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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, raw graphics performance, VRAM, feature set, power efficiency, pricing context, and long-term value so you can see which GPU actually makes more sense.

GeForce GTX 1060

2016

Why buy it

✅5.1% more average FPS across 17 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Measures 173mm instead of 235mm, a 62mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (10,064 vs 11,892).
❌Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌Poor future-proofing: 2016-era hardware with 6 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option 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

✅+18.2% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅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).
✅More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 1060 across 17 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌35.8% longer card at 235mm vs 173mm.

GeForce GTX 1060

2016

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

2022

Why buy it

✅5.1% more average FPS across 17 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Measures 173mm instead of 235mm, a 62mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Why buy it

✅+18.2% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅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).
✅More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (10,064 vs 11,892).
❌Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌Poor future-proofing: 2016-era hardware with 6 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 40.4 vs 47.8 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 1060 across 17 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌35.8% longer card at 235mm vs 173mm.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3050 OEM better than GeForce GTX 1060?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is clearly the better overall GPU here. GeForce GTX 1060 averages 5.1% more FPS across 17 tracked games in our benchmark data. You are also looking at 11,892 vs 10,064 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is a 2022 card with DLSS Super Resolution, while GeForce GTX 1060 is a 2016 model from an older generation with no meaningful modern upscaling stack. So this is not really a tight same-tier comparison. It is more a modern card against an older, weaker alternative.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2022 generation instead of 2016, 18.2% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 8 GB instead of 6 GB, and better upscaling support with DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack. That leaves it with more room for heavier textures, tougher ray tracing loads, and higher-end 1440p or 4K gaming over the next few years.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is the smarter buy by a wide margin. GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is in basically the same MSRP band at $249 MSRP versus $249 MSRP, and you are getting lower estimated average FPS across 17 tracked games in our benchmark data and 18.2% higher G3D Mark. GeForce GTX 1060 really only makes sense now as a very cheap stopgap or a used-market placeholder.

Is GeForce GTX 1060 still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

No, not for a fresh gaming build. GeForce GTX 1060 is 2016 hardware with 6 GB of VRAM, 10,064 in G3D Mark, and no meaningful modern upscaling stack. That is simply too far behind to be an easy modern recommendation.

Games Benchmarks

Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 9800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.

Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.

GeForce GTX 1060 Benchmark Check

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
1080p
low	117 FPS	130 FPS
medium	105 FPS	113 FPS
high	91 FPS	99 FPS
ultra	77 FPS	83 FPS
1440p
low	103 FPS	119 FPS
medium	87 FPS	96 FPS
high	76 FPS	81 FPS
ultra	67 FPS	69 FPS
4K
low	55 FPS	64 FPS
medium	49 FPS	57 FPS
high	41 FPS	39 FPS
ultra	37 FPS	33 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1060 Open GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
1080p
low	216 FPS	239 FPS
medium	181 FPS	206 FPS
high	148 FPS	164 FPS
ultra	113 FPS	128 FPS
1440p
low	134 FPS	163 FPS
medium	107 FPS	135 FPS
high	87 FPS	112 FPS
ultra	68 FPS	92 FPS
4K
low	62 FPS	88 FPS
medium	51 FPS	74 FPS
high	49 FPS	62 FPS
ultra	41 FPS	49 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1060 Open GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
1080p
low	453 FPS	535 FPS
medium	362 FPS	428 FPS
high	302 FPS	357 FPS
ultra	226 FPS	268 FPS
1440p
low	340 FPS	401 FPS
medium	272 FPS	321 FPS
high	226 FPS	268 FPS
ultra	170 FPS	201 FPS
4K
low	226 FPS	268 FPS
medium	181 FPS	214 FPS
high	151 FPS	178 FPS
ultra	113 FPS	134 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1060 Open GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
1080p
low	358 FPS	467 FPS
medium	302 FPS	414 FPS
high	260 FPS	335 FPS
ultra	226 FPS	268 FPS
1440p
low	299 FPS	372 FPS
medium	254 FPS	321 FPS
high	208 FPS	236 FPS
ultra	170 FPS	197 FPS
4K
low	170 FPS	199 FPS
medium	133 FPS	175 FPS
high	123 FPS	150 FPS
ultra	102 FPS	125 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1060 Open GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 1060 and GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

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 comes with 6 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM has 8 GB. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. 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. Bus width: 192-bit vs 128-bit.

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

The GeForce GTX 1060 launched at $249 MSRP, 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 GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2016).