GeForce GTX 1060 3GB vs GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile
GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
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GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile
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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 GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile uses modern memory architecture. The GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.7% higher G3D Mark score and 166.7% more VRAM (8 GB vs 3 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 1060 3GB | GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.7%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+2.7%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / Pascal (2016−2021)) | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | 🎮 High Capacity (8 GB) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (250mm) | — |
💎 Value Proposition
While current pricing data is unavailable, the GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile remains the clear technical winner. Check real-time availability to determine if the performance gap justifies the market price.
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 1060 3GB and GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile
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 RTX 3050 Mobile
The GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 11 2021. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 712 MHz to 1057 MHz. It has 2048 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 16 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 10,080 points.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB scores 9,815 and the GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile reaches 10,080 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.7% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB is built on Pascal while the GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile uses Ampere, both on 16 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 1,152 (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs 2,048 (GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile). Raw compute: 3.935 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs 4.329 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile). Boost clocks: 1708 MHz vs 1057 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1060 3GB | GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 9,815 | 10,080+3% |
| Architecture | Pascal | Ampere |
| Process Node | 16 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 1152 | 2048+78% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 3.935 TFLOPS | 4.329 TFLOPS+10% |
| Boost Clock | 1708 MHz+62% | 1057 MHz |
| ROPs | 48+20% | 40 |
| TMUs | 72+13% | 64 |
| L1 Cache | 0.42 MB | 2 MB+376% |
| L2 Cache | 1.5 MB | 2 MB+33% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1060 3GB | GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) | DLSS 2.0 |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 (Compatible) | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB comes with 3 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile has 8 GB. The GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile offers 166.7% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 192-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 1.5 MB (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile) — the GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1060 3GB | GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 3 GB | 8 GB+167% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 192 GB/s | 192 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 192-bit+50% | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 1.5 MB | 2 MB+33% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1060 3GB | GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12.1 | 12.2 |
| 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 7th Gen NVENC (GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP6 vs 5th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode) (GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1060 3GB | GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 4.0 | 7th Gen NVENC |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP6 | 5th Gen NVDEC |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode) |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB draws 120W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile's 75W — a 46.2% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs 500W (GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile). Power connectors: 6-pin vs Mobile. Card length: 250mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 80°C.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1060 3GB | GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 120W | 75W-38% |
| Recommended PSU | 400W-20% | 500W |
| Power Connector | 6-pin | Mobile |
| Length | 250mm | 0mm |
| Height | 111mm | 0mm |
| Slots | 2 | 0-100% |
| Temp (Load) | 75°C-6% | 80°C |
| Perf/Watt | 81.8 | 134.4+64% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2016).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1060 3GB | GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $199 | — |
| Avg Price (30d) | $50 | — |
| Codename | GP106 | GA107 |
| Release | August 18 2016 | May 11 2021 |
| Ranking | #272 | #290 |
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
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