GeForce GTX 1060 5GB vs GeForce RTX 2060

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

⚠️ Generational Difference

The GeForce RTX 2060 uses modern memory architecture. The GeForce RTX 2060 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce RTX 2060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 53.8% higher G3D Mark score and 20% more VRAM (6 GB vs 5 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 1060 5GB.

Insight	GeForce GTX 1060 5GB	GeForce RTX 2060
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-53.8%)	✅Leading raw performance (+53.8%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2017 / Pascal (2016−2021))	Turing (2018−2022) (12nm)
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	🎮 High Capacity (6 GB)
Efficiency	Normal Efficiency	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
Case Fit	Standard Size (250mm)	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $65 versus $120 for the GeForce RTX 2060, it costs 46% less. While it maintains lower overall performance, this results in a 20% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 1060 5GB	GeForce RTX 2060
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+20%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($65)	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($120)

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 5GB Benchmark Check

GeForce RTX 2060 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 1060 5GB and GeForce RTX 2060

GeForce GTX 1060 5GB

The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in December 26 2017. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1506 MHz to 1709 MHz. It has 1280 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 120W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 9,175 points.

GeForce RTX 2060

The GeForce RTX 2060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 7 2019. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 1365 MHz to 1680 MHz. It has 1920 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 160W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. It features 30 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 14,114 points. Launch price was $349.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1060 5GB scores 9,175 versus the GeForce RTX 2060's 14,114 — the GeForce RTX 2060 leads by 53.8%. The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB is built on Pascal while the GeForce RTX 2060 uses Turing, both on 16 nm vs 12 nm. Shader units: 1,280 (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 1,920 (GeForce RTX 2060). Raw compute: 4.375 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 6.451 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 2060). Boost clocks: 1709 MHz vs 1680 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 5GB	GeForce RTX 2060
G3D Mark Score	9,175	14,114+54%
Architecture	Pascal	Turing
Process Node	16 nm	12 nm
Shading Units	1280	1920+50%
Compute (TFLOPS)	4.375 TFLOPS	6.451 TFLOPS+47%
Boost Clock	1709 MHz+2%	1680 MHz
ROPs	40	48+20%
TMUs	80	120+50%
L1 Cache	0.47 MB	1.9 MB+304%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB	3 MB+140%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 5GB	GeForce RTX 2060
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 5GB comes with 5 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 2060 has 6 GB. The GeForce RTX 2060 offers 20% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 160 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 336 GB/s (GeForce RTX 2060) — a 110% advantage for the GeForce RTX 2060. Bus width: 160-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 1.25 MB (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 3 MB (GeForce RTX 2060) — the GeForce RTX 2060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 5GB	GeForce RTX 2060
VRAM Capacity	5 GB	6 GB+20%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	160 GB/s	336 GB/s+110%
Bus Width	160-bit	192-bit+20%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB	3 MB+140%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (12_1) (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 12 Ultimate (12_2) (GeForce RTX 2060). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 5GB	GeForce RTX 2060
DirectX	12 (12_1)	12 Ultimate (12_2)
Vulkan	1.3	1.3
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (6th Gen) (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs NVENC (Turing) (GeForce RTX 2060). Decoder: NVDEC (3rd Gen) vs NVDEC (Turing). Supported codecs: H.264,H.265,VP9 (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs H.264,H.265,VP9,VP8,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GeForce RTX 2060).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 5GB	GeForce RTX 2060
Encoder	NVENC (6th Gen)	NVENC (Turing)
Decoder	NVDEC (3rd Gen)	NVDEC (Turing)
Codecs	H.264,H.265,VP9	H.264,H.265,VP9,VP8,MPEG-2,VC-1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB draws 120W versus the GeForce RTX 2060's 160W — a 28.6% difference. The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 500W (GeForce RTX 2060). Power connectors: 6-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 250mm vs 229mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 72.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 5GB	GeForce RTX 2060
TDP	120W-25%	160W
Recommended PSU	400W-20%	500W
Power Connector	6-pin	8-pin
Length	250mm	229mm
Height	111mm	113mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75	72-4%
Perf/Watt	76.5	88.2+15%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB launched at $249 MSRP and currently averages $65, while the GeForce RTX 2060 launched at $349 and now averages $120. The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB costs 45.8% less ($55 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 141.2 (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 117.6 (GeForce RTX 2060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 5GB offers 20.1% better value. The GeForce RTX 2060 is the newer GPU (2019 vs 2017).