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 GTX 1050 3GB 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 GTX 1050 3GB 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 GTX 1050 3GB

2018

Why buy it

✅Costs $120 less on MSRP ($129 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
✅GeForce GTX 1060 is already legacy-tier future-proofing, so GeForce GTX 1050 3GB is the less risky modern option long term.
✅Draws 75W instead of 180W, a 105W reduction.
✅Measures 145mm instead of 173mm, a 28mm 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 3 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2018 hardware with 3 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.

GeForce GTX 1060

2016

Why buy it

✅168.7% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 3 GB).

Trade-offs

❌2016 hardware with 6 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌140% higher power demand at 180W vs 75W.
❌19.3% longer card at 173mm vs 145mm.

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 168.7% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 96.7% in PassMark G3D (10,064 vs 5,116), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce GTX 1050 3GB is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a 14nm process instead of 16nm and a newer 2018 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 $120 more expensive on MSRP at $249 vs $129, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 1.9% (40.4 vs 39.7), 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 GTX 1050 3GB has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce GTX 1050 3GB vs GeForce GTX 1060 Technical Specifications

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

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	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 GTX 1050 3GB has 3 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 1060 carries 6 GB. GeForce GTX 1060 gives you 100% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. 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. Memory bus width is 96-bit on the GeForce GTX 1050 3GB and 192-bit on the GeForce GTX 1060. 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

At launch, the GeForce GTX 1050 3GB came in at $129, while the GeForce GTX 1060 launched at $249. On MSRP, GeForce GTX 1050 3GB was 48.2% cheaper ($120 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 39.7 (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB) vs 40.4 (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 1.8% better value. The newer card here is GeForce GTX 1050 3GB (2018 vs 2016).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050 3GB	GeForce GTX 1060
MSRP	$129-48%	$249
Performance per Dollar	39.7	40.4+2%
Codename	GP107	GP104
Release	May 21 2018	May 27 2016
Ranking	#440	#137

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