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 OEM 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 OEM: 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

✅Measures 173mm instead of 235mm, a 62mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3050 OEM across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌2016 hardware with 6 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 40.4 vs 47.8 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

2022

Why buy it

✅0.7% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 18.2% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 47.8 vs 40.4 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅33.3% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 6 GB).
✅Better long-term bet: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌35.8% longer card at 235mm vs 173mm.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 0.7% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 18.2% in PassMark G3D (11,892 vs 10,064), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 8 GB vs 6 GB of VRAM, the newer upscaling stack, DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, a 8nm process instead of 16nm, and 20 vs 0 ray-tracing units. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM makes the most sense to buy today. It is priced the same on MSRP at $249 vs $249, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 18.2% (47.8 vs 40.4), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce GTX 1060 vs GeForce RTX 3050 OEM 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 OEM

The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 4 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1515 MHz to 1755 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: 11,892 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1060 scores 10,064 versus the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM's 11,892 — the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM leads by 18.2%. The GeForce GTX 1060 is built on Pascal while the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM uses Ampere, both on 16 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Raw compute: 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 8.986 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Boost clocks: 1733 MHz vs 1755 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
G3D Mark Score	10,064	11,892+18%
Architecture	Pascal	Ampere
Process Node	16 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	2560	2560
Compute (TFLOPS)	8.873 TFLOPS	8.986 TFLOPS+1%
Boost Clock	1733 MHz	1755 MHz+1%
ROPs	64+100%	32
TMUs	160+100%	80
L1 Cache	0.94 MB	2.5 MB+166%
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

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

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	DLSS 2 Super Resolution
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 RTX 3050 OEM carries 8 GB. GeForce RTX 3050 OEM gives you 33.3% 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 224 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) — a 16.7% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce GTX 1060 and 128-bit on the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
VRAM Capacity	6 GB	8 GB+33%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	192 GB/s	224 GB/s+17%
Bus Width	192-bit+50%	128-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). 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 OEM
DirectX	12	12.2+2%
Vulkan	1.3	1.3
OpenGL	4.5	4.6+2%
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 8th Gen NVENC (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Decoder: NVDEC (Pascal) vs 5th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode) (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
Encoder	NVENC (Pascal)	8th Gen NVENC
Decoder	NVDEC (Pascal)	5th Gen NVDEC
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode)

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 draws 180W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM's 130W — a 32.3% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 450W (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Power connectors: 6-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 173mm vs 235mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
TDP	180W	130W-28%
Recommended PSU	400W-11%	450W
Power Connector	6-pin	8-pin
Length	173mm	235mm
Height	111mm	124mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	—	75°C
Perf/Watt	55.9	91.5+64%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce GTX 1060 came in at $249, while the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM launched at $249. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 40.4 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 47.8 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) — the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM offers 18.3% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3050 OEM (2022 vs 2016).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
MSRP	$249	$249
Performance per Dollar	40.4	47.8+18%
Codename	GP104	GA106
Release	May 27 2016	January 4 2022
Ranking	#137	#224

Search GeForce GTX 1060 on Amazon

Search GeForce RTX 3050 OEM on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.