GeForce GTX 1060 3GB vs GeForce GTX 970

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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar

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

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.8% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce GTX 970 offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.

Insight	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB	GeForce GTX 970
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+1.8%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.8%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / Pascal (2016−2021))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+33.3%)
Efficiency	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt	⚡ Higher Power Consumption
Case Fit	Standard Size (250mm)	Standard Size (267mm)

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB holds the technical lead. Priced at $50 (vs $50), it costs 0% less, resulting in a 1.8% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB	GeForce GTX 970
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+1.8%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
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.

GeForce GTX 1060 3GB Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 970 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 1060 3GB and GeForce GTX 970

GeForce GTX 1060 3GB

The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in August 18 2016. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1506 MHz to 1708 MHz. It has 1152 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 120W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 9,815 points. Launch price was $199.

GeForce GTX 970

The GeForce GTX 970 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 19 2014. It features the Maxwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1050 MHz to 1178 MHz. It has 1664 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 9,640 points. Launch price was $329.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB scores 9,815 and the GeForce GTX 970 reaches 9,640 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.8% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB is built on Pascal while the GeForce GTX 970 uses Maxwell 2.0, both on 16 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 1,152 (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs 1,664 (GeForce GTX 970). Raw compute: 3.935 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs 3.92 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 970). Boost clocks: 1708 MHz vs 1178 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB	GeForce GTX 970
G3D Mark Score	9,815+2%	9,640
Architecture	Pascal	Maxwell 2.0
Process Node	16 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	1152	1664+44%
Compute (TFLOPS)	3.935 TFLOPS	3.92 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1708 MHz+45%	1178 MHz
ROPs	48	56+17%
TMUs	72	104+44%
L1 Cache	432 KB	624 KB+44%
L2 Cache	1.5 MB	2 MB+33%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB	GeForce GTX 970
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 1060 3GB comes with 3 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 970 has 4 GB. The GeForce GTX 970 offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs 224 GB/s (GeForce GTX 970) — a 16.7% advantage for the GeForce GTX 970. Bus width: 192-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 1.5 MB (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs 2 MB (GeForce GTX 970) — the GeForce GTX 970 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB	GeForce GTX 970
VRAM Capacity	3 GB	4 GB+33%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	192 GB/s	224 GB/s+17%
Bus Width	192-bit	256-bit+33%
L2 Cache	1.5 MB	2 MB+33%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs 12 (FL 12_1) (GeForce GTX 970). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB	GeForce GTX 970
DirectX	12.1	12 (FL 12_1)
Vulkan	1.1	1.3+18%
OpenGL	4.5	4.6+2%
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 4.0 (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs NVENC 2nd gen (GeForce GTX 970). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP6 vs PureVideo VP6. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 970).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB	GeForce GTX 970
Encoder	NVENC 4.0	NVENC 2nd gen
Decoder	PureVideo HD VP6	PureVideo VP6
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC	H.264,H.265/HEVC

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB draws 120W versus the GeForce GTX 970's 150W — a 22.2% difference. The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs 500W (GeForce GTX 970). Power connectors: 6-pin vs 2x 6-pin. Card length: 250mm vs 267mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 80°C.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB	GeForce GTX 970
TDP	120W-20%	150W
Recommended PSU	400W-20%	500W
Power Connector	6-pin	2x 6-pin
Length	250mm	267mm
Height	111mm	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75°C-6%	80°C
Perf/Watt	81.8+27%	64.3

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB launched at $199 MSRP and currently averages $50, while the GeForce GTX 970 launched at $329 and now averages $50. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 196.3 (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs 192.8 (GeForce GTX 970) — the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB offers 1.8% better value. The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB is the newer GPU (2016 vs 2014).