GeForce GTX 1060 vs GeForce MX230

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 MX230 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 MX230: 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

✅467.3% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 232% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 40.4 vs 12.2 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 2 GB).

Trade-offs

❌2016 hardware with 6 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌1700% higher power demand at 180W vs 10W.

GeForce MX230

2019

Why buy it

✅Costs $99 less on MSRP ($150 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
✅GeForce GTX 1060 is already legacy-tier future-proofing, so GeForce MX230 is the less risky modern option long term.
✅Draws 10W instead of 180W, a 170W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 1060 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2019 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 12.2 vs 40.4 G3D/$ ($150 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).

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 467.3% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 451.2% in PassMark G3D (10,064 vs 1,826), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce MX230 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a 14nm process instead of 16nm and a newer 2019 generation instead of 2016. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce GTX 1060 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $99 more expensive on MSRP at $249 vs $150, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 232% (40.4 vs 12.2), so the value case lines up with the gaming result. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GeForce GTX 1060 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, GeForce MX230 has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce GTX 1060 vs GeForce MX230 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 MX230

The GeForce MX230 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in February 21 2019. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1519 MHz to 1582 MHz. It has 256 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 10W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,826 points.

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Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1060 scores 10,064 versus the GeForce MX230's 1,826 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 451.2%. The GeForce GTX 1060 is built on Pascal while the GeForce MX230 uses Pascal, both on 16 nm vs 14 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 256 (GeForce MX230). Raw compute: 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 0.81 TFLOPS (GeForce MX230). Boost clocks: 1733 MHz vs 1582 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce MX230
G3D Mark Score	10,064+451%	1,826
Architecture	Pascal	Pascal
Process Node	16 nm	14 nm
Shading Units	2560+900%	256
Compute (TFLOPS)	8.873 TFLOPS+995%	0.81 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1733 MHz+10%	1582 MHz
ROPs	64+300%	16
TMUs	160+900%	16
L1 Cache	960 KB+900%	96 KB
L2 Cache	2 MB+300%	0.5 MB

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Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce MX230
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

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Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 1060 has 6 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce MX230 carries 2 GB. GeForce GTX 1060 gives you 200% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 48 GB/s (GeForce MX230) — a 300% advantage for the GeForce GTX 1060. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce GTX 1060 and 64-bit on the GeForce MX230. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 0.5 MB (GeForce MX230) — the GeForce GTX 1060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce MX230
VRAM Capacity	6 GB+200%	2 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	192 GB/s+300%	48 GB/s
Bus Width	192-bit+200%	64-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB+300%	0.5 MB

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Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 draws 180W versus the GeForce MX230's 10W — a 178.9% difference. The GeForce MX230 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 350W (GeForce MX230). Power connectors: 6-pin vs Mobile.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce MX230
TDP	180W	10W-94%
Recommended PSU	400W	350W-13%
Power Connector	6-pin	Mobile
Length	173mm	—
Height	111mm	—
Slots	2	—
Perf/Watt	55.9	182.6+227%

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Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce GTX 1060 came in at $249, while the GeForce MX230 launched at $150. On MSRP, GeForce MX230 was 39.8% cheaper ($99 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 40.4 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 12.2 (GeForce MX230) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 231.1% better value. The newer card here is GeForce MX230 (2019 vs 2016).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce MX230
MSRP	$249	$150-40%
Performance per Dollar	40.4+231%	12.2
Codename	GP104	GP108
Release	May 27 2016	February 21 2019
Ranking	#137	#708

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