We recently picked up the NVIDIA RTX 2060 Founders Edition to take advantage of upcoming NVENC features. However, since it can technically play video games let’s compare it against our old GTX 980. Not because it’s a good comparison, nay, because it was already in the system.
Software:
OS: Ubuntu 18.04.1
Kernel: 4.15.0-43-lowlatency
Driver: 415.27
DM: XFCE 4.12
Hardware:
CPU: AMD Ryzen 1700 @ 3.7GHz
GPU: NVIDIA RTX 2060, MSI GeForce GTX 980 Gaming 4g
RAM: 16GB @ 3200MHz
MOBO: MSI B350 TOMAHAWK
Methodology:
Each test was run a total of three times with an average being taken from the last two results.
Superposition
Up first we have Superposition using the High preset at 1920×1080 and the 2060 delivers an additional 3351 points over the GTX 980.
At 3840×2160 the 2060’s lead increases by a 3447 points.
Rise of the Tomb Raider
Next we have Rise of the Tomb Raider using the Vulkan render at 1920×1080 and the RTX 2060 is able to push 112.07 FPS.
At 3840×2160 the 2060 is only able to provide an additional 12.67 FPS over the GTX 980.
Batman: Arkham Origins
Using Steam play Batman Arkham Origins saw a boost from 84 to 126 at 1920×1080, a difference of 42 FPS.
At 3840×2160 the RTX 2060 was only able to deliver 52 FPS over the GTX 980’s 40.
F1 2017
Sticking with the Vulkan theme at 1920×1080 F1 2017 saw a marginal boot from 95 FPS with the GTX 980 to 109 FPS with the RTX 2060.
At 3840×2160 the performance goes from an abysmal 40 FPS for the GTX 980 to an almost playable 62 FPS for the GTX 2060.
DiRT Rally
DIRT Rally shows a performance delta that’s almost within the margin of error with the GTX 980 delivering 109 FPS compared to 114 for the RTX 2060.
However, the story changes at 3840×2160 with the RTX 2060 delivering 79 FPS compared to the 56 FPS from the GTX 980.
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor
Middle earth Shadow if Mordor shows only a small increase going from 72 FPS on the GTX 980 to 89 FPS RTX 2060.
It’s more of the same at 3840×2160 with the RTX 2060 delivering 46 FPS compared to the 32 FPS from the GTX 980.
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
Deus EX Mankind Divided shows only a 12 FPS increase at 1920×1080 with the RTX 2060 delivering 56 FPS to the 980’s 44.
At 3840×2160 the RTX 2060 manages 24 FPS vs the equally unplayable 15 FPS produced by the GTX 980.
Final thoughts
Thus concludes our wholly unscientific benchmark of the NVIDIA RTX 2060 Founders Edition. Was it worth $350 asking price? For us, it was a way to get access to the new NVENC silicone without having to shell out the $500 needed for a 2070.
As for gaming, if you’re living that 1080p life and have a 900 series or below it’s a solid upgrade. That said, don’t expect to RTX anything faster that the speed of smell.
