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 Max-Q 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 Max-Q 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 Max-Q

2018

Why buy it

✅GeForce GTX 1060 is already legacy-tier future-proofing, so GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q is the less risky modern option long term.
✅Draws 75W instead of 180W, a 105W reduction.
✅More future proof: Pascal (2016−2021) on 14nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 1060 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2018 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 40.4 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $249 MSRP).

GeForce GTX 1060

2016

Why buy it

✅200.8% 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).
✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 2 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.

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 200.8% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 156.4% in PassMark G3D (10,064 vs 3,925), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q 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 today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. 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 Max-Q has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q vs GeForce GTX 1060 Technical Specifications

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

GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q

The GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 3 2018. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1190 MHz to 1328 MHz. It has 640 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,925 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 Max-Q scores 3,925 versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 10,064 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 156.4%. The GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q is built on Pascal while the GeForce GTX 1060 uses Pascal, both on 14 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 640 (GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q) vs 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060). Raw compute: 1.7 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q) vs 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060). Boost clocks: 1328 MHz vs 1733 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q	GeForce GTX 1060
G3D Mark Score	3,925	10,064+156%
Architecture	Pascal	Pascal
Process Node	14 nm	16 nm
Shading Units	640	2560+300%
Compute (TFLOPS)	1.7 TFLOPS	8.873 TFLOPS+422%
Boost Clock	1328 MHz	1733 MHz+30%
ROPs	16	64+300%
TMUs	40	160+300%
L1 Cache	240 KB	960 KB+300%
L2 Cache	1 MB	2 MB+100%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q	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 Max-Q has 2 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 1060 carries 6 GB. GeForce GTX 1060 gives you 200% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 112.1 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q) vs 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060) — a 71.3% advantage for the GeForce GTX 1060. Memory bus width is 128-bit on the GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q and 192-bit on the GeForce GTX 1060. L2 Cache: 1 MB (GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q) vs 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q	GeForce GTX 1060
VRAM Capacity	2 GB	6 GB+200%
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	112.1 GB/s	192 GB/s+71%
Bus Width	128-bit	192-bit+50%
L2 Cache	1 MB	2 MB+100%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (12_1) (GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q) vs 12 (GeForce GTX 1060). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q	GeForce GTX 1060
DirectX	12 (12_1)	12
Vulkan	1.3	1.3
OpenGL	4.6+2%	4.5
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (6th Gen) (GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q) vs NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060). Decoder: NVDEC (3rd Gen) vs NVDEC (Pascal). Supported codecs: H.264,H.265 (HEVC),VP9 (GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q	GeForce GTX 1060
Encoder	NVENC (6th Gen)	NVENC (Pascal)
Decoder	NVDEC (3rd Gen)	NVDEC (Pascal)
Codecs	H.264,H.265 (HEVC),VP9	H.264,H.265/HEVC

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q draws 75W versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 180W — a 82.4% difference. The GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 1060). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 6-pin.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q	GeForce GTX 1060
TDP	75W-58%	180W
Recommended PSU	350W-13%	400W
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	6-pin
Length	—	173mm
Height	—	111mm
Slots	0-100%	2
Temp (Load)	75°C	—
Perf/Watt	52.3	55.9+7%

💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q (2018 vs 2016).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q	GeForce GTX 1060
MSRP	—	$249
Codename	GP107	GP104
Release	January 3 2018	May 27 2016
Ranking	#498	#137

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