NVIDIA vs AMD - Clash of the GPUs

• NVIDIA vs AMD - Clash of the GPUs

NVIDIA and AMD has been rivaling since long when it comes to graphics processing unit (GPU). Such rivalry between the GPU makers, NVIDIA and AMD, is one of the fiercest in the world of technology, especially for delivering quality graphics and videos, with both companies want their devices powering your computer’s graphics.

In this article, we will try to see the products that these two manufacturers, NVIDIA and AMD have to offer for the following categories: high-end, mid-range, and entry- level.


NVIDIA vs AMD - Clash of the GPUs : High-end Graphics cards

When it comes to high end graphics cards (GPUs), NVIDIA presents the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 590 graphics card, while AMD comes with the AMD Radeon HD 6990. With 4 GB of GDDR5 RAM, 3 072 stream processors, an 830 MHz core clock speed and a dual-BIOS switch that will also allow users to raise clock speed up to 880 MHz, AMD Radeon HD 6990 requires much power (a minimum of a 375 W PSU is required). The AMD Radeon HD 6990 has a vapour chamber heatsink with a central blower fan for cooling purposes, which can at times be a bit noisy. Prices range from R6500 for a Club3D model, all the way up to R8700 for an Asus version. Now, as for the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 590 graphics card, it packs 1024 Nvidia CUDA architecture cores and 3 GB of GDDR5 memory, onto a single 11" dual slot monster. It sports a lower graphics clock speed of 607 MHz, but runs quieter as it features a special cooling system and dual vapour chambers. NVIDIA says that this GPU, the GeForce GTX 590 graphics card, measures in at 48 dB on the decibel scale, which is more than two times quieter than its closest competitors, when at the maximum. A Gigabyte version of the card goes for around R9650.


NVIDIA vs AMD - Clash of the GPUs : Mid-range Graphics cards

In this mid-range graphics cards (GPUs), the clash of NVIDIA and AMD revolves around NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti GPU and AMD Radeon HD 6870. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti GPU features 384 CUDA cores, an 822 MHz graphics clock, 1 GB of GDDR5 RAM and 1645 MHz processing clock. The price ranges from R2775 up to R3700. Sporting 1120 Stream Processors, AMD Radeon HD 6870 features a faster 900 MHz engine clock and 1 GB of GDDR5 memory. As for the pricing, AMD Radeon HD 6870 seems a better choice, ranging between R2200 - R2900. Though NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti GPU provides better performance, a 2 GB version of AMD’s Radeon HD 6950 can instead be purchased with an approximately similar price, and would 6950 sport twice the GDDR5 RAM that the 560 Ti has. Well, everyone can make their own choices.


NVIDIA vs AMD - Clash of the GPUs : Entry-level Graphics cards

For the entry-level, the fight is between NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti and AMD Radeon HD 6790. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti features 192 CUDA cores, 1800 MHz processor clock speed, 900 MHz graphics clock speed and 1 GB of GDDR5 and prices about R1600 - R2000. As for the AMD Radeon HD 6790, it sports 1 GB of GDDR5 RAM, but with a higher speed 256-bit GDDR5 memory interface, as opposed to the Nvidia’s 192-bit memory one. However, the graphics clock speed is lower than the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti, and runs at up to 840 MHz. The price is under R1500.


So which one is better? When AMD launched its Radeon HD 6990 at the beginning of March, it claimed it was the world’s fastest GPU, receiving a score of P11865 in the industry standard 3DMark11 benchmark. When Nvidia released its 590 at the end of March it stated that its new top dog ruled the GPU roost, but didn’t give any 3DMark11 scores to back this claim up. Of course AMD called them out on this, and up to now Nvidia has not provided any official scores.

So, what is your opinion about these GPUs? And if do you think is the best GPU maker, NVIDIA or AMD? What is the best graphics card that you know, or have used from NVIDIA and/or AMD? Do not forget to share your thoughts through comments. Share this post on NVIDIA vs AMD - Clash of the GPUs