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 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 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

2016

Why buy it

✅Costs $139 less on MSRP ($110 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
✅Delivers 13.2% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 45.8 vs 40.4 G3D/$ ($110 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
✅Draws 60W instead of 180W, a 120W 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 2 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2016 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.

GeForce GTX 1060

2016

Why buy it

✅136.8% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 2 GB).
✅GeForce GTX 1050 is already obsolete for modern gaming, so GeForce GTX 1060 is the less risky modern option long term.

Trade-offs

❌2016 hardware with 6 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌
126.4% HIGHER MSRP
$249 MSRPvs$110 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 40.4 vs 45.8 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $110 MSRP).
❌200% higher power demand at 180W vs 60W.
❌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 136.8% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 100% in PassMark G3D (10,064 vs 5,033), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce GTX 1060 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 6 GB vs 2 GB of VRAM. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce GTX 1050 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $139 cheaper on MSRP at $110 vs $249, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 13.2% (45.8 vs 40.4), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GeForce GTX 1050 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, GeForce GTX 1060 has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce GTX 1050 vs GeForce GTX 1060 Technical Specifications

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

GeForce GTX 1050

The GeForce GTX 1050 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in October 25 2016. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1290 MHz to 1392 MHz. It has 640 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 60W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,033 points. Launch price was $109.

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 scores 5,033 versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 10,064 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 100%. The GeForce GTX 1050 is built on Pascal while the GeForce GTX 1060 uses Pascal, both on 14 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 640 (GeForce GTX 1050) vs 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060). Raw compute: 1.862 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1050) vs 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060). Boost clocks: 1392 MHz vs 1733 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050	GeForce GTX 1060
G3D Mark Score	5,033	10,064+100%
Architecture	Pascal	Pascal
Process Node	14 nm	16 nm
Shading Units	640	2560+300%
Compute (TFLOPS)	1.862 TFLOPS	8.873 TFLOPS+377%
Boost Clock	1392 MHz	1733 MHz+24%
ROPs	32	64+100%
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	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 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 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1050) vs 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060) — a 71.4% advantage for the GeForce GTX 1060. Memory bus width is 128-bit on the GeForce GTX 1050 and 192-bit on the GeForce GTX 1060. L2 Cache: 1 MB (GeForce GTX 1050) vs 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050	GeForce GTX 1060
VRAM Capacity	2 GB	6 GB+200%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	112 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) 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	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 (6th Gen) (GeForce GTX 1050) vs NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060). Decoder: NVDEC (3rd Gen) vs NVDEC (Pascal). Supported codecs: HEVC,H.264,VP9 (GeForce GTX 1050) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060).

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

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1050 draws 60W versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 180W — a 100% difference. The GeForce GTX 1050 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 300W (GeForce GTX 1050) 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	GeForce GTX 1060
TDP	60W-67%	180W
Recommended PSU	300W-25%	400W
Power Connector	None	6-pin
Length	145mm	173mm
Height	111mm	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	65 C	—
Perf/Watt	83.9+50%	55.9

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce GTX 1050 came in at $110, while the GeForce GTX 1060 launched at $249. On MSRP, GeForce GTX 1050 was 55.8% cheaper ($139 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 45.8 (GeForce GTX 1050) vs 40.4 (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1050 offers 13.4% better value.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050	GeForce GTX 1060
MSRP	$110-56%	$249
Performance per Dollar	45.8+13%	40.4
Codename	GP107	GP104
Release	October 25 2016	May 27 2016
Ranking	#443	#137

Search GeForce GTX 1050 on Amazon

Search GeForce GTX 1060 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.