CPU
GPU
GeForce GTX 1050 3GB
Popular choices:
GeForce GTX 1060
Popular choices:
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. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce GTX 1050 3GB uses modern memory architecture. The GeForce GTX 1050 3GB likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTX 1060 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 96.7% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (6 GB vs 3 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 1050 3GB.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 1050 3GB | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-96.7%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+96.7%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2018 / Pascal (2016−2021)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / Pascal (2016−2021)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+100%) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GTX 1060 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Although it costs $60 (vs $60), its significant performance lead justifies the premium, offering 96.7% better value per dollar than the GeForce GTX 1050 3GB.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 1050 3GB | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+96.7%) |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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.
Path of Exile 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 1050 3GB and GeForce GTX 1060
GeForce GTX 1050 3GB
The GeForce GTX 1050 3GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 21 2018. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1392 MHz to 1518 MHz. It has 768 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,116 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 GTX 1050 3GB scores 5,116 versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 10,064 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 96.7%. The GeForce GTX 1050 3GB is built on Pascal while the GeForce GTX 1060 uses Pascal, both on 14 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 768 (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB) vs 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060). Raw compute: 2.332 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB) vs 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060). Boost clocks: 1518 MHz vs 1733 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1050 3GB | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 5,116 | 10,064+97% |
| Architecture | Pascal | Pascal |
| Process Node | 14 nm | 16 nm |
| Shading Units | 768 | 2560+233% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 2.332 TFLOPS | 8.873 TFLOPS+280% |
| Boost Clock | 1518 MHz | 1733 MHz+14% |
| ROPs | 24 | 64+167% |
| TMUs | 48 | 160+233% |
| L1 Cache | 288 KB | 960 KB+233% |
| L2 Cache | 0.75 MB | 2 MB+167% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1050 3GB | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 (Compatible) | FSR 3 (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce GTX 1050 3GB comes with 3 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 1060 has 6 GB. The GeForce GTX 1060 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 84 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB) vs 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060) — a 128.6% advantage for the GeForce GTX 1060. Bus width: 96-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 0.75 MB (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB) vs 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1050 3GB | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 3 GB | 6 GB+100% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 84 GB/s | 192 GB/s+129% |
| Bus Width | 96-bit | 192-bit+100% |
| L2 Cache | 0.75 MB | 2 MB+167% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (12_1) (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB) vs 12 (GeForce GTX 1060). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 3 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1050 3GB | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (12_1) | 12 |
| Vulkan | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| OpenGL | 4.6+2% | 4.5 |
| Max Displays | 3 | 4+33% |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 6.0 (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB) vs NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060). Decoder: NVDEC 3.0 vs NVDEC (Pascal). Supported codecs: H.264,H.265,VP9 (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1050 3GB | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 6.0 | NVENC (Pascal) |
| Decoder | NVDEC 3.0 | NVDEC (Pascal) |
| Codecs | H.264,H.265,VP9 | H.264,H.265/HEVC |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 1050 3GB draws 75W versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 180W — a 82.4% difference. The GeForce GTX 1050 3GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 300W (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 1060). Power connectors: None vs 6-pin. Card length: 145mm vs 173mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1050 3GB | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 75W-58% | 180W |
| Recommended PSU | 300W-25% | 400W |
| Power Connector | None | 6-pin |
| Length | 145mm | 173mm |
| Height | 111mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 65 | — |
| Perf/Watt | 68.2+22% | 55.9 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 1050 3GB launched at $129 MSRP and currently averages $60, while the GeForce GTX 1060 launched at $249 and now averages $60. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 85.3 (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB) vs 167.7 (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 96.6% better value. The GeForce GTX 1050 3GB is the newer GPU (2018 vs 2016).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1050 3GB | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $129-48% | $249 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $60 | $60 |
| Performance per Dollar | 85.3 | 167.7+97% |
| Codename | GP107 | GP104 |
| Release | May 21 2018 | May 27 2016 |
| Ranking | #440 | #137 |
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