GeForce FX 5950 Ultra 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 5950 Ultra 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 5950 Ultra 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 5950 Ultra

2011

Why buy it

✅Draws 116W instead of 180W, a 64W reduction.

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.
❌2011 hardware with 256 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 40.4 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
❌32.4% longer card at 229mm vs 173mm.

GeForce GTX 1060

2016

Why buy it

✅10724.0% 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).
✅2300% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 256 MB).
✅GeForce FX 5950 Ultra is already obsolete for modern gaming, so GeForce GTX 1060 is the less risky modern option long term.
✅Measures 173mm instead of 229mm, a 56mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌2016 hardware with 6 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌55.2% higher power demand at 180W vs 116W.

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 16957.6% in PassMark G3D (10,064 vs 59), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce GTX 1060 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 6 GB vs 256 MB of VRAM, a 16nm process instead of 40nm, and a newer 2016 generation instead of 2011. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

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.

GeForce FX 5950 Ultra vs GeForce GTX 1060 Technical Specifications

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

GeForce FX 5950 Ultra

The GeForce FX 5950 Ultra is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 15 2011. It features the Rankine architecture. The core clock speed is 900 MHz. It has 192 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 116W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 59 points. Launch price was $149.

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.

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Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce FX 5950 Ultra scores 59 versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 10,064 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 16957.6%. The GeForce FX 5950 Ultra is built on Rankine while the GeForce GTX 1060 uses Pascal, both on 40 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 192 (GeForce FX 5950 Ultra) vs 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060). Raw compute: 0.6912 TFLOPS (GeForce FX 5950 Ultra) vs 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060).

Feature	GeForce FX 5950 Ultra	GeForce GTX 1060
G3D Mark Score	59	10,064+16958%
Architecture	Rankine	Pascal
Process Node	40 nm	16 nm
Shading Units	192	2560+1233%
Compute (TFLOPS)	0.6912 TFLOPS	8.873 TFLOPS+1184%
ROPs	24	64+167%
TMUs	32	160+400%
L1 Cache	256 KB	960 KB+275%
L2 Cache	0.38 MB	2 MB+426%

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Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce FX 5950 Ultra	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

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Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce FX 5950 Ultra 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 5950 Ultra and 192-bit on the GeForce GTX 1060. L2 Cache: 0.38 MB (GeForce FX 5950 Ultra) vs 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce FX 5950 Ultra	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	0.38 MB	2 MB+426%

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Display & API Support

DirectX support: 9.0a (GeForce FX 5950 Ultra) vs 12 (GeForce GTX 1060). OpenGL: 1.5 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce FX 5950 Ultra	GeForce GTX 1060
DirectX	9.0a	12+33%
OpenGL	1.5	4.5+200%
Max Displays	2	4+100%

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Power & Dimensions

The GeForce FX 5950 Ultra draws 116W versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 180W — a 43.2% difference. The GeForce FX 5950 Ultra is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce FX 5950 Ultra) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 1060). Power connectors: Legacy vs 6-pin. Card length: 229mm vs 173mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots.

Feature	GeForce FX 5950 Ultra	GeForce GTX 1060
TDP	116W-36%	180W
Recommended PSU	350W-13%	400W
Power Connector	Legacy	6-pin
Length	229mm	173mm
Height	—	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75°C	—
Perf/Watt	0.5	55.9+11080%

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Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce FX 5950 Ultra came in at $0, while the GeForce GTX 1060 launched at $249. On MSRP, GeForce FX 5950 Ultra was 100+% cheaper ($249 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): Infinity (GeForce FX 5950 Ultra) vs 40.4 (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce FX 5950 Ultra offers Infinity% better value. The newer card here is GeForce GTX 1060 (2016 vs 2011).

Feature	GeForce FX 5950 Ultra	GeForce GTX 1060
MSRP	$0-100%	$249
Performance per Dollar	Infinity	40.4
Codename	GF116	GP104
Release	March 15 2011	May 27 2016
Ranking	#761	#137

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