GeForce GTX 1060 vs GeForce MX550

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 MX550 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 MX550: 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

✅150.4% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 35.3% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 40.4 vs 29.9 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.
❌620% higher power demand at 180W vs 25W.

GeForce MX550

2021

Why buy it

✅Costs $99 less on MSRP ($150 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
✅GeForce GTX 1060 is already legacy-tier future-proofing, so GeForce MX550 is the less risky modern option long term.
✅Draws 25W instead of 180W, a 155W 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.
❌Older hardware, 2 GB of VRAM, and weaker feature support mean it will age faster in newer AAA releases.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 29.9 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 150.4% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 124.6% in PassMark G3D (10,064 vs 4,480), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce MX550 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a 12nm process instead of 16nm and a newer 2021 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 35.3% (40.4 vs 29.9), 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 MX550 has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce GTX 1060 vs GeForce MX550 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 MX550

The GeForce MX550 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in December 17 2021. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 1065 MHz to 1320 MHz. It has 1024 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 25W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 4,480 points.

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Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1060 scores 10,064 versus the GeForce MX550's 4,480 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 124.6%. The GeForce GTX 1060 is built on Pascal while the GeForce MX550 uses Turing, both on 16 nm vs 12 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 1,024 (GeForce MX550). Raw compute: 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 2.703 TFLOPS (GeForce MX550). Boost clocks: 1733 MHz vs 1320 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce MX550
G3D Mark Score	10,064+125%	4,480
Architecture	Pascal	Turing
Process Node	16 nm	12 nm
Shading Units	2560+150%	1024
Compute (TFLOPS)	8.873 TFLOPS+228%	2.703 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1733 MHz+31%	1320 MHz
ROPs	64+300%	16
TMUs	160+400%	32
L1 Cache	0.94 MB	2 MB+113%
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

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Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce MX550
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 MX550 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 80 GB/s (GeForce MX550) — a 140% advantage for the GeForce GTX 1060. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce GTX 1060 and 64-bit on the GeForce MX550.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce MX550
VRAM Capacity	6 GB+200%	2 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	192 GB/s+140%	80 GB/s
Bus Width	192-bit+200%	64-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

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Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 draws 180W versus the GeForce MX550's 25W — a 151.2% difference. The GeForce MX550 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 350W (GeForce MX550). Power connectors: 6-pin vs Mobile.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce MX550
TDP	180W	25W-86%
Recommended PSU	400W	350W-13%
Power Connector	6-pin	Mobile
Length	173mm	—
Height	111mm	—
Slots	2	—
Perf/Watt	55.9	179.2+221%

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Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce GTX 1060 came in at $249, while the GeForce MX550 launched at $150. On MSRP, GeForce MX550 was 39.8% cheaper ($99 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 40.4 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 29.9 (GeForce MX550) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 35.1% better value. The newer card here is GeForce MX550 (2021 vs 2016).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce MX550
MSRP	$249	$150-40%
Performance per Dollar	40.4+35%	29.9
Codename	GP104	TU117S
Release	May 27 2016	December 17 2021
Ranking	#137	#468

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