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 315 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 315 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 315

2020

Why buy it

✅GeForce GTX 1060 is already legacy-tier future-proofing, so GeForce 315 is the less risky modern option long term.
✅Draws 20W instead of 180W, a 160W reduction.
✅Measures 168mm instead of 173mm, a 5mm 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.
❌2020 hardware with 512 MB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 40.4 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $249 MSRP).

GeForce GTX 1060

2016

Why buy it

✅2733.5% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 40.4 vs 0 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs Unknown 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.
❌800% higher power demand at 180W vs 20W.

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 2733.5% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 5034.7% in PassMark G3D (10,064 vs 196), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce 315 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a 14nm process instead of 16nm and a newer 2020 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 today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. 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 315 has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce 315 vs GeForce GTX 1060 Technical Specifications

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

GeForce 315

The GeForce 315 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in February 10 2020. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 747 MHz to 937 MHz. It has 640 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 20W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 196 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 315 scores 196 versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 10,064 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 5034.7%. The GeForce 315 is built on Pascal while the GeForce GTX 1060 uses Pascal, both on 14 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 640 (GeForce 315) vs 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060). Raw compute: 1.199 TFLOPS (GeForce 315) vs 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060). Boost clocks: 937 MHz vs 1733 MHz.

Feature	GeForce 315	GeForce GTX 1060
G3D Mark Score	196	10,064+5035%
Architecture	Pascal	Pascal
Process Node	14 nm	16 nm
Shading Units	640	2560+300%
Compute (TFLOPS)	1.199 TFLOPS	8.873 TFLOPS+640%
Boost Clock	937 MHz	1733 MHz+85%
ROPs	16	64+300%
TMUs	32	160+400%
L1 Cache	240 KB	960 KB+300%
L2 Cache	0.5 MB	2 MB+300%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce 315	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 315 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 315 and 192-bit on the GeForce GTX 1060. L2 Cache: 0.5 MB (GeForce 315) vs 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce 315	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: 10.1 (GeForce 315) vs 12 (GeForce GTX 1060). OpenGL: 3.3 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce 315	GeForce GTX 1060
DirectX	10.1	12+19%
OpenGL	3.3	4.5+36%
Max Displays	2	4+100%

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: None (GeForce 315) vs NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060). Decoder: PureVideo VP4 vs NVDEC (Pascal). Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 Part 2 (GeForce 315) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060).

Feature	GeForce 315	GeForce GTX 1060
Encoder	None	NVENC (Pascal)
Decoder	PureVideo VP4	NVDEC (Pascal)
Codecs	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 Part 2	H.264,H.265/HEVC

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce 315 draws 20W versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 180W — a 160% difference. The GeForce 315 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 315) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 1060). Power connectors: Legacy vs 6-pin. Card length: 168mm vs 173mm, occupying 1 vs 2 slots.

Feature	GeForce 315	GeForce GTX 1060
TDP	20W-89%	180W
Recommended PSU	350W-13%	400W
Power Connector	Legacy	6-pin
Length	168mm	173mm
Height	—	111mm
Slots	1-50%	2
Temp (Load)	80°C	—
Perf/Watt	9.8	55.9+470%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce 315 came in at $0, while the GeForce GTX 1060 launched at $249. On MSRP, GeForce 315 was 100+% cheaper ($249 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): Infinity (GeForce 315) vs 40.4 (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce 315 offers Infinity% better value. The newer card here is GeForce 315 (2020 vs 2016).

Feature	GeForce 315	GeForce GTX 1060
MSRP	$0-100%	$249
Performance per Dollar	Infinity	40.4
Codename	GP107	GP104
Release	February 10 2020	May 27 2016
Ranking	#597	#137

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