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 5050 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 5050: 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 241mm, a 68mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 5050 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation (2025).
❌2016 hardware with 6 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 40.4 vs 68.6 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 5050

2025

Why buy it

✅26.4% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 69.8% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 68.6 vs 40.4 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation (2025).
✅33.3% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 6 GB).
✅Better long-term bet: Blackwell on 5nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌39.3% longer card at 241mm vs 173mm.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce RTX 5050 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 26.4% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 69.8% in PassMark G3D (17,087 vs 10,064), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce RTX 5050 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 8 GB vs 6 GB of VRAM, the newer feature stack, with DLSS 4 Super Resolution (2025) and DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation (2025), while GeForce GTX 1060 is limited to no meaningful modern upscaling stack and no comparable frame-generation support, a 5nm 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 5050 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 69.8% (68.6 vs 40.4), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce GTX 1060 vs GeForce RTX 5050 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 5050

The GeForce RTX 5050 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in June 24 2025. It features the Blackwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 2317 MHz to 2572 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 130W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 20 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 17,087 points. Launch price was $249.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1060 scores 10,064 versus the GeForce RTX 5050's 17,087 — the GeForce RTX 5050 leads by 69.8%. The GeForce GTX 1060 is built on Pascal while the GeForce RTX 5050 uses Blackwell 2.0, both on 16 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 2,560 (GeForce RTX 5050). Raw compute: 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 13.17 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 5050). Boost clocks: 1733 MHz vs 2572 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 5050
G3D Mark Score	10,064	17,087+70%
Architecture	Pascal	Blackwell 2.0
Process Node	16 nm	5 nm
Shading Units	2560	2560
Compute (TFLOPS)	8.873 TFLOPS	13.17 TFLOPS+48%
Boost Clock	1733 MHz	2572 MHz+48%
ROPs	64+100%	32
TMUs	160+100%	80
L1 Cache	0.94 MB	2.5 MB+166%
L2 Cache	2 MB	24 MB+1100%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The clearest feature edge for the GeForce RTX 5050 is support for DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation. In games that support it, that can smooth out motion and lift perceived FPS. The GeForce GTX 1060 does not have comparable native support in the same tier.The GeForce RTX 5050 supports the newer DLSS 4 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce GTX 1060 is capped at Upscaling support.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 5050
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	DLSS 4 Super Resolution
Frame Generation	Not Supported	DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation
Ray Reconstruction	No	Yes (DLSS 4)
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 1060 has 6 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 5050 carries 8 GB. GeForce RTX 5050 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 320 GB/s (GeForce RTX 5050) — a 66.7% advantage for the GeForce RTX 5050. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce GTX 1060 and 128-bit on the GeForce RTX 5050. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 24 MB (GeForce RTX 5050) — the GeForce RTX 5050 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 5050
VRAM Capacity	6 GB	8 GB+33%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	192 GB/s	320 GB/s+67%
Bus Width	192-bit+50%	128-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB	24 MB+1100%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 5050). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 5050
DirectX	12	12.2+2%
Vulkan	1.3	1.4+8%
OpenGL	4.5	4.6+2%
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 9th Gen NVENC (GeForce RTX 5050). Decoder: NVDEC (Pascal) vs 6th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 5050).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 5050
Encoder	NVENC (Pascal)	9th Gen NVENC
Decoder	NVDEC (Pascal)	6th Gen NVDEC
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 draws 180W versus the GeForce RTX 5050's 130W — a 32.3% difference. The GeForce RTX 5050 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 450W (GeForce RTX 5050). Power connectors: 6-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 173mm vs 241mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 5050
TDP	180W	130W-28%
Recommended PSU	400W-11%	450W
Power Connector	6-pin	8-pin
Length	173mm	241mm
Height	111mm	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	—	75°C
Perf/Watt	55.9	131.4+135%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce GTX 1060 came in at $249, while the GeForce RTX 5050 launched at $249. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 40.4 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 68.6 (GeForce RTX 5050) — the GeForce RTX 5050 offers 69.8% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 5050 (2025 vs 2016).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 5050
MSRP	$249	$249
Performance per Dollar	40.4	68.6+70%
Codename	GP104	GB207
Release	May 27 2016	June 24 2025
Ranking	#137	#112

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