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 vs GeForce GTX 1060 3GB 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 vs GeForce GTX 1060 3GB: 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

2016

Why buy it

✅45.7% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 3 GB).
✅Measures 173mm instead of 250mm, a 77mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌2016 hardware with 6 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌
25.1% HIGHER MSRP
$249 MSRPvs$199 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 40.4 vs 49.3 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌50% higher power demand at 180W vs 120W.

GeForce GTX 1060 3GB

2016

Why buy it

✅Costs $50 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
✅Delivers 22% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 49.3 vs 40.4 G3D/$ ($199 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
✅Draws 120W instead of 180W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 1060 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 3 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2016 hardware with 3 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌44.5% longer card at 250mm vs 173mm.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce GTX 1060 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 45.7% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 2.5% in PassMark G3D (10,064 vs 9,815), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce GTX 1060 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 6 GB vs 3 GB of VRAM. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce GTX 1060 3GB makes the most sense to buy today. It is $50 cheaper on MSRP at $199 vs $249, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 22% (49.3 vs 40.4), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GeForce GTX 1060 3GB is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, GeForce GTX 1060 has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce GTX 1060 vs GeForce GTX 1060 3GB Technical Specifications

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

GeForce GTX 1060

The GeForce GTX 1060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 27 2016. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1607 MHz to 1733 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 180W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 10,064 points. Launch price was $599.

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.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 1060 scores 10,064 and the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB reaches 9,815 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.5% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 1060 is built on Pascal while the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB uses Pascal, both on a 16 nm process. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 1,152 (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB). Raw compute: 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 3.935 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB). Boost clocks: 1733 MHz vs 1708 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
G3D Mark Score	10,064+3%	9,815
Architecture	Pascal	Pascal
Process Node	16 nm	16 nm
Shading Units	2560+122%	1152
Compute (TFLOPS)	8.873 TFLOPS+125%	3.935 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1733 MHz+1%	1708 MHz
ROPs	64+33%	48
TMUs	160+122%	72
L1 Cache	960 KB+122%	432 KB
L2 Cache	2 MB+33%	1.5 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 1060 has 6 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB carries 3 GB. GeForce GTX 1060 gives you 100% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce GTX 1060 and 192-bit on the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 1.5 MB (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) — the GeForce GTX 1060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
VRAM Capacity	6 GB+100%	3 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	192 GB/s	192 GB/s
Bus Width	192-bit	192-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB+33%	1.5 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

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

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
DirectX	12	12.1
Vulkan	1.3+18%	1.1
OpenGL	4.5	4.5
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

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

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
Encoder	NVENC (Pascal)	NVENC 4.0
Decoder	NVDEC (Pascal)	PureVideo HD VP6
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 draws 180W versus the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB's 120W — a 40% difference. The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB). Power connectors: 6-pin vs 6-pin. Card length: 173mm vs 250mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
TDP	180W	120W-33%
Recommended PSU	400W	400W
Power Connector	6-pin	6-pin
Length	173mm	250mm
Height	111mm	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	—	75°C
Perf/Watt	55.9	81.8+46%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce GTX 1060 came in at $249, while the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB launched at $199. On MSRP, GeForce GTX 1060 3GB was 20.1% cheaper ($50 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 40.4 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 49.3 (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) — the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB offers 22% better value.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
MSRP	$249	$199-20%
Performance per Dollar	40.4	49.3+22%
Codename	GP104	GP106
Release	May 27 2016	August 18 2016
Ranking	#137	#272

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