GeForce FX 5500 vs GeForce GTX 1060

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 FX 5500 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 FX 5500 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 FX 5500

2021

Why buy it

✅Costs $212 less on MSRP ($37 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
✅GeForce GTX 1060 is already legacy-tier future-proofing, so GeForce FX 5500 is the less risky modern option long term.
✅Draws 25W instead of 180W, a 155W reduction.
✅Measures 171mm instead of 173mm, a 2mm 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 256 MB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Older hardware, 256 MB of VRAM, and weaker feature support mean it will age faster in newer AAA releases.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0.2 vs 40.4 G3D/$ ($37 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 18593.2% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 40.4 vs 0.2 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $37 MSRP).
✅2300% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 256 MB).

Trade-offs

❌2016 hardware with 6 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌620% higher power demand at 180W vs 25W.

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 125700% in PassMark G3D (10,064 vs 8), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce FX 5500 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a 12nm process instead of 16nm and a newer 2021 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 $212 more expensive on MSRP at $249 vs $37, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 18593.2% (40.4 vs 0.2), 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 FX 5500 has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce FX 5500 vs GeForce GTX 1060 Technical Specifications

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

GeForce FX 5500

The GeForce FX 5500 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in December 17 2021. It features the Rankine architecture. The core clock ranges from 1065 MHz to 1320 MHz. It has 1024 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 25W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 8 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 FX 5500 scores 8 versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 10,064 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 125700%. The GeForce FX 5500 is built on Rankine while the GeForce GTX 1060 uses Pascal, both on 12 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 1,024 (GeForce FX 5500) vs 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060). Raw compute: 2.703 TFLOPS (GeForce FX 5500) vs 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060). Boost clocks: 1320 MHz vs 1733 MHz.

Feature	GeForce FX 5500	GeForce GTX 1060
G3D Mark Score	8	10,064+125700%
Architecture	Rankine	Pascal
Process Node	12 nm	16 nm
Shading Units	1024	2560+150%
Compute (TFLOPS)	2.703 TFLOPS	8.873 TFLOPS+228%
Boost Clock	1320 MHz	1733 MHz+31%
ROPs	16	64+300%
TMUs	32	160+400%
L1 Cache	2 MB+113%	0.94 MB
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce FX 5500	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 FX 5500 has 256 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 1060 carries 6 GB. GeForce GTX 1060 gives you 2300% 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 FX 5500 and 192-bit on the GeForce GTX 1060.

Feature	GeForce FX 5500	GeForce GTX 1060
VRAM Capacity	0.25 GB	6 GB+2300%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	192 GB/s
Bus Width	128-bit	192-bit+50%
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 9.0a (GeForce FX 5500) vs 12 (GeForce GTX 1060). Vulkan: None vs 1.3. OpenGL: 1.5 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce FX 5500	GeForce GTX 1060
DirectX	9.0a	12+33%
Vulkan	None	1.3
OpenGL	1.5	4.5+200%
Max Displays	2	4+100%

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: No (GeForce FX 5500) vs NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060). Decoder: No vs NVDEC (Pascal).

Feature	GeForce FX 5500	GeForce GTX 1060
Encoder	No	NVENC (Pascal)
Decoder	No	NVDEC (Pascal)
Codecs		H.264,H.265/HEVC

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce FX 5500 draws 25W versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 180W — a 151.2% difference. The GeForce FX 5500 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce FX 5500) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 1060). Power connectors: Legacy vs 6-pin. Card length: 171mm vs 173mm, occupying 1 vs 2 slots.

Feature	GeForce FX 5500	GeForce GTX 1060
TDP	25W-86%	180W
Recommended PSU	350W-13%	400W
Power Connector	Legacy	6-pin
Length	171mm	173mm
Height	111mm	111mm
Slots	1-50%	2
Temp (Load)	70°C	—
Perf/Watt	0.3	55.9+18533%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce FX 5500 came in at $37, while the GeForce GTX 1060 launched at $249. On MSRP, GeForce FX 5500 was 85.1% cheaper ($212 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 0.2 (GeForce FX 5500) vs 40.4 (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 20100% better value. The newer card here is GeForce FX 5500 (2021 vs 2016).

Feature	GeForce FX 5500	GeForce GTX 1060
MSRP	$37-85%	$249
Performance per Dollar	0.2	40.4+20100%
Codename	TU117S	GP104
Release	December 17 2021	May 27 2016
Ranking	#468	#137

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