RX 6600 Vs RTX 2060: Which Is Better In 2023?

AMD and Nvidia are in active battle again following the launch of Nvidia’s RTX 4000 series cards. However, today, we’re jumping back a few years to compare the Radeon RX 6600 vs GeForce RTX 2060. Which card is better? Let’s find out.

Key Takeaways

• The AMD Radeon RX 6600 is a much better card for gaming, performing 26% faster than the GeForce RTX 2060 in 1080P gaming.
• AMD Radeon RX 6600 is approximately 25% cheaper than the GeForce RTX 2060. It is also more power efficient.
• The Radeon RX 6600 runs 8.5% hotter than the GeForce RTX 2060; this is not a significant concern as it maintains the temperature in a safe zone.

Comparison Table

AMD RX 6000 Series

AMD announced the first batch of Radeon RX 6000 series cards on October 28th, although the card in question today, the Radeon RX 6600, was launched on 11th August 2021. AMD brought forward a few key changes.

Also Read: Best Radeon RX 6900 XT Graphics Cards

RDNA 2

These cards are based on AMD’s new RDNA 2 architecture, succeeding RDNA. Based on this architecture is the chip called “Big Navi” that powers these graphics cards. It’s worth noting that AMD has stuck with the same 7nm processing node from TSMC as their previous gen cards.

AMD, first off, advertised 50% better performance per watt over RDNA. The major credit for this goes to the improvements they made to the compute units (CUs).

One change made to the compute units is clock gating, which contributes to improved power efficiency. Furthermore, AMD mentioned that they “optimized” their pipelines and redesigned data paths, leading to faster execution of instructions. All these factors made the compute units 30% more energy efficient than the previous generation.

Ray Tracing Accelerators

AMD introduced “ray tracing accelerators” to counter Nvidia’s RT cores, finally adding a hardware unit for ray tracing instead of relying on API-based ray tracing. These ray tracing accelerators also enabled new features for AMD’s FidelityFX utility, including a denoiser and better ambient occlusion. 

AMD claimed that these ray tracing accelerators provide 10 times faster performance than software-based ray tracing.

Also Read: RX 6600 Vs RTX 2060: Which Is Better In 2023?

AMD Super Resolution

AMD introduced a feature called FSR or “FidelityFX Super Resolution” in full, which is meant to be AMD’s reply to Nvidia’s DLSS technology. Just like DLSS, Super Resolution is a form of upscaling that can drastically improve performance. It does that by rendering a low-resolution image first and upscaling it. After this, more detail is added to the image through sharpening and edge reconstruction. Thus, you get a high-quality image while only utilizing the computational power needed to render a low-quality one.

Infinity Cache

AMD employed their Infinity Cache for the first time in their GPUs in these RDNA 2-based cards. According to AMD, a 256-bit interface with GDDR6 and the added infinity cache is 2.17 times faster than a 384-bit configuration without infinity cache. It also draws slightly less power in comparison.

Performance Improvement

All these improvements account for a 54% increase in performance per watt over the previous generation’s Radeon RX 5000 series cards.

RAGE and Smart Access Memory

In AMD’s provided benchmarks during the RX 6000 series launch, they utilized two new features that they introduced with these cards: RAGE and Smart Access Memory. RAGE is a one-click easy overclocking option provided in AMD’s Radeon Software.

On the other hand, Smart Access Memory is a tool supported only if you pair these AMD cards with a Ryzen 5000 series CPU. Smart Access Memory allows these CPUs to access and utilize the video memory of these cards when needed and can drastically improve performance depending on the situation.

Nvidia RTX 2000 Series

Nvidia’s RTX 2000 series cards were announced on 20th August 2018.

Turing Architecture

Not much detail was provided by Nvidia regarding the actual changes made in this new Turing architecture. However, we know that these are based on a 12nm node from TSMC and introduced “RT” or Ray-Tracing Cores for real-time hardware-based ray-tracing, which was a massive move. You may also want to read our comparison of the RTX 2070 Super with the RTX 3060.

Tensor Cores

Nvidia also reintroduced their Tensor cores in these cards to help in deep learning applications, including their upscaling technology, DLSS.

GDDR6 Memory

The RTX 2000 series cards also saw Nvidia moving to GDDR6 memory, an upgrade from GDDR5X used in their Pascal GTX-1000 series cards.

Architectural Differences

Let’s discuss some of the architectural differences between the two GPUs.

Processing Node

The GeForce RTX 2060 uses TSMC’s 12nm node, which comprises 10.8 billion transistors. On the other hand, the Radeon RX 6600 uses TSMC’s 7nm node and has 11.06 billion transistors.

Also Read: RTX 3050 Vs 2060: Does Cheaper Equate Better?

HDMI Support

The Radeon RX 6600 supports HDMI 2.1, with a bandwidth of up to 48Gbps. This supports up to 8K, 60 Hz. On the other hand, Nvidia’s RTX 2060 supports HDMI 2.0, with the bandwidth being limited to only 18Gbps and resolution support up to 4K, 60 Hz.

Nvidia DLSS Vs AMD FSR

One of the major talking points in the Nvidia vs AMD competition is their respective upscaling technologies. The GeForce RTX 2060 supports up to DLSS 2.0, while AMD’s RX 6600 card will support its latest upcoming iteration of FSR, FSR 3.0.

DLSS 2.0 is based on the training of a neural network by AI, which produces a high-quality frame from a low-quality one. DLSS 2.0 also involves the use of a temporal feedback technique, in which motion vectors predict the motion of the next frame by using information from the current one.

FSR 3.0 employs a “fluid motion frame” technology, of which no details are known. Older iterations of FSR (2.0 and newer) use temporal feedback similar to DLSS and further improve the image quality through anti-aliasing.

Nvidia’s DLSS is hardware-based, specifically dependent on Nvidia’s Tensor cores. Consequently, the RTX 2060 does not support DLSS 3.0 because the technology requires newer tensor cores of Nvidia’s Lovelace cards. FSR is software based and so, as mentioned above, will support FSR 3.0.

(Read more about Nvidia DLSS vs AMD FSR)

RX 6600 Vs RTX 2060 Gaming Benchmarks

Next, let’s compare the gaming performance of the two graphics cards. These benchmarks are provided by Testing Games on YouTube. It’s important to remember that these figures may be very slightly inaccurate due to the use of external software for monitoring. With that out of the way, let’s look at the test bench:

Test Bench

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
• CPU Cooler: be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4
• Motherboard: ASUS ROG X570 Crosshair VIII Hero
• Memory: 2×16 = 32 GB 3600 MHz (Overclocked to 3800 MHz) G. Skill TridentZ RGB Series  (19-19-19-39)
• Storage: 2x Samsung 970 EVO M.2 2280 1TB
• Operating System: Windows 10 Pro
• Power Supply: Corsair RM850i, 850 Watts

Mafia: Definitive Edition

• The Radeon RX 6600 kicks off things with a healthy average FPS lead of 25% in Mafia: Definitive Edition. 
• Radeon RX 6600’s lead increases even further to 45.7% in terms of the %1 lows, with the Radeon RX 6600 scoring 86 FPS and GeForce RTX 2060 managing only 59 FPS.
• The GeForce RTX 2060 is the better GPU in terms of temperatures, hitting 63°C on average, while the Radeon RX 6600 runs slightly hotter at 67°C.
• The GeForce RTX 2060 hovers around a massive 173 watts of power draw, and the Radeon RX 6600 is at a much fairer 127.2 watts. 

Hitman 3

• In Hitman 3, AMD’s Radeon RX 6600 emerges victorious again, racking up 140 FPS on average against 108 FPS of GeForce RTX 2060.
• In terms of %1 lows, the Radeon RX 6600 manages 117 FPS, and the GeForce RTX 2060 falls behind with 90 FPS.
• The GeForce RTX 2060 again runs cooler, by 5°C, compared to the Radeon RX 6600.
• The GeForce RTX 2060, again, hits the ceiling in terms of power draw, utilizing 168.9 watts. The Radeon RX 6600 only utilizes 135.5 watts.

Also Read: AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX vs RX 6900 XT

Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla

• Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla is the first game where the GeForce RTX 2060 is seen struggling, managing under 60 FPS on average. The Radeon RX 6600 maintains 69 FPS in reply.
• The %1 low figures tell the same story, with the Radeon RX 6600 taking a 26% lead.
• The GeForce RTX 2060 runs 4°C cooler, on average, than the Radeon RX 6600.
• Another big contrast between the two cards in terms of average power draw. The GeForce RTX 2060 draws 145.8 watts, and the Radeon RX 6600 draws 103.7 watts.

Red Dead Redemption 2

• The GeForce RTX 2060 is again seen struggling, managing only 49 FPS on average. The Radeon RX 6600 leads with 63 FPS, a 28.5% lead.
• AMD’s Radeon RX 6600 also leads in %1 lows with 53 FPS, while the GeForce RTX 2060 manages 45 FPS. 
• The Radeon RX 6600 scores better FPS at the cost of drawing more heat, running 8°C hotter on average.
• The GeForce RTX 2060 draws a massive 169.5 watts, 32.5% more than the 127.9 watts of the Radeon RX 6600.

Microsoft Flight Simulator

• Microsoft Flight Simulator poses yet another challenge for the GeForce RTX 2060, which records 54 FPS on average. The Radeon RX 6600 averages 68 FPS.
• The Radeon RX 6600 scores 56 FPS in terms of the %1 low, and the GeForce RTX 2060 trails with 42 FPS.
• The GeForce RTX 2060 hits 66°C on average, while the Radeon RX 6600 manages 69°C – a 4.5% difference.
• The GeForce RTX 2060 draws 37.3% more power on average compared to the Radeon RX 6600.

Horizon Zero Dawn

• The Radeon RX 6600 bags another win with 83 FPS on average, beating the GeForce RTX 2060 by 18.5%.
• In terms of %1 lows, the Radeon RX 7700 notches 77 FPS, and the GeForce RX 2060 trails with 64 FPS.
• The Radeon RX 6600 runs much hotter at 64°C on average – the RTX 2060 runs at a cool 55°C, on, average in reply.
• A familiar story regarding power draw, the RTX 2060 again draws a huge amount of power, while the Radeon RX 6600 draws 116.9 watts.

Also Read: RTX 2060 Vs RX Vega 56 [Gaming Comparison]

Forza Horizon 4

• The Radeon RX 6600 averages 166 FPS in Forza Horizon 4, and the Radeon RX 6600 follows with 127 FPS.
• The Radeon RX 6600 scores 133 FPS as far as the %1 low is concerned, and the GeForce RTX 2060 falls behind again with 102 FPS.
• The GeForce RTX 2060 runs at 56°C on average, while the Radeon RX 6600 hovers around 62°C – a 10.7% difference.
• The Forza Horizon 4 benchmark sees the two graphics cards drawing comparable amounts of power, only differing by 3%.

Far Cry 6

• Nvidia’s RTX lags behind the Radeon RX 6600, averaging 78 FPS in Far Cry 6. the Radeon RX 6600 scores 92 FPS.
• In terms of %1 lows, the Radeon RX 6600 achieved 79 FPS, while the GeForce RTX 2060 is at 63 FPS.
• A minor difference of 2°C is recorded between the two cards as far as the average temperature is concerned.
• Another major difference of power drawn, with the GeForce RTX 2060 hitting 160.3 watts. The Radeon RX 6600 draws much less, at 125.7 watts.

Days Gone

• With Days Gone being run at a mixed preset of high and very high settings, the Radeon RX 6600 averages 128 FPS, while the GeForce RTX 2060 only scores 92 FPS.
• Not much difference when it comes to %1 lows – the GeForce RTX 2060 scores 81 FPS, and the Radeon RX 6600 is at a much higher 119 FPS.
• Another big difference in average temperature is seen here, with the Radeon RX 6600 running at 71°C while the GeForce RTX 2060 runs at 62°C.
• We’ve seen more contrast between the average power drawn, but this is another case of the GeForce RTX 2060 drawing higher amounts of power than the competition.

(You may also be interested to read: AMD vs Intel for Video Editing)

Cyberpunk 2077

• The two cards don’t show a big difference in terms of average FPS here – an 8.6% difference is seen.
• Again, a minor difference of 3.84% when it comes to the %1 lows.
• The average temperatures hit by the two cards are also similar, with the GeForce RTX 2060 running at 64°C and the Radeon RX 6600 at a slightly higher 66°C.
• The power draw, on the other hand, poses a significant concern for the GeForce RTX 2060. It draws 52.5% more power, in exact!

Overall Gaming Performance

Let’s look at the mean of the average FPS recorded in each game during the RX 6600 vs RTX 2060 gaming benchmarks.

• AMD’s Radeon RX 6600 has a clear lead here, as it had a better average FPS in every title over the GeForce RTX 2060.
• The Radeon RX 6600 averages 98.2 FPS across the 10 games, while the GeForce RTX 2060 averages 77.8 FPS. 
• Overall, the Radeon RX 6600 is 26.2% faster in 1080P gaming.

Also Read: RTX 2060 Vs 3060: Which Is Better In 2023?

Average Power Drawn

Next up, let’s look at the average power drawn across the 10 tested titles. The Radeon RX 6600 has a TDP rating of 132 watts, and when it comes to GeForce RTX 2060, it’s 160 watts. If you want to read more about the concept of TDP, be sure to check out our guide.

• So as expected, the Radeon RX 6600 shows much better power efficiency than the GeForce RTX 2060 over the 10 benchmarks.
• The Radeon RX 6600 draws 124.6 watts on average, less than its TDP rating of 130 watts. The GeForce RTX 2060 draws 162.68 watts, slightly higher than its TDP rating.
• Overall, the Radeon RX 6600 is an astonishing 30.6% more power efficient!
• Every test saw the GeForce RTX 2060 drawing much more power than the Radeon RX 6600. The biggest difference was seen in Cyberpunk 2077 at 52.5%.
• There was only one test in which the GeForce RTX 2060’s power draw was on par with the Radeon RX 6600, Cyberpunk 2077. 

Also, be sure to read our guide on How to Check Insufficient Power Supply.

Average Temperature

Next, let’s look at the thermal performance of RX 6600 vs RTX 2060.

• These tests show less contrast between the two graphics cards, with the Radeon RX 6600 running at 66°C on average. The thermal performance favors the GeForce RTX 2060, as it runs at a fairly cooler 60.8°C.
• Overall, the GeForce RTX 2060 runs 8.5% cooler.
• The results are a little bit surprising, as the GeForce RTX 2060 runs cooler than its AMD competitor, despite drawing much more power.

You may want to read: How to Lower GPU Temperature?

Price And Availability 

The GeForce RTX 2060 launched with a price tag of $349 on 15th January 2019. On the contrary, AMD’s RX 6600 launched with an MSRP of $329 on 13th October 2021. Since then, the GeForce RTX 2060 has seen its price cut to $299, which remains the same as January 2023. AMD did Nvidia one better and cut the price of the Radeon RX 6600 to $239 in September 2021. That’s a 25% price difference if you get the cards at MSRP.

As of January 2023, both cards are available at MSRP price on Newegg and Amazon, so availability is not a major issue for either card.

Another concern is posed for the GeForce RTX 2060 in terms of costs, and that is because of its power draw. It draws 30.6% more power while gaming than the Radeon RX 6600. So, if you opt for the GeForce RTX 2060, you’ll be paying considerably more on your monthly electricity bill, depending on where you live. Furthermore, since your system is drawing more power, you might need a higher-wattage supply unit which would cost a little extra.

So overall, the Radeon RX 6600 is way more economical than the GeForce RTX 2060.

RX 6600 Vs RTX 2060: Which One Should You Go For? 

There’s no denying that the AMD Radeon RX 6600 is the better graphics card in the RX 6600 vs RTX 2060 competition. It provides a stellar price-to-performance value, being 26% faster in 1080P gaming and 25% cheaper. On top of that, you’ll save on electricity and, potentially, the power supply unit. 

Regarding thermals, the Radeon RX 6600 isn’t quite as good as the GeForce RTX 2060, but this problem is canceled out since it still maintains fair temperatures.

So it’s a no-brainer that you should consider the AMD Radeon RX 6600 if you’re looking for a solid card for 1080P gaming, with the occasional 1440P still possible in some games. In any case, we hope that our RX 6600 vs RTX 2060 guide was useful to you. 

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