GeForce GT 540M vs GeForce GTX 1060

GeForce GT 540M

2013Core: 941 MHzBoost: 967 MHz

GeForce GTX 1060

2016Core: 1607 MHzBoost: 1733 MHz

Performance Spectrum - GPU

GeForce GT 540M

474

0.0%

GeForce GTX 560 Ti 448

GeForce GTX 1060 3GB

GeForce GTX 1070 Ti

GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER

GeForce GTX 1060

180

10,064

+2023.2%

GeForce GTX 680

GeForce GTX 970XM FORCE

GeForce RTX 2050 Mobile

GeForce GTX TITAN Z

GeForce GTX 980 Ti

GeForce RTX 5060 Mobile

GeForce RTX 2080 Ti

GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile

About G3D Mark

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. The GeForce GT 540M is positioned at rank #172 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar GeForce GT 540M

#47

Radeon RX 6700S

MSRP: $479|Avg: $300

99%

#161

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

344%

#163

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

311%

#164

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

311%

#168

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

282%

#169

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

281%

#172

GeForce GT 540M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $30

100%

#176

GeForce GTX 860M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

98%

#178

Radeon R9 360

MSRP: $99|Avg: $55

97%

#179

GeForce GTX 1050 Ti (móvel)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $65

97%

#180

GeForce GTX 460M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $40

96%

#181

Radeon 6750M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $25

96%

#182

GeForce GT 525M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $30

95%

#185

Radeon R5 (Bristol Ridge)

MSRP: $50|Avg: $50

95%

#186

GeForce MX550

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

95%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce GTX 1060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2023.2% higher G3D Mark score and 500% more VRAM (6 GB vs 1 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GT 540M.

Insight	GeForce GT 540M	GeForce GTX 1060
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-2023.2%)	✅Leading raw performance (+2023.2%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / Kepler (2012−2018))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / Pascal (2016−2021))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+500%)
Efficiency	⚡ Higher Power Consumption	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
Case Fit	—	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 1060 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 1060 holds the technical lead. Priced at $30 (vs $60), it costs 50% less, resulting in a 961.6% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GT 540M	GeForce GTX 1060
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+961.6%)
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($30)	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($60)

Performance Check

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 7800X3D 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 GT 540M Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 1060 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GT 540M and GeForce GTX 1060

GeForce GT 540M

The GeForce GT 540M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 9 2013. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 941 MHz to 967 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 50W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 474 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 GT 540M scores 474 versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 10,064 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 2023.2%. The GeForce GT 540M is built on Kepler while the GeForce GTX 1060 uses Pascal, both on 28 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 384 (GeForce GT 540M) vs 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060). Raw compute: 0.7427 TFLOPS (GeForce GT 540M) vs 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060). Boost clocks: 967 MHz vs 1733 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GT 540M	GeForce GTX 1060
G3D Mark Score	474	10,064+2023%
Architecture	Kepler	Pascal
Process Node	28 nm	16 nm
Shading Units	384	2560+567%
Compute (TFLOPS)	0.7427 TFLOPS	8.873 TFLOPS+1095%
Boost Clock	967 MHz	1733 MHz+79%
ROPs	16	64+300%
TMUs	32	160+400%
L1 Cache	32 KB	960 KB+2900%
L2 Cache	0.25 MB	2 MB+700%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GT 540M	GeForce GTX 1060
Upscaling Tech	FSR 1.0 (Software)	FSR 2.1 (Compatible)
Frame Generation	Not Supported	FSR 3 (Compatible)
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	Standard	Standard

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GT 540M comes with 1 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 1060 has 6 GB. The GeForce GTX 1060 offers 500% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 0.25 MB (GeForce GT 540M) vs 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GT 540M	GeForce GTX 1060
VRAM Capacity	1 GB	6 GB+500%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	192 GB/s
Bus Width	128-bit	192-bit+50%
L2 Cache	0.25 MB	2 MB+700%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 11.0 (GeForce GT 540M) vs 12 (GeForce GTX 1060). Vulkan: None vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.0 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 1 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GT 540M	GeForce GTX 1060
DirectX	11.0	12+9%
Vulkan	None	1.3
OpenGL	4.0	4.5+13%
Max Displays	1	4+300%

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: No (GeForce GT 540M) vs NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP4 vs NVDEC (Pascal). Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 ASP (GeForce GT 540M) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060).

Feature	GeForce GT 540M	GeForce GTX 1060
Encoder	No	NVENC (Pascal)
Decoder	PureVideo HD VP4	NVDEC (Pascal)
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 ASP	H.264,H.265/HEVC

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GT 540M draws 50W versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 180W — a 113% difference. The GeForce GT 540M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GT 540M) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 1060). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 6-pin. Card length: 0mm vs 173mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots.

Feature	GeForce GT 540M	GeForce GTX 1060
TDP	50W-72%	180W
Recommended PSU	350W-13%	400W
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	6-pin
Length	0mm	173mm
Height	0mm	111mm
Slots	0-100%	2
Temp (Load)	85°C	—
Perf/Watt	9.5	55.9+488%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GT 540M costs 50% less ($30 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 15.8 (GeForce GT 540M) vs 167.7 (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 961.4% better value. The GeForce GTX 1060 is the newer GPU (2016 vs 2013).