G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, raw graphics performance, VRAM, feature set, power efficiency, pricing context, and long-term value so you can see which GPU actually makes more sense.

GeForce GTX 1060

2016

Why buy it

✅15.5% more average FPS across 29 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Measures 173mm instead of 250mm, a 77mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Poor future-proofing: 2016-era hardware with 6 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.
❌50% higher power demand at 180W vs 120W.

GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB

2016

Why buy it

✅33.3% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 6 GB).
✅Draws 120W instead of 180W, a 60W reduction.
✅More future proof: Pascal (2016−2021) on 16nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 1060 across 29 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Poor future-proofing: 2016-era hardware with 8 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.
❌44.5% longer card at 250mm vs 173mm.

GeForce GTX 1060

2016

GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB

2016

Why buy it

✅15.5% more average FPS across 29 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Measures 173mm instead of 250mm, a 77mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Why buy it

✅33.3% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 6 GB).
✅Draws 120W instead of 180W, a 60W reduction.
✅More future proof: Pascal (2016−2021) on 16nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Poor future-proofing: 2016-era hardware with 6 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.
❌50% higher power demand at 180W vs 120W.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 1060 across 29 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Poor future-proofing: 2016-era hardware with 8 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.
❌44.5% longer card at 250mm vs 173mm.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce GTX 1060 better than GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB?

Yes. GeForce GTX 1060 is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 15.5% more average FPS across 29 tracked games in our benchmark data and 0% higher PassMark G3D performance.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce GTX 1060 is the safer long-term GPU choice because it gives you the stronger overall hardware and feature outlook for modern games.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?

GeForce GTX 1060 is the smarter buy today, but it is not as lopsided as a simple winner label makes it sound. GeForce GTX 1060 is in basically the same MSRP band at $249 MSRP versus $249 MSRP, and you are getting 15.5% more estimated average FPS across 29 tracked games in our benchmark data and 0.0% higher G3D Mark. G3D-per-dollar is basically tied between them. That is why the better overall card still comes out as the smarter buy today, not just the faster one.

Is GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

Yes. GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB is still a strong modern gaming GPU: it is still comfortable for 1080p and decent for 1440p, though 4K is more situational. It remains a good buy when you can get it meaningfully cheaper than the alternative around $249 MSRP, even if GeForce GTX 1060 is still the cleaner recommendation on overall value today.

Games Benchmarks

Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 9800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.

Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.

GeForce GTX 1060 Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB
1080p
low	117 FPS	157 FPS
medium	105 FPS	137 FPS
high	91 FPS	119 FPS
ultra	77 FPS	89 FPS
1440p
low	103 FPS	140 FPS
medium	87 FPS	112 FPS
high	76 FPS	95 FPS
ultra	67 FPS	73 FPS
4K
low	55 FPS	65 FPS
medium	49 FPS	57 FPS
high	41 FPS	39 FPS
ultra	37 FPS	33 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1060 Open GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB
1080p
low	216 FPS	195 FPS
medium	181 FPS	166 FPS
high	148 FPS	137 FPS
ultra	113 FPS	97 FPS
1440p
low	134 FPS	128 FPS
medium	107 FPS	103 FPS
high	87 FPS	83 FPS
ultra	68 FPS	62 FPS
4K
low	62 FPS	55 FPS
medium	51 FPS	47 FPS
high	49 FPS	44 FPS
ultra	41 FPS	36 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1060 Open GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB
1080p
low	453 FPS	453 FPS
medium	362 FPS	362 FPS
high	302 FPS	302 FPS
ultra	226 FPS	226 FPS
1440p
low	340 FPS	340 FPS
medium	272 FPS	272 FPS
high	226 FPS	226 FPS
ultra	170 FPS	170 FPS
4K
low	226 FPS	226 FPS
medium	181 FPS	181 FPS
high	151 FPS	151 FPS
ultra	113 FPS	113 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1060 Open GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB
1080p
low	358 FPS	377 FPS
medium	302 FPS	324 FPS
high	260 FPS	266 FPS
ultra	226 FPS	226 FPS
1440p
low	299 FPS	298 FPS
medium	254 FPS	253 FPS
high	208 FPS	196 FPS
ultra	170 FPS	160 FPS
4K
low	170 FPS	154 FPS
medium	133 FPS	121 FPS
high	123 FPS	106 FPS
ultra	102 FPS	85 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1060 Open GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 1060 and GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB

GeForce GTX 1060

The GeForce GTX 1060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 27 2016. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1607 MHz to 1733 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 180W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 10,064 points. Launch price was $599.

GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB

The GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in July 19 2016. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1506 MHz to 1709 MHz. It has 1280 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 120W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 10,063 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 1060 scores 10,064 and the GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB reaches 10,063 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 1060 is built on Pascal while the GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB uses Pascal, both on a 16 nm process. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 1,280 (GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB). Raw compute: 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 4.375 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB). Boost clocks: 1733 MHz vs 1709 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB
G3D Mark Score	10,064	10,063
Architecture	Pascal	Pascal
Process Node	16 nm	16 nm
Shading Units	2560+100%	1280
Compute (TFLOPS)	8.873 TFLOPS+103%	4.375 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1733 MHz+1%	1709 MHz
ROPs	64+33%	48
TMUs	160+100%	80
L1 Cache	960 KB+100%	480 KB
L2 Cache	2 MB+33%	1.5 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 1060 comes with 6 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB has 8 GB. The GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 192-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 1.5 MB (GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB) — the GeForce GTX 1060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB
VRAM Capacity	6 GB	8 GB+33%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	192 GB/s	192 GB/s
Bus Width	192-bit	192-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB+33%	1.5 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 12 (FL 12_1) (GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB
DirectX	12	12 (FL 12_1)
Vulkan	1.3	1.3
OpenGL	4.5	4.6+2%
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060) vs NVENC 4th gen (GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB). Decoder: NVDEC (Pascal) vs PureVideo VP7. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB
Encoder	NVENC (Pascal)	NVENC 4th gen
Decoder	NVDEC (Pascal)	PureVideo VP7
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC	H.264,H.265/HEVC

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 draws 180W versus the GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB's 120W — a 40% difference. The GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB). Power connectors: 6-pin vs 6-pin. Card length: 173mm vs 250mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB
TDP	180W	120W-33%
Recommended PSU	400W	400W
Power Connector	6-pin	6-pin
Length	173mm	250mm
Height	111mm	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	—	70°C
Perf/Watt	55.9	83.9+50%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 1060 launched at $249 MSRP, while the GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB launched at $249. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 40.4 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 40.4 (GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB) — the GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB offers 0% better value.