GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB vs GeForce RTX 3070
GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB
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GeForce RTX 3070
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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 3070
Why is GeForce RTX 3070 better than GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB?
Moving from a GeForce GTX 1060 6GB to a GeForce RTX 3070 is a significant vertical upgrade that shifts your gaming capability from "1080p entry" to "1440p high-performance." In most benchmarks, the RTX 3070 provides between 150% to 220% higher frame rates than the GTX 1060. While the 1060 6GB was widely celebrated for its balance, it lacks the RT and Tensor cores found in the RTX 3070's Ampere architecture, meaning it cannot access Ray Tracing or DLSS performance boosts.
Technical differences are stark: the RTX 3070 features 8GB of GDDR6 memory on a much wider bus, which is essential for modern high-fidelity assets. The GTX 1060's 6GB buffer is increasingly becoming a bottleneck in modern games even at 1080p. In demanding titles like Alan Wake 2 or Cyberpunk 2077, the RTX 3070 can deliver high-resolution gameplay with stable frame rates, while the GTX 1060 is forced down to low settings or specialized FSR upscaling just to remain playable.
For anyone looking to move into 1440p gaming or simply max out their 1080p high-refresh monitor, the RTX 3070 is the clear winner. It offers a level of stability and multi-generational improvement that makes the GTX 1060 feel obsolete for modern high-end gaming. The 3070 is the superior choice for performance, while the 1060 remains only as a legacy budget option for lighter titles.
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3070 uses modern memory architecture. The GeForce RTX 3070 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 3070 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 120.3% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-120.3%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+120.3%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / Pascal (2016−2021)) | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | 🎮 High Capacity (8 GB) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (250mm) | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $65 versus $200 for the GeForce RTX 3070, it costs 68% less. While it maintains significantly lower raw performance, this results in a 39.6% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+39.6%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($65) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($200) |
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 6 GB and GeForce RTX 3070
GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB
The GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in July 19 2016. 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: 10,063 points. Launch price was $299.
GeForce RTX 3070
The GeForce RTX 3070 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 1 2020. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1500 MHz to 1725 MHz. It has 5888 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 220W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 46 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 22,172 points. Launch price was $499.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB scores 10,063 versus the GeForce RTX 3070's 22,172 — the GeForce RTX 3070 leads by 120.3%. The GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB is built on Pascal while the GeForce RTX 3070 uses Ampere, both on 16 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 1,280 (GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB) vs 5,888 (GeForce RTX 3070). Raw compute: 4.375 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB) vs 20.31 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3070). Boost clocks: 1709 MHz vs 1725 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 10,063 | 22,172+120% |
| Architecture | Pascal | Ampere |
| Process Node | 16 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 1280 | 5888+360% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 4.375 TFLOPS | 20.31 TFLOPS+364% |
| Boost Clock | 1709 MHz | 1725 MHz |
| ROPs | 48 | 96+100% |
| TMUs | 80 | 184+130% |
| L1 Cache | 0.47 MB | 5.8 MB+1134% |
| L2 Cache | 1.5 MB | 4 MB+167% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| 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)
Both cards feature 8 GB of video memory. Memory bandwidth: 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB) vs 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3070) — a 133.3% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3070. Bus width: 192-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 1.5 MB (GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB) vs 4 MB (GeForce RTX 3070) — the GeForce RTX 3070 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 192 GB/s | 448 GB/s+133% |
| Bus Width | 192-bit | 256-bit+33% |
| L2 Cache | 1.5 MB | 4 MB+167% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (FL 12_1) (GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3070). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (FL 12_1) | 12 Ultimate |
| Vulkan | 1.3 | 1.4+8% |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 4th gen (GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB) vs NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3070). Decoder: PureVideo VP7 vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3070).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 4th gen | NVENC 7th gen |
| Decoder | PureVideo VP7 | NVDEC 5th gen |
| Codecs | H.264,H.265/HEVC | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB draws 120W versus the GeForce RTX 3070's 220W — a 58.8% difference. The GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB) vs 650W (GeForce RTX 3070). Power connectors: 6-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 250mm vs 242mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 70°C vs 75°C.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 120W-45% | 220W |
| Recommended PSU | 400W-38% | 650W |
| Power Connector | 6-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 250mm | 242mm |
| Height | 111mm | 112mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 70°C-7% | 75°C |
| Perf/Watt | 83.9 | 100.8+20% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB launched at $249 MSRP and currently averages $65, while the GeForce RTX 3070 launched at $499 and now averages $200. The GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB costs 67.5% less ($135 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 154.8 (GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB) vs 110.9 (GeForce RTX 3070) — the GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB offers 39.6% better value. The GeForce RTX 3070 is the newer GPU (2020 vs 2016).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $249-50% | $499 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $65-68% | $200 |
| Performance per Dollar | 154.8+40% | 110.9 |
| Codename | GP106 | GA104 |
| Release | July 19 2016 | September 1 2020 |
| Ranking | #255 | #63 |
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