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 1060 5GB vs GeForce RTX 3060 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 1060 5GB vs GeForce RTX 3060: 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 1060 5GB

2017

Why buy it

✅Costs $80 less on MSRP ($249 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
✅Draws 120W instead of 170W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3060 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 5 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌2017 hardware with 5 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 36.8 vs 51.7 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3060

2021

Why buy it

✅103.3% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 40.2% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 36.8 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅140% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 5 GB).
✅Better long-term bet: Ampere on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌41.7% higher power demand at 170W vs 120W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce RTX 3060 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 103.3% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 85.2% in PassMark G3D (16,995 vs 9,175), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce RTX 3060 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 12 GB vs 5 GB of VRAM, the newer upscaling stack, DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, a 8nm process instead of 16nm, and 28 vs 0 ray-tracing units. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce RTX 3060 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $80 more expensive on MSRP at $329 vs $249, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 40.2% (51.7 vs 36.8), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce GTX 1060 5GB vs GeForce RTX 3060 Technical Specifications

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

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 3060

The GeForce RTX 3060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 12 2021. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1320 MHz to 1777 MHz. It has 3584 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 170W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 28 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 16,995 points. Launch price was $329.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1060 5GB scores 9,175 versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 16,995 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 85.2%. The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB is built on Pascal while the GeForce RTX 3060 uses Ampere, both on 16 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 1,280 (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060). Raw compute: 4.375 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060). Boost clocks: 1709 MHz vs 1777 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 5GB	GeForce RTX 3060
G3D Mark Score	9,175	16,995+85%
Architecture	Pascal	Ampere
Process Node	16 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	1280	3584+180%
Compute (TFLOPS)	4.375 TFLOPS	12.74 TFLOPS+191%
Boost Clock	1709 MHz	1777 MHz+4%
ROPs	40	48+20%
TMUs	80	112+40%
L1 Cache	0.47 MB	3.5 MB+645%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB	3 MB+140%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3060 supports the newer DLSS 2 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce GTX 1060 5GB is capped at Upscaling support.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 5GB	GeForce RTX 3060
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	DLSS 2 Super Resolution
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB has 5 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 carries 12 GB. GeForce RTX 3060 gives you 140% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 160 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) — a 125% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060. Memory bus width is 160-bit on the GeForce GTX 1060 5GB and 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 3060. L2 Cache: 1.25 MB (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 3060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 5GB	GeForce RTX 3060
VRAM Capacity	5 GB	12 GB+140%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	160 GB/s	360 GB/s+125%
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 (GeForce RTX 3060). 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 3060
DirectX	12 (12_1)	12 Ultimate
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 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060). Decoder: NVDEC (3rd Gen) vs NVDEC 5th Gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265,VP9 (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 5GB	GeForce RTX 3060
Encoder	NVENC (6th Gen)	NVENC 7th Gen
Decoder	NVDEC (3rd Gen)	NVDEC 5th Gen
Codecs	H.264,H.265,VP9	AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB draws 120W versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 170W — a 34.5% difference. The GeForce GTX 1060 5GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 3060). Power connectors: 6-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 250mm vs 242mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 75.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 5GB	GeForce RTX 3060
TDP	120W-29%	170W
Recommended PSU	400W-27%	550W
Power Connector	6-pin	8-pin
Length	250mm	242mm
Height	111mm	112mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75	75
Perf/Watt	76.5	100.0+31%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce GTX 1060 5GB came in at $249, while the GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329. On MSRP, GeForce GTX 1060 5GB was 24.3% cheaper ($80 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 36.8 (GeForce GTX 1060 5GB) vs 51.7 (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 40.5% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3060 (2021 vs 2017).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 5GB	GeForce RTX 3060
MSRP	$249-24%	$329
Performance per Dollar	36.8	51.7+40%
Codename	GP106	GA106
Release	December 26 2017	January 12 2021
Ranking	#289	#114

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