GeForce GTS 250
VS
GeForce GTX 1060

GeForce GTS 250 vs GeForce GTX 1060

NVIDIA

GeForce GTS 250

2010Core: 783 MHz
VS
NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 1060

2016Core: 1607 MHzBoost: 1733 MHz

Performance Spectrum - GPU

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 GTS 250 is positioned at rank #246 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 GTS 250

#1
GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
MSRP: $399|Avg: $280
1645%
#2
GeForce RTX 5060
MSRP: $299|Avg: $299
1580%
#3
Radeon RX 5600 XT
MSRP: $279|Avg: $180
1562%
#4
Radeon RX 9060
MSRP: $249|Avg: $249
1559%
#5
GeForce RTX 5050
MSRP: $249|Avg: $249
1556%
#6
GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
MSRP: $249|Avg: $150
1547%
#7
Arc A580
MSRP: $179|Avg: $179
1528%
#8
Radeon RX 9060 XT
MSRP: $299|Avg: $299
1522%
#9
Radeon RX 9060 XT 8GB
MSRP: $299|Avg: $299
1508%
#10
Radeon RX 7600
MSRP: $269|Avg: $250
1504%
#11
Radeon RX 6600
MSRP: $329|Avg: $180
1486%
#12
GeForce RTX 4060
MSRP: $299|Avg: $299
1483%
#13
Arc B570
MSRP: $219|Avg: $219
1456%
#14
Arc B580
MSRP: $249|Avg: $249
1455%
#231
Radeon R5 430 OEM
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $13
1814%
#246
GeForce GTS 250
MSRP: $129|Avg: $20
100%
#248
GeForce G100
MSRP: $40|Avg: $5
100%
#249
Radeon R7 M265
MSRP: $130|Avg: $30
98%
#250
Radeon HD 8250
MSRP: $50|Avg: $50
96%
#251
Radeon HD 3300
MSRP: $30|Avg: $5
96%
#253
Radeon R5 220
MSRP: $35|Avg: $15
95%
#254
Radeon HD 7350
MSRP: $40|Avg: $10
94%
#255
GeForce GTX 285
MSRP: $359|Avg: $30
93%
#256
Radeon HD 7570
MSRP: $150|Avg: $150
92%
#257
Radeon HD 6380G
MSRP: $50|Avg: $10
91%
#258
Radeon HD 4550
MSRP: $59|Avg: $15
91%
#259
RADEON HD7450
MSRP: $50|Avg: $15
90%
#260
GeForce GT 330
MSRP: $99|Avg: $30
90%
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

⚠️ Generational Difference

The GeForce GTX 1060 is significantly newer (2016 vs 2010). The GeForce GTX 1060 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTS 250 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce GTX 1060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1668.7% 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 GTS 250.

InsightGeForce GTS 250GeForce GTX 1060
Performance
Lower raw frame rates (-1668.7%)
Leading raw performance (+1668.7%)
Longevity
🛑Obsolete Architecture (2010 / Fermi (2010−2014))
🛑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
📏 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 $20 (vs $60), it costs 67% less, resulting in a 489.6% higher cost efficiency score.

InsightGeForce GTS 250GeForce GTX 1060
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Better overall value (+489.6%)
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($20)
⚠️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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTS 250 and GeForce GTX 1060

NVIDIA

GeForce GTS 250

The GeForce GTS 250 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 13 2010. It features the Fermi architecture. The core clock speed is 783 MHz. It has 192 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 106W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 569 points. Launch price was $129.

NVIDIA

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 GTS 250 scores 569 versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 10,064 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 1668.7%. The GeForce GTS 250 is built on Fermi while the GeForce GTX 1060 uses Pascal, both on 40 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 192 (GeForce GTS 250) vs 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060). Raw compute: 0.6013 TFLOPS (GeForce GTS 250) vs 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060).

FeatureGeForce GTS 250GeForce GTX 1060
G3D Mark Score
569
10,064+1669%
Architecture
Fermi
Pascal
Process Node
40 nm
16 nm
Shading Units
192
2560+1233%
Compute (TFLOPS)
0.6013 TFLOPS
8.873 TFLOPS+1376%
ROPs
16
64+300%
TMUs
32
160+400%
L1 Cache
256 KB
960 KB+275%
L2 Cache
0.25 MB
2 MB+700%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureGeForce GTS 250GeForce 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 GTS 250 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 GTS 250) vs 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce GTS 250GeForce 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: 11.1 (10_0) (GeForce GTS 250) vs 12 (GeForce GTX 1060). OpenGL: 3.3 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce GTS 250GeForce GTX 1060
DirectX
11.1 (10_0)
12+8%
OpenGL
3.3
4.5+36%
Max Displays
2
4+100%
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: PureVideo HD VP5 (GeForce GTS 250) vs NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP5 vs NVDEC (Pascal). Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTS 250) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060).

FeatureGeForce GTS 250GeForce GTX 1060
Encoder
PureVideo HD VP5
NVENC (Pascal)
Decoder
PureVideo HD VP5
NVDEC (Pascal)
Codecs
H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2
H.264,H.265/HEVC
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTS 250 draws 106W versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 180W — a 51.7% difference. The GeForce GTS 250 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (GeForce GTS 250) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 1060). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs 6-pin. Card length: 229mm vs 173mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots.

FeatureGeForce GTS 250GeForce GTX 1060
TDP
106W-41%
180W
Recommended PSU
450W
400W-11%
Power Connector
1x 6-pin
6-pin
Length
229mm
173mm
Height
111mm
111mm
Slots
2
2
Temp (Load)
90°C
Perf/Watt
5.4
55.9+935%
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTS 250 launched at $129 MSRP and currently averages $20, while the GeForce GTX 1060 launched at $249 and now averages $60. The GeForce GTS 250 costs 66.7% less ($40 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 28.4 (GeForce GTS 250) vs 167.7 (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 490.5% better value. The GeForce GTX 1060 is the newer GPU (2016 vs 2010).

FeatureGeForce GTS 250GeForce GTX 1060
MSRP
$129-48%
$249
Avg Price (30d)
$20-67%
$60
Performance per Dollar
28.4
167.7+490%
Codename
GF106
GP104
Release
September 13 2010
May 27 2016
Ranking
#791
#137