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.

GeForce 256 vs GeForce GTX 1060 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 9800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

GeForce 256 vs GeForce GTX 1060: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

GeForce 256

2019

Why buy it

✅Costs $50 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
✅GeForce GTX 1060 is already legacy-tier future-proofing, so GeForce 256 is the less risky modern option long term.
✅Draws 10W instead of 180W, a 170W reduction.
✅Measures 165mm instead of 173mm, a 8mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 1060 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 512 MB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2019 hardware with 512 MB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0.0 vs 40.4 G3D/$ ($199 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).

GeForce GTX 1060

2016

Why buy it

✅10724.0% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 160762.3% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 40.4 vs 0.0 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
✅1100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 512 MB).

Trade-offs

❌2016 hardware with 6 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌1700% higher power demand at 180W vs 10W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce GTX 1060 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 10724.0% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 201180% in PassMark G3D (10,064 vs 5), so the answer here is pretty clean.

Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce 256 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a 14nm process instead of 16nm and a newer 2019 generation instead of 2016. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce GTX 1060 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $50 more expensive on MSRP at $249 vs $199, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 160762.3% (40.4 vs 0.0), so the value case lines up with the gaming result. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GeForce GTX 1060 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, GeForce 256 has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce 256 vs GeForce GTX 1060 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

GeForce 256

The GeForce 256 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in February 20 2019. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 937 MHz to 1038 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 10W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5 points.

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.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce 256 scores 5 versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 10,064 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 201180%. The GeForce 256 is built on Pascal while the GeForce GTX 1060 uses Pascal, both on 14 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 384 (GeForce 256) vs 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060). Raw compute: 0.7972 TFLOPS (GeForce 256) vs 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060). Boost clocks: 1038 MHz vs 1733 MHz.

Feature	GeForce 256	GeForce GTX 1060
G3D Mark Score	5	10,064+201180%
Architecture	Pascal	Pascal
Process Node	14 nm	16 nm
Shading Units	384	2560+567%
Compute (TFLOPS)	0.7972 TFLOPS	8.873 TFLOPS+1013%
Boost Clock	1038 MHz	1733 MHz+67%
ROPs	16	64+300%
TMUs	24	160+567%
L1 Cache	144 KB	960 KB+567%
L2 Cache	0.5 MB	2 MB+300%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce 256	GeForce GTX 1060
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 256 has 512 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 1060 carries 6 GB. GeForce GTX 1060 gives you 1100% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 128-bit on the GeForce 256 and 192-bit on the GeForce GTX 1060. L2 Cache: 0.5 MB (GeForce 256) vs 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce 256	GeForce GTX 1060
VRAM Capacity	0.5 GB	6 GB+1100%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	192 GB/s
Bus Width	128-bit	192-bit+50%
L2 Cache	0.5 MB	2 MB+300%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 7.0 (GeForce 256) vs 12 (GeForce GTX 1060). OpenGL: 1.2 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 1 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce 256	GeForce GTX 1060
DirectX	7.0	12+71%
OpenGL	1.2	4.5+275%
Max Displays	1	4+300%

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: None (GeForce 256) vs NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060). Decoder: MPEG-2 Motion Comp vs NVDEC (Pascal). Supported codecs: MPEG-2 (GeForce 256) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060).

Feature	GeForce 256	GeForce GTX 1060
Encoder	None	NVENC (Pascal)
Decoder	MPEG-2 Motion Comp	NVDEC (Pascal)
Codecs	MPEG-2	H.264,H.265/HEVC

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce 256 draws 10W versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 180W — a 178.9% difference. The GeForce 256 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 256) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 1060). Power connectors: Legacy vs 6-pin. Card length: 165mm vs 173mm, occupying 1 vs 2 slots.

Feature	GeForce 256	GeForce GTX 1060
TDP	10W-94%	180W
Recommended PSU	350W-13%	400W
Power Connector	Legacy	6-pin
Length	165mm	173mm
Height	100mm	111mm
Slots	1-50%	2
Temp (Load)	60°C	—
Perf/Watt	0.5	55.9+11080%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce 256 came in at $199, while the GeForce GTX 1060 launched at $249. On MSRP, GeForce 256 was 20.1% cheaper ($50 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 0.0 (GeForce 256) vs 40.4 (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 100+% better value. The newer card here is GeForce 256 (2019 vs 2016).

Feature	GeForce 256	GeForce GTX 1060
MSRP	$199-20%	$249
Performance per Dollar	0.0	40.4
Codename	GP108B	GP104
Release	February 20 2019	May 27 2016
Ranking	#643	#137

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