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 A Laptop GPU 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 A Laptop GPU: 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

✅23.0% 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

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (10,064 vs 11,240).
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌2016 hardware with 6 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌38.5% higher power demand at 180W vs 130W.
❌17200% longer card at 173mm vs 1mm.

GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU

2022

Why buy it

✅+11.7% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅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 130W instead of 180W, a 50W reduction.
✅Measures 1mm instead of 173mm, a 172mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

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 23.0% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. PassMark G3D leans toward GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU instead at 11,240 vs 10,064, so for this question the real-game FPS result matters more than the synthetic split.

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

GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU 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, 20 vs 0 ray-tracing units, and a newer 2022 generation instead of 2016. That gives it the more rounded hardware package for newer games.

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 A Laptop GPU has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce GTX 1060 vs GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU 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 A Laptop GPU

The GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 4 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1552 MHz to 1777 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 130W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 20 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 11,240 points. Launch price was $249.

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Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1060 scores 10,064 versus the GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU's 11,240 — the GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU leads by 11.7%. The GeForce GTX 1060 is built on Pascal while the GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU uses Ampere, both on 16 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU). Raw compute: 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 9.098 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU). Boost clocks: 1733 MHz vs 1777 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU
G3D Mark Score	10,064	11,240+12%
Architecture	Pascal	Ampere
Process Node	16 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	2560	2560
Compute (TFLOPS)	8.873 TFLOPS	9.098 TFLOPS+3%
Boost Clock	1733 MHz	1777 MHz+3%
ROPs	64+100%	32
TMUs	160+100%	80
L1 Cache	0.94 MB	2.5 MB+166%
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

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Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU supports the newer DLSS 2 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce GTX 1060 is capped at Upscaling support.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU
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 A Laptop GPU 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 bandwidth: 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 128 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU) — a 50% advantage for the GeForce GTX 1060. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce GTX 1060 and 64-bit on the GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU
VRAM Capacity	6 GB+50%	4 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	192 GB/s+50%	128 GB/s
Bus Width	192-bit+200%	64-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

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Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 12_2 (GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU). Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 0.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU
DirectX	12	12_2
Max Displays	4	0

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Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060) vs NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU). Decoder: NVDEC (Pascal) vs NVDEC 5th Gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU
Encoder	NVENC (Pascal)	NVENC 7th Gen
Decoder	NVDEC (Pascal)	NVDEC 5th Gen
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1

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Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 draws 180W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU's 130W — a 32.3% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 500W (GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU). Power connectors: 6-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 173mm vs 1mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU
TDP	180W	130W-28%
Recommended PSU	400W-20%	500W
Power Connector	6-pin	PCIe-powered
Length	173mm	1mm
Height	111mm	—
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	—	80°C
Perf/Watt	55.9	86.5+55%

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Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU (2022 vs 2016).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU
MSRP	$249	—
Codename	GP104	GA106
Release	May 27 2016	January 4 2022
Ranking	#137	#211

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