enables the software to make the best use of the hardware it commands without regulating every facet of how that particular part performs.

As previously stated, AMD’s RX 5000 series bombed when it first debuted, with driver difficulties causing black screens and crashing. Unfortunately, despite attempts by updated drivers to resolve the issue, it persists.

NVIDIA’s problems are similar in that they are frequently smaller and hence more difficult to spot.

Talking about Radeon vs Nvidia, AMD has considerably increased its driver capabilities with its regular Radeon Adrenalin releases. The 2020 version is a 12% upgrade over the 2019 model.

AMD likewise deliberately attempts to keep things simple by updating its drivers with a single software. They generally maintained a monthly release schedule with essential releases.

The most significant blow for AMD is the persistence of their products’ faults which have taken a long time to resolve.

NVIDIA’s driver update schedule includes two distinct programs for controlling their hardware. The NVIDIA Control Panel enables you to customize things like 3D settings, including display resolution. GeForce Experience is responsible for game optimization, driver upgrades, and additional features.

For nearly a decade, there has been no update to the NVIDIA Control Panel’s UX or UI. The GPU design is outdated, and it can be very slow at times.

Overall, GeForce Experience sounds like a fantastic idea, but it is different from what people expected. Users need to log in to access services such as automated driver updates, FPS counters, recording, and so on. Many people believe GE to be bloatware.

In contrast, Radeon Software is much faster, far more intuitive, does not require an account, and offers other essential functions like Radeon Boost, Radeon Chill, manual or automatic overclocking, under volting, manual fan curve, and much more.

Finally, while AMD has flaws, the efficiency with which its software functions win the manufacturer a mark in this category.

GPUs For Mobiles

Nvidia and AMD both have mobile GPUs in addition to desktop graphics cards. However, Nvidia graphics cards are found in far more computers. Unlike Intel vs. AMD, Nvidia has a far larger stake in the mobile sector and laptops since finding an Nvidia graphics card and an Intel processor are common.

It isn’t easy to draw definitive conclusions regarding how AMD vs Nvidia mobile GPUs perform. The RX 6800M in the Asus ROG Strix G15, for example, surpasses the RTX 3080 in the MSI GS66 Stealth. On the other hand, the MSI laptop lacks a fully charged RTX 3080 and a more robust cooling solution. Is AMD superior for smartphone graphics cards? It’s a little trickier than raw performance.

Mobile graphics cards are inferior to their desktop equivalents, and laptop manufacturers have complete control over the amount of power the cards receive. For reference, the RTX 3080 in the MSI GS66 Stealth has a maximum power output of 95W. The RTX 3080 in the Razer Blade 15 could draw as much as 105W of power and performs noticeably better. Add in other cooling solutions, and indeed the evaluation becomes more complicated.

Considering laptop reviews are vital when it concerns mobile GPUs. There are significant variances in graphics cards – the RX 6800M can outperform the RX 6700M, for example. However, when analyzing comparable graphics cards, the overall laptop design has a far more significant impact on performance than whether you choose an AMD vs Nvidia GPU.

However, keep DLSS with ray tracing in mind. These functionalities are still available to Nvidia mobile GPUs, and our conclusions from desktop cards remain.

Efficiency And Power Consumption

When AMD unveiled Navi and revealed their bet on TSMC’s 7nm FinFET manufacturing, they most likely believed that the incredible 50% per watt throughput would cover the efficiency gap.

Regrettably, the contrary was the case: Navi failed to surpass previous NVIDIA GPUs produced on the TSMC’s last-generation 12nm node.

AMD’s future seems brighter now that it’s RDNA 2 GPUs have produced a 50% improvement over RDNA.

This is not entirely black and white. NVIDIA’s RTX 3090 consumes a lot of power to provide extreme performance, with just the RX 6900 XT getting close.

The RX 6800 XT consumes less power than the RTX 3090, but that would overlook the fact that the former is simply a better GPU.

This changeover occurs in the middle range when the RTX 3070 outperforms the RTX 3070 by a small margin. The margin is the same in terms of overall performance; therefore, we can’t call this an NVIDIA victory.

For the time being, NVIDIA is just a better performer in the budget segment, and there isn’t much space for discussion. Both firms are working on budget cards for their newest generation, so this section may need to be updated shortly.

In terms of the overall performance, the margin is the same; therefore, we can’t call this an NVIDIA victory.

For the time being, NVIDIA is just a stronger performer within the budget segment, and there isn’t much space for discussion. Both firms are working on their current generation budget cards; thus, this section needs to be updated shortly.

Availability And Pricing

NVIDIA slightly outperforms AMD with respect to the performance-per-watt statistic not only in their most recent generations but also in previous ones. Despite AMD’s progress, it should be concerned about NVIDIA’s efficiency in employing previous-generation lithography.

Opening with Nvidia, the lowest RTX 3060 costs $329, whereas the most sophisticated RTX 3090 costs $1,499. AMD’s most affordable card, the RX 6600, is also $329, while its most costly card, the RX 6900 XT, is just $999. Outside of the RX 6900 XT, you’re talking about a $50 difference at most for similar cards. The RTX 3070, for comparison, costs $20 higher than the RX 6700 XT.

Unfortunately, list pricing will be meaningless in 2021. The GPU shortages have driven up the price of used graphics cards, and a series of levies and supply chain concerns have resulted in higher costs at stores. Cards almost invariably go for twice the brand price, even at retailers.

A few prominent outliers exist. The RX 6900 XT costs only $500 over its original price, yet it’s one of the most widely available cards in stores. The RX 6600 and 6600 XT are also close to the list price, while many third-party units cost $100 or higher than the AMD set.

AMD cards are often less expensive and more readily available. We’ve been tracking the GPU market since over a year, and AMD cards always return to stock before Nvidia cards. In the secondhand market, AMD cards sell for roughly $100 lower than the Nvidia equivalents; however, this depends on which vendor you can locate.

Nobody wins in the pricey GPU market of 2021. Before looking for the greatest bargain on the card you desire, we recommend choosing based on its capabilities and features.

Inexpensive Cards

In this category, we’ll consider the RX 5500 XT and GTX 1660 because they’re arguably the greatest budget cards NVIDIA vs AMD produce in the $200 price bracket.

They are excellent examples of their respective manufacturers’ former flagship technology (AMD’s RDNA and NVIDIA’s Turing) and perform admirably well.

We need to address the RDNA 2 and Ampere because there aren’t any budget cards at this price point.

Although the RX 5500 XT has a higher base clock rate of 1685MHz as opposed to the GTX 1660’s 1530MHz, NVIDIA intelligently took advantage of this by offering a higher boost rate of 1785MHz, which is greater than AMD’s game rate of 1737MHz.

Although you may not notice a change, it’s fascinating to see how this competitiveness has spread to the slightest thing.

AMD demonstrates its powers with 8GB GDDR6 RAM, which is clearly superior to NVIDIA’s 6GB GDDR5. It also has a more remarkable L2 cache and higher memory bandwidth, although, as you might expect, NVIDIA utilizes reduced power for the GTX 1660.

However, hardware is meaningless without matching software, and NVIDIA reigns supreme in this aspect. Despite the fact that AMD’s specifications favor it and even though it uses less power, NVIDIA inevitably outperforms AMD.

NVIDIA wins this category because gamers are significantly more concerned with performance than power usage.

Mid-Range Cards

We’ll look at AMD’s RX 6700 XT vs. NVIDIA’s RTX 3060 Ti in this category because they’re two terrific options that reflect their respective firms’ forays into mid-range GPUs.

The competition in this tier is significantly more fascinating because cards in the mid-range group become less evenly matched than they used to be.

The benchmarks are unanimous: the RX 6700 XT is clearly the superior card. The RTX 3060 Ti offers equivalent performance and narrows the gap much farther at 1440p, but the 6700 XT provides more FPS.

The price, however, is among the most crucial considerations here. The RTX 3060 Ti is significantly less expensive, around $399, whereas the RX 6700 XT costs $479. This brings us to the second question: which card is the better buy?

It is debatable whether these cards should really be compared; however, they are currently the top mid-range choices from each brand.

The truth is that the performance of the RTX 3060 Ti is reasonable for the price point at which it is supplied, which can also be stated for the RX 6700 XT. Despite the pricing difference, AMD’s RX 6700 XT would be the superior card.

High-End Cards

The RTX 3060 Ti is significantly less expensive, around $399, whereas the RX 6700 XT costs $479. This brings us to the second question: which card is the better buy?

It is debatable whether these cards should be compared; however, they are currently the top mid-range choices from each brand.

The truth is that the performance of the RTX 3060 Ti is reasonable for the price point at which it is supplied, which can also be stated for the RX 6700 XT. Despite the pricing difference, AMD’s RX 6700 XT would be the superior card.

When comparing the mid-range, this pricing is inverted because NVIDIA’s RTX 3080 is a more costly card. When you’re spending $650-$700, the $50 price difference may not seem like much; however, the performance is particularly fascinating.

The RX 6800 XT is the superior card in terms of pure rasterization performance.

Nevertheless, the RTX 3080 outperforms the GTX 1080 in ray tracing, which should not be underestimated. This idea is still in its infancy, although it has been there long enough for AMD to anticipate improvements.

You can give companies some credit because this is their first attempt, but the reality is that they could not outperform NVIDIA. Nonetheless, future driver upgrades and improved AMD-oriented videogame optimization should improve performance.

Ray tracing remains uncommon on the market, even with NVIDIA’s incredible new technology, DLSS. This feature can significantly enhance your efficiency while only slightly lowering visual quality.

Finally, it isn’t fair to award NVIDIA a score here because a large number of titles do not yet use ray tracing and DLSS. So, AMD gets this point.

Which GPU Should You Purchase – AMD or Nvidia?

As they read, PC hardware fans around the world are spewing coffee across their screens. Debates concerning the relative benefits of both GPU makers are never-ending, mainly since AMD rolled up its sleeves to claw back Nvidia’s significant advantage with the debut of its Ryzen GPUs.

Then there are enhanced memory caches, variations in super-scaling implementation, and the creation of CUDA Cores and Compute Units CUDA Cores, among others.

Nevertheless, the (undoubtedly fascinating) specifications don’t signify much for many future gamers. On paper, raw numbers and processing power do not correspond to actual results, and not all people have the time (or desire) to understand the distinctions between AMD’s Compute Units versus Nvidia’s CUDA Cores.

The simple question for most users is, “Will this GPU make my games feel better?” Does having an AMD graphics card result in higher frame rates than installing an Nvidia GPU? 

Even so, that implies you’re utilizing gaming equipment that enables you to switch out your hardware and make that choice. The discourse will wash over you if your primary gaming machine is just a console such as the PlayStation 5 or Xbox X, as both machines utilize AMD hardware.

Final Verdict

There is one factor that we should all consider before selecting a GPU: availability. If you’re not a fan of Team Green or Team Red, the strongest GPU available currently is the GPU that is… on the market!

When it boils down to it, the present state of the GPU industry makes it difficult for anyone to acquire new gear and choose between Nvidia and AMD. If you can wait or spend the extra money for the Graphics card you would like, go for it. Otherwise, avoid becoming too caught up in minor minutiae.

Remember that switching from an older GPU, such as the Nvidia GTX 980 or the AMD RX 580, to a gleaming RTX 3080 or RX 6800 XT will vastly improve your visual experience, regardless of extra features, cache capacity, upscaling, or otherwise. Certainly, Nvidia’s ray tracing technology is far superior to AMD’s. However, a high-end AMD GPU can still run your games at 4K resolution at the highest settings, which is more than sufficient for most people.

Which side do you support? Do you intend to upgrade your system? Did you go with an Nvidia or an AMD GPU? Do let us know via the comments, and discuss why you chose that GPU.

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