GeForce GTX 1060 vs GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile

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 RTX 3050 4GB Mobile 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 RTX 3050 4GB Mobile: 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

✅109.0% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 40.4 vs 0 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 4 GB).

Trade-offs

❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌2016 hardware with 6 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌200% higher power demand at 180W vs 60W.

GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile

2021

Why buy it

✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅Better long-term bet: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.
✅Draws 60W instead of 180W, a 120W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 1060 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 4 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 40.4 G3D/$ (Unknown 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 109.0% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 6% in PassMark G3D (10,064 vs 9,494), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: the newer upscaling stack, DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, a 8nm 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 today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. 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 RTX 3050 4GB Mobile has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce GTX 1060 vs GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile 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 RTX 3050 4GB Mobile

The GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 11 2021. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1238 MHz to 1500 MHz. It has 2048 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 60W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 9,494 points.

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Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1060 scores 10,064 versus the GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile's 9,494 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 6%. The GeForce GTX 1060 is built on Pascal while the GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile uses Ampere, both on 16 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 2,048 (GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile). Boost clocks: 1733 MHz vs 1500 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile
G3D Mark Score	10,064+6%	9,494
Architecture	Pascal	Ampere
Process Node	16 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	2560+25%	2048
Boost Clock	1733 MHz+16%	1500 MHz

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Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile supports the newer DLSS 2 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce GTX 1060 is capped at Upscaling support.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	DLSS 2 Super Resolution
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 RTX 3050 4GB Mobile carries 4 GB. GeForce GTX 1060 gives you 50% 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 128-bit on the GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile
VRAM Capacity	6 GB+50%	4 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	192 GB/s	192 GB/s
Bus Width	192-bit+50%	128-bit

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Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile
DirectX	12	12.2+2%
Vulkan	1.3	1.3
OpenGL	4.5	4.6+2%
Max Displays	4	4

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Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060) vs NVENC 8.0 (GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile). Decoder: NVDEC (Pascal) vs PureVideo HD VP11. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode) (GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile
Encoder	NVENC (Pascal)	NVENC 8.0
Decoder	NVDEC (Pascal)	PureVideo HD VP11
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode)

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Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 draws 180W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile's 60W — a 100% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 500W (GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile). Power connectors: 6-pin vs Mobile. Card length: 173mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile
TDP	180W	60W-67%
Recommended PSU	400W-20%	500W
Power Connector	6-pin	Mobile
Length	173mm	0mm
Height	111mm	0mm
Slots	2	0-100%
Perf/Watt	55.9	158.2+183%

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Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile (2021 vs 2016).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile
MSRP	$249	—
Codename	GP104	GN20-P0
Release	May 27 2016	May 11 2021
Ranking	#137	#286

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