When comparing GTX 950 vs RX 570, you’re looking at two graphics cards from different generations that still attract budget gamers searching for affordable PC upgrades. Although the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950 launched in 2015 as an entry-level Maxwell GPU, the AMD Radeon RX 570 arrived two years later with the Polaris architecture, offering significantly more processing power and modern gaming capabilities.
Today, both cards can be found on the used market, making them appealing options for gamers building inexpensive PCs. However, they deliver very different gaming experiences. The GTX 950 is suitable for esports titles and older games at medium settings, while the RX 570 remains capable of handling many modern AAA games at 1080p with medium to high settings. Differences in VRAM capacity, compute performance, DirectX support, and memory bandwidth also separate these two GPUs.
In this detailed GTX 950 vs RX 570 comparison, we’ll examine specifications, gaming benchmarks, features, strengths, weaknesses, and overall value to help you decide which graphics card deserves a place in your budget gaming build.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison Table
Before diving deeper, here’s a side-by-side comparison highlighting the most important specifications.
| Feature | NVIDIA GTX 950 | AMD RX 570 |
| Architecture | Maxwell | Polaris 20 |
| Launch Year | 2015 | 2017 |
| Process Node | 28nm | 14nm |
| Stream/CUDA Cores | 768 CUDA Cores | 2048 Stream Processors |
| Base Clock | 1024 MHz | 1168 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1188 MHz | Up to 1244 MHz |
| VRAM | 2GB (Some 4GB models) | 4GB / 8GB GDDR5 |
| Memory Bus | 128-bit | 256-bit |
| Memory Bandwidth | 105 GB/s | 224 GB/s |
| TDP | 90W | 150W |
| PCIe Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 3.0 x16 |
| Ray Tracing | No | No |
| DirectX Support | DirectX 12 | DirectX 12 |
| Best Resolution | 1080p Low-Medium | 1080p Medium-High |
| Power Connector | 6-pin | 8-pin |
Quick Highlights Table
Here’s a quick summary for readers who want the short version of the GTX 950 vs RX 570 comparison.
| Category | Winner |
| Gaming Performance | RX 570 ✅ |
| VRAM Capacity | RX 570 ✅ |
| Memory Bandwidth | RX 570 ✅ |
| AAA Gaming | RX 570 ✅ |
| Esports Gaming | RX 570 ✅ |
| Power Efficiency | GTX 950 ✅ |
| Lower PSU Requirement | GTX 950 ✅ |
| Driver Support | RX 570 ✅ |
| Price-to-Performance | RX 570 ✅ |
| Overall Value | RX 570 ⭐ |
Gaming Performance Comparison
Gaming performance is where the RX 570 creates the biggest gap.
The RX 570 delivers roughly 70–100% higher gaming performance than the GTX 950 depending on the game. In esports titles like Valorant, CS2, League of Legends, Rocket League, and Dota 2, both GPUs provide playable frame rates, but the RX 570 offers significantly higher FPS with room for higher graphics settings.
Modern AAA titles expose the GTX 950’s biggest weakness—its limited processing power and 2GB VRAM. Games such as Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, Starfield, Alan Wake 2, and Black Myth: Wukong simply require more graphics memory than the GTX 950 can comfortably provide.
Meanwhile, the RX 570 8GB version continues to perform surprisingly well in 1080p gaming by utilizing higher texture settings and avoiding severe VRAM bottlenecks.
Approximate Gaming Performance (1080p)
| Game | GTX 950 | RX 570 |
| GTA V | 60 FPS | 105 FPS |
| Fortnite | 45 FPS | 95 FPS |
| Apex Legends | 40 FPS | 82 FPS |
| Rainbow Six Siege | 75 FPS | 150 FPS |
| Valorant | 150 FPS | 260 FPS |
| CS2 | 70 FPS | 145 FPS |
| Elden Ring | 28 FPS | 60 FPS |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 18 FPS | 46 FPS |
The RX 570 clearly dominates gaming workloads.
Architecture Comparison
The GTX 950 uses NVIDIA’s Maxwell architecture, which emphasized efficiency during its release. Maxwell remains power-efficient but lacks modern hardware capabilities compared to later GPU generations.
The RX 570 uses AMD’s Polaris architecture, manufactured on a more efficient 14nm process. Polaris dramatically improved shader performance, asynchronous compute, and DirectX 12 optimization.
Because of these architectural improvements, the RX 570 handles newer graphics APIs much better than the GTX 950.
Winner: RX 570
VRAM Comparison
VRAM has become increasingly important for modern games.
GTX 950:
- Usually 2GB GDDR5
- Rare 4GB models
- Frequently limited in modern games
RX 570:
- 4GB standard
- 8GB models available
- Better texture loading
- Better future-proofing
The 8GB RX 570 remains one of the best-value used GPUs thanks to its generous memory capacity.
Winner: RX 570
Power Consumption
Power efficiency is one of the few areas where the GTX 950 performs well.
| GPU | Typical Power |
| GTX 950 | 90W |
| RX 570 | 150W |
The GTX 950:
- Runs cooler
- Requires a smaller PSU
- Generates less heat
- Lower electricity usage
The RX 570 requires:
- Better airflow
- Higher-capacity PSU
- More cooling
Winner: GTX 950
Driver Support
AMD has continued optimizing Polaris GPUs for years, helping the RX 570 remain surprisingly relevant.
The GTX 950 still receives compatibility support but no longer enjoys the same level of optimization in newer games.
Winner: RX 570
Content Creation Performance
Neither GPU targets professional creators, but the RX 570 offers noticeably faster rendering in GPU-accelerated applications.
Programs benefiting include:
- DaVinci Resolve
- Blender
- Adobe Premiere Pro
- Photoshop
- OBS Streaming
Its additional VRAM also helps with larger creative workloads.
Winner: RX 570
1080p Gaming Experience
GTX 950
- Medium settings in older games
- Low settings in modern AAA games
- VRAM limitations
- Better suited for esports
RX 570
- Medium-High settings
- Smooth 1080p gameplay
- Better frame consistency
- Higher texture quality
Winner: RX 570
Price-to-Performance
Used pricing often makes both cards attractive.
Typical used market:
GTX 950:
- Lower initial cost
- Lower operating cost
RX 570:
- Slightly higher purchase price
- Nearly double the gaming performance
For most gamers, spending slightly more on the RX 570 results in a dramatically better experience.
Winner: RX 570
Key Takeaways
Choosing between GTX 950 vs RX 570 largely depends on your budget and gaming expectations. While both are older GPUs available mainly on the second-hand market, the RX 570 provides a much stronger overall experience for modern gaming and productivity.
- RX 570 offers nearly twice the gaming performance of the GTX 950.
- The RX 570’s 4GB and 8GB VRAM options are far better suited for today’s games.
- GTX 950 consumes significantly less power and runs cooler.
- RX 570 delivers much higher frame rates in both esports and AAA titles.
- GTX 950 is best for extremely tight budgets and older games.
- RX 570 provides much better long-term value and future usability.
- For most gamers, the RX 570 is the smarter investment.
Pros & Cons of GTX 950 vs RX 570
If you’re deciding between GTX 950 vs RX 570, understanding each GPU’s strengths and weaknesses can make your buying decision much easier.
GTX 950
Pros
- Low power consumption
- Quiet operation
- Smaller PSU requirements
- Affordable used price
- Good for lightweight gaming
- Excellent for older esports titles
Cons
- Limited 2GB VRAM
- Weak AAA gaming performance
- Lower memory bandwidth
- Aging architecture
- Not ideal for modern games
RX 570
Pros
- Excellent 1080p gaming
- 4GB and 8GB VRAM options
- Strong DirectX 12 performance
- Great used-market value
- Much higher shader performance
- Better content creation capabilities
Cons
- Higher power consumption
- Produces more heat
- Requires a stronger power supply
- Older architecture compared to current GPUs
Buying Recommendations
Choose the GTX 950 if:
- You have a very limited budget.
- Your power supply is only around 300–400W.
- You mainly play older or esports games such as League of Legends, Dota 2, Team Fortress 2, or Minecraft.
- Low power consumption and quieter operation are your priorities.
- You only need a temporary graphics card for basic gaming or display output.
Choose the RX 570 if:
- You want the best value for 1080p gaming.
- You plan to play modern AAA titles with acceptable settings.
- You stream, edit videos, or use GPU-accelerated creative software.
- You want more VRAM for future games and higher texture quality.
- You have a quality 450–500W power supply or better.
Best Recommendation: If the price difference is reasonable, the RX 570—especially the 8GB model—is the clear winner. Its significantly higher performance and better longevity make it one of the best budget GPUs still worth buying on the used market.
Final Verdict
The GTX 950 vs RX 570 comparison is surprisingly one-sided. Although the GTX 950 remains an efficient graphics card capable of running older games and esports titles, it struggles with the demands of modern gaming due to its limited GPU power and VRAM.
The RX 570, on the other hand, continues to be one of the strongest budget graphics cards available on the second-hand market. It delivers substantially better frame rates, more memory, stronger DirectX 12 performance, and greater versatility for gaming, streaming, and content creation.
If you are building a budget gaming PC in 2026 and have a compatible power supply, the RX 570 is the GPU that offers the best balance of performance, value, and longevity. The GTX 950 only makes sense when you have an extremely tight budget or very modest gaming needs.
FAQ Section
Q1: Is the RX 570 better than the GTX 950?
Ans: Yes. The RX 570 is significantly faster, offering roughly 70–100% better gaming performance along with more VRAM and stronger support for modern games.
Q2: Can the GTX 950 run modern AAA games?
Ans: It can run some newer games at low settings, but its limited 2GB VRAM and lower GPU performance make it unsuitable for demanding AAA titles released in recent years.
Q3: Which GPU is better for 1080p gaming?
Ans: The RX 570 is the better choice for 1080p gaming, as it can handle medium to high settings in many titles while delivering much smoother frame rates than the GTX 950.
Q4: Is the RX 570 worth buying in 2026?
Ans: Yes. The RX 570, particularly the 8GB version, remains one of the best-value used graphics cards for budget-conscious gamers seeking solid 1080p performance.
Q5: Which card uses less power?
Ans: The GTX 950 is considerably more power-efficient, with a 90W TDP compared to the RX 570’s 150W, making it suitable for lower-wattage power supplies.
Q6: Is 2GB VRAM enough for gaming today?
Ans: For most modern games, 2GB VRAM is no longer sufficient. It limits texture quality, causes stuttering, and reduces overall performance, making the RX 570’s larger VRAM a major advantage.
Q7: Which GPU offers better value for money?
Ans: The RX 570 provides far better value because its significantly higher performance, larger VRAM options, and longer useful lifespan outweigh its slightly higher cost and power consumption.
Short Conclusion
The GTX 950 vs RX 570 comparison clearly favors the RX 570 for anyone seeking a capable budget gaming GPU. While the GTX 950 still has merit as an inexpensive, power-efficient option for older titles and esports games, it falls behind in nearly every area that matters for modern gaming. The RX 570’s superior processing power, larger VRAM, better 1080p performance, and excellent price-to-performance ratio make it the stronger investment for most users. If your system can accommodate its higher power requirements, the RX 570 is the graphics card that will provide a smoother, more enjoyable gaming experience and better long-term value.
If you have any questions about “GTX 950 vs RX 570: Which Budget GPU Is Better for Gaming”, feel free to let us know through your comments.
