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

✅24.0% more average FPS across 28 tracked games in our benchmark data.

Trade-offs

❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌Poor future-proofing: 2016-era hardware with 6 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.
❌
47.3% HIGHER MSRP
$249 MSRPvs$169 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 40.4 vs 63.6 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).
❌157.1% higher power demand at 180W vs 70W.

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

2024

Why buy it

✅Costs $80 less on MSRP ($169 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
✅Delivers 57.4% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 40.4 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.
✅Draws 70W instead of 180W, a 110W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 1060 across 28 tracked games in our benchmark data.

GeForce GTX 1060

2016

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

2024

Why buy it

✅24.0% more average FPS across 28 tracked games in our benchmark data.

Why buy it

✅Costs $80 less on MSRP ($169 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
✅Delivers 57.4% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 40.4 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.
✅Draws 70W instead of 180W, a 110W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌Poor future-proofing: 2016-era hardware with 6 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.
❌
47.3% HIGHER MSRP
$249 MSRPvs$169 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 40.4 vs 63.6 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).
❌157.1% higher power demand at 180W vs 70W.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 1060 across 28 tracked games in our benchmark data.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB better than GeForce GTX 1060?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is clearly the better overall GPU here. GeForce GTX 1060 averages 24.0% more FPS across 28 tracked games in our benchmark data. You are also looking at 10,749 vs 10,064 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is a 2024 card with DLSS Super Resolution, while GeForce GTX 1060 is a 2016 model from an older generation with no meaningful modern upscaling stack. So this is not really a tight same-tier comparison. It is more a modern card against an older, weaker alternative.

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

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2024 generation instead of 2016, better upscaling support with DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, and a 8nm process instead of 16nm. That broader feature stack should age better as more games lean on modern upscaling and frame-generation support.

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

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the smarter buy today, but it is not as lopsided as a simple winner label makes it sound. GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is about $80 cheaper on MSRP at $169 MSRP versus $249 MSRP, and you are getting lower estimated average FPS across 28 tracked games in our benchmark data and 6.8% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 57.4%. That is why the better overall card still comes out as the smarter buy today, not just the faster one.

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

Yes. GeForce GTX 1060 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 RTX 3050 6GB 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 RTX 3050 6GB Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
1080p
low	117 FPS	85 FPS
medium	105 FPS	72 FPS
high	91 FPS	60 FPS
ultra	77 FPS	40 FPS
1440p
low	103 FPS	74 FPS
medium	87 FPS	64 FPS
high	76 FPS	47 FPS
ultra	67 FPS	30 FPS
4K
low	55 FPS	27 FPS
medium	49 FPS	25 FPS
high	41 FPS	17 FPS
ultra	37 FPS	15 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1060 Open GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
1080p
low	216 FPS	174 FPS
medium	181 FPS	149 FPS
high	148 FPS	118 FPS
ultra	113 FPS	87 FPS
1440p
low	134 FPS	129 FPS
medium	107 FPS	106 FPS
high	87 FPS	83 FPS
ultra	68 FPS	62 FPS
4K
low	62 FPS	74 FPS
medium	51 FPS	62 FPS
high	49 FPS	48 FPS
ultra	41 FPS	34 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1060 Open GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
1080p
low	453 FPS	484 FPS
medium	362 FPS	387 FPS
high	302 FPS	322 FPS
ultra	226 FPS	242 FPS
1440p
low	340 FPS	363 FPS
medium	272 FPS	290 FPS
high	226 FPS	242 FPS
ultra	170 FPS	181 FPS
4K
low	226 FPS	242 FPS
medium	181 FPS	193 FPS
high	151 FPS	161 FPS
ultra	113 FPS	121 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1060 Open GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
1080p
low	358 FPS	243 FPS
medium	302 FPS	210 FPS
high	260 FPS	171 FPS
ultra	226 FPS	144 FPS
1440p
low	299 FPS	185 FPS
medium	254 FPS	166 FPS
high	208 FPS	131 FPS
ultra	170 FPS	109 FPS
4K
low	170 FPS	104 FPS
medium	133 FPS	87 FPS
high	123 FPS	69 FPS
ultra	102 FPS	55 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1060 Open GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 1060 and GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

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 RTX 3050 6GB

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in February 2 2024. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1042 MHz to 1470 MHz. It has 2304 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 70W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 18 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 10,749 points. Launch price was $179.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1060 scores 10,064 versus the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB's 10,749 — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB leads by 6.8%. The GeForce GTX 1060 is built on Pascal while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB uses Ampere, both on 16 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Raw compute: 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 6.774 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Boost clocks: 1733 MHz vs 1470 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
G3D Mark Score	10,064	10,749+7%
Architecture	Pascal	Ampere
Process Node	16 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	2560+11%	2304
Compute (TFLOPS)	8.873 TFLOPS+31%	6.774 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1733 MHz+18%	1470 MHz
ROPs	64+100%	32
TMUs	160+122%	72
L1 Cache	0.94 MB	2.3 MB+145%
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB supports the newer DLSS 2 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce GTX 1060 is capped at Upscaling support.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	DLSS 2 Super Resolution
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

Both cards feature 6 GB of video memory. Memory bandwidth: 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 168 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) — a 14.3% advantage for the GeForce GTX 1060. Bus width: 192-bit vs 96-bit.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
VRAM Capacity	6 GB	6 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	192 GB/s+14%	168 GB/s
Bus Width	192-bit+100%	96-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
DirectX	12	12 Ultimate
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 (5th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Decoder: NVDEC (Pascal) vs NVDEC (7th Gen). Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060) vs H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
Encoder	NVENC (Pascal)	NVENC (5th Gen)
Decoder	NVDEC (Pascal)	NVDEC (7th Gen)
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC	H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only)

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 draws 180W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB's 70W — a 88% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Power connectors: 6-pin vs None. Card length: 173mm vs 160mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
TDP	180W	70W-61%
Recommended PSU	400W	300W-25%
Power Connector	6-pin	None
Length	173mm	160mm
Height	111mm	—
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	—	75°C
Perf/Watt	55.9	153.6+175%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 1060 launched at $249 MSRP, while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB launched at $169. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB costs 32.1% less ($80 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 40.4 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 63.6 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 57.4% better value. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the newer GPU (2024 vs 2016).