RX 560 vs GTX 1050 Ti
In this article, we compare the Radeon RX 560 with the GeForce GTX 1050 Ti in order to uncover which one offers both the best performance and the best value for money.
If you’re interested in building your first PC build, or you’re an avid gamer looking to take your gaming experience to the next level, you might be wondering which graphics card to purchase.
Besides the fierce competition between AMD and Nvidia, a rise in demand for graphics cards over the years has not only lead to higher price points but an overwhelming amount of choice, too.
If you’re currently stuck in this predicament, we’re here to lend you a helping hand. Below, we’re going to be taking a look at two budget-friendly bestsellers: the AMD Radeon RX 560 and the Nvidia GeForce 1050 Ti.
To help you decide which one will work best for you, we’re going to be comparing a range of specifications to help you decide which one will offer the best performance and value for money. Let’s jump straight in!
Architecture
First up, we’re going to be taking a look at the architecture of each graphics card. To simplify, the architecture essentially refers to the type of hardware that a card has been based on, and helps to indicate how good you can expect the overall performance to be.
The GTX 1050 Ti is based on Nvidia’s Pascal architecture, which is a microarchitecture first introduced in 2016. When it was first introduced, it was manufactured using TSMC’s 16nm FinFET process, and then later Nvidia switched to Samsung’s upgraded 14nm FinFET process. For this reason, it’s has been optimized for VR, high-resolutions, and smoother overall gameplay.
In contrast, the AMD Radeon RX 560 has been made using 4th generation GCN architecture. Just like the GTX 1050 Ti, it has been optimized using the same Samsung 14nm FinFET process. This means that the RX 560 can support higher GPU clock speeds than older GCN generations, so it’s better suited for latest-generation games.
Resolution
Now, though it’s important to gain an understanding of the hardware and architecture, it can be hard to gain a clear understanding of what to expect from performance – which is where resolution (or fps) comes in.
Regardless of whether you plan on streaming HD videos or playing the latest games, you’ll want to make sure that the graphics card your choose can handle the demands. On average, you can expect the RX 560 to achieve around 21.9fps at 1440p, while the 1050 Ti will reach around 28.8fps, which is around a 30% uplift. As for the 4K performance, the RX 560 will offer you around 12.9fps, while the GeForce 1050 Ti should offer a speed of around 17.1fps, which makes the 1050 Ti slightly faster.
Dimensions
Besides performance, you’ll also need to consider the dimensions of each card. The GeForce GTX 1050 Ti measures 145mm in length, 111mm in width and consists of a dual-slot cooling solution. It also connects to the rest of the PC build via a PCI-Express 3.0×16 interface.
Similarly, the RX 560 is 170mm in length and features a dual-slot cooling solution. It connects to the rest of the PC system using a 3.0×8 interface.
Cooling
The next specification that you should keep in mind is the cooling capabilities, as it is a good indication of how well the card will be able to prevent itself from overheating or withstand overclocking.
The AMD Radeon RX 560 consists of an aluminum body and heatsink that will be able to help prevent overheating. It also features one rotor blade fan and two continuous casting aluminum fins that will also aid in keeping the card cool, though some complain that it does run loudly when in operation.
In contrast, the Nvidia GeForce 1050 Ti features a dual-blade design fan that will be able to provide 2x greater airflow than older cards. It is able to handle heavy-duty workloads efficiently, however, if you plan on overclocking the card you’ll need to consider purchasing a separate cooling system.
Ray Tracing
Ray-tracing refers to the ability to render realistic light and shadow effects. Unfortunately, neither the Radeon RX 560 or the 1050 Ti support ray-tracing, as neither have the necessary hardware to be able to support it.
In addition, even though Nvidia released a driver update intended to make GTX cards suitable for ray-tracing, the GTX 1050 and the 1050 Ti are the only two GPUs incompatible with the update.
VRAM
VRAM, or video memory, refers to the amount of graphics power you can expect the card to provide. It is a type of memory store that is able to keep and process data and acts as a medium between the CPU and the video card. There isn’t too much comparing to do in this specification, as both the GeForce 1050 Ti and the RX 560 utilize 4GB GDDR5 memory which is, though somewhat outdated to GDDR6 memory, still respectable by today’s standards.
GDDR5 is specifically designed for complex graphics performance and was developed to optimize better memory bandwidths, higher memory clock speeds, and better refresh rates.
Final Thoughts
So, which one is the winner? All in all, if you’re looking for the best value for money, then we recommend going for the Nvidia GeForce 1050 Ti. Not only is it the newest card out of the two, but it features Pascal architecture, which means it will be better equipped at handling the demands of the latest-generation games. In addition to that, the 1050 Ti will also deliver faster framerates across all resolutions, including 4K. It’s a great choice for gamers and PC builders looking for a reliable graphics card that won’t break the bank.