GeForce GTX 1060 vs GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 1060

2016Core: 1607 MHzBoost: 1733 MHz

Popular choices:

VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile

2021Core: 1110 MHzBoost: 1560 MHz

Popular choices:

Performance Spectrum - GPU

About G3D Mark

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

  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 40.4 vs 0 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark G3D performance (10,064 vs 23,025).
  • 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.
  • 56.5% higher power demand at 180W vs 115W.

GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile

2021

Why buy it

  • +128.8% higher PassMark G3D performance.
  • 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 on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.
  • Draws 115W instead of 180W, a 65W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 40.4 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $249 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile better than GeForce GTX 1060?
Yes. GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile is clearly the better overall GPU here. You are also looking at 23,025 vs 10,064 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile is a 2021 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 3070 Mobile is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2021 generation instead of 2016, 128.8% 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 3070 Mobile is the smarter buy by a wide margin. GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile is priced in an unclear MSRP range at an unclear MSRP versus $249 MSRP, and you are getting 128.8% 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.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetGeForce GTX 1060GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile
1080p
low117 FPS132 FPS
medium105 FPS114 FPS
high91 FPS97 FPS
ultra77 FPS67 FPS
1440p
low103 FPS106 FPS
medium87 FPS88 FPS
high76 FPS70 FPS
ultra67 FPS48 FPS
4K
low55 FPS47 FPS
medium49 FPS41 FPS
high41 FPS30 FPS
ultra37 FPS25 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetGeForce GTX 1060GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile
1080p
low216 FPS360 FPS
medium181 FPS315 FPS
high148 FPS263 FPS
ultra113 FPS228 FPS
1440p
low134 FPS258 FPS
medium107 FPS219 FPS
high87 FPS185 FPS
ultra68 FPS156 FPS
4K
low62 FPS131 FPS
medium51 FPS113 FPS
high49 FPS96 FPS
ultra41 FPS73 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetGeForce GTX 1060GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile
1080p
low453 FPS836 FPS
medium362 FPS683 FPS
high302 FPS592 FPS
ultra226 FPS512 FPS
1440p
low340 FPS648 FPS
medium272 FPS526 FPS
high226 FPS447 FPS
ultra170 FPS379 FPS
4K
low226 FPS420 FPS
medium181 FPS338 FPS
high151 FPS272 FPS
ultra113 FPS213 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetGeForce GTX 1060GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile
1080p
low358 FPS290 FPS
medium302 FPS254 FPS
high260 FPS209 FPS
ultra226 FPS178 FPS
1440p
low299 FPS224 FPS
medium254 FPS201 FPS
high208 FPS167 FPS
ultra170 FPS138 FPS
4K
low170 FPS132 FPS
medium133 FPS113 FPS
high123 FPS89 FPS
ultra102 FPS71 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 1060 and GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile

NVIDIA

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.

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile

The GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 12 2021. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1110 MHz to 1560 MHz. It has 5120 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 115W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 40 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 23,025 points.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1060 scores 10,064 versus the GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile's 23,025 — the GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile leads by 128.8%. The GeForce GTX 1060 is built on Pascal while the GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile uses Ampere, both on 16 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 5,120 (GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile). Raw compute: 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 15.97 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile). Boost clocks: 1733 MHz vs 1560 MHz.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile
G3D Mark Score
10,064
23,025+129%
Architecture
Pascal
Ampere
Process Node
16 nm
8 nm
Shading Units
2560
5120+100%
Compute (TFLOPS)
8.873 TFLOPS
15.97 TFLOPS+80%
Boost Clock
1733 MHz+11%
1560 MHz
ROPs
64
80+25%
TMUs
160
160
L1 Cache
0.94 MB
5 MB+432%
L2 Cache
2 MB
4 MB+100%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile supports the newer DLSS 2 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce GTX 1060 is capped at Upscaling support.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060GeForce RTX 3070 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
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 1060 comes with 6 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile has 8 GB. The GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile) — a 133.3% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile. Bus width: 192-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 4 MB (GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile) — the GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile
VRAM Capacity
6 GB
8 GB+33%
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth
192 GB/s
448 GB/s+133%
Bus Width
192-bit
256-bit+33%
L2 Cache
2 MB
4 MB+100%
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile
DirectX
12
12.2+2%
Vulkan
1.3+8%
1.2
OpenGL
4.5
4.6+2%
Max Displays
4
4
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 7th Gen NVENC (GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile). 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 3070 Mobile).

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile
Encoder
NVENC (Pascal)
7th 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 3070 Mobile's 115W — a 44.1% difference. The GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 650W (GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile). Power connectors: 6-pin vs Mobile. Card length: 173mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile
TDP
180W
115W-36%
Recommended PSU
400W-38%
650W
Power Connector
6-pin
Mobile
Length
173mm
0mm
Height
111mm
0mm
Slots
2
0-100%
Temp (Load)
80°C
Perf/Watt
55.9
200.2+258%
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2016).

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile
MSRP
$249
Codename
GP104
GA104
Release
May 27 2016
January 12 2021
Ranking
#137
#164